Renofa Yamaguchi FC


Renofa Yamaguchi FC is a Japanese professional football club based in Yamaguchi, the capital of Yamaguchi Prefecture. They play in the J2 League, the second tier of the country's football league system.

History

The original football team consisted of a group of teaching staff who were based within Yamaguchi prefecture, a team called Yamaguchi Prefecture Teachers Football Club, often abbreviated to Yamaguchi Teachers or Yamaguchi KFC.
In February 2006, the Yamaguchi Football Association eyed the placement of a team from Yamaguchi in the J.League. Setting its heart of operations at Yamaguchi Teachers, a new football club was established. At the same time, a public appeal was made to name the new club, with Renofa Yamaguchi F.C. being decided in March of the same year. The word renofa is a combination of three English words: renovation, fight and fine.
Without a specified home ground, the team played Chūgoku league matches across a number of different venues within the prefecture, including Yamaguchi Ishin Park Stadium, Yamaguchi Kirara Expo Memorial Park, Onoda Football Park, Shunan City Athletic Stadium and Yamaguchi Football Park. Now however, home games are played at Yamaguchi Ishin Park Stadium.
Though structured with a :wikt:hometown|hometown manager and local players, sponsored by local business and enterprises, and local action plans within the local community, Renofa Yamaguchi F.C. is aiming for a national future in the J.League.
In the days of Yamaguchi Teachers, the team frequently finished mid to low table in the Chūgoku league. However, since the establishing of the new club in 2006, the team had consistently improved their final league position. This culminated in the 2008 season where they achieved their first league win. In the All Japan Regional Football Promotion League Series of that year the team finished fourth in the final round, missing the opportunity for promotion to the Japan Football League. The 2009 season saw them win their first Emperor's Cup match, beating Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima F.C. in a penalty shoot out.
Since the team's formation it had operated as a private organisation, however when the Nonprofit organization Yamaguchi Athletics Club was established on 24 May 2011, managing control of the team changed hands putting the new NPO in charge.
After the club finished fourth in 2014 Japan Football League and passed the necessary licensing, J.League officially admitted Renofa Yamaguchi to participate in J3 League starting 2015 season. Their J.League debut season saw them earn the first ever rewards in their history, namely a third tier title and with it, promotion to the J2.

Changes in Club Name


Current squad

As of 28 June 2020.

Record

As Yamaguchi Teachers

SeasonLeaguePos.Pld.WinDrawLoseGFGAGDPointsEmperor's CupManagerNotes
1976First Round
1980Chūgoku League6144372730−311
1981Chūgoku League7143472931−210
1982Chūgoku League21483334211319First Round
1983Chūgoku League21483335231219
1984Chūgoku League41485138271117
1985Chūgoku League5146173029113
1986Chūgoku League31473434241017
1987Chūgoku League3126241816214
1988Chūgoku League3167363426817
1989Chūgoku League21273228151317
1990Chūgoku League4167363225717Takashi Yamamoto
1991Chūgoku League4147163128322Takashi Yamamoto
1992Chūgoku League6144191928−913Takashi Yamamoto
1993Chūgoku League3146442318522Takashi Yamamoto
1994Chūgoku League6144552723417Takashi Yamamoto
1995Chūgoku League8142572630−411Takashi Yamamoto
1996Chūgoku League6143651735−1815Takashi Yamamoto
1997Chūgoku League81413101431−177Takashi Yamamoto1 match won, 2 matches lost on penalties.
Relegated to Yamaguchi Prefecture League.
1998Yamaguchi Prefecture LeagueTakashi Yamamoto
1999Yamaguchi Prefecture LeagueFirst RoundTakashi YamamotoPromoted to Chūgoku League.
2000Chūgoku League5146172034−1420Takashi Yamamoto1 match won on penalties.
2001Chūgoku League7123271730−1312First RoundTakashi Yamamoto1 match won, 1 match lost on penalties.
2002Chūgoku League4103251731−1412Takashi Yamamoto1 match won, 1 match lost on penalties.
Winners of the Chūgoku League fair play award.
2003Chūgoku League814158822−1411First RoundTakashi Yamamoto3 matches won, 2 matches lost on penalties.
Winners of the Chūgoku League fair play award.
Relegated to Yamaguchi Prefecture League.
2004Yamaguchi Prefecture League11080224First RoundTakashi YamamotoPromoted to Chūgoku League.
2005Chūgoku League7121471123−129Takashi Yamamoto2 matches won, 2 matches lost on penalties.

As Renofa Yamaguchi F.C.

SeasonLeaguePos.Pld.WinDrawLoseFAGDPointsEmperor's CupManagerNotes
2006Chūgoku League4147342528−325Takashi Miyanari
2007Chūgoku League3176473346−1322First RoundTakashi Miyanari
2008Chūgoku League116115045153038Takashi MiyanariFinalist in the Promotional Series
2009Chūgoku League2181314532132402nd RoundTakashi Miyanari
2010Chūgoku League1181413511734432nd RoundToshiaki Tsukioka
2011Chūgoku League2181323541737412nd RoundToshiaki Tsukioka
2012Chūgoku League41895447222532Takashi Kawamura
2013Chūgoku League11813325313+4042First RoundGenki NakayamaPromoted to JFL
2014JFL42616375127+2451Nobuhiro UenoPromoted to J3
2015J3 League13625389636+60781st RoundNobuhiro UenoPromoted to J2
2016J2 League12421411175563-8533rd RoundNobuhiro Ueno
2017J2 League2042115264869-21382nd RoundNobuhiro Ueno
Carlos Mayor		-
2018J2 League8421613136364-1613rd RoundMasahiro Shimoda-

Honours

As Yamaguchi Teachers
As Renofa Yamaguchi F.C.