□Over the past 20 years
To everyone involved with FC Tokyo, thank you very much for your unwavering support and encouragement. Today, October 1, 2018, is Citizen's 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 participated in 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 cumulative record over the past 20 years 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 and every game we have fought together with you is filled with memories. In the final match of 1999 against Niigata, we won the J1 promotion spot in a dramatic comeback, despite being in 3rd place until the previous match. In the 2004 J.League Cup final against Urawa, we played with one less player from the 29th minute of the first half, but fought until the very end and won our first title in a penalty shootout. In 2012, we made our first appearance in the AFC Champions League, and in the away match against Brisbane Roar, many fans and supporters came from Japan to support us, and we achieved our first victory in the ACL. Also, on December 4, 2010, we were relegated to J2 after the match against Kyoto. It became a day that FC Tokyo must not forget. To remember this regret, we still keep the ticket from that day that we received from the fans. There have been many joyful, happy, difficult, and sad moments. We have overcome them with the support of our fans and supporters many times.
FC Tokyo has advocated for a development-oriented club, and in the elementary school age group, the school has spread to 20 locations in Tokyo (including staff dispatch schools), and the advanced class, which focuses on player development, has spread to five locations in Tokyo. In the junior high school age group, we have been working towards the goal of significantly increasing the pyramid of U-15 Fukagawa, which has been established since the club's founding, U-15 Musashi, established in 2004, and U-18 high school age group from elementary school to high school. So far, 26 players have been promoted to the top team from U-18, and we have produced 81 players who have experience in U-15 Fukagawa, U-15 Musashi, and U-18 and have joined J-League clubs.
In 2010 and 2017, FC Tokyo won the J.League Best Youth Development Club Award. In 2017, FC Tokyo U-18 won the Emperor's Cup U-18 Soccer League 2017 Championship, demonstrating the presence of FC Tokyo as a youth development club. FC Tokyo has also produced players for the Japanese national team in various age groups. In 2014, Shuichi Gonda, and in 2018, Yoshinori Muto, both graduates of the FC Tokyo Academy, became members of the World Cup Japan national team.
SOCIO (annual ticket holders) has grown from about 900 people to over 10 times that number, to about 10,000 people. The number of attendees at home games (average for one league match) has increased from about 3,500 people to over 7 times that number, to about 26,000 people. The club support members, who are the core of the fan membership organization, have grown to about 20,000 people. As a result, the operating 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 about 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, among others, so we feel that the FC Tokyo family, who support FC Tokyo, is spreading throughout Tokyo.
Since its establishment 20 years ago, FC Tokyo has been walking together with everyone in Fuchu City, Mitaka City, Chofu City, Kodaira City, Nishitokyo City, and Koganei City, as well as all of Tokyo. We sincerely appreciate your support and encouragement. And, we will continue to work to be needed by everyone in all six cities in Tokyo.
□The Future of FC Tokyo
We announced "FC Tokyo 2020 VISION" in January 2016. Our aspirations for 2020, which are embedded in this VISION, remain unchanged, and we will continue to strive to be loved by everyone in Tokyo and beyond.
The top team has won titles in the J.League Cup in 2004 and 2009, and the Emperor's Cup in 2011. The only remaining domestic title is the long-awaited J1 League championship. They have also participated in the AFC Champions League in 2012 and 2016. They will continue to play soccer with determination and give 100% effort, aiming to win as many titles as possible, including the J1 League championship and the ACL championship, and share the joy with the fans and supporters. As a club in the capital city of Tokyo, they aim to become synonymous with Japanese soccer clubs and J.League clubs. In the future, as the environment surrounding the soccer industry changes, more investment will be necessary to improve the team's competitiveness. They will invest in player development and the top team to create an attractive team, resulting in the expansion of the FC Tokyo family and increasing the club's revenue. They will accelerate such a cycle.
Participation in the J3 League has provided 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 directors of FC Tokyo Soccer School's Advance Class, U-15, U-18, U-23, and the top team, a consistent development system has been established. As a development-oriented club, FC Tokyo aims not only for U-18 and U-15 players to become the core of the top team, but also for FC Tokyo players to compete on the world stage 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 in all areas of Tokyo, including the island areas. We strive to promote soccer, and to make children feel the joy of sports, have dreams, think for themselves, make judgments, and take action, and bring out their autonomy.
In FC Tokyo 2020VISION, we aimed to expand the FC Tokyo family with SOCIO 12,000 members, Club Support Members 30,000, and an average attendance of 30,000 for J1 League matches, but we have not reached the desired level.
To expand the FC Tokyo family, we will increase the exposure in various situations, including FC Tokyo-related content in the world, so that information reaches those who are not interested yet. We will also increase exposure in our own media. In addition, we will promote the creation of a wonderland, including match events and stadium gourmet, to ensure high satisfaction for watching matches and to encourage people to come back multiple times. We will establish a marketing strategy based on the characteristics of Tokyo and work on all activities under a consistent policy, aiming to become a club that is needed in Tokyo.
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. However, it also faces the challenges unique to a large city with a wide variety of leisure and entertainment options. It would be wonderful if the FC Tokyo family could further expand throughout the entire Tokyo metropolitan area, bringing smiles to the city through the team's dynamic performance and creating a strong bond between the community and the club.
Furthermore, the J-League, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, emphasized the importance of social collaboration under the slogan "Let's use the J-League". FC Tokyo has always prioritized contributing to the local community since its establishment. Not only do we participate in local events and connect with local merchants, but we have also actively engaged in social collaboration 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 soccer-specific stadium." We believe that a soccer-specific stadium is essential in order to convey the joy and excitement of soccer to more people.
There are always wonderful soccer-specific stadiums in the capitals of soccer powerhouse countries, mainly in Europe. By having a soccer-specific stadium that meets the J1 League standards in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, we believe that more people will be able to feel the charm and excitement of soccer. It is our wish at FC Tokyo to have a great stage for those who watch, play, and support soccer, and we are convinced that it is essential for the further development of the club in the coming decades. At the same time, we believe that it holds great significance for Japanese soccer and soccer culture.
It is anticipated that the Ajinomoto Stadium will not be available for use for an extended period of time due to the Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan tournament and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the accompanying renovation work. However, if a stadium can be secured where home games can be held without significant impact from other organizations or events, it will also enable stable game hosting in the future.
That soccer-specific stadium is a stadium that brings players and fans/supporters closer together, creating a sense of unity. It is a stadium that never fails to impress with its atmosphere, excitement, and sense of extraordinary. It is a sacred place for FC Tokyo. Additionally, we hope that it becomes a venue for live performances and events that take advantage of the characteristics of Tokyo, as well as a place for citizens to relax and engage in community sports. We envision it as a place where a diverse range of people gather and thrive on a daily basis, a place where sports and entertainment are fused together.
FC Tokyo aims to be a leading force in Japanese football, showcasing attractive football at a soccer-specific stadium that can be proud of worldwide. We strive to continue winning titles in Japan and Asia as the capital's club.
In order to make these thoughts a reality, we will proceed with specific considerations with determination. The realization of this requires the cooperation of the people of Tokyo, as well as the support and assistance from all members of the FC Tokyo family, including fans, supporters, shareholders, and sponsor companies.
While cherishing what we have built up over the past 20 years, we will work together as a club to aim for a strong and beloved team that is worthy of the capital city of Tokyo. We ask for your continued support and encouragement, as always, and even more so.
Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd. | FC Tokyo
Representative Director and President Naoki Ogane
