Tractor SC has completed a remarkable journey to claim their first Iranian league title, delivering an emotional and historic victory that has brought hope and pride to millions of Azerbaijani-Turks in Iran. The club’s success represents more than just a football triumph; it is a symbol of resilience and unity for a marginalized ethnic group that has long faced discrimination and oppression.
Founded 55 years ago by a state-owned tractor company, Tractor SC started as a team for local workers in Tabriz, the largest city in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, near the borders with Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Over the decades, the club’s significance has grown both on and off the pitch, becoming a focal point for Azerbaijani-Turkish identity and pride in Iran. For many fans, supporting Tractor has been a way to assert their cultural heritage and push back against a Persian-centric government that has often sidelined ethnic minorities.
Throughout the years, Tractor’s relationship with Tehran has been fraught with tension, especially as the club gained prominence. Fans have used football as a platform to express their desire for greater representation and to challenge the powers that be. Chants invoking the names of other capitals such as Baku, Ankara, and Tabriz have often riled the authorities, as have slogans calling for greater autonomy and challenging the Iranian regime. These passionate expressions of support for the club are more than just sports fandom; they reflect the community’s broader aspirations and frustrations.
In recent years, Tractor SC’s rise in Iranian football has been undeniable. Under the ownership of Mohammad Reza Zonouzi, one of Iran’s wealthiest men, the club began to attract big-name players and coaches, including former Swansea City manager John Toshack. Though Toshack’s tenure was short-lived, it set the stage for the arrival of Dragan Skocic in 2024. The Croatian coach, known for his previous role with the Iranian national team, brought stability and success, leading the team to the top of the Persian Gulf Pro League.
Skocic’s squad included both seasoned domestic players like Ashkan Dejagah, Mehdi Torabi, and Masoud Shojaei, and talented foreign imports, such as Domagoj Drozdek. The team found its rhythm and, despite the challenges posed by financial restrictions and sanctions, they dominated the league throughout the season. A 4-0 victory over Nassaji Mazandaran on May 2 sealed the championship with two games to spare, sending fans in Tabriz and beyond into ecstatic celebrations.
This victory is not just about football. It represents the culmination of decades of struggle and a triumph for a community that has long felt marginalized. The title is a testament to the strength and determination of Tractor SC’s fans, who have supported their team through thick and thin, often at great personal risk. The club’s success has united Azerbaijani-Turks in Iran, providing them with a voice and a symbol of defiance in a country where ethnic identity has often been suppressed.
As Tractor SC now looks ahead to competing in the AFC Champions League, the club’s significance will only continue to grow. While other clubs like Persepolis and Esteghlal have traditionally dominated Iranian football, Tractor’s triumph signals a shift in the country’s footballing landscape. With their historic title now secured, Tractor SC has firmly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, both on the pitch and as a powerful symbol of unity for the Azerbaijani-Turkish community in Iran.
