Steel Azin F.C.

A new era

Ekbatan FC was re-established by two of its former players, Rabti & Ghani, in the late 1990s. Moving up the Iranian football ladder year after year, the team reached the Azadegan League in 2003. The team was able to avoid relegation for two consecutive years, but lack of financial resources made the club hot favorites for relegation. Following two dismal years, in the summer of 2005, the club was sold by Rabti & Ghani to an Iranian construction tycoon living abroad. Following their takeover, the new ownership group of the club announced a new era, vowing to invest in youth football. The first move was a shuffle on the bench. Rabti was replaced by his assistant coach, and was made Technical Director. Ghani remained Club manager in the new Club structure modeled after German teams - it included the owner as the club chairman. The club's pre- season included a month-long stay in Dubai and matches against Sharjah Wanderers Club, Fabexi FC and Al Nasr SC. With the new investments, a trip to Dubai and a place to call home (Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium), Ekbatan was tipped as a possible promotion candidate. Once the season started though, it took only three weeks for the coach to be replaced and Rabti was reinstated as head coach. The club's dismal start to the season continued, which saw them at the bottom of the standings by mid season despite a remarkable 1–0 win over league leaders Pegah F.C. who suffered their first defeat of the season. The club continued a…