□20 years so far
To everyone involved with FC Tokyo, thank you very much for your unwavering support and encouragement. Today, October 1, 2018, is Tokyo Citizens' Day and also the 20th anniversary of FC Tokyo's founding. Thanks to your support and encouragement, the club has been able to grow significantly. In 1997, we announced our entry into the J-League with Tokyo as our home town, and in 1998, the corporation was established, marking 20 years since then. In 1999, we entered the J2 League as FC Tokyo and achieved promotion to the J1 League in a dramatic comeback in the final match. We have also 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 those who have dedicated their love to the club.
The overall record for the past 20 years is J1 League 240 wins, 128 draws, 217 losses, J2 League 44 wins, 11 draws, 19 losses, J3 League 26 wins, 20 draws, 39 losses (as of September 23, 2018). Each and every game we have fought together with you is filled with memories. In the final round of 1999, we won against Niigata in a dramatic comeback, securing our spot in the top 2 for J1 promotion. In the 2004 J.League Cup final against Urawa, we played with one less player from the 29th minute, but fought until the very end and won our first title in a penalty shootout. In 2012, we made our first appearance in the ACL and won our first game away against Brisbane Roar, with many fans and supporters from Japan coming to cheer us on. On December 4, 2010, we played against Kyoto and after the game, we were relegated to J2. It was a day that FC Tokyo will never forget. To never forget this disappointment, we still keep the ticket from that day that was given to us by our fans. We have experienced many happy, joyful, difficult, and sad moments. We have overcome them all with the support of our fans and supporters countless times.
FC Tokyo boasts a development-oriented club, with 20 schools in Tokyo for elementary school students (including staff dispatch schools), and the Advanced Class, which focuses on player development, has spread to 5 locations in Tokyo. In the junior high school age group, we have been working towards our goal of expanding and raising the pyramid from elementary school to high school, with U-15 Fukagawa, which has been with the club since its establishment, U-15 Musashi, which was established in 2004, and U-18 for high school students. So far, 26 players have been promoted to the top team from U-18, and 81 players who have experience in U-15 Fukagawa, U-15 Musashi, and U-18 have been sent to J-League clubs.
In 2010 and 2017, FC Tokyo received the J.League Best Youth Club Award, and in 2017, FC Tokyo U-18 won the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Soccer League 2017 Championship, demonstrating the club's presence as a youth development club. Additionally, FC Tokyo has produced players for the Japan national team in various age groups, with Shuichi Gonda in 2014 and Yoshinori Muto in 2018 both becoming members of the World Cup Japan national team as graduates of the FC Tokyo Academy.
SOCIO (Annual Ticket Holders) has grown to over 10,000 people, more than 10 times the original 900 people. The number of home game attendees (average for one league game) has also grown to over 26,000 people, more than 7 times the original 3,500 people. The core of the fan membership organization, Club Support Members, has grown to about 20,000 people. As a result, the sales revenue has exceeded 4.5 billion yen.
The circle of people supporting FC Tokyo in their hometown is gradually expanding, and currently there are about 3,600 streetlight flags and 5,000 posters in the team's colors displayed throughout Tokyo. Since 2016, FC Tokyo U-23 has also started holding matches at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka and Yumenoshima Stadium in Koto Ward, and we can feel that all FC Tokyo families who support the team are spreading throughout Tokyo.
FC Tokyo has been walking with everyone in all of Tokyo, including Fuchu City, Mitaka City, Chofu City, Kodaira City, Nishitokyo City, and Koganei City, for 20 years since its establishment. We sincerely thank you for your support and encouragement. And we will continue to work to be needed by everyone in all of Tokyo, with a focus on these six cities.
FC Tokyo from now on
We announced "FC Tokyo 2020 VISION" in January 2016. Our vision for 2020 remains unchanged, and we will continue to strive to be loved by all the people of Tokyo and beyond.
The top team has won titles in the 2004 and 2009 J.League Cups, as well as the 2011 Emperor's Cup, leaving only the long-awaited J1 League title to be achieved. They have also participated in the ACL in 2012 and 2016. Moving forward, they will continue to play gritty and determined soccer, giving 100% of their effort, in order to win as many titles as possible, including the J1 League and ACL titles, and share the joy with their fans and supporters. They aim to become a symbol of Japanese soccer clubs and J.League clubs as the club of the capital city, Tokyo. In the future, as the environment surrounding the soccer world changes, more investment will be necessary to improve the team's competitiveness. They will invest in development and the top team, creating an attractive team, and as a result, expanding the FC Tokyo family and increasing the club's profitability, accelerating this cycle.
Regarding development, participating in the J3 League has become a valuable opportunity for players under the age of 23, including those in the U-18 team, to gain practical experience. In addition, through communication between the coaches and managers of the FC Tokyo Soccer School's Advanced Class, U-15, U-18, U-23, and top team, a consistent development system has been established. As a development-oriented club, not only do players from the U-18 and U-15 teams play a central role in the top team, but we also aim for FC Tokyo players to compete against the world in the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup.
In addition, in our promotional activities, we will continue to implement activities such as soccer clinics and caravan teams not only in schools but also throughout Tokyo, including the island areas, in order to promote soccer and allow children to feel the joy of sports, have dreams, think for themselves, make decisions, and develop independence.
FC Tokyo 2020 VISION aims to expand the FC Tokyo family, with goals of 12,000 SOCIO members, 30,000 Club Support Members, and an average of 30,000 attendees per J1 League match. However, we have not yet reached our target level.
To expand the FC Tokyo family, we will increase the exposure of FC Tokyo-related content in society so that even those who are not interested can receive information. We will also increase our exposure in various situations, including our own media. In addition, we will work towards creating a wonderland, including match events and stadium gourmet, to ensure high levels of satisfaction for spectators and encourage them to visit multiple times. We will establish a marketing strategy based on the characteristics of Tokyo and work towards becoming a club that is needed in Tokyo, with all activities following a consistent policy.
Tokyo accounts for about 10% of Japan's population and is the only major city in Japan with a population of over 10 million. There is great potential for FC Tokyo as a capital club. On the other hand, being a large city with a variety of leisure and entertainment options also brings its own challenges. It would be wonderful if the FC Tokyo family could spread throughout the entire Tokyo area, bringing smiles to the city with their dynamic play and creating a strong bond between the community and the club.
In addition, the J-League, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has once again emphasized the importance of social cooperation with the slogan "Let's use the J-League". FC Tokyo has always placed importance on contributing to the local community since its establishment, not only by participating in local events and connecting with local businesses, but also by actively engaging in social cooperation activities such as human rights awareness and delinquency prevention. The club and the stadium have the power to connect and expand people and activities. In the future, we will continue to work together with everyone on important themes such as "healthy development of children".
Finally, FC Tokyo 2020VISION also mentioned "pursuing the possibility of building a dedicated football stadium." We believe that a dedicated football stadium is essential in order to convey the joy and excitement of football to more people.
There are always amazing soccer-specific stadiums in the capital cities of strong soccer countries, mainly in Europe. By having a soccer-specific stadium that meets the standards of the J1 League in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, we believe that more people will be able to experience the charm and essence of soccer. It is the wish of FC Tokyo to have a wonderful stage for those who watch, play, and support soccer, and we are convinced that it is essential for the club's further development when thinking about the next few decades. At the same time, we believe that it holds great significance for Japanese soccer and soccer culture.
It is expected that the Ajinomoto Stadium will not be able to be used for a long period of time due to the Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan Tournament and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, as well as the accompanying renovation work. However, if we can secure a stadium where home games can be held without being greatly affected by other organizations or events, it will also lead to stable game hosting in the future.
The soccer-specific stadium is a stadium that brings players and fans/supporters closer together and creates a sense of unity. It is a sacred place for FC Tokyo, with an overwhelming atmosphere, sense of presence, and sense of otherworldliness that can be felt no matter how many times you watch. In addition, we hope that it will become a place where a variety of people gather and thrive on a daily basis, as a live and event venue that takes advantage of the characteristics of Tokyo, a place for citizens to relax, and a place for citizen sports.
FC Tokyo aims to be a leading force in Japanese football, winning titles in Japan and Asia, by playing attractive football at a world-class football stadium in the capital city.
To make these thoughts a reality, we will proceed with concrete considerations with determination. The cooperation of the people of Tokyo is essential for its realization, and we would like to ask for the support and cooperation of all FC Tokyo family members, including fans and supporters, as well as FC Tokyo shareholders and sponsor companies.
We will continue to work together as a club to achieve a strong and beloved team that is worthy of the capital city of Tokyo, while cherishing what we have built up over the past 20 years. We ask for your continued support and encouragement, as always and even more so than before.
Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd. | FC Tokyo
Representative Director and President Naoki Oogane
