Tokyo Verdy — The Superclub That Had to Learn How to Be Local

Tokyo Verdy, the J1 League and the history of professional football in Japan are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club, exploring how Japan’s original superclub lost its dominance, spent 15 years in the second division and rebuilt itself around youth development and local identity.

Founded in 1969 as Yomiuri Football Club, Verdy became the inaugural J.League champions in 1993 and defended the title in 1994 behind stars including Kazuyoshi Miura, Ruy Ramos, Tsuyoshi Kitazawa and Bismarck. Chris traces the club’s move from Kawasaki to Tokyo, its rivalry with FC Tokyo, ownership crisis and long exile in J2.

The episode also covers Itsuki Someno’s dramatic 2023 promotion playoff penalty, Verdy’s return to J1, the importance of its academy, and the influence of Tokyo Verdy Beleza in Japanese women’s football.

Modern figures including Hiroshi Jofuku, Koki Morita, Hiroto Yamami and Daiki Fukazawa connect the rebuilt club to its ambitious past.

It’s a story of Japanese football, corporate power, relegation, community and how Tokyo Verdy learned that becoming local mattered more than remaining a national superclub. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out the show's website for an interactive map with all current teams, and suggest a club.

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