Pakistan Railways
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Wikipedia - Pakistan Railways F.C.
Pakistan Railways FC serves as the football section of Pakistan Railways, a state-owned railway company. Based in Lahore, the club play at the Railway Stadium. Nicknamed the Railwaymen, they are one of the oldest football clubs in Pakistan and were created by Pakistan Railway workers. The club used to compete in the National Football Championship and Pakistan Premier League. The club regularly participates in the PFF National Challenge Cup.
History
Early years
Founded in 1950 by workers of the Pakistan Railways, it is one of the oldest football clubs in Pakistan. In the 1953 National Football Championship, it finished runner-up after falling to Punjab Blue in the final. In the 1956 season of the National Football Championship, the club entered as Railway White, again finishing as runner-up after losing against Balochistan. Two years later, the club lost against Punjab Blue. Between 1963 and 1966, the club finished as runner-up in three seasons consecutively, losing against Karachi in all the finals. In 1963, the club won its first title after winning the Aga Khan Gold Cup. In 1969, they beat Karachi to win the first of their two National Football Championship titles. The second was in 1984, when they defeated WAPDA in the final.
Pakistan Premier League era: 2006–2015
After the revamp in Pakistani football and the discontinuation of the National Football Championship, the club competed in the second-tier, winning the 2005–06 PFF National League, returning to the top flight. They were relegated from Pakistan Premier League after two years in the 2007–08 Pakistan Premier League. Chaudhary Asghar was Pakistan Railways football coach till that time. The coaching was then passed to Muhammad Rasheed, the ex-national player and Pakistan Railways legend who scored the only goal in the National Championship 1984 final.
Railways again qualified to the top-tier by winning their departmental leg of the 2013 PFF League. It remained in the top tier until getting relegated again in the 2014–15 Pakistan Premier League.
2023–present
Following the domestic football revamp in the country in 2023, departmental clubs including Railways remained competing in the PFF National Challenge Cup.
Pakistan Railways has a rich history in Pakistani football, with a strong fan base and a reputation for producing talented players. The team is known for its fast-paced, attacking style of play and has a track record of success in domestic competitions.
The team's colors are green and white, reflecting the colors of the Pakistan Railways logo. The team plays its home matches at the Pakistan Railways Stadium in Lahore, which has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.
Pakistan Railways is committed to developing young talent and promoting the sport of football in Pakistan. The team has a strong emphasis on youth development and works closely with local schools and academies to identify and nurture promising young players.
Overall, Pakistan Railways is a respected and competitive team in Pakistani football, with a proud history and a bright future ahead.