Shimizu S-Pulse - last updated on 4 October 2008
(Courtesy of Johnny Beaufays)
Club name: Shimizu S-Pulse (清水エスパルス)
Foundation: 1991
City: Shimizu
Colours: Orange and white
Website: www.s-pulse.co.jp
Honours:
Asian Cup Winners' Cup - 1 (2000)
Emperor's Cup - 1 (2001)
J. League Cup - 1 (1996)
Xerox Super Cup - 1 (2001, 2002)
A bit of history:
As a prefecture, Shizuoka had historically been a strong footballing area of Japan; in particular being noted for it's nationally successful high school teams. 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. Indeed, the prefectural police force of Shizuoka has an anthropomorphic football as a mascot.
Shimizu S-Pulse was formed in February, 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. S-Pulse is a combination of the S from Shizuoka, Shimizu, and Soccer, and Pulse from English to mean the spirit of all those who support the team.
After being approved for participation in the J. League, 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. 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.
1999 began 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. After performing well in both league stages, S-Pulse were up against local rivals Júbilo Iwata in the title deciding match 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 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. 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.
S-Pulse started the 2006 season with three victories in a row and continued to show good form throughout the season, finishing in 4th place. Early exits in both the J. League Cup and Emperor's cup left S-Pulse without a new trophy for the fourth season running, and after finishing 4th in the league in the 2007 and again exiting the J. League Cup early, they are left with the Emperor's Cup on which to concentrate.
Despite their relatively short history, S-Pulse have had some impact on popular culture beyond football; one example being two fictional characters from the popular Captain Tsubasa manga, who, on becoming professional footballers, join S-Pulse.
The new millennium brought better results for S-Pulse. Victory in the Asian Cup Winners Cup in 2000 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. 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.
The club crest was designed around a globe to reflect the club's ambitions as a world class professional team. The head of the crest takes the iconic shape of Mt. Fuji's perfect cone to symbolise the team's representation of Shizuoka, the home Mt. Fuji. The choice of blue to accompany the team's orange evokes Shimizu's history as an industrial port town and it's proximity to the sea of Suruga Bay.
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 build up to home games. He often performs with the help of his two younger siblings. Designed by professional cartoonist Guy Gilchrist, Palchan's name is taken from the English pal and the pul of S-Pulse. The suffix chan is an affectionate title commonly used in Japan. Sporting team number zero, Palchan goods are a consistent best seller and various merchandise is available.
S-Pulse also have a cheer leading team named Orange Wave. These perform routines prior to kick off and at half time as well as making various appearances at S-Pulse themed events in and around Shizuoka.
Club crests: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Shimizu S-Pulse
Club mascot: (roll on the crest to get more informations)
Shimizu S-Pulse -
Pal-kun
