Esporte Clube Noroeste

Football club infobox
clubname = Noroeste

|
fullname = Esporte Clube Noroeste
nickname = "Norusca"
founded = September 10, 1910
ground = Alfredo de Castilho, Bauru
capacity = 18,840
chairman = Damião Garcia
manager = Fescina
league = Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
season = 2007
position = Eliminated in first stage
pattern_la1=_whiteshoulders|pattern_b1=_whiteshoulders|pattern_ra1=_whiteshoulders
leftarm1=FF0000|body1=FF0000|rightarm1=FF0000|shorts1=FFFFFF|socks1=FF0000
pattern_la2=_shouldersonwhite|pattern_b2=_shouldersonwhite|pattern_ra2=_shouldersonwhite
leftarm2=FF0000|body2=FFFFFF|rightarm2=FF0000|shorts2=FF0000|socks2=FFFFFF

Esporte Clube Noroeste, usually known simply as Noroeste, is a Brazilian football (soccer) club based in Bauru. It currently plays Campeonato Brasileiro Série C (national third division). Named after a now-defunct railway, Noroeste is a very traditional team within São Paulo state. Their home ground is "Alfredo de Castilho" stadium" (c. 18,840).

History

Founded on September 1, 1910, the club had became professional only in 1948. Before that year, it won the Campeonato do Interior, then-most prestigious tournament among São Paulo countyside teams, in 1943.

Ten years later (1953), Noroeste were promoted to Campeonato Paulista (state championship) first division. Until 1966, they played against many of the best teams of country, including legendary Pelé's Santos. After that year, Noroeste has built a history of promotions and relegations to the eighties. The club reached Campeonato Brasileiro (national first division) once, in 1978.

The nineties marked the worst period of Noroeste history. They were relegated to Campeonato Paulista Série A-3 (state third division) twice (1994 and 1999) and come back to Série A-1 (state first division) only in 2005.

At 2006 season, Noroeste finished Campeonato Paulista in fifth position, the best in whole club history. They were in Copa do Brasil (Brazil Cup) for first time, but lost to 15 de Novembro (Campo Bom) yet on early stages. On Série C (national third division), Noroeste reached third phase, but failed to promote.

2007 season ended with a good general performance for the club, despite first round disqualification in Série C. Noroeste finished 7th on Campeonato Paulista, their third best effort ever. The club was second to Guaratinguetá in Campeonato do Interior and advanced to second round in Copa do Brasil, where runners-up Figueirense defeated them.

tadium

Noroeste plays their home matches on "Alfredo de Castilho" stadium. Today's maximum attendance is of 18,840. Public record was 22,863 in a Campeonato Paulista match against Palmeiras.

Noted players

"Listed according to when they debuted for EC Noroeste (year in parentheses):"

* 1950s: Julião (1956)
* 1960s: Toninho Guerreiro (1960), Zé Carlos (1960)
* 1970s: Jairzinho (1970), Lorico (1972)
* 2000s: Lenilson (2005), Rodrigo Tiuí (2005)

Achievements

* Campeonato Paulista:
"(São Paulo State Championship)"
** Second Division Winners (3): 1953, 1970, 1984 "(Série A-2)"
** Third Division Winners (2): 1995, 2004 "(Série A-3)"

* Copa FPF:
"(São Paulo State Federation Cup)"
** Winners (1): 2005

Trivia

* Pelé's first club was Bauru AC, a now-defunct amateur club in the same city Noroeste is based. He never played for the city's only professional club because his father considered the Noroeste play-style so strong for a then-15-year boy.

* Noroeste was founded at the same day as Corinthians, the second most popular club in Brazil.

* Noroeste main rivals are Marília and XV de Novembro de Jaú.

External links

*pt icon [http://www.noroestebauru.com.br Esporte Clube Noroeste official site]