Speaking about the history of Neftchi, it is necessary to remember the first players in the team. Especially the first Azerbaijanis of our team. Their number was very small - only three. There is almost no information about goalkeeper Majid Jafarov and forward Kanan Abiyev. But it is necessary to inform the general public about Mammadali Ismayilov - our first captain. Mammadali Ismayilov, one of the few Azerbaijani footballers, was elected the first captain of the team. It was a great event for that period. Even Mirmehdi Agayev, known for his strong game, could not achieve this honor at Temp. This fact should be noted because the establishment of Neftyanik coincided with the bloody years of Azerbaijan's history. In those years, which went down in history as a period of repression, in Azerbaijan, almost no organization was allowed to be led by Azerbaijanis, and our compatriots were persecuted everywhere. Opposing intellectuals and wealthy aristocrats were shot without question and deported to Siberia. Mammadali Ismayilov was a captain due to his leadership qualities.

The first information about the team was published in the March 21, 1937 issue of the "Azerbaijan Bodybuilder" newspaper. The opinion of the first captain Mammadali Ismayilov about the football season was published: After strengthening with a few experienced players, we can achieve good results in the All-Union competitions, where we have to perform. "The team game, which is a glorious tradition of the" Progress "team, is well mastered by our youth, which can be very useful for us."

Very few people could remember Ismayilov's game in defense. Although some have suggested that he is related to Chingiz Ismayilov, the former goalkeeper has denied this. Teacher Chingiz only said that Mammadali was distinguished from his teammates by his physical performance. The reason was that Mammadali Ismayilov played rugby as well as football. Bashir Aliyev, the coach who studied Ismayilov's life in the past, was able to find his daughter living in Sabunchu settlement only among his relatives: “I took Mammadali's picture from her then. Otherwise, there was very little information about him in the archives."

Mammadali also had a very interesting nickname. Not only the fans, but also his teammates knew him by the nickname "Mindy". It is said that this name was given to him after one of the games. Fighting for the ball with his opponent, Mammadali used his physical skills to jump higher and landed directly on the opponent's neck. After that, his name remained "Mindy".

Mindi, who played in the first squad in 1937, went to the front when the Great Patriotic War broke out. Our brave football player participated in the games often held in the frontline regions as an athlete. Therefore, the defender, who kept his uniform, returned to "Neftchi" after returning from the war.

He worked hard when the team became the champion of Azerbaijan in the last year of the war. In addition to playing as a footballer, he did a lot to restore the team. In 1946, when Neftyanik re-entered the USSR championship, the first captain again captained his team. He personally participated in the implementation of all organizational work. In the same year, he also appeared as a player. Fans applauded his appearance and were glad to have an Azerbaijani among the non-nationals. However, his age and injuries at the front forced him to end his football career. The only game he played was the last in Mindy's career. Although he left the field, the fans did not forget him for a long time as the first Azerbaijani captain of "Neftchi". We introduced him to strangers.