Shimizu S-Pulse
Encyclopedia
is a professional Japan
ese association football club. Located in Shimizu-ku
, Shizuoka
, Shizuoka Prefecture
, S-Pulse currently competes in the J. League Division 1 (J1). Formed as recently as 1991, S-Pulse are one of the youngest professional teams in Japan, but are among only five to have competed in Japan's top flight of football every year since its inception in 1993. S-Pulse have recorded an average end of season placing of 6.8, which places them fourth behind Kashima Antlers
, Yokohama F. Marinos
and prefectural rivals, Júbilo Iwata
. The club was formed at the advent of the J. League in 1991, and originally consisted of players drawn exclusively from Shizuoka Prefecture; a unique distinction at the time.
Given the club's youth when compared to many of their J1 peers, S-Pulse have had a relatively large impact on Japanese football. Since the game turned professional in 1992, they are one of the most prolific and consistent performers in cup competitions, having made no less than eight final appearances: four times in the Emperor's Cup
and four times in the League Cup
. Only Japan's most successful professional team, Kashima Antlers
, have made more final appearances. They have won both of these competitions once, and have also won Japanese Super Cup
twice and the Asian Cup Winners Cup
once. The club's most recent cup final was in 2008's
League Cup which ended in defeat to Oita Trinita
.
Despite the club's cup competition prowess, the J. League Division 1 title has so far eluded them. The closest S-Pulse came was in 1999
when, after winning the league's second stage, they lost out on the title in a penalty shootout
. When scores remained level after both legs of the title deciding match
, Júbilo Iwata
, S-Pulse's local rivals
, prevailed. Former S-Pulse and national team
player Kenta Hasegawa
, who made a substitute appearance in the second leg of this title decider, became club manager in 2005
. He has gone on to become the longest serving manager since the clubs foundation, a status reaffirmed at the end of the 2008 season when his contract was extended until 2010.
players which had emerged from the prefecture over the years. Indeed, the prefectural police force of Shizuoka has an anthropomorphic football as a mascot. The west of the prefecture was already home to the company team of Yamaha Motor Corporation who played in the Japan Soccer League
and who would later go on to form Júbilo Iwata, but it was believed there was room for another team for the football-hungry population. An earlier attempt had been made in the 1970s with the local club belonging to Nippon Light Metal Corp., which briefly competed in the JSL Division 2 under the name Hagoromo
Club. With the advent of the professional league at the start of the 1990s, the wheels were put in motion to create a team to represent the east of the prefecture and to give opportunities to the wealth of footballing talent produced by the local high school teams.
to mean the spirit of all those who support the team.
On February 4, 1991 S-Pulse were approved by the J. League to compete in the newly formed professional league to start the following year. The club played its first ever game against Gamba Osaka
on July 4, 1992, a date which is celebrated as the clubs memorial birthday. The match took place at the Nagai Stadium
in Osaka. The club's first competitive game was in the 1992 League Cup against Nagoya Grampus
on September 5 at the Mizuho Athletic Stadium
, and ended in a 3-2 defeat. Their competitive home début was held at Nihondaira Stadium shortly after on September 9 against Yokohama Marinos
, which S-Pulse won 2-1. S-Pulse's first league game was played in May 1993
away to Yokohama Flügels
at Mitsuzawa Stadium
. Flügels won 3-2. The first home league game was a 2-1 victory against Sanfrecce Hiroshima
on May 19 of the same year.
S-Pulse competed in the inaugural 1992 J. League Cup
and made it to their first final. However, the dream start ended with defeat at the hands of Verdy Kawasaki. In 1993, S-Pulse became one of the ten founder members of the new J. League, and finished third after the 1st and 2nd stages were combined. Their second venture into the J. League Cup
was another near miss, again losing in the final to Verdy Kawasaki. Finally, in 1996
the team got their hands on the trophy and also gained revenge on Verdy, beating them 5-4 on penalties in the final.
1999 began with S-Pulse's first appearance in the Japanese Super Cup
, replacing Yokohama Flügels
after their merger with Yokohama Marinos. However, S-Pulse lost the match 2-1. After performing well in both league stages, S-Pulse were up against local rivals Júbilo Iwata
in the title decider, and after a 3-3 aggregate draw, lost the tie 4-2 on penalties. The new millennium brought better results for S-Pulse. Victory in the Asian Cup Winners Cup
in 2000 and victory in the final of the Emperor's Cup
in 2001 meant that the S-Pulse trophy cabinet was beginning to fill up, and victories in the 2001 and 2002 Japanese Super Cup
s meant that the club had won four cups in three years.
In 2005, S-Pulse closed the year with a run to the Emperor's Cup
final in which they did not concede a single goal. However, this changed in the final against Urawa Red Diamonds
, which they lost 2-1. After a near-miss in the league, avoiding a relegation play-off
by only goal difference, manager Kenta Hasegawa
's work started to pay off the following year. In both 2006 and 2007 S-Pulse performed strongly in the league and finished in 4th place, followed by a fifth place standing in 2008. However, early exits in both cup competitions in 2006 and 2007, means they are currently without a trophy for five years. This is the longest barren spell in their history, although in 2008 they came close, being defeated in the final of the League Cup by Oita Trinita
.
In 2011, S-Pulse made the "Signing of the Century" by making a move to complete the signing of Swedish and Arsenal F.C legend Freddie Ljungberg. It is considered by many Japanese to be one of the greatest signings in league history. Many also believe that the signing will boost football in the hugely popular baseball infected country.
counterparts, and Latin rhythms and samba sounds predominate. For home games, S-Pulse's more vocal supporters gather in the second tier of The Kop; the stand behind the west goal at Nihondaira Stadium. Also in this area can be found S-Pulse's various organised supporter groups. These groups include fan clubs dedicated to specific players and are often identifiable by unique uniforms. These fan clubs work to organise events which include mass choreographed displays and the supporter band. Also housed in The Kop are S-Pulse's band of ultras
, who each game take over a central area behind the goal which has been dubbed The Dragon Zone. Often physical, it is not uncommon for the area to descend into a mosh
pit after important goals, and signs posted around the stand inform and caution general supporters of the area's lively nature. The club's official fan club has several branches around the country, and S-Pulse supporters are officially listed as the team's twelfth player.
, makes occasional appearances in popular manga
and anime
series Chibi Maruko-chan
. In the show a boy with his name and referred to as Kenta-kun is sometimes seen. He loves football and is a classmate of title character Chibi Maruko. The author of the manga, Momoko Sakura
, created this character after Hasegawa. Sakura and Hasegawa attended the same primary school during the same period. Unique S-Pulse related Chibi Maruko goods are also produced. In another example, two fictional characters from the popular Captain Tsubasa
manga
, who, on becoming professional footballers, join S-Pulse.
, Shizuoka "Ecopa" Stadium
S-Pulse's home arena is the Nihondaira Sports Stadium located in Shimizu, with a capacity of 20,339. However, over their J. League history S-Pulse have, for various reasons such as construction works to enlarge Nihondaira, staged home games at a number of different sports grounds. These include the local Kusanagi Sports Ground and, more further afield, the National Stadium
in Tokyo. "Home" games held in Tokyo rarely failed to attract crowds above and beyond what could have been accommodated at Nihondaira, nor did results proved especially favourable. At the start of 2007 in was announced all home games for the upcoming season would be staged at Nihondaira for the first time since 1999. This was a decision repeated for 2008
, although for the 2009 season Ecopa will once again be used as a home venue for at least one game.
The most common reason for moving games is the restrictively low capacity of Nihondaira. This has often led the club to stage fixtures against neighbouring Júbilo Iwata
and other high profile clashes, at Shizuoka "Ecopa" Stadium
. This stadium was built in 2001 for the following year's World Cup
and has a capacity of 51,349. Despite still being in Shizuoka Prefecture
, Ecopa is over an hour's travel from Shimizu, deep within the Jubilo catchment area. For such a fiercely contested derby, much of the home advantage
is lost; a factor which contributed in part to the staging of the 2007
derby at Nihondaira despite demand for tickets far outstripping supply. The decision paid off with a home victory.
In October 2008 it was announced that naming rights
would be sold for Nihondaira Stadium. In late November 2008 a deal was announced which would rename the stadium Outsourcing Stadium Nihondaira. The contract will run for four years starting from the 2009
season, and would be worth 90 000 000 per year. After filling Nihondaira on average over 81% for league games in 2008, in November of the same year the club expressed its desire for the ground, which is owned by Shizuoka City, to have its capacity expanded.
Located near the famous Miho no Matsubara
, are S-Pulse's main training facilities. Named Miho Ground, in addition to player training sessions, it is also the venue for most Satellite League matches. Training sessions are open to the public for autograph hunters. The Miho Ground has also housed the club offices since the clubs foundation.
since 1980, had to earn promotion via the 1992 season of the new Japan Football League
. This has remained a bone of contention between long standing fans.
With Shizuoka long recognised as the homeland of football in Japan, the two teams have a history of fighting over the best players produced by the region's high schools and universities. Good examples being Naohiro Takahara
and Takahiro Yamanishi
, who, after graduating from Shimizu Higashi High School
, went on to sign for the Júbilo team which won three J. League championships between 1997
and 2002
.
Alongside off-field factors, S-Pulse and Júbilo are locked in a perpetual struggle for supremacy on the field. During the J. League's infancy, it was S-Pulse who experienced the greater success and support, but they found themselves in Iwata's shadow for long periods either side of the turn of the century. Recently, S-Pulse have once again emerged as the area's premier club, finishing above Júbilo in the league every season since 2006
, and often enjoying further cup runs. 2008 was also the first year since 1995
that S-Pulse succeeded in drawing more supporters through the gates than their rivals.
Also based in Shizuoka are Honda F.C.
and Shizuoka FC, although neither currently play at the same level as S-Pulse, limiting any potential rivalry development to one-off cup pairings. Shizuoka FC play in Shizuoka Prefectural League of the Japanese Pyramid system
, while Honda F.C. play just below the J. league in the Japan Football League
. Despite always performing well, Honda FC have resisted professionalisation and so are unable to join the J. League. The forerunners to Avispa Fukuoka
and Sagan Tosu
were originally also based in Shizuoka Prefecture, but had to move to Kyushu
because of the dominance and fan saturation of S-Pulse and Iwata.
. The current bright orange hue, named S-Pulse Orange by the club, is the result of a gentle evolution from a more yellow/orange shade during the team's early years. At the advent of the J. League, S-Pulse were the only top division club in the country to wear orange, a distinction which is now shared with other top flight mainstays, such as Albirex Niigata
and Omiya Ardija
. There is currently no third kit. Goalkeeping colours have changed more over the seasons, with the current first choice kit all black, and all green being the second choice.
Kit manufacturers have been exclusively Puma
since 1997, and prior to this was shared with Mizuno. Shirt sponsors have been fairly consistent over the team's sixteen year history (see table below). The team's current main shirt sponsor is the local Suzuyo Group, with additional sponsorship panels on the lower neck and arms from confectionery company Glico
, and airline JAL
, respectively.
season, the current team crest was designed around a globe to reflect the club's ambitions as a world class professional team. The head of the badge takes the iconic shape of Mt. Fuji's perfect cone to symbolise the team's representation of Shizuoka; the home Mt. Fuji. The choice of blue to accompany the team's orange evokes Shimizu's history as an industrial port town and its proximity to the sea of Suruga Bay
. The team crest differs from the team logo which is often used to represent the club. The logo uses the central lettering from the crest, an example of which being the clubs shop sign.
, Palchan's name is taken from the English pal and the pul of S-Pulse. The suffix chan is an affectionate title commonly used in Japan. Sporting team number zero, Palchan goods are a consistent best seller with various merchandise available. S-Pulse also have a cheer leading team named Orange Wave. The team perform routines prior to kick off and half time as well as making various appearances at S-Pulse themed events in and around Shizuoka.
, S-Pulse have had an annual club catchphrase. This is used each season on various merchandising
, promotional material and choreographed displays by supporters. This list details the catchphrase for each season.
In and around the team's native Shizuoka City there are eight official club shops. Six of these are known as S-Pulse Dream House and serve as both club merchandise stores and match ticket offices. These can be found in Shizuoka, Shimizu, Fujieda, Sunto
and Parche shopping centre, part of Shizuoka Station
. The Shimizu Dream House also includes a projection screen and viewing area for the broadcasting of away games. The sixth, and newest, Dream House opened in March 2008 in Fuji City
. There are two further S-Pulse shops, with one located in Yaizu
, and one in S-Pulse Dream Plaza.
S-Pulse Dream Plaza is a shopping and entertainment complex in Shimizu, housing various attractions including restaurants, a ferris wheel
, cinema and a football museum. From the nearby Shimizu Port, the S-Pulse Dream Ferry service runs daily to Izu
. The team also lends its name to a series of futsal
courts named, perhaps predictably, S-Pulse Dream Fields. These facilities are located in Fujieda, Fuji, Sunto and in Shimizu.
Dream Plaza can be found in a redeveloped part of Shimizu Port near the appropriately named S-Pulse Street. This is a road running into the city from the port area of Shimizu and is lined with various statues, monuments and art works related to and inspired by the city's strong association with football. This includes foot and hand prints cast into metal of former notable players, and several S-Pulse-related statues. S-Pulse Street is also home to the Shimizu Branch of the S-Pulse Dream House.
The S-Pulse brand also extends into motor cycle racing, with the S-Pulse Dream Racing Team baring the football team's name, logo and mascot. The team competes in the All Japan Road Race ST600 class.
Key
Note: The official club website lists the club mascot as player #0 and the supporters as player #12.
Note: Players with bold names have been named Player of the Year or Young Player of the Year in the J. League
.
Ronaldão
World Cup 1998
Teruyoshi Ito
Toshihide Saito
World Cup 2002
Daisuke Ichikawa
Ryuzo Morioka Alessandro dos Santos
Kazuyuki Toda
World Cup 2006
Cho Jae-Jin
World Cup 2010
Shinji Okazaki
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese association football club. Located in Shimizu-ku
Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka
is one of three wards of the city of Shizuoka, in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, located in the eastern part of the city.-Geography:Shimizu is located on the coast of Suruga Bay of the Pacific Ocean and covers a wide area from a coastal plain to the hills...
, Shizuoka
Shizuoka, Shizuoka
is the capital city of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, and the prefecture's second-largest city in terms of both population and area. It became one of Japan's 19 "designated cities" in 2005.-Geography:...
, Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
, S-Pulse currently competes in the J. League Division 1 (J1). Formed as recently as 1991, S-Pulse are one of the youngest professional teams in Japan, but are among only five to have competed in Japan's top flight of football every year since its inception in 1993. S-Pulse have recorded an average end of season placing of 6.8, which places them fourth behind Kashima Antlers
Kashima Antlers
are a Japanese professional association football club playing in the J. League Division 1. Antlers is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island"....
, Yokohama F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos
is a Japanese association football team that participates in the fully professional J. League Division 1; the top Japanese professional football league. Having won the J-League title three times and finished second twice, they are one of the most successful J-League clubs. The team are based in...
and prefectural rivals, Júbilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...
. The club was formed at the advent of the J. League in 1991, and originally consisted of players drawn exclusively from Shizuoka Prefecture; a unique distinction at the time.
Given the club's youth when compared to many of their J1 peers, S-Pulse have had a relatively large impact on Japanese football. Since the game turned professional in 1992, they are one of the most prolific and consistent performers in cup competitions, having made no less than eight final appearances: four times in the Emperor's Cup
Emperor's Cup
, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
and four times in the League Cup
J. League Cup
J. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to...
. Only Japan's most successful professional team, Kashima Antlers
Kashima Antlers
are a Japanese professional association football club playing in the J. League Division 1. Antlers is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island"....
, have made more final appearances. They have won both of these competitions once, and have also won Japanese Super Cup
Japanese Super Cup
The Japanese Super Cup or is an annual one-match football competition in Japan organised by J. League and the Japan Football Association . This competition serves as the season opener and is played between the J. League Champions and the Emperor's Cup Winners of the previous season...
twice and the Asian Cup Winners Cup
Asian Cup Winners Cup
The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC...
once. The club's most recent cup final was in 2008's
J. League Cup 2008
The 2008 edition of the J. League Cup sponsored by Nabisco began on March 20. The top 4 teams of each qualifying group automatically qualified for the quarter-finals along with the best two remaining runners-up...
League Cup which ended in defeat to Oita Trinita
Oita Trinita
is a J. League Division 2 team. The team name Trinita can be considered either a combination of the English word trinity and Ōita, or the Italian word trinità. The dual meaning expresses the will of the citizens, companies, and local governments to support the team.The team's home town is Ōita...
.
Despite the club's cup competition prowess, the J. League Division 1 title has so far eluded them. The closest S-Pulse came was in 1999
J. League 1999
The 1999 season was the 7th season of the J-League Division 1. The league began in March and ended in November.For this year, the division was contested by 16 teams following the folding of Yokohama Flügels and the relegation of Consadole Sapporo to the newly formed Division 2...
when, after winning the league's second stage, they lost out on the title in a penalty shootout
Penalty shootout (football)
A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
. When scores remained level after both legs of the title deciding match
J. League Championship
The J. League Championship was a two-legged championship series which determined the season champion for the first 12 J. League seasons excluding the 1996 season. In the early years, the J.League seasons were divided into two halves, the first and second stages, and the champions of each stage...
, Júbilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...
, S-Pulse's local rivals
Shizuoka Derby
The Shizuoka Derby is a commonly occurring football fixture in Japan. The game takes place between the two professional J. League teams in Shizuoka Prefecture; Shimizu S-Pulse and Júbilo Iwata. The game is usually hosted at Ecopa Stadium, the prefecture's largest sporting venue. In the two 2007...
, prevailed. Former S-Pulse and national team
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
player Kenta Hasegawa
Kenta Hasegawa
is a former Japanese international football player. He was a right-footed forward. He managed J. League Division 1 side Shimizu S-Pulse for 6 seasons between 2005 and 2010.-Club:...
, who made a substitute appearance in the second leg of this title decider, became club manager in 2005
J. League 2005
The 2005 season was the 13th season since the establishment of J. League. It began on March 5 and ended on December 3, followed by promotion/relegation series matches on December 7 and 10.-Promotion and relegation:...
. He has gone on to become the longest serving manager since the clubs foundation, a status reaffirmed at the end of the 2008 season when his contract was extended until 2010.
Shizuoka as a Football Prefecture
As a prefecture, Shizuoka had historically been a strong footballing area of Japan; in particular being noted for its nationally successful high school teams and the numerous national teamJapan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
players which had emerged from the prefecture over the years. Indeed, the prefectural police force of Shizuoka has an anthropomorphic football as a mascot. The west of the prefecture was already home to the company team of Yamaha Motor Corporation who played in the Japan Soccer League
Japan Soccer League
, or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. JSL was the second national league of a team sport in Japan after the professional Japanese Baseball League that was founded in 1936...
and who would later go on to form Júbilo Iwata, but it was believed there was room for another team for the football-hungry population. An earlier attempt had been made in the 1970s with the local club belonging to Nippon Light Metal Corp., which briefly competed in the JSL Division 2 under the name Hagoromo
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
Club. With the advent of the professional league at the start of the 1990s, the wheels were put in motion to create a team to represent the east of the prefecture and to give opportunities to the wealth of footballing talent produced by the local high school teams.
Born on the Fourth of July
Shimizu S-Pulse was formed in early 1991 as Shimizu FC from the backing of local businesses and people. This was a beginning which made them unique among the founding clubs of the J. League, with all others ex-company teams turned professional. Two months after formation, the club name was officially changed to Shimizu S-Pulse. S-Pulse is a combination of the S from Shizuoka, Shimizu, Supporter and Soccer, and Pulse from EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
to mean the spirit of all those who support the team.
On February 4, 1991 S-Pulse were approved by the J. League to compete in the newly formed professional league to start the following year. The club played its first ever game against Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...
on July 4, 1992, a date which is celebrated as the clubs memorial birthday. The match took place at the Nagai Stadium
Nagai Stadium
is an athletic stadium in Osaka, Japan. It is the home ground of J. League club Cerezo Osaka. The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000.-History:...
in Osaka. The club's first competitive game was in the 1992 League Cup against Nagoya Grampus
Nagoya Grampus Eight
are a Japanese association football club that play in the J. League. Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture and originally founded as the company team of the Toyota Motor Corp...
on September 5 at the Mizuho Athletic Stadium
Mizuho Athletic Stadium
is a multi-purpose stadium in Nagoya, Japan. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the part time home stadium of Nagoya Grampus along with Toyota Stadium...
, and ended in a 3-2 defeat. Their competitive home début was held at Nihondaira Stadium shortly after on September 9 against Yokohama Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos
is a Japanese association football team that participates in the fully professional J. League Division 1; the top Japanese professional football league. Having won the J-League title three times and finished second twice, they are one of the most successful J-League clubs. The team are based in...
, which S-Pulse won 2-1. S-Pulse's first league game was played in May 1993
J. League 1993
The J. League 1993 season was the inaugural season of the J. League Division 1. The league fixtures began on May 15, 1993 and ended on December 15, 1993. The first ever Suntory Championship took place in the following year, January 9 and January 16, 1994....
away to Yokohama Flügels
Yokohama Flügels
was a Japanese football club that played in the J. League between 1993 and 1998. In 1999 the club was officially merged with local rivals Yokohama Marinos and the two teams became known together as Yokohama F. Marinos.- History :...
at Mitsuzawa Stadium
Mitsuzawa Stadium
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium is a football stadium in Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Japan. It serves as a home ground of Yokohama F.C. and, on occasion, Yokohama F. Marinos. Until 1999 it had been the home of Yokohama F.C.'s spiritual predecessor, Yokohama Flügels, and also, on occasion, to Kawasaki-based...
. Flügels won 3-2. The first home league game was a 2-1 victory against Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
is a Japanese association football club in the J. League Division 1.-Club name:The club name is a portmanteau of the Japanese numeral for three, San and an Italian word frecce or 'arrows'...
on May 19 of the same year.
Professional Football Comes to Shimizu
After being approved for participation in the J. LeagueJ. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
S-Pulse competed in the inaugural 1992 J. League Cup
J. League Cup
J. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to...
and made it to their first final. However, the dream start ended with defeat at the hands of Verdy Kawasaki. In 1993, S-Pulse became one of the ten founder members of the new J. League, and finished third after the 1st and 2nd stages were combined. Their second venture into the J. League Cup
J. League Cup
J. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to...
was another near miss, again losing in the final to Verdy Kawasaki. Finally, in 1996
J. League 1996
The 1996 J. League season was the fourth season since the establishment of the J. League Division 1. The season began on March 16, 1996 and ended on November 9, 1996.- Clubs :The following sixteen clubs participated in J. League during the 1996 season...
the team got their hands on the trophy and also gained revenge on Verdy, beating them 5-4 on penalties in the final.
1999 began with S-Pulse's first appearance in the Japanese Super Cup
Japanese Super Cup
The Japanese Super Cup or is an annual one-match football competition in Japan organised by J. League and the Japan Football Association . This competition serves as the season opener and is played between the J. League Champions and the Emperor's Cup Winners of the previous season...
, replacing Yokohama Flügels
Yokohama Flügels
was a Japanese football club that played in the J. League between 1993 and 1998. In 1999 the club was officially merged with local rivals Yokohama Marinos and the two teams became known together as Yokohama F. Marinos.- History :...
after their merger with Yokohama Marinos. However, S-Pulse lost the match 2-1. After performing well in both league stages, S-Pulse were up against local rivals Júbilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...
in the title decider, and after a 3-3 aggregate draw, lost the tie 4-2 on penalties. The new millennium brought better results for S-Pulse. Victory in the Asian Cup Winners Cup
Asian Cup Winners Cup
The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC...
in 2000 and victory in the final of the Emperor's Cup
Emperor's Cup
, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
in 2001 meant that the S-Pulse trophy cabinet was beginning to fill up, and victories in the 2001 and 2002 Japanese Super Cup
Japanese Super Cup
The Japanese Super Cup or is an annual one-match football competition in Japan organised by J. League and the Japan Football Association . This competition serves as the season opener and is played between the J. League Champions and the Emperor's Cup Winners of the previous season...
s meant that the club had won four cups in three years.
Emperor's Cup
, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
final in which they did not concede a single goal. However, this changed in the final against Urawa Red Diamonds
Urawa Red Diamonds
are a professional association football club playing in Japan's football league, J. League Division 1. One of Japan and Asia's best supported teams, the club has been able to boast the highest average crowds for thirteen of the J-League's twenty season history...
, which they lost 2-1. After a near-miss in the league, avoiding a relegation play-off
J. League Promotion/Relegation Series
In 2004, J. League introduced a series of two test matches called League between the sixteenth-place J. Division 1 club and third-place J.league Division 2 club...
by only goal difference, manager Kenta Hasegawa
Kenta Hasegawa
is a former Japanese international football player. He was a right-footed forward. He managed J. League Division 1 side Shimizu S-Pulse for 6 seasons between 2005 and 2010.-Club:...
's work started to pay off the following year. In both 2006 and 2007 S-Pulse performed strongly in the league and finished in 4th place, followed by a fifth place standing in 2008. However, early exits in both cup competitions in 2006 and 2007, means they are currently without a trophy for five years. This is the longest barren spell in their history, although in 2008 they came close, being defeated in the final of the League Cup by Oita Trinita
Oita Trinita
is a J. League Division 2 team. The team name Trinita can be considered either a combination of the English word trinity and Ōita, or the Italian word trinità. The dual meaning expresses the will of the citizens, companies, and local governments to support the team.The team's home town is Ōita...
.
In 2011, S-Pulse made the "Signing of the Century" by making a move to complete the signing of Swedish and Arsenal F.C legend Freddie Ljungberg. It is considered by many Japanese to be one of the greatest signings in league history. Many also believe that the signing will boost football in the hugely popular baseball infected country.
Supporters
In common with other J. League teams, S-Pulse have a colourful and noisy collection of supporters who follow the team around the country. A supporter band is present at games home and away to help galvanise support and raise the decibel levels. The band models itself to a large degree after its BrazilianFootball in Brazil
Football is the most popular sport in Brazil. The Brazilian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup tournament a record 5 times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, and is the only team to succeed in qualifying for every World Cup competition ever held. It is among the favourites to win...
counterparts, and Latin rhythms and samba sounds predominate. For home games, S-Pulse's more vocal supporters gather in the second tier of The Kop; the stand behind the west goal at Nihondaira Stadium. Also in this area can be found S-Pulse's various organised supporter groups. These groups include fan clubs dedicated to specific players and are often identifiable by unique uniforms. These fan clubs work to organise events which include mass choreographed displays and the supporter band. Also housed in The Kop are S-Pulse's band of ultras
Ultras
Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams...
, who each game take over a central area behind the goal which has been dubbed The Dragon Zone. Often physical, it is not uncommon for the area to descend into a mosh
Mosh
Moshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
pit after important goals, and signs posted around the stand inform and caution general supporters of the area's lively nature. The club's official fan club has several branches around the country, and S-Pulse supporters are officially listed as the team's twelfth player.
Ownership
Unlike all other professional teams at the time of the J. League's formation, S-Pulse was not the company team of a major corporation. As such, it wasn't able to enjoy the financial backing and security of other clubs. As well as originally gathering its playing staff almost exclusively from Shizuoka prefecture, local corporation S-Lap Communications ran and financed the club. This was a company funded in part from Shimuzu citizens, but in main by Shizuoka Television. After the J. League bubble burst in the late 1990s, Shizuoka Television withdrew backing, and in 1998 only a drastic restructuring kept the club afloat. Ownership of S-Pulse was reorganized between local companies under the leadership of Shimizu based Suzuyo Corporation. It is now run under the company title of S-Pulse, Inc.S-Pulse in Culture
Despite their relatively short history, S-Pulse have had some impact on popular culture beyond football. Current manager and former player of some eight years and over 200 appearances, Kenta HasegawaKenta Hasegawa
is a former Japanese international football player. He was a right-footed forward. He managed J. League Division 1 side Shimizu S-Pulse for 6 seasons between 2005 and 2010.-Club:...
, makes occasional appearances in popular manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Chibi Maruko-chan
Chibi Maruko-chan
is a shōjo manga series by Momoko Sakura, later adapted into an anime TV series by Nippon Animation, which originally aired on Fuji Television from January 7, 1990 to September 27, 1992. The series depicts the simple, everyday life of a little girl nicknamed Maruko and her family in suburban...
. In the show a boy with his name and referred to as Kenta-kun is sometimes seen. He loves football and is a classmate of title character Chibi Maruko. The author of the manga, Momoko Sakura
Momoko Sakura
, pen name , is a Japanese manga artist from Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture. She is the creator of the long-running manga Chibi Maruko-chan , based on her own childhood, and the more surreal fantasy anime series Coji-Coji, which ran from 1997 to 1999...
, created this character after Hasegawa. Sakura and Hasegawa attended the same primary school during the same period. Unique S-Pulse related Chibi Maruko goods are also produced. In another example, two fictional characters from the popular Captain Tsubasa
Captain Tsubasa
, also known as Flash Kicker, is a popular long running Japanese manga, animation, and video game series, originally created by Yōichi Takahashi in 1981...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, who, on becoming professional footballers, join S-Pulse.
Stadium
Main articles: Nihondaira Sports StadiumNihondaira Stadium
Outsourcing Stadium Nihondaira is a football stadium in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Japan. It is currently mostly used for football matches and has been the home stadium of the J-League's Shimizu S-Pulse since 1993. The stadium holds 20,339 people and was opened in 1991. In November 2008 a four-year...
, Shizuoka "Ecopa" Stadium
Shizuoka Stadium
is a sports stadium used primarily for football. The stadium is in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, although the stadium itself is merely the centrepiece of the larger Ogasayama Sports Park which extends into neighbouring Kakegawa...
S-Pulse's home arena is the Nihondaira Sports Stadium located in Shimizu, with a capacity of 20,339. However, over their J. League history S-Pulse have, for various reasons such as construction works to enlarge Nihondaira, staged home games at a number of different sports grounds. These include the local Kusanagi Sports Ground and, more further afield, the National Stadium
Olympic Stadium (Tokyo)
or National Stadium is a stadium in Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan that served as the main stadium for the 1964 Summer Olympics. It currently serves as the stadium where the Japan national football teams home matches and major football club cup finals are held.-History:The stadium was...
in Tokyo. "Home" games held in Tokyo rarely failed to attract crowds above and beyond what could have been accommodated at Nihondaira, nor did results proved especially favourable. At the start of 2007 in was announced all home games for the upcoming season would be staged at Nihondaira for the first time since 1999. This was a decision repeated for 2008
J. League 2008
The 2008 J. League Division 1 season is the 44th season of the top-flight club football in Japan and the 16th season since the establishment of J1 League. The season began on March 8 and ended on December 6....
, although for the 2009 season Ecopa will once again be used as a home venue for at least one game.
The most common reason for moving games is the restrictively low capacity of Nihondaira. This has often led the club to stage fixtures against neighbouring Júbilo Iwata
Júbilo Iwata
is a professional Japanese association football team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 . The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese and Spanish. The team's home town is Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture and they play at Yamaha Stadium...
and other high profile clashes, at Shizuoka "Ecopa" Stadium
Shizuoka Stadium
is a sports stadium used primarily for football. The stadium is in Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, although the stadium itself is merely the centrepiece of the larger Ogasayama Sports Park which extends into neighbouring Kakegawa...
. This stadium was built in 2001 for the following year's World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
and has a capacity of 51,349. Despite still being in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
, Ecopa is over an hour's travel from Shimizu, deep within the Jubilo catchment area. For such a fiercely contested derby, much of the home advantage
Home team
In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans...
is lost; a factor which contributed in part to the staging of the 2007
J. League 2007
The 2007 J. League Division 1 season was the 15th season since the establishment of the J. League. The season began on March 3 and ended on December 1.-Promotion and relegation:* At the end of the 2006 season, , , and were promoted to J1...
derby at Nihondaira despite demand for tickets far outstripping supply. The decision paid off with a home victory.
In October 2008 it was announced that naming rights
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
would be sold for Nihondaira Stadium. In late November 2008 a deal was announced which would rename the stadium Outsourcing Stadium Nihondaira. The contract will run for four years starting from the 2009
J. League 2009
The 2009 J. League Division 1 season is the 45th season of the top-flight club football in Japan and the 17th season since the establishment of J1 League. The season started on March 7, 2009 and ended on December 5, 2009....
season, and would be worth 90 000 000 per year. After filling Nihondaira on average over 81% for league games in 2008, in November of the same year the club expressed its desire for the ground, which is owned by Shizuoka City, to have its capacity expanded.
Located near the famous Miho no Matsubara
Miho no Matsubara
is a scenic area located on the Miho Peninsula in the Shimizu-ku area of Shizuoka, Japan.-Overview:Miho no Matsubara is renowned as a seashore with beautiful green pine trees and white sands spanning over seven kilometers. It has a great scenic view of Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula across Suruga...
, are S-Pulse's main training facilities. Named Miho Ground, in addition to player training sessions, it is also the venue for most Satellite League matches. Training sessions are open to the public for autograph hunters. The Miho Ground has also housed the club offices since the clubs foundation.
Rivalries
S-Pulse share Shizuoka Prefecture with fierce local rivals Júbilo Iwata. The rivalry dates back to the formation of the J. League when the newly formed S-Pulse were chosen ahead of Júbilo to take part in the first J. League season. Jubilo, who had existed as Yamaha FC in the Japan Soccer LeagueJapan Soccer League
, or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. JSL was the second national league of a team sport in Japan after the professional Japanese Baseball League that was founded in 1936...
since 1980, had to earn promotion via the 1992 season of the new Japan Football League
Japan Football League (former)
The former was an association football league that existed from 1992 to 1998. Also known as the JFL, it was the 2nd tier of the Japanese football hierarchy following J...
. This has remained a bone of contention between long standing fans.
With Shizuoka long recognised as the homeland of football in Japan, the two teams have a history of fighting over the best players produced by the region's high schools and universities. Good examples being Naohiro Takahara
Naohiro Takahara
is a Japanese footballer. He currently plays for J. League Division 1 side Shimizu S-Pulse as a strikerTakahara was born in Mishima, Shizuoka. He has previously played for Júbilo Iwata in Japan, Boca Juniors in Argentina, Hamburger SV and Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.On December 3, 2006, he...
and Takahiro Yamanishi
Takahiro Yamanishi
Takahiro Yamanishi is a Japanese former football defender.-Career:...
, who, after graduating from Shimizu Higashi High School
Shimizu Higashi High School
is known as a top high school in Shimizu, and one of the best high schools in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Shimizu Higashi High School is famous for high academic achievement especially in science and mathematics field as well as competitive sports teams....
, went on to sign for the Júbilo team which won three J. League championships between 1997
J. League 1997
-First stage:-Second stage:- Suntory Championship :----- Golden Boots Ranking :-Individual Awards:-Best Eleven:...
and 2002
J. League 2002
The 2002 season was the 10th season since the establishment of the J. League. The league began on March 2, 2002 and ended on November 30, 2002. The Suntory Championship was not held, because Jubilo Iwata was winner of both stages...
.
Alongside off-field factors, S-Pulse and Júbilo are locked in a perpetual struggle for supremacy on the field. During the J. League's infancy, it was S-Pulse who experienced the greater success and support, but they found themselves in Iwata's shadow for long periods either side of the turn of the century. Recently, S-Pulse have once again emerged as the area's premier club, finishing above Júbilo in the league every season since 2006
J. League 2006
The 2006 J. League Division 1 season was the 14th season since the establishment of the J. League. It began on March 4 and ended on December 2.-Promotion/relegation:* At the end of the 2005 season, , ,and were promoted to J1....
, and often enjoying further cup runs. 2008 was also the first year since 1995
J. League 1995
The J. League 1995 season is the third season of the J. League Division 1. The league fixture began on March 18, 1995 and ended on November , 1995. The Suntory Championship '95 took place on November 30 and December 6, 1995.-Honours:...
that S-Pulse succeeded in drawing more supporters through the gates than their rivals.
Also based in Shizuoka are Honda F.C.
Honda F.C.
are a Japanese football club based in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. They play in the Japan Football League.-History:The club was founded as in 1971. They were promoted to the Japan Soccer League Division 2 in 1975 and to the JSL Division 1 in 1981; the closest they came to the title was in...
and Shizuoka FC, although neither currently play at the same level as S-Pulse, limiting any potential rivalry development to one-off cup pairings. Shizuoka FC play in Shizuoka Prefectural League of the Japanese Pyramid system
Japanese football league system
The Japanese association football league system is organized in a pyramidal shape similar to football league systems in many other countries around the world...
, while Honda F.C. play just below the J. league in the Japan Football League
Japan Football League
The is the 3rd tier of the Japanese association football league system, following J. League Division 1 and J. League Division 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers...
. Despite always performing well, Honda FC have resisted professionalisation and so are unable to join the J. League. The forerunners to Avispa Fukuoka
Avispa Fukuoka
For the record label, see Avispa. is a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1 having been promoted from J. League Division 2 in the 2010 season. The team is located in Hakata, Fukuoka. "Avispa" means "wasp" in Spanish.-In Fujieda:The club was founded as...
and Sagan Tosu
Sagan Tosu
is a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 2. The team is located in Tosu, Saga Prefecture.Sagan is a coined word with a couple of meanings behind it. One of its homophones is in Japanese. This symbolises many small elements uniting to form one...
were originally also based in Shizuoka Prefecture, but had to move to Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
because of the dominance and fan saturation of S-Pulse and Iwata.
Colour, Sponsors and Manufacturers
Since the teams inception, the same colour combination for home shirts have been used each year. The colour scheme of orange shirts, shorts and socks was selected to reflect the famous local product of Shizuoka Prefecture; the mikanMikan
The satsuma is a seedless and easy-peeling citrus mutant of Japanese origin introduced to the West.In Japan, it is known as mikan or formally unshu mikan . In China, it is known as Wenzhou migan . The Japanese name is a result of the local reading of the same characters used in the Chinese...
. The current bright orange hue, named S-Pulse Orange by the club, is the result of a gentle evolution from a more yellow/orange shade during the team's early years. At the advent of the J. League, S-Pulse were the only top division club in the country to wear orange, a distinction which is now shared with other top flight mainstays, such as Albirex Niigata
Albirex Niigata
is a Japanese J. League Division 1 association football team. Despite the club's relative youth, only joining the J. League in 1999, Albirex are one of Japan's best supported teams. In 2003, while still playing in the second tier of Japanese football , Albirex attracted the best average crowd in...
and Omiya Ardija
Omiya Ardija
is a professional football club which play in the J. League Division 1, and are based in Ōmiya-ku in Saitama, Japan. Its "hometown" as designated by the league is the whole of Saitama city, which is shared with neighbours Urawa Red Diamonds...
. There is currently no third kit. Goalkeeping colours have changed more over the seasons, with the current first choice kit all black, and all green being the second choice.
Kit manufacturers have been exclusively Puma
PUMA AG
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
since 1997, and prior to this was shared with Mizuno. Shirt sponsors have been fairly consistent over the team's sixteen year history (see table below). The team's current main shirt sponsor is the local Suzuyo Group, with additional sponsorship panels on the lower neck and arms from confectionery company Glico
Ezaki Glico
is a Japanese confectionery company headquartered in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka.The company manufactures the traditional Glico caramel candy, as well as Pocky and many others. The company name, Glico, is derived from a shortening of the word glycogen. The first candy produced by the company was known...
, and airline JAL
Japan Airlines
is an airline headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flag carrier of Japan and its main hubs are Tokyo's Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport , as well as Nagoya's Chūbu Centrair International Airport and Osaka's Kansai International Airport...
, respectively.
| Season(s) | Main Shirt Sponsor | Additional Sponsor(s) | Kit Manufacturer |
| 1992-96 | JAL | Glico, Honen | Mizuno/Puma |
| 1997-01 | JAL | Glico, Honen | Puma |
| 2002 | JAL | Glico, Ajinomoto | Puma |
| 2003-04 | JAL | Glico, Suzuyo | Puma |
| 2005 | JAL | Glico, Star, The 3rd Planet | Puma |
| 2006 | Suzuyo | Glico, JAL, The 3rd Planet | Puma |
| 2007 | Suzuyo | Glico, JAL, CRS | Puma |
| 2008-09 | Suzuyo | Glico, JAL, San-Ai | Puma |
Crest
From the clubs formation up to 1996, the club used an earlier version of the team crest. while different, the previous design featured the same central lettering as the present badge. Unveiled for the 1997J. League 1997
-First stage:-Second stage:- Suntory Championship :----- Golden Boots Ranking :-Individual Awards:-Best Eleven:...
season, the current team crest was designed around a globe to reflect the club's ambitions as a world class professional team. The head of the badge takes the iconic shape of Mt. Fuji's perfect cone to symbolise the team's representation of Shizuoka; the home Mt. Fuji. The choice of blue to accompany the team's orange evokes Shimizu's history as an industrial port town and its proximity to the sea of Suruga Bay
Suruga Bay
Suruga Bay is a bay on the Pacific coast of Honshū in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is situated north of an imaginary line joining Omaezaki Point and Irōzaki Point at the tip of the Izu Peninsula and surrounded by Honshū to the southwest and west and the Izu Peninsula to the east.-Geology:Suruga...
. The team crest differs from the team logo which is often used to represent the club. The logo uses the central lettering from the crest, an example of which being the clubs shop sign.
Mascot
Named Palchan and sporting big, winglike ears, S-Pulse's mascot supports the team and entertains fans by performing choreographed, and often acrobatic, dance routines during the build up to home games. He often performs with the help of his two younger siblings. Designed by professional cartoonist Guy GilchristGuy Gilchrist
Guy Gilchrist is a cartoonist/poet/songwriter and author whose work includes a run on the comic strip Nancy, Your Angels Speak, Night Lights & Pillow Fights, Screams, The Poetry Guy, The Muppets and The Rock Channel...
, Palchan's name is taken from the English pal and the pul of S-Pulse. The suffix chan is an affectionate title commonly used in Japan. Sporting team number zero, Palchan goods are a consistent best seller with various merchandise available. S-Pulse also have a cheer leading team named Orange Wave. The team perform routines prior to kick off and half time as well as making various appearances at S-Pulse themed events in and around Shizuoka.
Club Catchphrase
Beginning in 1998J. League 1998
Statistics of J. League in the 1998 season.-First stage:-Second stage:- Suntory Championship :-----Relegation playoffs:On the aggregate table, JEF United Ichihara, Avispa Fukuoka, and Vissel Kobe had earned within the 15th-18th places in the tables for both 1997 and 1998, while Consadole Sapporo...
, S-Pulse have had an annual club catchphrase. This is used each season on various merchandising
Merchandising
Merchandising is the methods, practices, and operations used to promote and sustain certain categories of commercial activity. In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer...
, promotional material and choreographed displays by supporters. This list details the catchphrase for each season.
| Season | Catchphrase | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Break Through | |
| 1999 | Dream Stadium 1999 | |
| 2000 | Big Mission 2000 | |
| 2001 | Dynamic Soccer 2001 | |
| 2002 | Orange Fantasia 2002 | |
| 2003 | Exciting Field 2003 | |
| 2004 | Hard & Attack 2004 | |
| 2005 | 2005 かける想い | Kakeru Omoi - Thinking of Victory |
| 2006 | かける想い S-Pulse 2006 | Kakeru Omoi - Thinking of Victory |
| 2007 | かける想い S-Pulse 2007 | Kakeru Omoi - Thinking of Victory |
| 2008 | We Believe 2008 | |
| 2009 | We Believe 2009 |
The S-Pulse Brand
Sunto District, Shizuoka
is a district located in Shizuoka, Japan. The area is part of former Suruga Province.As of 2009, the district has an estimated population of 93,038 and a density of 543 persons per km². The total area is 171.48 km².-Towns and villages:...
and Parche shopping centre, part of Shizuoka Station
Shizuoka Station
is a major railway station on the Tōkaidō Main Line of Central Japan Railway Company in Shizuoka, Japan, on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Tōkaidō Main Line. The station is 180.2 rail kilometers from Tokyo.-History:...
. The Shimizu Dream House also includes a projection screen and viewing area for the broadcasting of away games. The sixth, and newest, Dream House opened in March 2008 in Fuji City
Fuji, Shizuoka
is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture. Fuji is the 3rd largest city in terms of population in Shizuoka Prefecture, trailing Hamamatsu and Shizuoka. As of February 2010, the city has an estimated population of 254,113 and a population density of 1040 persons per km²...
. There are two further S-Pulse shops, with one located in Yaizu
Yaizu, Shizuoka
is a city located in central Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of March in 2011, the city has an estimated population of 146,717 and a population density of 2,080 persons per km². The total area is 70.55 km²...
, and one in S-Pulse Dream Plaza.
S-Pulse Dream Plaza is a shopping and entertainment complex in Shimizu, housing various attractions including restaurants, a ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
, cinema and a football museum. From the nearby Shimizu Port, the S-Pulse Dream Ferry service runs daily to Izu
Izu Peninsula
The is a large mountainous peninsula with deeply indented coasts to the west of Tokyo on the Pacific coast of the island of Honshū, Japan. Formerly the eponymous Izu Province, Izu peninsula is now a part of Shizuoka Prefecture...
. The team also lends its name to a series of futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
courts named, perhaps predictably, S-Pulse Dream Fields. These facilities are located in Fujieda, Fuji, Sunto and in Shimizu.
Dream Plaza can be found in a redeveloped part of Shimizu Port near the appropriately named S-Pulse Street. This is a road running into the city from the port area of Shimizu and is lined with various statues, monuments and art works related to and inspired by the city's strong association with football. This includes foot and hand prints cast into metal of former notable players, and several S-Pulse-related statues. S-Pulse Street is also home to the Shimizu Branch of the S-Pulse Dream House.
The S-Pulse brand also extends into motor cycle racing, with the S-Pulse Dream Racing Team baring the football team's name, logo and mascot. The team competes in the All Japan Road Race ST600 class.
Record as J. League member
| Season | Div. | Tms. | Pos. | Attendance/G | J. League Cup J. League Cup J. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to... |
Emperor's Cup Emperor's Cup , commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League... |
Asia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | - | - | - | - | Final | Quarter-final | - | - |
| 1993 | J1 | 10 | 3 | 18,462 | Final | Semi-final | - | - |
| 1994 | J1 | 12 | 4 | 19,726 | 1st Round | 1st Round | - | - |
| 1995 | J1 | 14 | 9 | 19,747 | - | 1st Round | - | - |
| 1996 | J1 | 16 | 10 | 12,962 | Winner | Quarter-final | - | - |
| 1997 | J1 | 17 | 5 | 9,888 | Group Stage | Quarter-final | - | - |
| 1998 | J1 | 18 | 3 | 12,298 | Semi-final | Final | - | - |
| 1999 | J1 | 16 | 2 | 12,883 | Quarter-final | Quarter-final | - | - |
| 2000 | J1 | 16 | 8 | 12,422 | Quarter-final | Final | CWC | Winner |
| 2001 | J1 | 16 | 4 | 15,973 | 2nd Round | Winner | CWC | 3rd Place |
| 2002 | J1 | 16 | 8 | 14,963 | Semi-final | Quarter-final | CWC | Quarter-final |
| 2003 | J1 | 16 | 11 | 16,284 | Semi-final | Semi-final | CL | Group Stage |
| 2004 | J1 | 16 | 14 | 13,568 | Quarter-final | 4th Round | - | - |
| 2005 | J1 | 18 | 15 | 12,752 | Quarter-final | Final | - | - |
| 2006 | J1 | 18 | 4 | 14,302 | Group Stage | Quarter-final | - | - |
| 2007 | J1 | 18 | 4 | 15,952 | Group Stage | Quarter-final | - | - |
| 2008 | J1 | 18 | 5 | 16,599 | Final | Quarter-final | - | - |
| 2009 | J1 | 18 | 7 | 17,935 | Semi-final | Semi-final | - | - |
| 2010 | J1 | 18 | 6 | 18,001 | Semi-final | Final | - | - |
Key
- Tms. = Number of teams
- Pos. = Position in league
- Attendance/G = Average league attendance
Honours
Domestic Leagues
- J. League Division 1J. LeagueThe or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
:- Runners-up (1): 1999
- 2nd Stage Champions (1): 1999
Domestic Cups
- Emperor's CupEmperor's Cup, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
:- Winners (1): 2001
- Runners-up (4): 1998, 2000, 2005, 2010
- J. League CupJ. League CupJ. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to...
:- Winners (1): 1996
- Runners-up (3): 1992, 1993, 2008
- Japanese Super CupJapanese Super CupThe Japanese Super Cup or is an annual one-match football competition in Japan organised by J. League and the Japan Football Association . This competition serves as the season opener and is played between the J. League Champions and the Emperor's Cup Winners of the previous season...
:- Winners (2): 2001, 2002
- Runners-up (1): 1999
Continental
- Asian Cup Winners CupAsian Cup Winners CupThe Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC...
:- Winners (1): 2000
- Asian Super CupAsian Super CupThe Asian Super Cup was an annual competition between the winners of the Asian Champions Cup and the Asian Cup Winners Cup.The competition started in 1995, but came to an end in 2002 after both major AFC tournaments were merged into the Asian Champions League...
:- Runners-up (1): 2000
Current squad
As of July 17, 2011Note: The official club website lists the club mascot as player #0 and the supporters as player #12.
Out on loan
Youth and Academy
S-Pulse operate Youth and Junior Youth teams as part of their academy to nurture local talent. Of the current first team, Kohei Hiramatsu, Kota Sugiyama and Daisuke Ichikawa are examples of players who have worked their way through the ranks.Noted Players
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Eddy Bosnar Edward "Eddy" Bosnar is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for J. League Division 1 side Shimizu S-Pulse.-Club career:... Alex Brosque Alex Brosque Alex Brosque is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse... Ahn Jung-Hwan Ahn Jung-Hwan Ahn Jung-Hwan is a South Korean football player. He made world headlines by scoring the winning golden goal for South Korea against Italy in the 2002 World Cup second round, sending South Korea into the quarterfinals.-Football career:After starting his professional career with K-League's Busan... Cho Jae-Jin Cho Jae-Jin Cho Jae-Jin is a retired South Korean football player. He was a member of national team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.-Career:... |
Clemerson de Araújo Soares Clemerson de Araújo Soares, best known as Araújo is a Brazilian footballer. Currently playing for Fluminense in Brazil after recently moving from Al-Gharafa .... Baron Dias Djalminha Marcos Paulo Marcos Paulo Alves Marcos Paulo Alves is a Brazilian footballer. He currently plays for Fortaleza Esporte Clube and had represented Brazil national football team.-Career:... Marquinhos Marcos Gomes de Araujo Marcos Gomes de Araujo, better known as Marquinhos , is a Brazilian striker who currently plays for Clube Atlético Mineiro. He has spent his career playing mostly in the J. League.-Biography:... Mirandinha Mirandinha Francisco Ernani Lima da Silva, better known as Mirandinha , is a former professional Brazilian footballer.... Ronaldão Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus is a former Brazilian national team defensive football player, better known on the football pitch as Ronaldo and Ronaldão .... Santos Carlos Alberto Souza dos Santos Carlos Alberto Souza dos Santos, best known as Santos is a retired Brazilian footballer.Carlos Alberto Santos made nearly 200 Campeonato Brasileiro appearances for Goiás and Botafogo.... Sidmar Toninho Antônio Benedito da Silva Antônio Benedito da Silva, nicknamed Toninho is a former Brazilian football player who played for Portuguesa , Guarani , Yomiuri , Shimizu S-Pulse , Urawa Red Diamonds and Vasco da Gama... |
Igor Cvitanovic Igor Cvitanović is a retired Croatian football striker.He is currently the all-time top goalscorer of the Croatian First League with a total of 126 goals, and also scored 122 domestic league goals for Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb, 117 of which were in the Croatian First League... Daniele Massaro Daniele Massaro Daniele Massaro is a former Italian football forward. He was a member of the Italian squad that won the FIFA World Cup held in Spain in 1982.... Frode Johnsen Frode Johnsen Frode Johnsen is a Norwegian footballer who plays for Odd Grenland. He can play in several positions, but preferably as a striker or midfielder. Johnsen is 188 cm tall, and is a good header of the ball... Freddie Ljungberg Fredrik Ljungberg Karl Fredrik "Freddie" Ljungberg is a Swedish footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan. Ljungberg was captain of the Swedish national team until he announced his international retirement after UEFA Euro 2008.Ljungberg was a model for Calvin Klein underwear... Mark Bowen |
Note: Players with bold names have been named Player of the Year or Young Player of the Year in the J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
.
World Cup Players
World Cup 19941994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
Ronaldão
Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus
Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus is a former Brazilian national team defensive football player, better known on the football pitch as Ronaldo and Ronaldão ....
World Cup 1998
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
Teruyoshi Ito
Teruyoshi Ito
is a Japanese football midfielder who currently plays for Ventforet Kofu. He had spent his career at only Shimizu S-Pulse for the last 18 years. He was also capped 27 times for the Japanese national team between 1997 and 2001. He was an unused substitute at the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
Toshihide Saito
Toshihide Saito
is a Japanese football defender.He was educated at and played for Shimizu Higashi High School and Waseda University. After graduating, he joined J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse in 1996. He received J-League Young Player of the Year that season...
World Cup 2002
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
Daisuke Ichikawa
Daisuke Ichikawa
is a Japanese football player. He is a pacey right-winger who currently plays for the J. League side Ventforet Kofu-Playing career:Ichikawa is a product of Shimizu's youth system. He made his J. League debut on March 21, 1998 against Consadole Sapporo. He scored his first league goal against on...
Ryuzo Morioka Alessandro dos Santos
Alessandro dos Santos
, formerly name ; Alessandro dos Santos , born July 20, 1977 in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, and often known as Alex, is a Brazilian Japanese football player who plays for Nagoya Grampus.-Career:...
Kazuyuki Toda
Kazuyuki Toda
is a Japanese football player who has recently played for J. League Division 2 side Thespa Kusatsu.He played in 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, 2000 Olympic football tournament and the 2002 FIFA World Cup for Japan....
World Cup 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
Cho Jae-Jin
Cho Jae-Jin
Cho Jae-Jin is a retired South Korean football player. He was a member of national team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.-Career:...
World Cup 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
Shinji Okazaki
Shinji Okazaki
Shinji Okazaki is a Japanese football player currently playing for VfB Stuttgart of the German Bundesliga.-Career:...
Managers
| Manager | Nat. | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Émerson Leão Émerson Leão Émerson Leão is a Brazilian manager and former football player. He is one of the all-time best Brazilian goalkeepers. A documentary video produced by FIFA, FIFA Fever, called him the third-most impressive defense player of all time. He was born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo.-Playing career:He was... |
1992-94 | |
| Rivelino Rivelino Roberto Rivellino is a former Brazilian footballer.The son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena , he was famous for his large moustache, thunderous long-range free kicks, excellent long passes, quick thinking and distinct way of controlling the ball... |
1994 | |
| Masakatsu Miyamoto | 1995 | |
| Osvaldo Ardiles Osvaldo Ardiles Osvaldo César Ardiles , often referred to in Britain as Ossie Ardiles, is a football coach, pundit and former midfielder who won the 1978 World Cup as part of the Argentine national team... |
1996-98 | |
| Steve Perryman Steve Perryman Stephen John "Steve" Perryman MBE is a former English international football player and current manager who is best remembered for his successes with Tottenham Hotspur during the 1970s and early 1980s... |
1998-00 | |
| Zdravko Zemunović Zdravko Zemunović Zdravko Zemunović is a former Serbian football manager.-References:*... |
2000-02 | |
| Takeshi Ohki | 2003 | |
| Kouji Gyoutoku | 2003 | |
| Antoninho Antoninho Antônio Fernandes, also known as Antoninho , was a Brazilian professional football player and manager. He was nicknamed O arquiteto da bola after São Paulo's victorious campaign in the Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais in 1952... |
2004 | |
| Nobuhiro Ishizaki | 2004 | |
| Kenta Hasegawa Kenta Hasegawa is a former Japanese international football player. He was a right-footed forward. He managed J. League Division 1 side Shimizu S-Pulse for 6 seasons between 2005 and 2010.-Club:... |
2005-2011 | |
| Afshin Ghotbi Afshin Ghotbi Afshin Ghotbi is an Iranian-American football coach and current head coach of the Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse in J-League.-Early life:Though his family were from Shiraz, Mr. Afshin Ghotbi was born in the country's capital Tehran... |
2011- |