HBL F.C.

Habib Bank
Full nameHabib Bank Limited Football Club
Nickname(s)The Bankers
Short nameHBL
Founded1975; 49 years ago (1975)
Dissolved2015; 9 years ago (2015)
GroundPeople's Football Stadium
Capacity40,000
OwnerHabib Bank Limited

Habib Bank Limited Football Club, abbreviated as HBL F.C., served as the football section of Habib Bank Limited. Based in Karachi, Sindh, the club competed in the National Football Championship and Pakistan Premier League.

History

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Early years

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The club was formed in 1975 by Habib Bank, hence giving it the nickname, The Bankers.[1] In the 1982 National Football Championship, the club won its first national title after defeating Pakistan Railways in the final. They have also been runners up three times, in the next season, 1991 and 2000.[2]

HBL won the National Football Championship in 1985, beating Pakistan Railways into second place.[3] It also represented Pakistan at the Asian Club Championship (now the AFC Champions League) in 1986.[4]

Pakistan Premier League era

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They were one of the founding members of the Pakistan Premier League. They were relegated in the 2006–07 season, but were elected to return following expansion of the league alongside Pakistan Airlines.

Disbandment

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The team was disbanded by the parental organisation in December 2015.[5]

Honours

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Performance in AFC competitions

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1986 – Qualifying Stage

References

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  1. ^ "Pakistan - Foundation Dates of Clubs". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  2. ^ "Pakistan - List of Champions". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  3. ^ "Pakistan - List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  4. ^ "Asian Club Competitions 1986/87". RSSSF. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  5. ^ "HBL football team disbanded". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
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  • HBL FC at Global Sports Archive