History
The club was founded in 2004, by Adrián Castro Velásquez and Eduardo Li Sánchez after purchasing Santa Bárbara F.C. and is basically a spinoff of the A.D. Municipal Puntarenas F.C., founded on January 9, 1952 which until 2002 had spent 34 seasons in the Primera División (UNAFUT). Municipal Puntarenas won their first and only division title in the 1986 season against L.D. Alajuelense, they also finished second three more times. In 2002 Municipal Puntarenas was relegated to Liga de Ascenso, Segunda División (LIASCE) and in 2009 to third division Primera División de Liga Nacional de Futbol Aficionado (LINAFA).
Puntarenas F.C. counts with the supporter group "La Samba Primeira" that brings cheers and music to the local games. Puntarenas F.C. played its first game on August 22, 2004 in Estadio Miguel "Lito" Pérez, beating Asociación Deportiva Belén 2:1. They have become one of the most important teams in the Primera División (UNAFUT), being in the first 3 places in their first 3 years as a new team, starting a rivalry with C.D. Saprissa and L.D. Alajuelense the most important teams in the country. According to IFFHS Club World Ranking, Puntarenas F.C. ranks 342 (285) in the World, making them one of the best squads in Costa Rica and in the UNCAF region.
On July 4, 2007, Eduardo Li Sánchez resigned as team owner and President to take over the reins of Federación Costarricense de Fútbol (FEDEFUTBOL) as President. Owner and Vice President Adrián Castro Velásquez became the club's new President and sole proprietor.
On December 9, 2008, it was announced that Alejandro Márquez, owner of Federación Mexicana de Futbol Asociación, A.C., Segunda División soccer club F.C. Celaya had bought 50 percent of the shares of Puntarenas F.C. Making it the second Costa Rican team with Mexican interest. Márquez was elected Vice President.
On February 16, 2009 Adrián Castro Velásquez was assassinated as he left his house in Miramar de Montes de Oro en route to Puntarenas Centro, by a pair of hitman to settle a business dispute. As a result of Castro's tragic death, his wife María Alejandra Ordóñez Lucovich took over his half of the club's shares. The board of directors elected Adrian's son Marcelo Enrique Castro as second Vice President and Víctor Herrera as President.
On June 27, 2009, it was reported that Alejandro Márquez defaulted on his contract with the club. María Alejandra Ordóñez Lucovich took full ownership, control of all club assets and the Presidency.
In 2009, Score One Soccer became equity partner of Puntarenas F.C. and was also granted a 10 year contract by Municipalidad de Puntarenas to operate Estadio Miguel "Lito" Pérez.
Read more about this topic: Puntarenas F.C.
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