□The Past 20 Years
To everyone involved with FC Tokyo, thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement. Today, October 1, 2018, is Citizens' Day and marks the 20th anniversary of our establishment. Thanks to your support and encouragement, the club has been able to grow significantly. We declared our intention to join the J-League in 1997 with Tokyo as our hometown, and it has been 20 years since the corporation was established in 1998. In 1999, we participated in the J2 League as FC Tokyo, achieving promotion to the J1 League with a dramatic comeback in the final match. So far, we have won the J-League Cup twice and the Emperor's Cup once. We would like to express our gratitude to those who contributed to the birth of the club and to everyone who has dedicated their love to the club over the years.
Over the past 20 years, the overall record is 240 wins, 128 draws, and 217 losses in the J1 League, 44 wins, 11 draws, and 19 losses in the J2 League, and 26 wins, 20 draws, and 39 losses in the J3 League (as of September 23, 2018). Each match we fought together is filled with memories. In the final match of 1999 against Niigata, we dramatically secured a spot in the J1 promotion by finishing in the top two while being in third place until the previous match. In the 2004 J.League Cup Final against Urawa, we fought with only ten players after the 29th minute of the first half, but we persevered until the very end and won our first title in a penalty shootout. In 2012, we made our first appearance in the ACL, and many fans and supporters came from Japan to cheer us on in our first away match against Brisbane Roar, where we achieved our first victory in the ACL. Additionally, on December 4, 2010, after the match against Kyoto, our relegation to J2 was confirmed. This became a day that FC Tokyo cannot forget. To ensure we do not forget this regret, we still cherish the tickets from that day given to us by our fans. There have been many joyful, happy, painful, and sad moments. We have overcome them with the support of our fans and supporters many times.
FC Tokyo advocates a developmental club model, with elementary school programs spread across 20 locations in the city (including staff dispatch schools). The Advanced Class, focused more on player development, has expanded to 5 locations in the city. In the middle school age group, we have the U-15 Fukagawa, established since the club's founding, and the U-15 Musashi, established in 2004. We have been working towards the goal of significantly increasing the pyramid from elementary school to high school with the U-18. So far, 26 players have been promoted to the top team from the U-18, and we have produced 81 players with experience in U-15 Fukagawa, U-15 Musashi, and U-18 to J-League clubs.
In 2010 and 2017, we received the J-League Best Youth Development Club Award, and in 2017, FC Tokyo U-18 was able to win the Emperor's Cup U-18 Football League 2017 Championship, demonstrating FC Tokyo's presence as a youth development club. We have also sent players to the Japan national team at various age levels, with Shuichi GONDA being part of the World Cup Japan national team in 2014, and Yoshinori MUTO in 2018 as players from the FC Tokyo Academy.
SOCIO (annual ticket holders) has grown from about 900 to over 10 times that number, approximately 10,000. The average attendance at home games (for league matches) has increased from about 3,500 to over 7 times that number, approximately 26,000. The core of the fan membership organization, the club support members, has grown to about 20,000. As a result, operating revenue has exceeded 4.5 billion yen.
The circle of supporters for FC Tokyo in our hometown is gradually expanding, and currently, there are about 3,600 streetlight flags in the team's colors and approximately 5,000 posters displayed throughout Tokyo. Since 2016, FC Tokyo U-23 has started holding matches at AJINOMOTO FIELD NISHIGAOKA and Yumenoshima Stadium, and I feel that all FC Tokyo families who support us are spreading throughout Tokyo.
Since its establishment, FC Tokyo has walked together with everyone in Tokyo, primarily in Fuchu City, Mitaka City, Chofu City, Kodaira City, Nishitokyo City, and Koganei City for 20 years. We sincerely thank you for your support and encouragement. Moving forward, we will continue to engage in activities that are needed by everyone in Tokyo, centered around these six cities.
□FC Tokyo Going Forward
In January 2016, we announced the "FC Tokyo 2020 VISION". Our aspirations for 2020 embedded in the VISION remain unchanged, and we will continue to aim to be loved by everyone in Tokyo beyond that.
The top team has won titles in the J.League Cup in 2004 and 2009, and the Emperor's Cup in 2011, leaving only the long-desired J1 League championship as the remaining domestic title. They also participated in the ACL twice, in 2012 and 2016. Moving forward, we will continue to play soccer with grit and determination, giving 100% effort, aiming to win as many titles as possible, including the J1 League championship and the ACL championship, and share more joy with our fans and supporters. We aim to become a team that can be synonymous with Japanese soccer clubs and J.League clubs as a club based in the capital, Tokyo. In the future, as the environment surrounding the soccer world changes, more investment will be necessary to enhance the team's competitiveness. We will accelerate the cycle of investing in youth development and the top team, creating an attractive team, which in turn will expand the FC Tokyo family and increase the club's profitability.
Regarding development, participating in the J3 League has become a valuable opportunity for players under 23, including those belonging to the U-18 team, to gain practical experience. Furthermore, through communication between the coaches of the FC Tokyo Soccer School Advanced Class and the U-15, U-18, U-23, and top teams, we have been able to achieve a consistent development system. As a development-oriented club, we aim not only for players from U-18 and U-15 to play a central role in the top team but also for FC Tokyo players to excel on the world stage at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup.
In addition, in our outreach activities, we will continue to implement not only schools but also soccer clinics and caravan teams throughout Tokyo, including the islands, to promote soccer and help children feel the joy of sports, have dreams, think for themselves, make judgments, and develop the autonomy to take action.
In the FC Tokyo 2020 VISION, we set goals such as expanding the FC Tokyo family to 12,000 SOCIO members, 30,000 club support members, and an average attendance of 30,000 per J1 league match, but we have not yet reached the desired level.
To expand the FC Tokyo family and ensure that information reaches those who are not yet interested, we will increase FC Tokyo-related content in the world and enhance exposure in various settings, including our own media. Additionally, we will promote a wonderland experience that includes match events and stadium gourmet to achieve high spectator satisfaction and encourage repeat visits. We will establish a marketing strategy that takes into account the characteristics of Tokyo and work on all activities under a consistent policy, aiming to be a club that is needed in Tokyo.
Tokyo accounts for about 10% of Japan's population and is the only metropolis in the country with a population of over 10 million, giving FC Tokyo great potential as a capital club. On the other hand, it also faces challenges unique to a large city with a diverse range of leisure and entertainment options. It would be wonderful if the FC Tokyo family could further expand throughout Tokyo, bringing smiles to the city with the vibrancy of FC Tokyo, and if the community and the club could be connected by strong bonds.
Additionally, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the J-League, which has reiterated the importance of social collaboration with the theme "Let's grasp the J-League." FC Tokyo has prioritized contributions to the local community since its establishment, actively participating in local events and connecting with local business associations, as well as engaging in social collaboration activities such as human rights awareness and delinquency prevention. The club and stadium have the power to connect and expand people and activities. Moving forward, we will continue to work on important themes, starting with the "healthy development of children," in collaboration with everyone.
Finally, FC Tokyo 2020 VISION also mentioned the "pursuit of the possibility of building a soccer-specific stadium." We believe that a soccer-specific stadium is essential to convey the joy and excitement of soccer to more people.
In the capitals of football powerhouse countries centered around Europe, there are almost always wonderful football-specific stadiums. With the establishment of a football-specific stadium that meets the standards of the J1 League in Tokyo, Japan's capital, more people should be able to experience the charm and excitement of football. Having a wonderful stage for those who watch, play, and support football is the wish of FC Tokyo, and I am convinced that it is essential for the further development of the club when considering the coming decades. At the same time, I believe it holds great significance for Japanese football and football culture.
The Rugby World Cup 2019, which will be held next year, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, along with the associated renovation work, are expected to make Ajinomoto Stadium unavailable for an extended period. However, if we can secure a stadium where home games can be held without being significantly affected by other organizations or events, it will enable stable match hosting in the future.
This soccer-specific stadium brings players and fans/supporters closer together, creating a sense of unity. It offers an atmosphere and presence that is overwhelming no matter how many times you visit, making it a sacred place for FC Tokyo. Additionally, we envision it as a venue for live performances and events that leverage the characteristics of Tokyo, a place for citizens to relax and engage in community sports, where a diverse range of people can gather and enjoy a vibrant fusion of sports and entertainment on a daily basis.
FC Tokyo aims to be a leading force in Japanese football, showcasing attractive soccer in a world-class soccer-specific stadium as a club in the capital, and continuing to win titles both domestically and in Asia.
In order to turn these thoughts into reality, we will proceed with concrete considerations with determination. The cooperation of all Tokyo residents is essential for realization, and we would like to ask for the support, assistance, and cooperation from all members of the FC Tokyo family, including fans, supporters, shareholders, and sponsors.
While cherishing what we have built over the past 20 years, we will work together as a club towards becoming a "strong and beloved team" worthy of the capital Tokyo. We appreciate your continued support and encouragement, just as you have over the past 20 years and even more.
Tokyo Football Club Inc. | FC Tokyo
President and CEO Naoki Oogane
