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FC Petrolul Ploiești

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Asociația Clubul Sportiv Petrolul 52, commonly referred to as FC Petrolul Ploiești (Romanian pronunciation: [peˈtrolul ploˈjeʃtʲ]), Petrolul Ploiești or simply Petrolul, is a Romanian professional football club based in Ploiești, Prahova County, that competes in the Liga I.

Petrolul Ploiești
Full nameAsociația Clubul Sportiv Petrolul 52[note 1]
Nickname(s)
  • Găzarii (The Gasmen)
  • Petroliștii (The Oilmen)
  • Galben-albaștrii (The Yellow and Blues)
  • Lupii galbeni (The Yellow Wolves)
Short namePetrolul
Founded31 December 1924; 99 years ago (1924-12-31)
as FC Juventus București
GroundIlie Oană
Capacity15,073[2]
OwnerAsociația Clubul Sportiv Petrolul 52
ChairmanClaudiu Tudor
Head coachvacant
LeagueLiga I
2023–24Liga I, 11th of 16
Websitefcpetrolul.ro
Current season

Founded in 1924 in capital Bucharest as Juventus, following the merger of Triumf and Romcomit, it won its first league championship in the 1929–30 season. In 1952, the team was relocated north to the industrial city of Ploiești, and five years later settled on the name of Petrolul.[note 2] Shortly after, it achieved three more national titles—in 1957–58, 1958–59 and 1965–66. Domestically, its honours also include three national cups, the latest in the 2012–13 campaign.

Petrolul recorded its European debut in the 1958–59 season, when it was drawn against Wismut Karl Marx Stadt in the preliminary round of the European Cup. The club has participated in 12 editions of European competitions overall, of which eight governed by UEFA. In recent history, Petrolul became insolvent in February 2015 and dissolution followed the next year, however supporters and club legends promptly refounded and enrolled it in the fourth division.

The team colours are yellow and dark blue, hence the nickname of the players and fans being "the Yellow Wolves". Petrolul plays its home games at the 15,073-seater Ilie Oană Stadium, and its most notable rivalry is the one against Rapid București. Petrolul also had a local rivalry with Astra Giurgiu, which had been based in Ploiești until 2012.

History

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Period Name
1924–1947 Juventus București
1947–1948 Distribuția București
1948–1949 Petrolul București
1949–1950 Competrol București
1950–1951 Partizanul București
1951–1952 Flacăra București
1952–1956 Flacăra Ploiești
1956–1957 Energia Ploiești
1957–0000 Petrolul Ploiești[note 2]

Founding and early years (1924–1952)

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The team was founded in Bucharest in late 1924, when Romcomit and Triumf merged into what would become one of the most notable clubs of the capital during the interwar period, Juventus București. Its Latin identity was illustrated by the crest, which was based on the legend of the founding of Rome, where a she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus. Juventus inherited the stadium and the red and blue colors of Romcomit. An article relating the event was published on 4 January 1925 in the Gazeta Sporturilor newspaper, under the title "Juventus – A sensational merger" (Juventus – O fuziune senzațională).[3]

In their first season of existence being led by president Ettore Brunelli and player-coach Ion Motoroi, the team finished on the 4th place in the Bucharest championship, the first game taking place on 8 March 1925 in a 3–0 victory against Colțea București with goals scored by Bebe Rollea, Antofiloiu (o.g.) and Török, the team used being: Căpșuneanu – Constantin Vețianu, Sile Georgescu – Schaller, Ion Motoroi, Grigore Grigoriu, Sergiu Petrovici, Victor Block, Bebe Rollea, Török, Aurel Schei.[4] Before the start of the new season, president Brunelli wanted to test the value of his squad, organizing the club's first matches at international level, friendlies which ended with victories against Slavia Prague (2–1), Slavia Sofia (3–0) and Vasas Budapest (5–2).[5] In the Bucharest regional championship, the team finished on the 1st place, qualifying for the 1925–26 Divizia A where they lost the final in front of Chinezul Timișoara, being led in the first half of the season by coach Motoroi and in the second by György Hlavay who according to journalist Ioan Chirilă's book, "Zile și nopți pe stadion" (Days and nights at the stadium) is considered by Romania's coach at the 1930 World Cup, Constantin Rădulescu to be the first coach that brought modern training sessions on the fields of Bucharest.[5]

Their first national title came six years after their establishment, being led in the first half of the season by coach Gyula Feldmann and in the second by Hlavay, as the team won another Bucharest regional championship, qualifying for the 1929–30 Divizia A where they won the final with a 3–0 victory against Gloria Arad with goals scored by László Raffinsky, Ion Maior and Carlo Melchior, the team used being: Dumitru Bacinschi – Constantin Deleanu, Sile Georgescu – Ștefan Wetzer, Emerich Vogl, Tibor Remeny – Gyula Dobo, Carlo Melchior, Rudolf Wetzer, László Raffinsky, Ion Maior.[6][7][8] After the reorganization of the Romanian division structure, the club played seven consecutive campaigns in the Divizia A, from 1933 to 1940. Following World War II, they were promoted once again to the top tier, having finished first in the final Divizia B season prior to the outbreak of war. The club played its last campaign as Juventus in 1946–47, after which the name was changed numerous times to Distribuția, Petrolul, Competrol, Partizanul and Flacăra respectively.

Move to Ploiești and three national titles (1952–1968)

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Petrolul Ploiești's 1965–66 team, also known as Generația de Aur ("The Golden Generation").

Flacăra București was moved to Ploiești in 1952, and renamed accordingly. Coach Ilie Oană took charge of the team at the half of the 1952 season, but he couldn't manage to spare his team from relegation. He would, however, reach the cup final, lost against CCA București 0–2. In 1957–58, the team became champion of Romania for the second time in its history, despite having the same number of points as CCA București and Știința Timișoara. That was also the season when the present-day name of Petrolul Ploiești was adopted.

In the autumn of 1958, Petrolul made its debut in the European Cup and faced Wismut Karl Marx Stadt of East Germany in the preliminary round. After a 4–2 away loss in Aue, the club managed to level on aggregate with a 2–0 victory in Romania. Wismut Karl Marx Stadt qualified further after winning the play-off 4–0 in Kyiv. The first part of the 1958–59 Divizia A saw Petrolul on the fourth place in the table, but with several good results which followed the team clinched its second consecutive league championship. They were once again unable to go further than the preliminary round of the European Cup, Austrian side Wiener Sport-Club defeating them 1–2 on aggregate.

On 14 July 1963 Petrolul's player Constantin Tabarcea collapsed and died during a Divizia A match against Dinamo Bacău.[9] One week later after his death Petrolul won the 1962–63 Cupa României with 6–1 against Siderurgistul Galați and before the game, at the team photo, the place from the down row in front of goalkeeper Mihai Ionescu was left free in the memory of Tabarcea.[9][10] In 1965, head coach Ilie Oană left Petrolul for the Romania national team, and assistant Constantin Cernăianu took over the vacant place. At his first season, Cernăianu achieved the club's fourth Divizia A trophy after finishing six points ahead of Rapid București. 12 October 1966 has remained an important date in the history of the team; after a 0–2 away defeat, Petrolul won 3–1 at home against the champions of England, Liverpool. The third match in Brussels was difficult, and "the Reds" went ahead in the European Cup.

A period of decline (1968–1990)

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Mircea Dridea appeared in 273 league matches for Petrolul between 1956 and 1971.

After that period of great form, Petrolul began a period of decline and although the club remained in the first division for many years later, only the 1995 Romanian Cup final reminded their supporters about the years of glory. In 1970, the oilmen finished the first part of the championship on the 2nd place, but it lost that place until the end of the season. 1969–70, 1971–72 were seasons in which Petrolul was at only one step from relegation. After a "resuscitation" (1972–73, 15th place occupied after five rounds, the 4th place at the beginning of the winter break), 1973 was quite weak year. In 1974, the people from Ploiești suspected a match fixed between Argeş Pitești and CFR Cluj, in favor of the team from Cluj-Napoca, it was supposed that Petrolul officials have tried to financially stimulate the host, but the authorities discovered the plan and the team has discreetly relegated to Divizia B, this happened in the conditions in which in 1963 Prahova Ploiești and Carpați Sinaia, other two teams from Prahova County were relegated by the Romanian Football Federation to Divizia B due to match-fixing. Arrived in the second league, the most valuable footballers of the club, Crângaşu and Rămureanu left and after 3 rounds the team was the last. The yellow wolves recovered later, but the local coaches did not have the value of Ilie Oană, who also went to Politehnica Iași, then to Universitatea Craiova, Petrolul remaining in some kind of mediocrity.

At the end of 1975, the club brought Valentin Stănescu to be the coach and the team tried to promote, but lost a home game against FC Brăila, after the game the supporters showed their dissatisfaction about Dinulescu's refereeing, throwing with various objects from the stands. FCM Galaţi then strengthened his nickname as an "ABBA" team (a nickname used in Romania for clubs that used to alternate the presences between the first and the second league), promoting in front of Petrolul that year and relegating after only a season in the top-flight of the Romanian football. Instead, Petrolul had an exceptional 1976–77 season with 15 wins and 2 draws in 17 matches and finished on the 1st place, far away from the 2nd place occupied by Metalul Plopeni, another team from Prahova County. Unfortunately, the players born in the Prahova County did not have enough experience and at the end of the 1977–78 Divizia A season it was ranked only 17th and relegated back. The immediate promotion was forbidden by Viitorul Scorniceşti, the football club from the native town of Nicolae Ceaușescu, which was strongly pushed forward to Divizia A by the communist authorities, in power at the time, a concrete proof being that FC Olt promoted from Divizia C after an 18–0 victory against the team ranked 15th, while Flacăra Moreni won only 2–1, in a match played at the same hour, against Rova Roşiori.[11]

 
Petrolul Ploiești (1988–1989), the squad that ended the long period of decline with the 1989 promotion to Divizia A.

1979–80 season was also not a very good one for the yellow and blues, Rapid București and Progresul București fought for the 1st place, and "the referee" was Metalul Plopeni, who won in Bucharest against Rapid and lost against Progresul. In 1980, Petrolul brought a new coach in the person of Traian Ionescu, a very experienced coach with teams like Dinamo București or Fenerbahçe in his CV, but another thing would ruin the promotion dreams, CS Târgoviște succeeded in that year a sensational transfer, nicknamed as The Gander or The Prince of Trivale and being one of the most important names ever given by the Romanian football, Nicolae Dobrin came in Târgoviște after 19 years spent in Pitești, making a decisive contribution for the promotion of his team and ruining the plans of the yellow wolves. In 1982, after 4 years in the second league and 7 out of 8 last years, Petrolul exceeded his great rival, Rapid and returned to Divizia A.

1982–83 Divizia A season was a one full of emotions, avoiding the relegation was the target in the mind of everyone at each of the games played by the team. 1983–84 season send Petrolul back to Divizia B again, but promotion came after a victory at Galați against Dunărea, former FCM, the team which forbidding the promotion of the oilmen, ten years earlier. In 1987, the yellow and blues signed another coach, a former team player from years of glory, Constantin Moldoveanu. But Moldoveanu did not have in the squad the players who won against Steaua București or Liverpool in the glory times and Petrolul relegated back to the second league. September 1988 brought Ion Radu as the new chairman, helped by Mihai Cristache. The two were often criticized of the post-revolutionary press, but they did some performances like in the times of Mircea Dridea and Mihai Ionescu. Petrolul promoted in 1989 and finished on the 4th place in its first season, helped also by the dissolution (in the winter of 1990) of Victoria București, club sponsored by the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs (the "Miliția", Police), institution under the former Communist regime.

European participations and cup win (1990–2002)

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Petrolul finished the 1989–90 Divizia A on the fourth place, after having just returned from the second division in 1989. Therefore, it qualified for the UEFA Cup along with Universitatea Craiova and Politehnica Timișoara. "The Yellow Wolves" played against Belgian club Anderlecht, which won both legs. At the end of the 1990–91 season, Petrolul finished 7th and in the Romanian Cup they were eliminated in the second round proper by their bitter rivals Steaua București.

In the summer of 1991 the club changed its name to FC Ploiești, but made a very weak season, finishing only 10th in the top flight and in the Romanian Cup, the squad was eliminated again in the second round proper, this time by FC U Craiova. At the end of the season FC Ploiești changed its name back to Petrolul Ploiești. "The Oilmen" saved from relegation in the last moment at the end of the 1992–93 season, finishing 16th out of 18, with two points over Selena Bacău and four over CSM Reșița. Next season, coach Marin Ion and his players made a very good season and finished in the top 5, more exactly on the 5th place, one point over Farul Constanța, at the same number of points with 4th place (Rapid București), two points behind 3rd place (Dinamo București) and three points behind 2nd place (FC U Craiova). In the Romanian Cup, "the Yellow Wolves" were eliminated in the second round proper by Inter Sibiu.

In the 1994–95 season, despite a mediocre league result (10th place), coached by the same Marin Ion, Petrolul won the 1994–95 Cupa României after defeating their rivals, Rapid București, at the penalty shootout and qualified for the 1995–96 UEFA Cup. The team included the following players: Preda – D.Chiriță, Grigore, Răchită (C), Bălăceanu – Leahu, Grama, Pârlog, Abăluţă – Zmoleanu, Zafiris. 1995–96 season was started by "the Yellow and Blues" on 3 fronts, League, Cup and UEFA Cup. In the European competition they eliminated Welsh side Wrexham, in the first round, after a 0–0 on the Racecourse Ground and 1–0 victory on the Ilie Oană Stadium, goal scored by Pârlog in the 60th minute. The slow start would announce the early elimination, in the second round, when Austrian side Rapid Wien won 3–1 on aggregate after a 3–1 on the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium and a 0–0 draw in Ploiești. In the league Petrolul ended again in the top half of the table, on the 6th place and in the cup, was eliminated in the quarter-finals, by Național București, at the penalty shootout.

 
Petrolul squad that won the Romanian Cup in 1995.

In the following years Petrolul occupied the following positions at the end of the championship: 1996–97 – 9th, 1997–98 – 14th, 1998–99 – 8th and 1999–2000 – 11th. The late 1990s have been marked by the fierce rivalry with Astra Ploiești, a team that promoted in the first league in 1998.

Second division struggles (2002–2011)

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In the early 2000s, Petrolul entered under the ownership of Petrom's trade union president, Liviu Luca, and ploieștenii have a peak at the end of the 2000–01 Divizia A, when the team finished on the 2nd place. But the collapse followed. In 2002, the yellow and blues relegated to Divizia B and the city of Ploiești, which had 2 teams in Divizia A between 1998 and 2002, remained in the first league only with Astra, a club which had no presence in the top-flight of the Romanian football until 1998. The oilmen promoted back to Divizia A in 2003, after only one season in the second league, but only at one month after promotion, the club's management announced that the funding of the club is under question. In less than 30 days supporters have been announced that there will be a merger between Petrolul Ploieşti and Astra Ploieşti.

Astra Ploieşti changed its name to Petrolul Ploieşti and in July 2003 Petrolul Ploiești was unaffiliated from the Romanian Football Federation, leaving a vacant place in the first league, which was finally occupied by Oțelul Galați, team that lost in that summer a relegation play-out against the second league team FC Oradea. On 28 July 2003, Astra Ploieşti changed its name to FC Petrolul Ploieşti, with Florin Bercea and Ioan Niculae as the owners of the newly formed entity and also the new home becoming Astra Stadium.[12] This alternative was chosen because at that time Petrolul Ploieşti was a nonprofit association and according to the Law of Sport it should have been transformed into SA and a merger with Astra Ploieşti in order to create a new company would have lasted at least seven months. These legal formalities have sometimes been interpreted as a proof of the dissolution of Petrolul, but such an interpretation is wrong because this club took over, according to FRF, Petrolul brand and record.[13]

At the end of the 2003–04 Divizia A season, Petrolul relegated to Divizia B, and due to some differences in the ownership, Ioan Niculae gives up the 50% that he held within the club, these were split between Liviu Luca, Florin Bercea and Eduard Alexandru. Subsequently, Ioan Niculae refounded Astra and the new club is considered by LPF as the legal successor of the club before the 2003 merger, strengthening the idea that the 2003 merger result is the successor of the old Petrolul, not Astra. Petrolul also moved back to its old ground, Ilie Oană Stadium, in the summer of 2004. The 2004 relegation was followed by a black period for the yellow wolves, with seven consecutive Liga II season. In the 2004–05 season the club finished on the 4th place at 7 points from the promotion place, occupied at that time by Pandurii Târgu Jiu. 2005–06 season brought an extra chance, as a result of the restructuring of the first league from 16 to 18 teams, from the second league could also promote the 2nd place via a play-off tournament, but Petrolul finished only on the 3rd place at 3 points from the 2nd place, occupied by Unirea Urziceni, team that would promote and write history in the Romanian football.

In 2006, Petrolul ownership decided that the home games should be played on Flacăra Stadium from Moreni or Mogoșoaia Stadium, motivating the move by the fact that the old Ilie Oană Stadium required repair and modernization work. On 12 October 2006, the supporters organized a protest in the city center of Ploiești, asking for the team to be transferred from the private ownership to the Ploiești Municipality and to return on its own home ground.[14] Despite these internal problems Petrolul made a good season, but ended again just below the promotion line, on the 3rd place. The end of the 2007–08 season found the yellow and blues on the 3rd place again, increasing the frustration among supporters and players, 5 points split the team from the 2nd place, a promotable one. Next season, 2008–09 was a disastrous one, Petrolul finished on 4th place, but at great distance from the 2nd (Astra, named FC Ploiești at that time) and 1st place (Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț), 22 points respectively 23 points, also with a tense situation at the administrative level and with not many options on the horizon.

In 2009 the team was taken over by Ploiești Municipality and Valeriu Răchită, former player of the team, was reconfirmed as the head coach, the squad being also restructured with many young players and after a great campaign in which the hope of promotion was alive until the last second, Petrolul finished 3rd, at only 1 point from the promotion spot, occupied by Sportul Studențesc, which led to a terrible disappointment, making the Ploiești people to wonder whether the team was followed by bad luck.[15][16] Petrolul started the 2010–11 season with important changes, the young squad has been completed with some experienced players as Pompiliu Stoica, Florentin Dumitru or Daniel Oprița and moved for its home matches on Conpet Stadium from Strejnicu, near Ploiești, facilitating easier access for the supporters, new Ilie Oană Stadium, being still in construction, also the team was moved from the first to the second series of the second league and after a heavy fight in 3 teams, against FC Bihor Oradea and CS Mioveni, Petrolul promoted from the 1st place, 1 point ahead FC Bihor, team that also occupied a promotable place after 7 consecutive Liga II seasons and 2 points ahead CS Mioveni, which subsequently promoted by taking advantage of the financial problems of FC Bihor. The promotion coincided with the inauguration of the new stadium, all of these brought a great enthusiasm among the Petrolul supporters, players and staff.[17][18]

Mild success followed by bankruptcy (2011–2016)

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Petrolul fans at the 2013 Romanian Cup Final in Bucharest

Under the management of Cosmin Contra, their second season since return saw them finishing third in the league table, as well as claiming the national cup for the third time in their history. Consequently, Petrolul earned a spot in the second qualifying round of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League, with the club playing its first European match since 1995. After defeating Víkingur Gøta and Vitesse Arnhem, they were eliminated in the play-off round by Swansea City.

The team received consistent media attention after signing former Romanian internationals Adrian Mutu and Ianis Zicu in January 2014,[19] a move which would later be considered a "failure".[20] During the same month, it was announced that German automobile manufacturer Opel would become Petrolul's shirt sponsor.[21] Petroliștii had the chance to qualify for their second consecutive Cupa României final, but lost the semi-final against rivals Astra Giurgiu 2–1 on aggregate.[22] Petrolul came third in the Liga I once more, while the fans challenged Răzvan Lucescu, considering that he wasn't a suitable replacement for Contra, who left Petrolul in March to join Spanish side Getafe.[23]

In the next season's European participation, "the Yellow Wolves" confronted Czech club Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League third qualifying round. After a draw in Ploiești, Petrolul impressively beat Viktoria scoring four goals and conceding only one.[24] However, Petrolul yet again missed the chance of advancing to the group stage after losing the play-off against Dinamo Zagreb. In September 2014, head coach Lucescu was sacked and Mutu left the club as a free agent.[25][26] On 25 November, president Daniel Capră, general director Marius Bucuroiu and five other persons faced preventive detention for 24 hours, being suspected of tax evasion and money laundering.[27] The criminal offences made by the club's officials caused Petrolul to lose important players and face a period of instability.[28] In February 2015, the club went into administration[29] and eventually finished the season on the sixth place in Liga I.[30]

More players left the club in the summer of 2015 and coach changes became frequent.[31] Petrolul quickly landed on the last place in the league table, where it stayed until the last game of the season. Finally, in the summer of 2016 the team was declared bankrupt.[32]

Reestablishment and recent history (2016 onwards)

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Petrolul Ploiești players taking a group photo before a home match against UTA Arad in the 2023–24 Liga I season

After the team was dissolved in 2016 as a result of the SC FC Petrolul SA joint-stock company bankruptcy, club legends and supporter groups associated to promptly reestablish it under the name of ACS Petrolul 52 Ploiești and enroll it in the Liga A Prahova (Liga IV), the fourth tier of the Romanian league system.[32] During early 2017, French transnational company Veolia became the financial partner of the club by joining the association.[33]

In June 2017, ACS Petrolul 52 leased the club brand identity from the Municipality of Ploiești for €30,000 and began using the former name of FC Petrolul Ploiești.[34] The team managed back-to-back promotions and reached the second division in the summer of 2018.[35] After three failed attempts to return to the Liga I and with worsening competitive results each year, Veolia stopped fully financing Petrolul and only offered to become a sponsor from the 2021–22 season,[36] a position from which it also withdrew at the start of 2022.

In spite of the economic issues that arose from Veolia's departure, the squad led by head coach Nicolae Constantin managed to end the Liga II campaign as champions.[37] Petrolul finished on the eighth place in the regular season of the 2022–23 Liga I, and thus started the relegation play-outs from the second place. In March 2023, the association of former players which controlled the club stepped down and former CFR Cluj and Universitatea Craiova president Marian Copilu was announced as the new owner.[38] Petrolul also finished the 2022–23 season on the eighth place overall.

Grounds

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Main articles: Ilie Oană Stadium and Ilie Oană Stadium (1937)
 
The new Ilie Oană Stadium

Petrolul Ploiești plays its home matches at the Ilie Oană Stadium. Ranked as a UEFA Category 4 stadium, it can host UEFA Europa League semi-finals and UEFA Champions League group stage matches.[39] It was inaugurated in September 2011 and has a current capacity of 15,073 spectators.[2] The construction was raised on the site of the former Ilie Oană Stadium, which was completed in 1937, and is named after Ilie Oană, the most important coach in Petrolul's history.

Milestones

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Support

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Petrolul supporters displaying a 3D choreography

Petrolul Ploiești has a large and steady fan base in Prahova County and its attachment to the team is renowned in Romania, in spite of the ups and downs.[41]

The biggest ultras group is called Lupii Galbeni ("the Yellow Wolves") since 1996, and there are two stands with groups like Peluza Latină ("The Latin Stand"), with subgroups like Knot04, United or Maniacs, and the Peluza 1 Ilie Oană ("Peluza 1 Ilie Oană stand") with subgroups like Hooligans, Young Hooligans, Contrasens, Lethalgang or Zona Vest. Other supporter associations, such as Liga Suporterilor Constantin Tabarcea (LSCT), Asociația Diaspora Galben Albastră (ADGA), T2 or Young Wolves are located in the Second Stand of the stadium. Before and during matches, they sing the club's chant, whose lyrics were written by George Nicolescu.

Petrolul Ploiești fans have recently established close friendships with the supporters of fellow league club Oțelul Galați, as well as with the ones of foreign clubs Vitesse, Salernitana, and Genk.[42]

Rivalries

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Main articles: Primvs derby and Former Ploiești derby

Petrolul Ploiești's traditional rival is Rapid București. They faced for the first time on 11 November 1931, when Juventus București tied CFR București 3–3 at home, on the Stadionul Romcomit, and have maintained a strong rivalry despite long periods of not meeting when one or the other were playing in the second division. In the 1965–66 season, Petrolul won the Liga I while Rapid finished second. The following year, Rapid won its first national title after a match played on the old Ilie Oană Stadium; these events are believed to have ignited the rivalry further.[43] Due to the fact that this rivalry is the oldest for Romanian teams still active, it entered into the collective consciousness as the Primvs derby (Latin for "first" or "foremost").

Petrolul maintained a milder rivalry with the defunct Astra Giurgiu, its former local enemy. Astra promoted for the first time to the Liga I in 1998 and played in Ploiești until September 2012, when it was moved to Giurgiu. Even after relocation, the rivalry continued between the governances of the clubs.[44]

Petrolul fans also hold grudges against the other historically prosperous Bucharest teams, namely FCSB and Dinamo. They sometimes chant against them even outside of direct matches.[42][45]

 

Honours

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Domestic

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Chart of Petrolul Ploiești's league performance 1933–2017.

Leagues

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Cups

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Players

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First-team squad

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As of 4 December 2024[46][47]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ROU Raul Bălbărău
2 DF   POR Marian Huja (4th captain)
3 DF   ROU Alexandru Stănică
4 DF   ROU Paul Papp (3rd captain)
5 DF   ROU Valentin Țicu (Vice-captain)
6 MF   FIN Tommi Jyry
7 FW   ROU Gheorghe Grozav (Captain)
8 MF   ROU Alexandru Mateiu
9 FW   NGA Christian Irobiso (on loan from Al-Ula)
10 MF   ROU Mario Bratu
11 FW   CGO Herman Moussaki
12 GK   ROU Mihai Eșanu
14 FW   USA Nana Akosah-Bempah
15 DF   NOR Hasan Jahić
17 MF   ROU Mihnea Rădulescu
19 FW   ROU Alexandru Tudorie
20 DF   ROU Sergiu Hanca
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF   ROU David Paraschiv
22 DF   ROU Denis Radu
23 MF   FRA Tidiane Keïta
24 DF   POR Ricardinho
26 FW   ROU Vladimir Badea
27 MF   BRA Baiano
30 MF   ROU Cătălin Tolea
33 MF   ROU Victor Stancovici
34 GK   SWE Oscar Linnér
36 MF   ROU Alin Boțogan
38 GK   CZE Lukáš Zima
44 MF   ROU Lucian Dumitriu
69 DF   BEN Yohan Roche
71 FW   ROU David Ilie
90 FW   ROU Iustin Răducan
97 MF   ROU Augustin Dumitrache
99 FW   ROU Raul Bucur

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK   ROU Eduard Berbeacă (to Blejoi)
— DF   ROU Adrian Nicolae (to Metaloglobus București)
— DF   ROU Sebastian Guiu (to Blejoi)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF   ROU Aris Oprea (to Plopeni)
— MF   ROU Mario Ioniță (to Unirea Ungheni)
— MF   ROU Alessio Tudor (to Băicoi)

Club officials

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Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Petrolul mascot Lupino before a home game in March 2022
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt partner
1924–1998 Unknown Unknown
1998–2001 Meding Sport Petrom
2001–2003 Adidas
2003–2004 Lotto
2005–2008
2008–2009 Team Petrom
2009–2010 Consiliul Local Ploiești
2010–2011 Hummel
2011–2012 Adidas
2012–2013 Macron Romprest
2013–2014 Puma Opel[21]
2014–2015 Nike
Alexandrion
2015–2016 Superbet[49]
2016–2017 Errea Viking Pruszyński
2017–2022 Joma Veolia
2022–2023 Adidas MRS
2023–present Macron La Cocoș

European record

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Main article: FC Petrolul Ploiești in European football

Petrolul Ploiești has participated in eight editions of the club competitions governed by UEFA, the chief authority for football across Europe, and 12 editions of European competitions overall.

Competition S P W D L GF GA GD
UEFA Champions League / European Cup 3 8 2 1 5 8 15 −7
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup / European Cup Winners' Cup 2 6 2 2 2 4 7 −3
UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup 3 14 7 2 5 25 20 +5
UEFA Intertoto Cup[50] 1 6 1 1 4 6 14 −8
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup[51] 3 13 9 0 4 14 11 +3
Total 12 47 21 6 20 57 67 −10

League history

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Notable former players

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The footballers enlisted below have had international caps for their respective countries at junior and/or senior level and/or more than 100 caps for FC Petrolul Ploiești.

For a list of all former and current FC Petrolul Ploiești players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:FC Petrolul Ploiești players.
Romania
Algeria
Albania
Armenia
Belarus
Bolivia
Brazil
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Congo
Croatia
Curaçao
DR Congo
France
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Haiti
Israel
Italy
Japan
Moldova
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Tunisia
Uruguay

Notable former managers

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For a list of all former and current FC Petrolul Ploiești managers with a Wikipedia article, see Category:FC Petrolul Ploiești managers.

Petrolul II Ploiesti

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Starting with the 2024-2025 season, Petrolul Ploiesti will once again have a second team. This was established as a partnership between Petrolul Ploiesti and Daniel Chirita who owns the 4th league team Petrolul 95 Ploiesti. The team was enrolled in the 3rd League and will play at the Conpet stadium in Strejnic.

Women's football

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History

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Starting with the 2020-2021 season, in order to receive the license from the Romanian Football Federation, 1st League clubs must establish women's football teams. All teams that will play in the 1st League championship must meet the requirement to register a minimum of 20 players to play in the U15 Women's National Championship. This is a mandatory condition for receiving a license to play in the 1st League. Teams have the opportunity to sign a collaboration protocol with a women's football club in 1st League 1, 2nd League or 3rd League, in which case the team will participate in the competitions of juniors with the name of the men's 1st League club. Also, starting from the 2021-2022 season, 1st League clubs must enter a women's football team in the senior championship (1st League, 2nd League, 3rd League) and still have a minimum of 20 players registered in the U15 National Championship. And from the 2022-2023 season, clubs must register a minimum of 20 players to play in the U15 National Championship, a minimum of 15 U13 players and enter a team in the National Senior Championship.

In order to ensure obtaining the necessary license to participate in the 2022-2023 season, Petrolul Ploiești has signed a partnership with ACS Student Sport Alba Iulia, which will play in Women's 3rd League under the name of Petrolul Ploiești in Ighiu. Meanwhile, in Ploiești, coach Cristian Iordache made the selection for the senior and junior teams that played only friendly matches in the same season.

In the 2023-2024 season, the partnership with ACS Student Sport Alba Iulia ended, and Petrolul Ploiești enrolled in the Women's 3rd League the first official women's football team in the club's history, which will play at the Vega stadiums in Ploiești, Soceram in Pleașa and Chimia in Brazi.

In the 2024-2025 season, following the restructuring of the women's football leagues by the FRF, Petrolul Ploiesti was invited to play in the 2nd League.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Perioada Echipament Sponsor
2023–prezent Adidas MRS

Managers

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Depending on when they became coaches at Petrolul Ploiești
  • 2022 Cristian Iordache

League history

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Season Tier Division Place National Cup
2024–25 2 Women's 2nd League TBD TBD
2023–24 3 Women's 3rd League Seria 2 - 2 3rd Round
2022–23 3 Women's 3rd League Seria 1 - 5 1st Round

References

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  1. ^ The legal entity that operates the club is officially named "Fotbal Club Petrolul",[1] but commonly uses the "FC Petrolul Ploiești" trademark.
  2. ^ a b Between the years of 1991 and 1992 the club was briefly named FC Ploiești.
  1. ^ "Petrolul" (in Romanian). Romanian Football Federation. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Stadion" [Stadium] (in Romanian). FC Petrolul Ploiești. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Istorie" [History]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 6 May 2016.
  4. ^ "File de poveste ale clubului Petrolul Ploiesti – perioada Juventus! Episodul III – "MARTOR LA CUCERIREA UNUI TITLU EUROPEAN"" [Story files of Petrolul Ploiesti club – Juventus period! Episode III – "WITNESS TO THE CONQUEST OF A EUROPEAN TITLE"] (in Romanian). Ploiestiulpatrianoastra.com. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  5. ^ a b "File de poveste – perioada Juventus! Episodul IV – "VICECAMPIOANĂ A ŢĂRII LA DOAR UN AN"" [Story files – the Juventus period! Episode IV – "VICE CHAMPION OF THE COUNTRY IN JUST ONE YEAR"] (in Romanian). Ploiestiulpatrianoastra.com. 9 February 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  6. ^ "File de poveste – Episodul VIII – "JUVENTUS – CAMPIOANA ROMÂNIEI" partea I" [Story files - Episode VIII - "JUVENTUS - CHAMPION OF ROMANIA" part I] (in Romanian). Ploiestiulpatrianoastra.com. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  7. ^ "File de poveste – Episodul IX – "JUVENTUS – CAMPIOANA ROMÂNIEI" partea II" [Story files – Episode IX – "JUVENTUS – CHAMPION OF ROMANIA" part II] (in Romanian). Ploiestiulpatrianoastra.com. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  8. ^ "File de poveste – Episodul X – "JUVENTUS – CAMPIOANA ROMÂNIEI" partea III" [Story files – Episode X – "JUVENTUS – CHAMPION OF ROMANIA" part III] (in Romanian). Ploiestiulpatrianoastra.com. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Marile echipe ale Petrolului din anii '50–'60, 6 povești spectaculoase despre performanțele generațiilor de aur ale ploieștenilor" [The great Petrolul teams from the 50s–60s, 6 spectacular stories about the performances of the golden generations of the people of Ploiesti] (in Romanian). Gsp.ro. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Fostele glorii ale Petrolului şi suporteri ai echipei au comemorat 50 de ani de la dispariţia din viaţă a lui Constantin Tabarcea" [Former Petrolul glory players and team supporters commemorate 50 years since Constantin Tabarcea's disappearance] (in Romanian). Gazetaph.ro. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  11. ^ A fost inventata de "nea Mitica" in 1978 si perfectionata de nationala Spaniei in 1983! Metoda scandaloasa care a dus-o pe Lyon in optimile Ligii. sport.ro
  12. ^ "De Petrolul s-a ales praful" [Petrolul turned to dust] (in Romanian). ProSport. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  13. ^ 4 titluri! » Petrolul îşi trece în palmares şi campionatul cîştigat în 1930 de Juventus Bucureşti. gsp.ro
  14. ^ Petrolul se muta la Moreni!. ziarulprahova.ro
  15. ^ Primăria Ploieşti a preluat Petrolul. gsp.ro
  16. ^ RETROSPECTIVĂ: Superlativele Petrolului insuficiente pentru Liga I. liga2.prosport.ro
  17. ^ Suporterii şi fotbaliştii Petrolului au sărbătorit promovarea în centrul oraşului. liga2.prosport.ro
  18. ^ Super-stadionul de 17 milioane de euro al Ploieştiului a fost inaugurat. gsp.ro
  19. ^ "Ambitious Mutu back in Romania with Petrolul". UEFA. 14 January 2014.
  20. ^ "Transferurile lui Mutu și Zicu, criticate de fostul antrenor al Petrolului: "Au fost un eșec!"" [The signings of Mutu and Zicu, criticised by a former coach: "They were a failure!"]. DigiSport (in Romanian). 26 September 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Parteneriat FC Petrolul – Opel" [FC Petrolul – Opel Partnership]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). 15 January 2014. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014.
  22. ^ "Am ratat dramatic finala Cupei României!" [We dramatically missed the Romanian Cup final!]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). 16 April 2014. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014.
  23. ^ "Scandal la Ploiești! Suporterii au întrerupt antrenamentul și a fost nevoie de intervenția jandarmilor" [Scandal in Ploiesti! The fans have stopped the training and the policemen intervened]. DigiSport (in Romanian). 17 April 2014.
  24. ^ "Petrolul and Hajduk heroics stun Europe". UEFA. 7 August 2014.
  25. ^ "Răzvan Lucescu nu mai este antrenorul Petrolului" [Răzvan Lucescu is not Petrolul's coach anymore]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). 16 September 2014. Archived from the original on 27 September 2014.
  26. ^ "FC Petrolul a reziliat contractul cu Adrian Mutu" [FC Petrolul broke Adrian Mutu's contract]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). 26 September 2014. Archived from the original on 28 September 2014.
  27. ^ "Finanțatorul Dan Capră și directorul general al Petrolului, Marius Bucuroiu, reținuți pentru 24 de ore!" [Petrolul's president Dan Capră and general director Marius Bucuroiu, arrested for 24 hours!]. DigiSport (in Romanian). 25 November 2014.
  28. ^ "Colaps total la Ploieşti. Mandate de arestare pentru acţionarii clubului în dosarul de evaziune fiscală. Reţinerea finanţatorului Capră provoacă plecarea unor jucători importanţi" [Total collapse at Ploieşti. Warrants for the club's shareholders in the tax evasion case. The arrest of president Capră causes the departure of some important footballers] (in Romanian). ProSport. 26 November 2014.
  29. ^ "Insolvența, un nou ȋnceput, nicidecum finalul!" [Insolvency, a new beginning, not the end!] (in Romanian). FC Petrolul Ploiești. 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  30. ^ "Eșec la final de campionat" [Fail at the end of the championship]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015.
  31. ^ "Despartire de Pablo de Lucas, Sebastián Gallegos, Ioan Filip si Victor Astafei" [Pablo de Lucas, Sebastián Gallegos, Ioan Filip and Victor Astafei left the team]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015.
  32. ^ a b "Noul Petrolul porneşte la drum în liga a patra. Mărcile au revenit la Primăria Ploieşti, care le va ceda noului club" [New Petrolul starts its way in the fourth division. The brand returned to the local government of Ploieşti, which will yield it to the new club] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  33. ^ "BOMBĂ în fotbalul românesc! Un grup francez lider mondial preia o echipă cu 4 titluri! Obiectiv clar: bătaia cu granzii în Liga 1" [INCREDIBLE NEWS in Romanian football! A French transnational company takesover a team with 4 national titles!]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 8 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  34. ^ "După UTA şi FC Argeş, fotbalul românesc "recâştigă" şi Petrolul! ACS Petrolul 52 devine Petrolul cu 4 titluri şi 3 cupe după ce a câştigat licitaţia achiziţionării celor 6 mărci" [After UTA and FC Argeş, Romanian football "regains" Petrolul as well! ACS Petrolul 52 becomes Petroull with 4 national titles and 3 cups after winning the auction of the 6 brands] (in Romanian). ProSport. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  35. ^ "Ce uneşte şi ce desparte Petrolul, Oţelul, U Cluj şi Farul după ce au promovat în Liga 3. Buget, principii şi obiective similare pe termen scurt, strategii şi ţinte diferite pe termen lung" [What unites and separates Petrolul, Oţelul, U Cluj and Farul after they have promoted in League 3. Budget, similar short-term principles and objectives, different long-term strategies and targets] (in Romanian). ProSport. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  36. ^ "Probleme financiare pentru Petrolul Ploiești! Și-a pierdut principala sursă de finanțare! "Parteneriatul se închide!"" [Financial problems for Petrolul Ploiești! It has lost its main source of funding! "The partnership is ending!"] (in Romanian). Playsport. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Petrolul Ploiești revine în Liga 1 cu probleme financiare" [Petrolul Ploiești returns to the Liga 1 with financial issues] (in Romanian). Informateca. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  38. ^ a b "Comunicat ACS Petrolul 52" [ACS Petrolul 52 press release] (in Romanian). FC Petrolul Ploiești. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  39. ^ "Stadionul Ilie Oană din Ploieşti, cotat de UEFA la patru stele" [Ilie Oană from Ploieşti, ranked as a UEFA Category 4 stadium]. Adevărul (in Romanian). 10 May 2012.
  40. ^ "Petrolul s-a întors acasă" [Petrolul is back at home]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). 24 September 2011. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013.
  41. ^ "Nebunie la meciul Petrolului din Liga a 4-a! "Găzarii" s-au impus pe un stadion cu peste 6.000 de spectatori care au făcut show" [Crazy match in the fourth league! "The Oilmen" won after being assisted by over 6,000 spectators in a great atmosphere]. Gazeta Sporturilor. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  42. ^ a b "Rivalitatea Petrolul – Steaua, exportată în Olanda. Suporterii "găzarilor" şi cei ai echipei Vitesse Arnhem, mesaje "de dulce" la derby-ul local cu NEC Nijmegen, a cărei galerie este înfrăţită cu cea stelistă" [Petrolul – Steaua rivalry, exported to the Netherlands. "The Oilmen" and the fans of Vitesse Arnhem, "gentle" wishes at the local derby against NEC Nijmegen, whose supporters have a friendship with Steaua] (in Romanian). ProSport. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  43. ^ "Petrolul-Rapid, un derby pe stil vechi" [Petrolul-Rapid, a classic derby]. evz.ro (in Romanian). 16 August 2014.
  44. ^ "Fanii Petrolului jigniţi dur de Ioan Niculae! Patronul Astrei se ia şi de clubul din Ploieşti: "Nu are nici un palmares"" [Petrolul's fans, insulted by Ioan Niculae! He also talks about the club from Ploiești: "They have no honours"]. Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 16 April 2014.
  45. ^ "ZI CU MUTU | Mutu a fost chemat sa INJURE Steaua si Dinamo! Ce gest a facut in fata ultrasilor de la Petrolul" [DAY WITH MUTU | Mutu was called to SWEAR against Steaua and Dinamo! The gesture he made before the Petrolul ultras] (in Romanian). Sport.ro. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  46. ^ "Prima echipă" [First-team squad] (in Romanian). FC Petrolul Ploiești. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  47. ^ "FC PETROLUL jucatori - componenta echipa" [FC PETROLUL players - team squad] (in Romanian). Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  48. ^ Technical staff
  49. ^ "Parteneriat între FC Petrolul Ploieşti şi Superbet" [Partnership between Petrolul Ploiesti and Superbet]. FC Petrolul Ploiești (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 26 June 2015.
  50. ^ The Intertoto Cup was founded in 1961–62, but was only taken over by UEFA in 1995. Petrolul have participated in the 1990 edition. The results are included in the total statistics.
  51. ^ There is a controversy concerning the value of Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. While it is viewed as the predecessor to the UEFA Cup, it was not organised by UEFA. Consequently, UEFA do not recognise the competition as a major honour.

Further reading

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  • Răzvan V. Frățilă (2013). Petrolul Ploiești, Istorie și Tradiție Volumul 1 – Începuturile. Karta-Graphic. ISBN 978-606-8312-99-6.
  • Răzvan V. Frățilă (2014). Petrolul Ploiești, Istorie și Tradiție Volumul 2 – Gloria. Karta-Graphic. ISBN 978-606-8312-98-9.
  • Răzvan V. Frățilă (2018). Petrolul Ploiești, Istorie și Tradiție Volumul 3 – Periplul mondial. Amanda Edit. ISBN 978-606-9790-60-1.
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