The History of F.C. Porto

[rondwisan]

The History of F.C. Porto

Full name: Futebol Clube do Porto
Nickname(s): Dragões (The Dragons) / Azuis e Brancos (Blue and White)
Founded: September 28, 1893
Ground: Estádio do Dragão (Dragão Stadium)
Capacity: 50,399
Chairman: Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa
Head Coach: Jesualdo Ferreira
League: Liga Sagres
Website: Portugese: http://www.fcporto.pt / English: http://www.fcporto.pt/English

September, 1893. Out from nothing, as a secret ambition unfolded by a tough and inflexible reality, F.C. Porto has been founded. António Nicolau d´Almeida, a fine sportsman and an expert Oporto Wine trader, invited, in the quality of F.C. Porto president, F.C. Lisbonense to a football match. It was the first appearance in a football match for the club, the most ancient page written in more than an hundred years of history.

Deep and insightful enthusiasm marked the years that followed F.C. Porto foundation. To unite the efforts of the local community with the strong English representation in Oporto was the goal of José Monteiro da Costa. This led to extinction of Grupo Recreativo «O Destino» in favour of F.C. Porto. It was the beginning of a solid structure.

The founders were men strongly determined to engender a symbol, an emblem or an icon, in which future generations would have pride on. Their remarkable initiative is still remembered. Blue and white were the colours chosen, as meaning of pureness, calmness and stillness of mind. The colours were represented, at that early time, in the Portuguese flag.

F.C. Porto evolved is purposes to national and universal goals. In the first emblem, the symbol was, of course, a football ball with the F.C.P. initials. Twenty years later the Oporto city shield becomes vital part of F.C. Porto badge. In 1948, the 3-2 victory over Arsenal, team at the time known as the best team in the world, was a proof of the blue and white potential.

Over the years F.C. Porto grew as the conquests were becoming bigger and as his purposes were becoming greater. The symbol of a region astounded the country and surprised the world. The 1980’s were probably the most memorable decade. In 1987 and 1988, F.C. Porto conquered the European Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the European Supercup, outstanding deed, a proof of the success of special approach in how to deal with sports. Few years later, F.C. Porto achieved a goal that no other club in Portugal dare to accomplish. Five Championships in a row was a remarkable act, another great page in the clubs history.

Nowadays the world changed and Portugal too as evolved. Sports reality is now more complex, but F.C. Porto remains at the top. The club remained winning and the dynamics persist, continuing to be a flag of the region. F.C. Porto has now representation all over the country and all over the world.

The Centro de Treinos e Formação Desportiva PortoGaia and the Dragão Stadium are modern standard of a vanguard difficult to be equalised. The future shines as a reflex of the conquests of the UEFA Cup, in the season 2002/03, of the UEFA Champions League, in 2003/04, and the Intercontinental Cup, in 2004.

Beyond the reality that surrounds football, F.C. Porto showed his greatness in other sports. The honours achieved speak for it. The club is also strong in basketball, handball, roller-hockey, billiards, swimming, athletics, adapted sport, motor sports, boxing, camping, chess, fishing, karate and weightlifting. All of them give also the contribution to this history of success and insure the diversity and necessary involvement in community well being.

[rondwisan]

Honours



Portuguese Liga :

* Winners - 1934–35, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1955–56, 1958–59, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08 (23 titles)

Portuguese Cup :

* Winners - 1921–22, 1924–25, 1934–35, 1936–37, 1955–56, 1957–58, 1967–68, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1987–88, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2005–06 (17 titles)

SuperCup Cândido de Oliveira

* Winners - 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 (15 titles)


European Cup/Champions' League

* Winners - 1986–87, 2003–04

European Super Cup

* Winners - 1986–87

Intercontinental Cup

* Winners - 1987, 2004

UEFA Cup

* Winners - 2002–03

UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:

* Runners-up 1983–84


Joan Gamper Trophy

* Winners - 1987

Viareggio Tournament

* Winners - 1989

Teresa Herrera Cup

* Winners - 1991

Ciudad de Sevilla Tournament

* Winners - 1992

Porto Centennial Cup

* Winners - 1993

Thailand Premier Cup

* Winners - 1997