Foundation and early years (1933–1940)
Before Persib was formed, football in Bandung started with the formation of Bandoeng Inlandsche Voetbal Bond (BIVB) in 1923. It was at that time a nationalist-minded association with Syamsudin as the owner which was then forwarded to the son of the Indonesian heroines
Dewi Sartika, R. Atot. BIVB then disappeared and two other associations surfaced, which are Bandung Indonesian Football Association
Persatuan Sepak Bola Indonesia Bandung (PSIB) and National Voetball Bond (NVB). On 14 March 1933, the two associations and several other teams, such as SIAP, Soenda, Singgalang, Diana, Sun, Ovu, RAN, HBOM, JOP, MALTA, and Merapi, agreed to merge and a new association was born named Persib with Anwar St. Pamoentjak as chairman. During the early years, they became runner-up in the 1933, 1934 and 1936
Perserikatan seasons. Ultimately became champion for the first time in the 1939 season.
[1]
Perserikatan era (1940–1994)
During the 1950s, Aang Witarsa and Anas became the first players that was called up to the
Indonesia national football team. During this period, Persib became one of the elite teams in Indonesian football, by winning their second Perserikatan title in 1961. As a result, Persib was sent to compete in the
Aga Khan Gold Cup. One of the star from the team was Emen "Guru" Suwarman. Persib did not gained any significant achievement until crowned as runner-up in the 1966 season.
[2]
The 1970s was the darkest time for Persib, culminating with their relegation to the First Division in the 1978–79 season. The club did a youth player development revolution by hiring Polish coach Marek Janota to lead the youth squad and Risnandar Soendoro managing the senior squad. The combination of the two teams managed to promote Persib back to the Premier Division. The team consist of now famous players such as
Robby Darwis, Adeng Hudaya, Adjat Sudrajat, Suryamin, Dede Iskandar, Boyke Adam, Sobur, Sukowiyono, Giantoro, Kosasih B, Encas Tonif and Iwan Sunarya. Persib then became two-time runners-up in the 1982–83 and 1984–85 seasons.
[3]
In 1985, Ateng Wahyudi became the new chairman replacing Solihin GP. One year after, Persib again became champion in 1986 beating
Perseman Manokwari 1–0. Persib managed to become champion again in 1990, beating
Persebaya Surabaya 2–0. First team players from this time was Samai Setiadi, Ade Mulyono, Asep Sumantri, Dede Rosadi, Yusuf Bachtiar, Sutiono Lamso, Yana Rodiana, Sarjono, Sidik Djafar and
Djadjang Nurdjaman.
[4]
Ateng Wahyudi was then replaced by Wahyu Hamijaya in 1993 as chairman of Persib. They then became champion in the last season of
Perserikatan by beating
PSM Makassar 2–0. As the last champion of Perserikatan and as a result of the merger of Perserikatan and
Galatama which became
Liga Indonesia Premier Division, Persib was allowed to keep the President Cup, the name of the Perserikatan Trophy, forever.
[5]
Modern era and recent history (1994–present)
Persib became the first champion of the newly formed Liga Indonesia Premier Division by beating Petrokimia Putra 1–0.
[5] In 1995, Persib also managed to perform until the quarter-finals of the
AFC Champions League. Despite the traditions and winning the first edition of the Liga Indonesia Premier Division, Persib have endured a difficult time. They have used many local and international coaches such as Marek Andrzej Sledzianowski, Juan Antonio Paez,
Arcan Iurie, Risnandar Soendoro, Indra Thohir, and
Jaya Hartono, but their best finish was finishing third in the
2008–09 Indonesia Super League.
[6][7]
As a result of the regulations of Permendagri No. 13/2006 which was revised to Permendagri No. 59/2007, where professional clubs are no longer allowed to use government budget, 36 members as the stakeholders of Persib gave a mandate to the former Mayor of Bandung Dada Rosada to save Persib so it can still enter the competition. PT. Persib Bandung Bermartabat was then founded on 20 August 2009 as the legal basis of the club.
[8]
The club colors are officially blue and white.
[14] The team's badge is similar with the seal of
Bandung. The logo was used because during the early years of
Perserikatan, Persib was seen as the representative of the
Sundanese people[15]
Training ground
For the primary training ground and flat for players, Persib uses Persib Stadium at Ahmad Yani Road, which was formerly known as Sidolig Stadium. The training ground uses synthetic turf.
[24]
Supporter & mascot
Persib's supporters are called
Bobotoh, which means the ones who supports individuals competing in a competition.
[25] There are many big supporter groups, but the most famous groups are Viking Persib Club, Bomber (Bobotoh Maung Bandung Bersatu), The Bomb's and Flowers City Casuals.
[8][26] The number of Persib supporters are estimated to be around 5,3 to 5,5 million all around Indonesia.
[27][28] Viking have a good relationship with
Bonek,
Persebaya Surabayasupporters.
The mascot of Persib is the
Maung Bandung (The Bandung Tigers).
[29]
With a large numbers of supporters in Indonesia especially in the West Java Province, Persib Bandung is on top of the list of club that has the most dedicated fans in Indonesia.
[30]Combine with the club achievement in Indonesia Super League (ISL) and large amount number of supporters, the club also considered as one of the successful club in term of sponsorship history in Indonesia. The past and current sponsorship agreement included international Sports brand such as Diadora, Joma and Mitre. Japanese Automobile Brand owned by Nissan, Datsun. Indonesia's telecommunication giant Indosat Ooredoo and Indofood one of the biggest food manufacturer in Indonesia.
Rivalries
Nowadays, Persib have a rivalry with
Persija Jakarta, which is more seen as a rivalry between supporters and have turned into hostility between both clubs hard-line supporters. Influenced by the media and some individuals that want the hostility to be preserved, many hostile incidents have occurred until today.
[32][33] In 2014, there had been a reconciliation held by Polda Jabar to avoid unnecessary future clashes.
[34]
Persib was previously owned by city government and its budget was allocated from the city budget. In accordance with the regulations of Permendagri No. 13/2006 which was revised to Permendagri No. 59/2007, professional clubs are no longer allowed to use government budget. This conditions forced 36 Football Union as the stakeholder of Persib agreed to give a mandate to the former Bandung Mayor Dada Rosada to save Persib so it can still enter the competition. PT. Persib Bandung Bermartabat then founded on 20 August 2009 as the legal basis of the club.
[8]
