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Shimizu S-Pulse (清水エスパルス, Shimizu Esuparusu) is a Japanese professional football club located in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture. S-Pulse is going to compete in the J1 League for the 2025 Season, after get promoted from the Japanese second tier of professional league football, the J2 League in the 2024 season. The club was formed in 1991 as a founding member of the J.League ("Original Ten"),[a] which began the following year. The club originally consisted of players drawn exclusively from Shizuoka Prefecture, a unique distinction at the time.

Shimizu S-Pulse
清水エスパルス
Full nameShimizu S-Pulse
Nickname(s)S-Pa
Founded1991; 33 years ago (1991)[1]
GroundIAI Stadium Nihondaira
Shimizu, Shizuoka
Capacity20,339[2]
ChairmanShigeo Hidaritomo
ManagerTadahiro Akiba
LeagueJ1 League
2024J2 League, 1st of 20 (promoted)
Websitewww.s-pulse.co.jp
Current season

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 ten final appearances: five times in the Emperor's Cup and five 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 the Japanese Super Cup twice and the Asian Cup Winners' Cup once. The club's most recent cup final was in the 2012 J.League Cup which ended in defeat to Kashima.

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,[3] became club manager in 2005. He was the longest serving manager in the club's history, in office until 2010. He resigned at the end of the season after failing to win any competitions and was replaced by Afshin Ghotbi. Ghotbi's tenure lasted over 3 years, keeping the club as a mid-table J1 team until his departure in early 2014. From that season onward the club have churned through managers & become a yo-yo club with relegation zone finishes in J1 while regularly winning promotion in J2.

History

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Shizuoka as a football prefecture

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Headquarters are established in Shizuoka Prefecture called the football kingdom in Japan. As a prefecture, Shizuoka had historically been a strong footballing area of Japan; in particular being noted for its nationally successful high school teams[4] and the numerous national team players which had emerged from the prefecture over the years. The prefectural police force of Shizuoka actually has an anthropomorphic football as a mascot.[5] 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.[6] With the advent of the professional league at the start of the 1990s, the concept of creating a team to both sign and represent the local footballing talent was fomented.

Club formation

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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.[7] S-Pulse is a combination of the S from Shizuoka, Shimizu, Supporter and Soccer, and Pulse from English to mean the spirit of all those who support the team.[8]

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 club's memorial birthday.[9] 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.

Professional football

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After being approved for participation in the J.League[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

The year 1999 was marked 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.[12] 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[13] 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 Cups meant that the club had won four cups in three years.[14]

 
S-Pulse fans make the hundred mile trip to FC Tokyo, September 2007

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.[15]

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.[16] It is considered by many Japanese to be one of the greatest signings in league history. Many also believed that the signing would boost football in baseball-fanatic Japan, however Ljungberg departed, and subsequently retired, after 5+12 months with the club.[17] Later managements would turn out to be a catalyst for S-Pulse's luck to run out in the next seasons.

S-Pulse would play four more seasons in J1, until their first-tier stay was broken in the 2015 season. The club was in good standing early in the first stage until they collapsed later, falling into the bottom three. Home fans were disappointed at the way their club was playing. S-Pulse failed to improve in the second stage, being at the relegation positions. After 23 seasons in the top flight, they were relegated to J2 (and the second tier) for the first time in their history after a 1–0 home loss to Vegalta Sendai on October 17, 2015.[18]

S-Pulse bounced back to top flight football immediately, securing promotion to the J1 League on the final matchweek of the 2016 J2 League.

After six years at J1 League, in which they spent five of the six years on the lower half of the table, S-Pulse returned to J2 League after being confirmed relegation from the J1 on the last matchweek, having finished in 17th place, just above their rivals Júbilo Iwata.

On 27 October 2024, S-Pulse secure promotion to J1 League after defeat Tochigi SC narrowly 1-0 with goal Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi in 50th minute and return to top tier after two years absence.

Supporters

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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 Brazilian 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.[19] 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.[20] 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.

Ownership

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Although Suzuyo & Co., Ltd. [ja], which is a local major logistics company,[21] had become a parent company just at the present, since the Shimizu S-Pulse was born as a citizen club from the start, vulnerable time suited it in the past in terms of a fund. 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 Shimizu citizens, but in main by Shizuoka Television. After the J.League bubble burst in the late 1990s,[22] 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.[21] It is now run under the company title of S-Pulse, Inc.

In culture

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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 Hasegawa, 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.[23] 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.[24] In another example, two fictional characters from the popular Captain Tsubasa manga, who, on becoming professional footballers, join S-Pulse.

Stadium

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Main articles: Nihondaira Sports Stadium, Shizuoka "Ecopa" Stadium, Kusanagi Athletic Stadium

 
Mount Fuji as seen from Nihondaira Stadium

S-Pulse's main home arena is the Nihondaira Sports Stadium located in Shimizu, with a capacity of 20,248. However, over their history home games have been staged at a number of grounds. The first decade of S-Pulse's existence sometimes saw 'home' games played outside of Shizuoka prefecture, including at the National Stadium in Tokyo. The most frequently used other venue was Kusanagi Athletic Stadium. Utilised almost equally with Nihondaira over S-Pulse's earliest years, this included six home games in 1993. Kusanagi was called home while Nihondairs was enlarged in 1994, and again while the pitch relaid in 2003. With a fully functioning Nihondaira, Kusanagi was used less commonly, with the most recent first team match being held there in 2003.

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.[25] 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. 2007 saw all home games staged at Nihondaira for the first time since 1999. This was repeated in 2008, although between 2009 and 2015 Ecopa was used for at least one home league game.[26] S-Pulse have chosen not to use Ecopa since 2015, playing all home league games at Nihondaira.

 
The home end before a game in 2013

Naming rights

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In October 2008 it was announced that naming rights would be sold for Nihondaira Stadium.[27] 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.[28]

A new 5-year deal sponsorship deal with IAI Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial robots, took effect on 1 March 2013. The stadium was renamed IAI Stadium Nihondaira, shortened by the club and supporters to I Sta.[29] This sponsorship deal was extended a further five years in 2018.

Future

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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.[30]

In 2020 the club restated their hope to build a new, larger home.[31] In recent years various locations have been cited as a potential location for a new stadium, including next to Higashi-Shizuoka Station,[32] and next to Shimizu Station.[33]

Training ground

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Located near the famous Miho no Matsubara are S-Pulse's main training facilities.[34] Named Miho Ground, training session are sometimes open to the public for autograph hunters. The Miho Ground has also housed the club offices since the club's foundation.

Rivalries

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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 League 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.[35]

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,[36] went on to sign for the Júbilo team which won three J.League championships between 1997 and 2002.[37]

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.[38] 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 Fujieda MYFC, Azul Claro Numazu and Honda FC. Among those 3 clubs, only Fujieda that currently play at the same level as S-Pulse in J2 League, limiting any potential rivalry development with Azul Claro, who play in J3 League and Honda FC, which compete in Japan Football League, a level below J.League, to one-off cup pairings.[39] Despite always performing well, Honda FC have resisted professionalisation and so are unable to join the J.League.[40] 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.

Colours, crest and mascot

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Colour, sponsors and manufacturers

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Shimizu S-Pulse shirts.
 
 
 
 
 
First-choice goalkeeper colours

Since the team's 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 mikan.[41] 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,[42] with additional sponsorship panels on the lower neck and arms from confectionery company Glico,[43] and Japan Airlines, respectively.[44]

Season(s) Main Shirt Sponsor Additional Sponsor(s) Kit Manufacturer
1992–1996 Japan Airlines Glico Honen Mizuno/Puma
1997–2001 Puma
2002–2003 Ajinomoto
2003–2005 Suzuyo
2005–2006 Star The 3rd Planet
2006–2007 Suzuyo Japan Airlines
2007–2008 CRS
2008– San-Ai

Kit evolution

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Home kit - 1st
  Puma (1992–present),   Mizuno (1993–1996)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1992
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1993 - 1996
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1997 - 1998
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1999 - 2001
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2002 - 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2005 - 2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2024 -
Away kit - 2nd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1992
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1993
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1994 - 1996
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1997 - 1998
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1999 - 2001
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2002 - 2004
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2005 - 2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2024 -
Third kit - Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1992 - 1996
Cup 1st
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1992 - 1996
Cup 2nd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
Super De S Series
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
Super De S Series
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
Limited
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
120th anniversary of the opening of Shimizu port
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
Limited
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021
Limited
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022 3rd
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022
30th Anniversary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2023 3rd

Crest

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From the club's formation up to 1996, the club used an earlier version of the team crest.[45] while different, the previous design featured the same central lettering as the present badge.[46] Unveiled for the 1997 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 Mount Fuji's perfect cone to symbolise the team's representation of Shizuoka; the home of Mount 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 club's shop sign.

 
Club mascot Palchan and co performing at the 2007 All Star game.

Mascot

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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 buildup to home games. He often performs with the help of his two younger siblings.[47] Designed by professional cartoonist Guy Gilchrist, Palchan's name is taken from the English pal and the pul of S-Pulse.[48] 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.[49]

Brand

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S-Pulse Dream plaza is on the site of a former Shimizukō Line station.

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, Suntō and Parche shopping centre, part of Shizuoka Station.[50] 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.[51] 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.[52] From the nearby Shimizu Port, the S-Pulse Dream Ferry service runs daily to Izu.[53] The team also lends its name to a series of futsal courts named, perhaps predictably, S-Pulse Dream Fields.[54] 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.[55] 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 motorcycle racing, with the S-Pulse Dream Racing Team bearing the football team's name, logo and mascot.[56] The team competes in the All Japan Road Race ST600 class.

League and cup record

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Champions Runners-up Third place Promoted Relegated
Season Div. Teams Pos. Attendance/G J.League Cup Emperor's Cup Asia
1992 Runners-up Quarter final
1993 J1 10 3rd 18,462 Runners-up Semi-finals
1994 12 4th 19,726 1st round 1st round
1995 14 9th 19,747 1st round
1996 16 10th 12,962 Winner Quarter-finals
1997 17 5th 9,888 Group stage Quarter-finals
1998 18 3rd 12,298 Semi-final Runners-up
1999 16 2nd 12,883 Quarter-finals Quarter-finals
2000 16 8th 12,422 Quarter-finals Runners-up CWC Winner
2001 16 4th 15,973 2nd round Winner CWC 3rd place
2002 16 8th 14,963 Semi-finals Quarter-finals CWC Quarter-finals
2003 16 11th 16,284 Semi-finals Semi-finals CL Group stage
2004 16 14th 13,568 Quarter-finals 4th round - -
2005 18 15th 12,752 Quarter-finals Runners-up
2006 18 4th 14,302 Group stage Quarter-finals
2007 18 4th 15,952 Group stage Quarter-finals
2008 18 5th 16,599 Runners-up Quarter-finals
2009 18 7th 17,935 Semi-finals Semi-finals
2010 18 6th 18,001 Semi-finals Runners-up
2011 18 10th 15,801 Semi-finals Quarter-finals
2012 18 9th 15,121 Runners-up 4th round
2013 18 9th 14,137 Group stage 4th round
2014 18 15th 14,210 Group stage Semi-finals
2015 18 17th 14,083 Group stage 2nd round
2016 J2 22 2nd 11,274 Not eligible Round of 16
2017 J1 18 14th 15,116 Group stage Round of 16
2018 18 8th 14,671 Group stage 3rd round
2019 18 12th 15,043 Group stage Semi-finals
2020 18 16th 5,235 Group stage Did not qualify
2021 20 14th 7,454 Play-off stage 4th Round
2022 18 17th 15,256 Group stage 3rd round
2023 J2 22 4th 14,393 Group stage 2nd round
2024 20 1st 17,750 2nd Round 3rd Round
2025 J1 20 TBD
Key
  • Pos. = Position in league
  • Attendance/G = Average home league attendance
  • 2020 & 2021 season's attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
  • Source: J.League Data Site

League history

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  • Division 1 (J1 League) : 1993–2015
  • Division 2 (J2 League) : 2016
  • Division 1 (J1 League) : 2017–2022
  • Division 2 (J2 League) : 2023–2024
  • Division 1 (J1 League) : 2025–

Honours

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Shizuoka branch of the S-Pulse Dream House chain
Shimizu S-Pulse honours
Honour No. Years
J.League Cup 1 1996
Asian Cup Winners' Cup 1 1999–2000
Emperor's Cup 1 2001
Japanese Super Cup 2 2001, 2002
J2 League 1 2024

Players

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Current squad

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As of 31 July 2024.[57]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   JPN Yuya Oki
3 DF   JPN Yuji Takahashi
4 DF   JPN Sodai Hasukawa
5 DF   JPN Kengo Kitazume
9 FW   GHA Abdul-Aziz Yakubu
10 FW   BRA Carlinhos Júnior
11 FW   BRA Lucas Braga (on loan from Santos)
13 MF   JPN Kota Miyamoto
14 DF   JPN Reon Yamahara
16 MF   JPN Kenta Nishizawa
18 FW   JPN Takumi Kato
19 MF   JPN Kai Matsuzaki
20 GK   JPN Ryoya Abe
21 MF   JPN Shinya Yajima
22 DF   JPN Takumu Kenmotsu
23 FW   JPN Koya Kitagawa
25 MF   JPN Hikaru Naruoka
27 FW   JPN Riku Gunji
No. Pos. Nation Player
28 DF   JPN Yutaka Yoshida
31 GK   JPN Togo Umeda
32 DF   JPN Sen Takagi
33 MF   JPN Takashi Inui
36 MF   JPN Zento Uno (on loan from Machida Zelvia)
37 FW   JPN Yosuke Morishige
39 MF   JPN Nagi Kawatani
43 FW   JPN Aoi Ando
44 MF   JPN Motoki Nishihara
45 MF   JPN Ryunosuke Yada Type 2
46 MF   JPN Sean Kotake Type 2
51 GK   JPN Yui Inokoshi
57 GK   JPN Shūichi Gonda
66 DF   USA Jelani Reshaun Sumiyoshi (on loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
70 MF   JPN Teruki Hara
71 MF   JPN Ryotaro Nakamura (on loan from Kashima Antlers)
99 FW   BRA Douglas Tanque

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW   JPN Riyo Kawamoto (at Thespa Gunma)
30 FW   JPN Kanta Chiba (at Fujieda MYFC)
41 MF   JPN Ryohei Shirasaki (at Machida Zelvia)
83 DF   JPN Shuta Kikuchi (at Montedio Yamagata)
GK   JPN Kengo Nagai (at Yokohama FC)
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF   JPN Taketo Ochiai (at Okinawa SV)
MF   JPN Yasufumi Nishimura (at AC Nagano Parceiro)
FW   KOR Oh Se-hun (at Machida Zelvia)
FW   JPN Sena Saito (at Thespa Gunma)

Noted players

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Players who have been named Player of the Year or Young Player of the Year in the J.League:

Japan
AFC/OFC/CAF
CONMEBOL
UEFA

World Cup players

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World Cup 1994

World Cup 1998

World Cup 2002

World Cup 2006

World Cup 2010

Club officials

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For the 2024 season.[58]

Role Name
Manager   Tadahiro Akiba
Assistant manager   Mitsumasa Yoda
  Daisuke Ichikawa
  Ichizo Nakata
Goalkeeper coach   Masaaki Furukawa
Conditioning coach   Ryo Nitta
Analyst   Tomofumi Kuriyama
Chief doctor   Mitsuhito Doi
Chief trainer   Takayuki Nakayama
Physiologist   Felipe Olive
Physiotherapist   Keisuke Ishihara
Trainer   Ryuichiro Maezawa
  Tomotaka Kato
Athletic trainer   Ryohei Shimura
Interpreter
(English / Portuguese)
  Daigo Terasaki
  Kota Kurosu
Interpreter (Korean)   Kang In-yeop
Interpreter (Portuguese)   Luiz Uehara
Chief secretary   Satoru Matsunaga
Secretary   Takahiro Nishiyama
  Kazuma Ishihara

Managers

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Manager Nationality Tenure
Émerson Leão   Brazil Jan 1, 1992 – Dec 31, 1994
Rivellino   Brazil Jan 1, 1994 – Dec 31, 1994
Masakatsu Miyamoto   Japan 1995–96
Osvaldo Ardiles   Argentina Jan 1, 1996 – Dec 31, 1998
Steve Perryman   England 1999–2000
Zdravko Zemunović   FR Yugoslavia Dec 15, 2000 – Dec 31, 2002
Takeshi Oki   Japan 2002–03
Koji Gyotoku   Japan 2003
Antoninho   Brazil 2003–04
Nobuhiro Ishizaki   Japan June 26, 2004;– Nov 28, 2004
Kenta Hasegawa   Japan Jan 1, 2005 – Dec 31, 2010
Afshin Ghotbi[59]   Iran
  United States
Feb 1, 2011 – July 30, 2014
Katsumi Oenoki   Japan July 30, 2014 – Aug 1,2015
Kazuaki Tasaka   Japan Aug 1,2015 – Dec 31, 2015
Shinji Kobayashi   Japan Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2017
Jan Jönsson   Sweden Jan 1, 2018 – June 11, 2019
Yoshiyuki Shinoda   Japan May 14, 2019 – December 13, 2019
Peter Cklamovski   Australia December 14, 2019 – November 2020[60]
Miguel Ángel Lotina   Spain February 1, 2021[61] – November 3rd 2021
Hiroaki Hiraoka   Japan November 4, 2021 – May 30, 2022[62]
Yoshiyuki Shinoda (caretaker)   Japan May 31, 2022 – June 6, 2022
Zé Ricardo   Brazil June 7, 2022 – April 3, 2023
Tadahiro Akiba   Japan April 3, 2023 –[63]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Shimizu S-Pulse Profile at J.League Official Website". Archived from the original on 2018-10-03. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  2. ^ "J-League Club Data". j-league.or.jp. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2007.
  3. ^ "譛眠隧ヲ蜷域ュ蝣ア – 貂ーエ繧ィ繧ケ繝代Ν繧ケ – 蜈ャ蠑集EB繧オ繧、繝". s-pulse.co.jp (in Japanese). 29 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 May 2007.
  4. ^ Notes on Shizuoka Prefectures strength at high school level. Retrieved 8th October 2008
  5. ^ "Shizuoka Prefectural Police Home Page?ɪœ§Œxž@ Home Page". pref.shizuoka.jp. Archived from the original on 2008-01-17. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  6. ^ "Hagoromo Club". nifty.com. Archived from the original on 2001-05-09.
  7. ^ "Official site for Shimizu S-PULSE". Official site for Shimizu S-PULSE. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05.
  8. ^ "Shimizu S-Pulse Etymology". asianfootballfeast.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-01.
  9. ^ a b [1] S-Pulse club History. Retrieved October 7th 2008
  10. ^ 1993 J. League Archived February 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "J.League in 1996". www.t3.rim.or.jp. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13.
  12. ^ "1999 Japanese Super Cup". j-league.or.jp. Archived from the original on 2012-12-15.
  13. ^ "Asian Club Competitions 1999/2000". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2016-10-03.
  14. ^ 2001 Emperor's Cup Archived January 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ 2008 J. League Cup Archived 2013-03-15 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ FIFA.com. "Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) – FIFA.com". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13.
  17. ^ "フレドリック ユングベリ選手との契約合意解除について|清水エスパルス – 公式WEBサイト". 清水エスパルス 公式WEBサイト. Archived from the original on 2012-02-16.
  18. ^ McKirdy, Andrew (21 October 2015). "Internal mistakes behind S-Pulse's fall from J1 ranks". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  19. ^ "How to Support the 'Pulse – The English Guide". s-pulseukultras.blogspot.com. 3 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-12-16.
  20. ^ "Shimizu S-Pulse v Kashima Antlers – Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Final". gettyimages.com. 7 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24.
  21. ^ a b "Social Contribution Activity | Sustainability | Suzuyo & Co., Ltd". 鈴与株式会社. Archived from the original on 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  22. ^ "Learning From Other Leagues: The J.League". wordpress.com. 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013.
  23. ^ "Chibi Maruko-chan (TV Movie 2006)". Archived from the original on 2016-01-09 – via www.imdb.com.
  24. ^ "Image of Maruko / S-Pulse goods. Retrieved 26 November 2008". dream-plaza.co.jp. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
  25. ^ http://www.ecopa.jp Archived 2013-01-15 at the Wayback Machine Ecopa Stadium
  26. ^ Club Press Release Regarding Staging of Home Games in 2009 Retrieved March 1st 2009 Archived May 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ News Release (in Japanese) Archived October 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ News Release (in Japanese) Archived December 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ スタジアム概要 (in Japanese). IAIスタジアム日本平(清水日本平運動公園球技場・庭球場). Archived from the original on 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  30. ^ "清水が日本平スタジアムの増設要求 – サッカーニュース : nikkansports.com". nikkansports.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21.
  31. ^ 新スタジアム建設要望 J1清水・山室社長、静岡市役所訪問 (in Japanese). www.at-s.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  32. ^ またもや川勝知事が田辺静岡市長に強い不満、東静岡にスタジアム実現可能か?. YouTube (in Japanese). 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  33. ^ 川勝知事「清水駅前に新しいサッカースタジアムを. YouTube (in Japanese). 31 March 2018. Archived from the original on 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  34. ^ "Shimizu S-Pulse Training Site (Miho Ground) – Wikimapia". wikimapia.org. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13.
  35. ^ "progresso.org". www.progresso.org. Archived from the original on 2013-05-04.
  36. ^ "Shimizu Higashi High School". wbs.ne.jp. Archived from the original on 2013-01-06.
  37. ^ "2006 J. League Stats". j-league.or.jp. Archived from the original on 2013-02-11.
  38. ^ "Summary – J1 League – Japan – Results, fixtures, tables and news – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-15.
  39. ^ "【JFL】日本フットボールリーグオフィシャルWebサイト". www.jfl.or.jp. Archived from the original on 2013-05-25.
  40. ^ "Honda FC resists professionalization". jleague.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-05-23.
  41. ^ "CLUB PROFILE". Club official homepage team introduction. Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
  42. ^ fsc. "Shimizu S-Pulse 2013 Puma Home Football Shirt - 12/13 Kits - Football shirt blog". www.footballshirtculture.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-15.
  43. ^ "History – Glico Global Official Site". glico.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2012-06-27.
  44. ^ "JAL Sponsorship". japansoccer-jersey.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  45. ^ "Full list of S-Pulse shirts, 1992–Present". wldcup.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-03.
  46. ^ "Image of former crest". geocities.jp. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21.
  47. ^ "Pal-Chan rocks!". s-pulseukultras.blogspot.com. 4 May 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-12-16.
  48. ^ "About Guy Gilchrist". gilchristcartoonacademy.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-24. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  49. ^ "Shimizu S Pulse Photo Gallery: Latest Pictures, Best News Photos, Images about on Shimizu S Pulse". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24.
  50. ^ S-Pulse Dream House Homepage. Retrieved 26 November 2008 Archived 27 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  51. ^ "清水エスパルス公式WEBサイト". 清水エスパルス 公式WEBサイト. Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  52. ^ "エスパルスドリームプラザ". Archived from the original on 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2007-12-14. S-Pulse Dream Plaza Homepage. Retrieved 26 November 2008
  53. ^ "エスパルスドリームフェリー公式ページ". Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-10-26. Dream Ferry Homepage (In Japanese). Retrieved 26 November 2008
  54. ^ "エスパルスドリームフィールド". Archived from the original on 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2008-10-27. S-Pulse Dream Field Homepage (In Japanese). Retrieved 26 November 2008
  55. ^ "イベント情報 – S-PULSE DREAM PLAZA エスパルスドリームプラザ". www.dream-plaza.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2013-05-09.
  56. ^ "エスパルスドリームレーシングチーム(全日本ロードレース選手権St600クラス)". Archived from the original on 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2008-10-27. S-Pulse Dream Racing Team
  57. ^ "TOP TEAM". s-pulse.co.jp. Shimizu S-Pulse. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  58. ^ "2024シーズン トップチームスタッフ新体制のお知らせ". s-pulse.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  59. ^ "Ghotbi heading to J.League: Reports". www.the-afc.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  60. ^ "Australia - P. Cklamovski - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  61. ^ "Spain - Lotina - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  62. ^ "平岡 宏章監督 契約解除のお知らせ" [Director Hiroaki Hiraoka Notice of contract cancellation] (in Japanese). Shimizu S-Pulse. 30 May 2022. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  63. ^ "秋葉 忠宏 監督就任のお知らせ" (in Japanese). 3 April 2023. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Emperor's Cup Winners
2001
Succeeded by
Preceded by J.League Cup Winners
1996
Succeeded by
Preceded by Japanese Super Cup Winners
2001–2002
Succeeded by
Preceded by Asian Cup Winners' Cup Winners
2000
Succeeded by