F.C. Ararat Tehran

The club was established in 1944 by a group of Armenian-Iranians. They named the club after the famous mountain of the same name. The club was run by an Armenian athletic organization and was one of few clubs in Iranian football to have its own private stadium and training facilities. The club has never had spectacular results, but has always provided talented players for Iranian football. It was heavily supported by the Armenian minority in Iran, but was also loved by many non-Armenian Iranians.

The last time the club played in the top level of Iranian football was the 1995–96 season of the Azadegan League (current IPL). Due to the poor decisions of the club management, Ararat FC has spent most of the past few years playing in the 1st Division and 2nd Division of Iran's football leagues. Until recently the club had a policy of only employing Armenian staff and players, but with the team's poor form in the past few years, this decision has been overturned and non-Armenians have coached the team. The players though are all Armenian-Iranians. In the 2005–06 season the club came very close to promotion into the Azadegan League, but fell short in the last few weeks of the season.

In 2007–08 season they took the last place in their group and relegated to 3rd division but in July 2008, Iran Football Federation increased number of 2nd Division teams to 28 and Ararat still remained in 2nd Division.

A major changes heralded for Ararat in 2008, as the terrible state of the club's finances was revealed, they were unable to pay wages and had major debts. The club's owner, Armenian-Iranians, were able to raise some more money, but even this soon proved to be insufficient resources to sustain the club. They finished last in the 2nd Division (group A) standings of the 2008–09 season. Thus, being relegated to 3rd Division. After the club's relegation, Arrarat was dissolved by its owners.

Arrarat was reopened on 9 October 2014 after a five years of absence. They also played a friendly match at the same day with Esteghlal XI which Ararat won 7–0 which showed their return. The club was placed in the Tehran Provincial League Division 1 and lost their first match 2–1. In 2015 the club was promoted to the Tehran Provincial League.

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

No. Position Player 1 GK Sevak Amirian 2 DF Menoua Shanazarian 4 DF Emin Avasapian 6 MF Mervin bedooian 6 MF Rene Babakhanlu 8 DF Rene babakhanian 9 FW Robert margosi (Captain) 12 MF Monte abrahamian 13 MF Armen Tahmasian

No. Position Player 14 FW Sarmen Panosian 15 DF Armen avakian 17 FW Arvin Mahmoudi 18 MF Dvin Karim Masihi 19 FW Arvin Alahyarian 21 DF Patrick yousfiane 21 DF Leo Zadurian 23 MF Argin Shahmirian 22 GK Romik Khodabekhshi

• (in Armenian) Official sports section of the Ararat Armenian Cultural Organization of Iran

• (in Persian) Ararat FC Fan Blog

• (in Persian) blog