JEF United Ichihara Chiba
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese professional football club that plays in J. League Division 2
. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city
had joined Ichihara, Chiba
as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East
and Furukawa Electric
- and United, represents the unity of the team and its home town. The club is also known as or .
twice, the Emperor's Cup
four times and the JSL League Cup three times. Furukawa also won the 1986/87 Asia Club Championship
, the top club honor in Asia
; they were the first Japanese club to do so.
Since the league's inception in 1965
, the team had always played in the top flight in Japan and was the only Japanese team to never be relegated from the JSL1, a record they kept into the J1 years. They did finish the 1978
season in a relegation position (last of 10) but stayed up after beating Honda F.C.
1-0 on aggregate in a two-legged playoff. The last place was not automatically relegated until the 1980
season.
In 1991, it merged with the JR East's company team to become and rebranded itself as JEF United Ichihara upon the J. League's founding in 1993. The team initially built itself around the former Germany national football team
player Pierre Littbarski
.
From 1998 to 2000, the team struggled to stay in the J1 league and it began a series of efforts to be a competitive team. Since the hiring of Ivica Osim
in 2003, JEF United has contended for the league title each year despite limited resources and struggling attendance.
On July 16, 2006, Osim left the team to take over the coach of the Japan national team
and was succeeded by Amar Osim
, his son and assistant coach.http://www.crisscross.com/jp/news/379023. On December 5, 2007, it was announced that Osim had been sacked after the club's lowly 13th place finish in the 2007 season.http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fbljpnbihasiaosim&prov=afp&type=lgns
After 13 games in the 2008 season Josip Kuže
was sacked as team manager. On 8 May 2008 it was announced that the new manager was Alex Miller
. Miller was First Team Coach at Liverpool FC alongside Rafael Benítez
prior to joining JEF United.
On May 13, 2008, JEF United Chiba were linked with a move for Michael Owen
whose contract renewal talks at Newcastle United FC have broken down because of a pay cut.
Furukawa Electric
is no longer the main sponsor of the club, a job these days taken over by Fuji Electric
.
On November 8, 2009, JEF United Chiba was relegated to J2 after 44 seasons in the Japanese top division; 2010 will be their first season in the second tier.
, but has since moved to the larger, football-specific and more conveniently located Fukuda Denshi Arena
, which opened in Chiba during the 2005 season. The club had initially practiced at Urayasu, Chiba
planning to base itself in Narashino, Chiba
before opposition by those living around Akitsu Stadium
forced it to be based in Ichihara. Since 2000, training has been held at Footpark Anesaki in Ichihara.
characters are Akita Inu brothers named Jeffy and Unity. The squad number
of Jeffy is 2 and that of Unity is 9.
during the JSL years. They were formed in 1967 and were first promoted to the JSL Second Division in 1975. They still exist, although they are no longer affiliated on paper, and play in the Kanto Regional League. In 2008 they renamed themselves S.A.I. Ichihara
, the current third tier of Japanese football.
Key
Out
J. League Division 2
The or is the second division of and is the second-tier professional association football league in Japan. Currently, J. League Division 2 is the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The first tier is represented by J...
. On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name from JEF United Ichihara to the current name after Chiba city
Chiba, Chiba
is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000....
had joined Ichihara, Chiba
Ichihara, Chiba
is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of August 2010, the city has an estimated population of 279,080, with a population density of 758 persons per km². The total area of Ichihara was 368.20 km²...
as its hometown in 2003. The club name, JEF -taken from JR East
East Japan Railway Company
is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
and Furukawa Electric
Furukawa Electric
Furukawa Electric is a Japanese company. It is listed on the Nikkei 225. Its products include superconductivity cables....
- and United, represents the unity of the team and its home town. The club is also known as or .
History
The team began as the company team, in 1946. As the company team, it won 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...
twice, 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...
four times and the JSL League Cup three times. Furukawa also won the 1986/87 Asia Club Championship
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
, the top club honor in Asia
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
; they were the first Japanese club to do so.
Since the league's inception in 1965
1965 in Japanese football
-National team:-Players statistics:...
, the team had always played in the top flight in Japan and was the only Japanese team to never be relegated from the JSL1, a record they kept into the J1 years. They did finish the 1978
Japan Soccer League 1978
-First Division:By winning the Emperor's Cup and Japan Soccer League Cup along with the title, Mitsubishi completed the first Japanese treble ever.-Promotion/Relegation Series:Nissan promoted, Fujitsu relegated.-Second Division:-Promotion/Relegation Series:...
season in a relegation position (last of 10) but stayed up after beating 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...
1-0 on aggregate in a two-legged playoff. The last place was not automatically relegated until the 1980
Japan Soccer League 1980
Statistics of Japan Soccer League in season 1980. For the first time ever, automatic promotion and relegation was introduced for the first and last places of the Second Division, which means that the last place in the First Division went down.-First Division:...
season.
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
player Pierre Littbarski
Pierre Littbarski
Pierre Michael Littbarski is a German football manager and former player. He was mainly a winger or attacking midfielder and is best known for his brilliant dribbling abilities. He was a FIFA World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990. He was also runner–up twice in 1982 and 1986 with West Germany...
.
From 1998 to 2000, the team struggled to stay in the J1 league and it began a series of efforts to be a competitive team. Since the hiring of Ivica Osim
Ivica Osim
Ivan "Ivica" Osim is a Bosnian former football player and manager. He was most recently head coach of Japan, before he suffered a stroke in November 2007 and left the post...
in 2003, JEF United has contended for the league title each year despite limited resources and struggling attendance.
On July 16, 2006, Osim left the team to take over the coach of the Japan 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...
and was succeeded by Amar Osim
Amar Osim
Amar Osim is a former Bosnian football player and now a manager. He is currently managing FK Željezničar.-Playing career:...
, his son and assistant coach.http://www.crisscross.com/jp/news/379023. On December 5, 2007, it was announced that Osim had been sacked after the club's lowly 13th place finish in the 2007 season.http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fbljpnbihasiaosim&prov=afp&type=lgns
After 13 games in the 2008 season Josip Kuže
Josip Kuže
Josip Kuže is a Croatian football coach and former player. He was a player and later coach of Dinamo Zagreb where he played from 1971-1981 making a total of 384 appearances and scoring 14 goals.-Playing career:...
was sacked as team manager. On 8 May 2008 it was announced that the new manager was Alex Miller
Alex Miller
Alex Miller is a Scottish association football coach and former player. As a player, he had a 15 year career with Rangers. As a manager, he won the 1991 Scottish League Cup with Hibernian...
. Miller was First Team Coach at Liverpool FC alongside Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
prior to joining JEF United.
On May 13, 2008, JEF United Chiba were linked with a move for Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
whose contract renewal talks at Newcastle United FC have broken down because of a pay cut.
Furukawa Electric
Furukawa Electric
Furukawa Electric is a Japanese company. It is listed on the Nikkei 225. Its products include superconductivity cables....
is no longer the main sponsor of the club, a job these days taken over by Fuji Electric
Fuji Electric
, operating under the brand name FE, is a Japanese holding company that retains manufacturing companies of pressure transmitters, flowmeters, gas analyzers, controllers, inverters, pumps, generators, ICs, motors, and power equipments.-History:...
.
On November 8, 2009, JEF United Chiba was relegated to J2 after 44 seasons in the Japanese top division; 2010 will be their first season in the second tier.
Stadiums
It had played its home matches at Ichihara Seaside StadiumIchihara Seaside Stadium
is a football and athletics stadium located in Ichihara, Japan. Completed in 1987, the stadium consists of a large main stand and several smaller stands in a ring. Approximately 500 seats are covered; the cold Ichihara winds tend to create an uncomfortable experience for most patrons.From 1993...
, but has since moved to the larger, football-specific and more conveniently located Fukuda Denshi Arena
Fukuda Denshi Arena
, known commonly as Fuku-Ari , is a football stadium in Chiba, Japan. It was completed in 2005 and is home to the J. League club JEF United Ichihara Chiba following their move from the Ichihara Seaside Stadium. This stadium has 18,500 seats and 1,281 standings...
, which opened in Chiba during the 2005 season. The club had initially practiced at Urayasu, Chiba
Urayasu, Chiba
is a city located in the far western corner of northern Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,822 and a population density of 9530 persons per km²...
planning to base itself in Narashino, Chiba
Narashino, Chiba
is a city located in northern Chiba, Japan. As of February 2011, the city had an estimated population of 164,809 and a population density of 7850 persons per km². The total area was 20.99 km².-Geography:...
before opposition by those living around Akitsu Stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
forced it to be based in Ichihara. Since 2000, training has been held at Footpark Anesaki in Ichihara.
Mascot
JEF United Ichihara's mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
characters are Akita Inu brothers named Jeffy and Unity. The squad number
Squad number
In team sports, the squad number, shirt number, jersey number, sweater number, uniform number or simply a number is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player from others wearing the same or similar uniforms...
of Jeffy is 2 and that of Unity is 9.
Furukawa Electric Chiba
This was JEF's reserve teamReserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
during the JSL years. They were formed in 1967 and were first promoted to the JSL Second Division in 1975. They still exist, although they are no longer affiliated on paper, and play in the Kanto Regional League. In 2008 they renamed themselves S.A.I. Ichihara
JEF United Ichihara Chiba B
JEF's current reserve team plays in the Japan Football LeagueJapan 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...
, the current third tier of Japanese football.
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... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | - | - | - | - | Group Stage | Quarter-final |
| 1993 | J1 | 10 | 8 | 20,273 | Group Stage | Quarter-final |
| 1994 | J1 | 12 | 9 | 22,262 | 2nd Round | 2nd Round |
| 1995 | J1 | 14 | 5 | 15,418 | - | 1st Round |
| 1996 | J1 | 16 | 9 | 12,008 | Group Stage | 3rd Round |
| 1997 | J1 | 17 | 13 | 5,693 | Quarter-final | 4th Round |
| 1998 | J1 | 18 | 16 | 5,365 | Final | 3rd Round |
| 1999 | J1 | 16 | 13 | 5,774 | 2nd Round | 3rd Round |
| 2000 | J1 | 16 | 14 | 6,338 | 2nd Round | Quarter-final |
| 2001 | J1 | 16 | 3 | 7,818 | Quarter-final | Quarter-final |
| 2002 | J1 | 16 | 7 | 7,897 | Quarter-final | Semi-final |
| 2003 | J1 | 16 | 3 | 9,709 | Group Stage | Quarter-final |
| 2004 | J1 | 16 | 4 | 10,012 | Group Stage | 4th Round |
| 2005 | J1 | 18 | 4 | 9,535 | Winner | 5th Round |
| 2006 | J1 | 18 | 11 | 13,393 | Winner | 4th Round |
| 2007 | J1 | 18 | 13 | 14,149 | Group Stage | 4th Round |
| 2008 | J1 | 18 | 15 | 14,084 | Quarter-final | 4th Round |
| 2009 | J1 | 18 | 18 | 14,730 | Group Stage | 4th Round |
| 2010 J. League Division 2 The or is the second division of and is the second-tier professional association football league in Japan. Currently, J. League Division 2 is the second level of the Japanese association football league system. The first tier is represented by J... |
J2 | 19 | 4 | 11,689 | - | 4th Round |
Key
- Tms. = Number of teams
- Pos. = Position in league
- Attendance/G = Average league attendance
Furukawa Electric FC
- Japan Soccer League: (2) 1976Japan Soccer League 1976- First Division :- Promotion/Relegation Series :No relegations. As Eidai Sangyo dissolved the club and withdrew from the league in March 1977, Fujitsu was promoted anyway.- Second Division :- JSL Promotion/Relegation Series :...
, 1985 - JSL Cup: (3) 1977, 1982, 1986-87
- 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...
: (4) 1960, 1961, 1964, 1976 - 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...
: (1) 1977 - Asian Club Championship: (1) 1987
Current Squad
As of July 23, 20102011 season transfers
InOut
Notable Players
|
Matthew Bingley Matthew Bingley is a former Australian football player. A utility who can play in midfield or defence, he has played over 300 matches in nearly 20 years at the highest level of domestic football in Australia... Eddy Bosnar 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:... Mark Milligan Mark Milligan Mark Daniel Milligan is an Australian football player who is currently playing for JEF United Ichihara Chiba. He was also the regular captain of the Australian Under 23 football team and has been capped for the junior Australian National team... Choi Yong-Soo Choi Yong-Soo Choi Yong-Soo is a former professional footballer and current coach. He spent his professional career playing for Korea and Japan and was regarded as a prolific striker in both countries, known for his hard-nose aggressiveness and work rate.Choi has played in 1996 Summer Olympics and also... |
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:... Sandro Sandro Cardoso dos Santos Sandro Cardoso dos Santos , simply known as Sandro is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a role of forward.He was a member of U-19 Brazil national football team and a top scorer of 2001 season K-league.... |
Mario Haas Mario Haas is an Austrian football forward, who currently plays for SK Sturm Graz.-Club career:thumb|left|275px|Haas in action with SK Sturm Graz... Edin Mujčin Edin Mujcin Edin Mujčin is a Bosnian football player.Mujčin moved to Croatia during the Bosnian war.Mujčin spent most of his career with Croatian top team Dinamo Zagreb, winning several national titles and appearing in both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup... Ilian Stoyanov Ilian Stoyanov Ilian Stoyanov is a Bulgarian football player, defender. In Bulgaria he is also known as Collovati, because of his haircut in the past. He recently plays for Fagiano Okayama of Japan's J... Ivan Hašek Ivan Hašek Ivan Hašek is a retired Czech footballer who played as a central midfielder.He spent 11 years of his career with Sparta Prague, appearing in more than 300 official games with the club, and later acting as its manager.... Pavel Řehák Pierre Littbarski Pierre Littbarski Pierre Michael Littbarski is a German football manager and former player. He was mainly a winger or attacking midfielder and is best known for his brilliant dribbling abilities. He was a FIFA World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990. He was also runner–up twice in 1982 and 1986 with West Germany... Frank Ordenewitz Frank Ordenewitz Frank Ordenewitz is a retired German football player. He was capped 2 times for the West German national team. In a German League match against FC Cologne on 7 May 1988 the Werder Bremen player admitted handball in the penalty area to the referee. Cologne went on to win the match 2–0... Gabriel Popescu Gabriel Popescu Gabriel Popescu is a Romanian former footballer.Popescu went on to represent the Romanian national team 21 times and scored four goals, he was also capped 37 times for the U-21 side... Nenad Maslovar Peter Bosz Peter Bosz Peter Bosz is a former football midfielder from the Netherlands currently serving as head coach of Dutch Eredivisie team Heracles Almelo.-Career:... Rade Bogdanovic Rade Bogdanovic Rade Bogdanović is a Bosnian Serb football manager and former player.-Yugoslavia:... Ľubomír Moravčík Lubomír Moravcík Ľubomír "Lubo" Moravčík is a football manager and former footballer from Slovakia, who played internationally for Czechoslovakia and Slovakia... Željko Milinovič Željko Milinovic Željko Milinovič is a former Slovenian footballer who has represented his country at the two major tournaments for which they have qualified .-Club career:... |
Matthew Lam Matthew "Matt" Lam is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for JEF United in the Japanese J. League Division 2, on loan from FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League.... Owusu Benson Owusu Benson Owusu Benson or Benson Owusu is a Ghanaian football player. He currently plays for SC Buochs.- Career :He played in Switzerland since 1995, except one and a half year left for JEF United Japan. He also holds a Swiss passport.... Wynton Rufer Wynton Rufer Wynton Alan Whai Rufer, CNZM, , is a retired New Zealand footballer, who played as a striker. He spent most of his professional career in Germany with Werder Bremen, winning a total of six titles. He also appeared for the New Zealand national team in its first FIFA World Cup participation, in 1982... |
Managers
| Manager | Nat. | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Yoshikazu Nagai Yoshikazu Nagai Yoshikazu Nagai is a former Japanese football player. He holds the record for most appearances in Japan Soccer League First Division. His son Shunta is also a footballer.... |
1992-94 | |
| Eijyun Kiyokumo | 1994-95 | |
| Yasuhiko Okudera Yasuhiko Okudera is a former Japanese footballer who is currently the president of J. League Division 2 club Yokohama FC and was formerly the president of English club Plymouth Argyle. Okudera was the first Japanese footballer to play professionally in Europe, as well as being the first Asian football player to... |
1996 | |
| Jan Versleijen Jan Versleijen Johannes Martinus Maria Versleijen is a Dutch professional association football coach who currently manages the Australian under-20 national team.-Career:... |
1997-98 | |
| Gert Engels Gert Engels Gert Engels is a former German football player and current coach of Mozambique.- Career :He commenced his professional playing career with lowly SG Düren 99 and later joined Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Niederau... |
1999 | |
| Nicolae Zamfir Nicolae Zamfir Nicolae Zamfir is a Romanian football manager.-References:*... |
1999-00 | |
| Zdenko Verdenik Zdenko Verdenik Zdenko Verdenik is a Slovenian football manager and former player.He coached NK Olimpija Ljubljana, U-21 Slovenia NT, Slovenia NT, FK Austria Wien, JEF United Ichihara, Nagoya Grampus Eight and Vegalta Sendai.He is also a university teacher at the Faculty of Sport in Ljubljana.-External links:*... |
2000-01 | |
| Jozef Vengloš Jozef Vengloš Dr. Jozef Vengloš is a former Czechoslovak football player and coach. He has a Doctorate in Physical Education, as well as specialising in Psychology... |
2002 | |
| Ivica Osim Ivica Osim Ivan "Ivica" Osim is a Bosnian former football player and manager. He was most recently head coach of Japan, before he suffered a stroke in November 2007 and left the post... |
2003-06 | |
| Amar Osim Amar Osim Amar Osim is a former Bosnian football player and now a manager. He is currently managing FK Željezničar.-Playing career:... |
2006-07 | |
| Josip Kuže Josip Kuže Josip Kuže is a Croatian football coach and former player. He was a player and later coach of Dinamo Zagreb where he played from 1971-1981 making a total of 384 appearances and scoring 14 goals.-Playing career:... |
2008 | |
| Alex Miller Alex Miller Alex Miller is a Scottish association football coach and former player. As a player, he had a 15 year career with Rangers. As a manager, he won the 1991 Scottish League Cup with Hibernian... |
2008-09 | |
| Atsuhiko Ejiri | 2009-2010 | |
| Dwight Lodeweges Dwight Lodeweges Dwight Lodeweges is Dutch football coach and former professional player now coaching for JEF United Ichihara Chiba in J. League Division 2.- Early life :... |
2011 | |
| Sugao Kambe Sugao Kambe is a Japanese football coach who had stints as national coach of the Philippines, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands national teams.As a player, he played for Shizuoka High School, Waseda University and Honda F.C.... |
2011- |
External links
- JEF United Official Site (in JapaneseJapanese languageis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
) - Rising Sun News club profile