Santos F.C.

Birth of Santos FC: 1912

In the beginning of the 20th century, the city of Santos grew to become of great importance to Brazil. Its port became one of the largest in the world with coffee, a major product in those times, being the most exported product. With the influx of income, the wealthy socialites of the city became increasingly interested in having the city represented in sports. Being a port, water sports such as rowing were generally the most practiced activity by the city's youth, but the city had teams strong enough to compete in the Campeonatos Paulista or Paulistão, with Clube Atlético Internacional and Sport Club Americano being the two strongest representatives. Football was introduced to Santos in 1902 via the Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie, and the students created the two aforementioned clubs as a result. However, Atlético Internacional dissolved in 1910 and Americano moved to São Paulo in 1911. With the city students dissatisfied at this turn of events, a meeting was held at the headquarters of the Concordia Club (located in Rosario Street No. 18, at the top of the old bakery and Switzerland confectionery, currently Avenida João Pessoa), with the aim of creating a football team. The conference, which lasted 14 hours, was spearheaded by three sportsmen from the city: Raymundo Marques Francisco, Mário Ferraz de Campos and Argemiro de Souza Junior. During the meeting, there was doubt as to the name that should be given to the club. Several…

The club was established in Heideveld on the Cape Flats in 1982 and was originally known as Lightbodys Santos FC, after its sponsor. During apartheid, it was renowned for the insistence on non-racial inclusivity, hence its nickname "The People's Team". They played in the Federation Professional League (FPL), the only truly non-racial football body in the country from 1982 to 1990. They won the championship in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1990 before joining the National Soccer League. The PSL era began in 1996, with Santos earning promotion to the Premiership for the 1997–98 season. Santos tasted their first success in the new format of the league in 2001–02 when they surprisingly won the title under the mentorship of Gordon Igesund. This side featured players like Edries Burton, Andre Arendse, Musa Otieno and the club's all-time top goalscorer Jean-Marc Ithier. With the title win Santos became the first – and to date the only – team that was not a founder-member of the PSL Premiership to win the league. They were also crowned Bob Save Super Bowl winners in 2001 and BP Top 8 winners in 2002. Santos were relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2011–12 season for the first time in the club's history. After finishing 15th in the league they entered the 2011–12 PSL Playoff Tournament where they were pitted against Chippa United and Thanda Royal Zulu. Heading into their final playoff game Santos needed a win over Chippa United to maintain their Premiership status but…

Historically, Santos is Brazil's fourth most successful team, having won nine domestic trophies, and one of the most recognized football clubs in the world, having won eight international trophies, making them the seventh most successful team in South America (along with Olimpia for official international competitions won, all recognized by CONMEBOL); and the Intercontinental Champions' Supercup title.

Official tournaments

s shared record

Others tournaments

International

Torneio Internacional da FPF (1): 1956 Dr. Mario Echandi Trophy (1): 1959 Mexico City International Tournament (1): 1959 Orange Trophy (1): 1959 Teresa Herrera Trophy (1): 1959 Gialorosso Trophy (1): 1960 Tournoi de Paris (2): 1960, 1961 Italy Tournament (1): 1961 Pentagonal Tournament of Guadalajara (1): 1961 Costa Rica Triangular Tournament (1): 1961 Copa Iberoamericana (1): 1965 Caracas Tournament (1): 1965 Santiago International Tournament (4): 1965, 1968, 1970, 1977 New York Tournament (1): 1966 Florence Triangular Tournament (1): 1967 Chile Octagonal Tournament (1): 1968 Buenos Aires Pentagonal Tournament (1): 1968 Guatemala Triangular Tournament (1): 1970 Kingston Triangular Tournament (1): 1971 Governor Luis Ducoing Cup (1): 1977 City of Seville Trophy (1): 1980 Trofeo Reyno de Navarra (1): 1983 Winners of America Tournament (1): 1983 Kirin Cup (1): 1985 Marseille City Tournament (1): 1987 American Super Cup (1): 1990

National and Inter-state

Torneio…

Premiership champions: 2001–02 Bob Save Super Bowl/ABSA Cup winners: 2001, 2003 FPL League champions: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990 FPL Cup winners: 1985, 88, 90 Challenge Cup Winners: 1988 BP Top 8 winners: 2002 National First Division: 1996–97 (Western Cape Stream)