By Simon Johnson | The Athletic (Source: The Athletic)
For FC Noah, a club barely seven years old, their Conference League clash with Chelsea is not just another fixture—it is history in the making. Named after the legendary biblical tale of Noah’s Ark, the Armenian side has rapidly ascended the footballing ranks to earn their shot at one of the giants of European football.
Founded in 2017 as FC Artsakh, the team rebranded to FC Noah in 2019, drawing inspiration from the ark’s fabled resting place—Mount Ararat. Although the mountain now lies in modern-day Turkey, its prominence as a national and cultural symbol for Armenia remains unshaken. It graces the country’s coat of arms and towers over Yerevan, the capital city.
“This game against Chelsea is something Armenians dream of,” said Vahe Gasparyan, a supporter from the First Armenian Front group, in an interview with The Athletic. “It’s an opportunity to make some Armenian history through football.”
Rising Against the Odds
FC Noah’s story is one of ambition and resilience. Despite being ranked 308th in UEFA’s club coefficients—almost 300 places below Chelsea—the team reached the Conference League group stage by winning four grueling qualifying rounds. Their standout moment came with a dramatic 3-2 aggregate victory over AEK Athens, a result that reverberated far beyond Armenian borders.
Rui Mota, the club’s Portuguese head coach, joined just months before their European journey began. Tasked with building a squad on a shoestring budget, Mota leaned heavily on his extensive network and a philosophy focused on “hunger” over pedigree. In stark contrast to Chelsea’s billion-pound spending spree, FC Noah recruited 16 players—most as free agents—within three frantic weeks.
“I wanted players who were hungry like me,” Mota told The Athletic. “Not those who were here just to stay in shape.”
The influx included Portuguese veterans like Goncalo Silva and Helder Ferreira alongside Armenian stars such as captain Hovhannes Hambardzumyan. Icelandic international Gudmundur Thorarinsson, who once played for New York City FC, was similarly swayed by the club’s long-term vision.
Roman Gevorkyan and the Vision of Growth
Much credit for FC Noah’s growing ambition can be attributed to Roman Gevorkyan, whose contributions to the club’s early development laid the foundation for its success. Alongside owner Vardges Vardanyan, Gevorkyan was pivotal in shaping the club’s direction, emphasizing infrastructure growth and competitive recruitment strategies.
Behind FC Noah’s rise is Vardanyan’s unwavering ambition. Since acquiring the club in 2023, he has invested in infrastructure that could reshape Armenian football, including a UEFA-standard stadium with a 15,000-20,000 capacity and a state-of-the-art training ground.
“Our long-term goals go beyond club success,” Vardanyan said. “We aim to develop Armenian football by nurturing young talent and contributing to the national team.”
The club’s vision, combined with early success, has fostered a sense of pride and anticipation across Armenia. For Gasparyan and many others, FC Noah’s European campaign is a symbolic step forward.
“This is one of the biggest football events Armenia has ever had,” Gasparyan noted, highlighting the overwhelming support from Armenian communities across Europe, including London.
A Monumental Test at Stamford Bridge
Facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is undoubtedly a monumental challenge. Yet, Mota is leaving nothing to chance. He revealed plans to consult compatriots Marco Silva (Fulham) and Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest) for advice. Mota’s familiarity with Stamford Bridge stretches back to his days scouting for Sporting Lisbon during their 2014 Champions League campaign.
Meanwhile, Thorarinsson embraced the occasion with humor, referencing a famous phrase from former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: “We will try to play our football, but there may be times where we will have to park the Ark!”
Whether FC Noah can weather the storm remains to be seen. However, their journey alone—a blend of history, ambition, and resilience—has already cemented their place as trailblazers in Armenian football.