FC Zhemchuzhina-Sochi (Russian: ФК Жемчужина-Сочи) was a Russian association football club based in Sochi, Krasnodar Krai founded in 1991 and dissolved in 2012.

Zhemchuzhina-Sochi
Full nameFootball Club Zhemchuzhina-Sochi
Founded1991
Dissolved2012
GroundSochi Central Stadium
Capacity10,200
PresidentDmitry Yakushev
2011–12withdrew from FNL

History edit

Zhemchuzhina Sochi was founded in 1991 and named after a hotel which was one of the founders. Zhemchuzhina is Russian for "a pearl". Zhemchuzhina spent one season in the Soviet Second League B (winning zonal tournament), but were entitled to enter Russian First Division in 1992, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Zhemchuzhina won the tournament in their zone and were promoted to the Russian Top Division. They spent 7 seasons there, from 1993 to 1999. After another season in the First Division in 2000 Zhemchuzhina went straight down to the Second Division. The club was disbanded after the 2003 season due to financial problems.

In 2004, a new club, Sochi-04, was formed in place of Zhemchuzhina. The former head of Zhemchuzhina, Oleg Shinkaryov, became a chairman of Sochi-04.

Rebirth edit

In 2007, club was re-established under name "Zhemchuzhina-A". Arsen Naydyonov became manager and vice-president of club. "Zhemchuzhina-A" played in Amateur Football League South zone, the 4th highest-level in 2007. It finished 2nd this league and promoted to South Zone of Russian Second Division for 2008 season. In 2008, it was renamed to FC Zhemchuzhina-Sochi. It promoted to the Russian First Division the 2010 season as champions of South Zone after 9 seasons of absence.

In August 2011 the team withdrew from Russian First Division (FNL).

League history edit

Season Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Cup Europe Top Scorer
(League)
Head Coach
1991 4th,
Zone 4
1 42 27 10 5 91 33 64   Makeev - 24   Naydyonov
1992 2nd,
"West"
1 34 24 5 5 84 40 53   Gogrichiani - 26   Naydyonov
1993 1st 13 34 10 10 14 52 62 30 R64   Gogrichiani - 13   Naydyonov
1994 9 30 8 11 11 44 48 27 R32   Filimonov - 9   Naydyonov
1995 13 30 8 4 18 36 69 28 R16   Bogatyryov - 10   Naydyonov
1996 15 34 10 6 18 38 57 36 R16   3x players - 6   Naydyonov
1997 14 34 11 7 16 38 51 40 R32   Gogrichiani - 7   Naydyonov
1998 13 30 9 8 13 31 48 35 R32   Gogrichiani - 4
  Kutarba - 4
  Baidachny
1999 15 30 5 11 14 29 55 26 R16   Demenko - 5
  Kovalenko - 5
  Baidachny
  Antikhovich
2000 2nd 17 38 12 7 19 48 70 43 R32   Gogrichiani - 7
  Suleymanov - 7
  Naydyonov
2001 3rd,
"South"
9 38 16 6 16 59 47 54 R32   Avetisyan - 18   Sekech
2002 11 40 16 6 18 60 51 54 R256   Nikulin - 12   Suleymanov
2003 18 38 9 5 24 36 66 32 R512   Guguyev - 12   Naydyonov
  Bondaruk
2004 R512
2004–2007
2007 LFL(4th),
"South"
2 30 19 3 8 53 27 60   Naydyonov
2008 3rd,
"South"
6 34 14 12 8 48 30 54   Pinchuk - 15   Gogrichiani
2009 1 34 29 2 3 91 22 89 R1024   Dubrovin - 22   Vasilenko
2010 2nd 8 38 16 9 13 45 44 57 R64   Zebelyan - 6
  Demenko - 6
  Vasilenko
  Sanaya
2011–12 20 38 8 2 28 22 81 27 R32   Papadopulos - 5   Cherchesov

Reserve squad edit

Zhemchuzhina's reserve squad played professionally as FC Zhemchuzhina-d Sochi (Russian Third League in 1995-1997) and FC Zhemchuzhina-2 Sochi (Russian Second Division in 1998-1999). In 1992-1993 the reserves team was based in Adler and played under the name of FC Torpedo Adler.

Another farm club called FC Dynamo-Zhemchuzhina-2 Sochi played professionally in Russian Third League in 1996 and Russian Second League in 1997.

Notable players edit

Had international caps for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for Zhemchuzhina.

External links edit