CF Durango

Foundation

The need for a true professional sporting team, after the recent failures of basketball in the twilight of duranguense CIMEBA, prompted the state government to acquire through an application, the franchise of the now defunct Serpientes de Cancún (Cancun Serpents). Once the league application was approved and the Serpientes de Cancún team was moved to Durango, Durango, the city of Durango returned to professional football after an absence of eight years. During the Torneo Invierno 1997, Durango were as champions of the Zona Norte (North Region) and national runner-up after falling to Monarcas de Zitácuaro for an aggregate score of 3–1. At the time, head coach Mario "Pichojos" Pérez who played in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, rethought the tactics and had another excellent season in the Torneo Verano 1998, before losing in the final of the Zona Norte (North Region) to Aguascalientes, who won the national final against Monarcas de Zitácuaro resulting in their promotion.

Mario "Pichojos" Pérez & José Vázquez Era

During the Torneo Invierno 1998 and Verano 1999 of the Second Division of Mexican Football, Durango was managed by Mario "Pichojos" Pérez and José Vázquez. Competing under the name Camineros de Durango, the team reached two national championship finals. They defeated Monarcas de Zitácuaro 1–0 in the Torneo Invierno 98 and Potros Marte 4–3 in the Torneo Verano 99. The starting XI that earned promotion for of was:

Joining the Primera A…