Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C.

History

The team began in 1972 under the name PKENJ FC. After two Malaysia FAM Cup wins, state-backed Johor Corporation took charge in 1996, renaming the side Johor Football Club (Johor FC), which then placed second in the league that same year. In 1998, the club moved up to the second-tier Liga Perdana 2, claimed the title in 2001, and earned a spot in the top-flight Liga Perdana 1. Two years later, following the 2003 season, they were relegated to the new second division, the Malaysia Premier League, after missing promotion to the freshly formed Malaysia Super League.

An automatic promotion back to the Super League came during the 2006–07 campaign when the league expanded to 14 teams, and Johor FC became a consistent top-five finisher. Under English coach Bruce Stowell in 2000, they made history as the first club side to enter the Malaysia Cup, beating ATM on aggregate in the second-round group stage. In 2009, the club stepped into the AFC Cup as a replacement for Negeri Sembilan. Financial trouble hit by 2011, with Johor Corporation slashing funding, which led to a thin squad, poor results, and falling crowd numbers at Pasir Gudang Stadium.

The low point came in 2012, when the team barely avoided relegation by finishing ninth in the Super League. Meanwhile, other local outfits like Johor FA, MBJB F.C., and MP Muar F.C. were fighting to stay afloat in the second tier.

Training facilities and infrastructure

Padang Sri Gelam serves as the training facility for Johor Darul Ta'zim, located in Johor Bahru. The indoor synthetic field measures 16 by 109.2 metres and includes gym equipment, a swimming pool, and ice baths, designed to international standards as envisioned by Tunku Ismail. The groundbreaking ceremony for the all-weather training arena took place on 1 January 2015, attended by Tunku Aminah, after design plans were approved on 24 December 2014.

The RM15 million indoor facility was sponsored by Iskandar Waterfront Holdings under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme and built to FIFA specifications. Completed and named the Dato Suleiman Mohd Noor Indoor Training Centre on 23 February 2016, it was officially opened on 21 April 2016. JDT has developed strategic partnerships with Borussia Dortmund, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, and Valencia for youth development. In mid-January 2017, a three-year coaching and player development partnership with Valencia was announced, based on Valencia Academy's methodologies.

As of December 2015, the club was building a new youth academy in Kulai with up to 15 football pitches and modern facilities, designed in collaboration with Borussia Dortmund, covering 40 hectares to develop local youth talents.

Team image

On 10 January 2016, JDT officially came under the ownership of Tunku Ismail, becoming a full-fledged professional outfit separate from the Johor FA. A day later, former Johor striker Alistair Edwards was appointed as Sporting Director to assist Tunku Ismail. On 12 January 2016, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar gave RM50 million as a reward to the club after its successful 2015 season. In early December 2016, Tunku Ismail was reported to hold 70% of the club as majority shareholder.

As part of restructuring, Luciano Figueroa was named Sporting Director to assist head coach Ulisses Morais, while Alistair Edwards was reassigned as Technical Director overseeing development and grassroots programmes. On 27 July 2016, Tunku Tun Aminah binti Sultan Ibrahim was appointed President of Johor DT, focusing on youth development and considering a women's football team. The JDT foundation was registered on 9 August 2016 to collect funds and distribute aid for the club's development.

Rivalries

The rivalry with Sri Pahang developed in 2013 after a 3–2 loss in JDT's Malaysia Super League debut and crowd trouble during the Malaysia FA Cup semi-final second leg at Darul Makmur Stadium on 28 May 2013. The Southern Derby (Derbi Selatan) refers to rivalries with Melaka United and Negeri Sembilan. The rivalry with Melaka United intensified after Melaka's return to the top flight in 2017, reflecting historical links between the neighboring territories.

The rivalry with Negeri Sembilan peaked between 2011 and 2013, characterized by high-tension atmospheres. Beginning in 2013, Felda United became a main rival; between 2013 and 2016, the sides met 12 times, with JDT winning six, Felda United three, and three draws. In the 2014 Malaysia Cup semi-final, JDT won 6–5 on aggregate after Felda United won the first leg 4–3 on a waterlogged pitch and JDT won the second leg 3–1. In the 2015 Malaysia Cup quarter-finals, Johor lost 2–1 at home to Felda United, their first home loss since 2013.

Did You Know?

• The club's home ground, Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, was completed in January 2020 at a cost of MYR 200 million, constructed by Country Garden Pacificview.
• In 2022, Johor Darul Ta'zim had five million followers on social media, the highest among Malaysian sports clubs.
• The club crest is derived from the Johor State Council coat of arms, with a tiger's head remaining on the current crest.