Our Story

A History in Progress

The story of Guard and Homa began with a group of young footballers, a remarkable coach, and friendships that extended far beyond the football field.

Following the closure of Shahin in 1967, Parviz Dehdari brought together talented young players who would form the foundation of Guard. What began as a youth football project grew into a team recognized for its discipline, camaraderie, and competitive spirit.

Over the following years, Guard's story became intertwined with that of Homa, a club that would compete at the highest levels of Iranian football and continue through a period of profound change following the 1979 Revolution.

This website brings together photographs, historical records, and firsthand memories to preserve that shared history. It is a story still being written, with new information and contributions helping us understand the people and events that shaped these teams.

Chapter 1 — The Origins of Guard

1967–1968

The origins of Guard can be traced to the closure of Shahin Football Club in 1967, an event that profoundly affected Iranian football. Among those affected was Parviz Dehdari, Shahin's former captain and one of the country's most respected football figures.

Rather than stepping away from the game, Dehdari turned his attention to developing a new generation of footballers. He organized a series of matches involving approximately 200 to 300 teenagers, carefully observing their abilities and potential. From this large group, he initially selected around 40 players. After three months of training and further evaluation, the squad was reduced to just 18 promising young footballers.

These players became the foundation of a new team: Guard.

The team's early ambitions were modest. Initially preparing to compete in Tehran's lower football divisions, Guard soon had an opportunity to test itself against more established clubs through qualifying competitions.

But Guard was becoming something more than another football team. Many of its players already knew one another through neighborhood football, and under Dehdari's guidance, they developed a strong sense of discipline, friendship, and shared responsibility.

Those qualities would become central to Guard's identity and help shape its journey through Iranian football.

Chapter 2 — More Than a Football Team

What made Guard special was not simply the football it played, but the relationships and values that brought its players together.

Many of Guard's young footballers had grown up playing alongside one another in the streets and neighborhoods of Tehran. Their friendships began long before they wore the same team jersey. Players from areas around Ferdowsi and Farvardin streets formed part of this close-knit group, while talented young footballers from Khuzestan brought additional experience and perspectives to the team.

Despite its growing reputation, Guard retained a strongly amateur character. Football was an important part of the players' lives, but education, family responsibilities, and everyday financial challenges were equally real concerns. Some struggled to afford school or university expenses, while others who had moved to Tehran faced the costs of living away from home.

Under Parviz Dehdari, the team developed a culture built on discipline, mutual respect, and commitment to one another. His influence extended beyond football tactics. He was a mentor whose expectations shaped how the young players approached both the game and their responsibilities outside it.

These shared experiences created an unusually strong bond among the players. On the field, that understanding was reflected in their teamwork, organization, and ability to anticipate one another's movements.

Guard was more than a collection of talented individuals. It was a community of young men growing together, connected by friendship, football, and a shared sense of purpose.

Chapter 3 — Guard's Emergence

1970–1971

By the early 1970s, Guard was beginning to attract attention beyond its close-knit circle of players and supporters. What had started as a youth development project under Parviz Dehdari was becoming a competitive team capable of challenging some of Tehran's most established football clubs.

The arrival of talented players from outside Tehran strengthened the squad. Among them was Mehdi Ghazal, who joined from Jam Abadan and became an important presence in midfield, connecting the team's defense and attack.

Guard's growing reputation received a significant boost during Tehran's club competitions in the spring of 1971. The young team defeated Pas, scoring twice against one of the country's strongest sides. The following week, Guard faced Taj, another leading Iranian club with international experience. Guard scored twice but eventually lost 3–2, a result that nevertheless demonstrated the team's ability to compete against established opponents.

These performances attracted considerable attention from the sports press. Guard's players appeared on magazine covers, and the team began receiving recognition far beyond its original neighborhood roots.

The team's success also opened opportunities for individual players. Alireza Khorshidi, one of Guard's promising forwards, represented Tehran in the international Kourosh tournament in 1971. His subsequent progress toward national-team football reflected the growing recognition of the talent emerging from Guard.

What made these achievements especially remarkable was the team's modest beginnings. A group of young footballers, brought together through friendship and guided by a demanding coach, had established itself as a respected competitor in Tehran football.

Guard's rise laid the foundation for the next chapter of its history: the transition toward Homa.

Chapter 4 — From Guard to Homa: Before the Revolution

1970s–1978

The transition from Guard to Homa marked an important new chapter in the history of this group of footballers. What had begun as a young team under Parviz Dehdari's guidance evolved into a club competing at the highest level of Iranian football.

During the 1970s, Homa established itself among Iran's leading football clubs through its participation in the Takht-e Jamshid Cup, the country's premier national club competition.

The Takht-e Jamshid Cup began in 1973 and ran for six editions before the 1979 Revolution. Homa did not participate in the inaugural edition but joined the competition in its second season.

The team immediately made an impression, finishing third in its debut season. The following year, Homa improved further, finishing second, establishing itself as one of the strongest sides in Iranian football.

Homa continued participating in the remaining editions of the Takht-e Jamshid Cup, competing against many of the country's most established clubs.

These years were shaped by both continuity and change. The legacy of Guard, the development of its players, and the arrival of new talent all contributed to Homa's evolving identity.

Homa's achievements during this period represented an important milestone in the club's history, reflecting its progress from the young team that had emerged under Dehdari's leadership.

As additional photographs, contemporary sports publications, and firsthand recollections become available, this chapter will continue to grow, documenting the players, matches, and experiences that shaped Homa before the Revolution.

Chapter 5 — Homa After the Revolution

From 1979 onward

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 brought significant changes to football throughout the country, and Homa entered a new chapter in its history.

Despite changes in the club's playing squad and the broader football landscape, Homa remained a formidable force in Iranian football. During the years following the Revolution, the team was widely regarded as one of the country's strongest sides, continuing to demonstrate the quality and competitive spirit that had distinguished it in earlier years.

One of Homa's notable achievements during this period was winning the Tehran Football Championship, an important accomplishment that reflected the team's continued strength and standing in Iranian football.

A new generation of players, alongside those who remained from earlier years, helped shape this successful period. Their talent, dedication, and teamwork contributed to Homa's reputation as one of the leading teams of its era.

Beyond its achievements on the field, Homa continued to foster the friendships and shared experiences that had been central to its identity since the days of Guard.

This chapter represents an important period in Homa's history. As additional photographs, historical publications, championship records, and firsthand memories become available, we will expand this account to document the team's achievements and the people who made them possible.

About This Project

The Homa and Guard historical archive is a project dedicated to preserving the history, people, and memories of two closely connected chapters of Iranian football.

Through photographs, newspaper and magazine articles, historical documents, and firsthand recollections, we aim to bring together materials that might otherwise remain scattered or be lost over time.

An important part of this effort is identifying the people in historical photographs, documenting their stories, and preserving the contributions of players, coaches, and others associated with Guard and Homa.

This is an ongoing project, made possible through the generosity of former players, their families, friends, and others who share photographs, documents, and memories.

Our goal is to create a lasting historical record that future generations can explore, learn from, and help expand.

Have photographs, documents, or memories to share? Contribute to the archive.The contribution service requires a private contributor link.

Historical Sources

The historical article «گارد» (“Guard”) from the Jam-e Takht-e Jamshid archive provides background for the early Guard story.

Contemporary Iranian sports publications, including Keyhan Varzeshi, are referenced where specifically documented in that article. The original issues have not yet been independently checked.

Photographs and firsthand recollections contributed to the Homa/Guard historical archive complement the published material. Personal memories are distinguished from contemporary records, and some details await independent verification.