JEF United Chiba facts for kids
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Full name | JEF United Ichihara Chiba | ||
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Nickname(s) | JEF, Inu (The Dogs) | ||
Founded | 1946 as Furukawa Electric SC |
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Stadium | Fukuda Denshi Arena Chiba |
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Stadium capacity |
19,781 | ||
Owner | East Japan Railway Company (50%) Furukawa Electric (50%) |
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Chairman | Akira Shimada | ||
Manager | Yoshiyuki Kobayashi | ||
League | J2 League | ||
2022 | J2 League, 10th of 22 | ||
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JEF United Chiba (full name: JEF United Ichihara Chiba) is a professional football club from Japan. They are also known as JEF Chiba. The club is based in Chiba, which is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture. Currently, they play in the J2 League, which is the second highest level of professional football in Japan.
Contents
Club History: From Company Team to Pro
Early Days as Furukawa Electric SC (1946–1991)
The club started way back in 1946 as a company team called Furukawa Electric Soccer Club. As a company team, they were very successful. They won the Japan Soccer League twice. They also won the Emperor's Cup four times. Plus, they won the JSL League Cup three times.
A big achievement was winning the 1986–87 Asian Club Championship. This is the top club award in Asia. Furukawa Electric was the first Japanese club to ever win it! The club was one of the first eight teams in the Japan Soccer League (JSL) in 1965. They always played in the top division in Japan. They were the only Japanese club that was never sent down to a lower league from the JSL Division 1.
Becoming JEF United Ichihara (1992–2004)
In 1991, the club joined with another company team, JR East. They changed their name to JEF United Ichihara when the J.League started in 1993. JEF United Ichihara was one of the first ten teams in the J.League. A famous player, Pierre Littbarski from Germany, helped build the team.
From 1998 to 2000, the club had some tough times. They worked hard to become a stronger team. When Ivica Osim became manager in 2003, JEF United started to compete for the league title. This happened even though they didn't have a lot of money or many fans at their games.
JEF United Chiba (2005–Present)
On February 1, 2005, the club changed its name to JEF United Chiba. This happened after Chiba city became a hometown for the club in 2003. The name JEF comes from the companies JR East and Furukawa Electric. United means that the club and its hometown are working together. JEF United is special because it's the only J.League team whose company name stayed in its club name. The J.League usually wanted teams to use only their hometown names.
On July 16, 2006, Ivica Osim left the club. He became the coach for the Japan national team. His son, Amar Osim, took over as manager. But on December 5, 2007, Amar Osim was let go. The team finished 13th in the 2007 season.
After 13 games in the 2008 season, Josip Kuže was also let go. On May 8, 2008, Alex Miller became the new manager. Miller used to be a coach at Liverpool F.C.
Furukawa Electric is no longer the main sponsor of the club. Now, Fuji Electric is the main sponsor. On November 8, 2009, JEF United Chiba was moved down to the J2 League. This happened after 44 seasons in Japan's top football division. Since 2010, JEF United Chiba has been playing in the J.League Division 2.
JEF United Chiba almost got promoted back to the top league in 2012. They were one of the teams expected to go straight to J1. However, they lost to teams like FC Gifu and F.C. Machida Zelvia. They then played in the playoffs. They beat Yokohama FC 4–0. But they lost the final match 1–0 to Oita Trinita at Tokyo National Stadium.
In the 2013 season, they played in the J1 promotion playoffs again. They lost the semi-final match to Tokushima Vortis 1–1. In 2014, they were in the promotion playoffs once more. They lost the final 0–1 to Montedio Yamagata. The club has been playing in the J2 for 14 seasons in a row as of 2023.
Club Symbols
Home Stadiums
JEF United used to play their home games at Ichihara Seaside Stadium. Now, they play at the Fukuda Denshi Arena. This stadium is bigger and made just for football. It opened in Chiba during the 2005 season. The club's training used to be in Ichihara. Since October 1, 2009, they train at UNITED PARK. This new training ground is close to Fukuda Denshi Arena.
Team Mascots
JEF United Ichihara has three fun mascots. They are Akita Inu brothers named Jeffy and Unity. Jeffy wears the number 2, and Unity wears the number 9. They also have a third mascot named Mina, or Mina-chan. Mina's story is that she came to Soga Station one day. This station is near Fukuda Denshi Arena. She offered to work with Jeffy and Unity. Her jersey number is 12.
Club Slogan
Since 2001, JEF United's main idea has been "Win By All". This means everyone works together to win.
Other Teams
Furukawa Electric Chiba
This used to be JEF's reserve team. They were formed in 1967. They still exist today. They play in a regional league. In 2008, they changed their name to S.A.I. Ichihara. In 2011, they became Vonds Ichihara. They are now separate from Furukawa Electric.
JEF Reserves
JEF also had a reserve team called JEF United Ichihara Chiba Reserves. They played in the third level of Japanese football until 2011. But in 2011, the club stopped the B team. This was because of money problems.
JEF United Chiba Ladies
JEF United also has a women's football team. They are called JEF United Chiba Ladies.
Club Rivalries
Marunouchi Gosanke
Historically, JEF United has had big rivalries. Their fiercest rivals are Kashiwa Reysol and Urawa Reds. These teams are close neighbors. All three clubs were among the first eight teams in the Japan Soccer League in 1965. They played most seasons in the top league. Their former parent companies were all based in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Because of this, the three clubs were known as the Marunouchi Gosanke. Games between them were called the Marunouchi derbies.
Chiba Derby
JEF United and Reysol first played each other in 1941. This was in an old regional football league. Both clubs are now based in Chiba Prefecture. Their rivalry is known as the Chiba derby. They play a friendly match every year before the season starts. This match is called the Chibagin Cup. It has been played since 1995.
J.League Performance
JEF United Chiba has played many seasons in the J.League. Here's a look at their performance:
Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Promoted | Relegated |
Season | Division | Teams | Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | Attendance/G | J.League Cup |
Emperor's Cup |
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JEF United Ichihara | ||||||||||||||
1992 | – | – | – | – | Group stage | Quarter final | ||||||||
1993 | J1 | 10 | 8th | 36 | 14 | - | 22 | 51 | 67 | -16 | - | 20,273 | Group stage | Quarter final |
1994 | 12 | 9th | 44 | 19 | - | 25 | 69 | 85 | -16 | - | 22,262 | 2nd round | 2nd round | |
1995 | 14 | 5th | 52 | 28 | - | 20 | 97 | 91 | 6 | 88 | 15,418 | – | 1st round | |
1996 | 16 | 9th | 30 | 13 | - | 16 | 45 | 47 | -2 | 40 | 12,008 | Group stage | 3rd round | |
1997 | 17 | 13th | 32 | 6 | - | 17 | 43 | 66 | -23 | 28 | 5,693 | Quarter-final | 4th round | |
1998 | 18 | 16th | 34 | 8 | - | 20 | 49 | 75 | -26 | 25 | 5,365 | Final | 3rd round | |
1999 | 16 | 13th | 30 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 41 | 56 | -15 | 28 | 5,774 | 2nd round | 3rd round | |
2000 | 16 | 14th | 30 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 37 | 49 | -12 | 28 | 6,338 | 2nd round | Quarter final | |
2001 | 16 | 3rd | 30 | 14 | 2 | 9 | 60 | 54 | 6 | 50 | 7,818 | Quarter-final | Quarter final | |
2002 | 16 | 7th | 30 | 12 | 3 | 14 | 38 | 42 | -4 | 41 | 7,897 | Quarter-final | Semi-final | |
2003 | 16 | 3rd | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 57 | 38 | 19 | 53 | 9,709 | Group stage | Quarter final | |
2004 | 16 | 4th | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 55 | 45 | 10 | 50 | 10,012 | Group stage | 4th round | |
JEF United Chiba | ||||||||||||||
2005 | J1 | 18 | 4th | 34 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 56 | 42 | 14 | 59 | 9,535 | Winner | 5th round |
2006 | 18 | 11th | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 57 | 58 | -1 | 44 | 13,393 | Winner | 4th round | |
2007 | 18 | 13th | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 51 | 56 | -5 | 42 | 14,149 | Group stage | 4th round | |
2008 | 18 | 15th | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 36 | 53 | 17 | 38 | 14,084 | Quarter final | 4th round | |
2009 | 18 | 18th | 34 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 32 | 56 | -24 | 27 | 14,730 | Group stage | 4th round | |
2010 | J2 | 19 | 4th | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 58 | 37 | 21 | 61 | 11,689 | Not eligible | 4th round |
2011 | 20 | 6th | 38 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 46 | 39 | 7 | 58 | 9,680 | Quarter final | ||
2012 | 22 | 5th | 42 | 21 | 9 | 12 | 61 | 33 | 28 | 72 | 9,281 | Quarter final | ||
2013 | 22 | 5th | 42 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 68 | 49 | 19 | 66 | 10,004 | 3rd round | ||
2014 | 22 | 3rd | 42 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 55 | 44 | 11 | 68 | 9,333 | Semi-final | ||
2015 | 22 | 9th | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 50 | 45 | 5 | 57 | 10,725 | 3rd round | ||
2016 | 22 | 11th | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 52 | 53 | -1 | 53 | 10,292 | 3rd round | ||
2017 | 22 | 6th | 42 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 70 | 58 | 12 | 68 | 9,983 | 3rd round | ||
2018 | 22 | 14th | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 72 | 72 | 0 | 55 | 9,858 | 3rd round | ||
2019 | 22 | 17th | 42 | 10 | 13 | 19 | 46 | 64 | -18 | 43 | 9,701 | 2nd round | ||
2020 † | 22 | 14th | 42 | 15 | 8 | 19 | 47 | 51 | -4 | 53 | 2,778 | Did not qualify | ||
2021 † | 22 | 8th | 42 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 48 | 36 | 12 | 66 | 4,068 | 3rd round | ||
2022 | 22 | 10th | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 44 | 42 | 2 | 61 | 5,775 | 2nd round | ||
2023 | 22 | 6th | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 61 | 53 | 8 | 67 | 8,523 | 2nd round | ||
2024 | 20 | 7th | 38 | 19 | 4 | 15 | 67 | 48 | 19 | 61 | 10,431 | 1st round | Quarter final | |
2025 | 20 | TBD | 38 | 1st round | 2nd round |
- Key
- OTW / PKW = Overtime wins / Penalty kicks wins 1997 & 1998 seasons - 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002 Overtime wins only
- OTL / PKL = Overtime losses / Penalty kicks losses 1997 and 1998 seasons - 1999, 2000 & 2001 Overtime losses only
- Attendance/G = Average home league attendance
- † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
- Source: J.League Data Site
Club Achievements
JEF United Chiba has won many awards throughout its history. These include wins as Furukawa Electric SC, JEF United Ichihara, and JEF United Chiba.
- JSL Division 1: 2 times (1976, 1985)
- All Japan Works Football Championship: 3 times (1959, 1961, 1962 - shared)
- All Japan Inter-City Football Championship: 4 times (1959, 1960, 1961, 1964)
- Emperor's Cup: 4 times (1960, 1961, 1964 - shared, 1976)
- JSL Cup / J.League Cup: 5 times (1977, 1982, 1986, 2005, 2006)
- Japanese Super Cup: 1 time (1977)
- Asian Club Championship: 1 time (1986)
League History
Current Players
Team Squad
As of July 17, 2025.
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Players on Loan
These players are currently playing for other teams.
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International Players
Many players from JEF United have played for their national teams.
- Japan
- Yuki Abe
- Takayuki Chano
- Toshiya Fujita
- Naotake Hanyu
- Nozomi Hiroyama
- Shoji Jo
- Kengo Kawamata
- Naoya Kondo
- Teruaki Kurobe
- Seiichiro Maki
- Tadatoshi Masuda
- Koki Mizuno
- Shigeyoshi Mochizuki
- Takayuki Morimoto
- Shinji Murai
- Eisuke Nakanishi
- Takafumi Ogura
- Tomoyuki Sakai
- Yuji Sakakura
- Hisato Sato
- Yuto Sato
- Daisuke Suzuki
- Takayuki Suzuki
- Taishi Taguchi
- Nobuhiro Takeda
- Michihiro Yasuda
- Koki Yonekura
- Other Asian, African, and Oceanian Countries
- Matthew Bingley (Australia)
- Jason Geria (Australia)
- Mark Milligan (Australia)
- An Byong-jun (North Korea)
- Kim Dae-eui (South Korea)
- Choi Yong-Soo (South Korea)
- Owusu Benson (Ghana)
- Wynton Rufer (New Zealand)
- European Countries
- Mario Haas (Austria)
- Edin Mujčin (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Mirko Hrgović (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Ilian Stoyanov (Bulgaria)
- Ivan Hašek (Czech Republic)
- Pavel Řehák (Czech Republic)
- Pierre Littbarski (Germany)
- Frank Ordenewitz (Germany)
- Nenad Maslovar (Montenegro)
- Peter Bosz (Netherlands)
- Gabriel Popescu (Romania)
- Rade Bogdanovic (Serbia)
- Nenad Đorđević (Serbia)
- Ľubomír Moravčík (Slovakia)
- Željko Milinovič (Slovenia)
- Nejc Pečnik (Slovenia)
- South American Countries
- Kléber (Brazil)
- Eduardo Aranda (Paraguay)
Coaching Staff
Here are the club officials for 2025.
Position | Name |
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Manager | ![]() |
Assistant manager | ![]() |
Coaches | ![]() ![]() |
Goalkeeper coach | ![]() |
Physical coach | ![]() |
Analyst | ![]() |
Interpreter | ![]() |
Chief trainer | ![]() |
Athletic trainer | ![]() ![]() |
Physiotherapist | ![]() |
Competent | ![]() |
Side affairs | ![]() |
Kit man | ![]() |
Manager History
Here is a list of all the managers who have led the team.
Manager | Nationality | Tenure |
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Yoshikazu Nagai | ![]() |
1992–1993 |
Eijun Kiyokumo | ![]() |
1994–1995 |
Yasuhiko Okudera | ![]() |
1996 |
Jan Versleijen | ![]() |
1997–1998 |
Gert Engels | ![]() |
1999 |
Nicolae Zamfir | ![]() |
1999–2000 |
Sugao Kambe (interim) | ![]() |
2000 |
Zdenko Verdenik | ![]() |
2000–2001 |
Sugao Kambe (interim) | ![]() |
2001 |
Jozef Vengloš | ![]() |
2002 |
Ivica Osim | ![]() |
2003–2006 |
Amar Osim | ![]() |
2006–2007 |
Josip Kuže | ![]() |
2008 |
Shigeo Sawairi (interim) | ![]() |
2008 |
Alex Miller | ![]() |
2008–2009 |
Atsuhiko Ejiri | ![]() |
2009–2010 |
Dwight Lodeweges | ![]() |
2011 |
Sugao Kambe | ![]() |
2011 |
Takashi Kiyama | ![]() |
2012 |
Jun Suzuki | ![]() |
2013–2014 |
Kazuo Saito (interim) | ![]() |
2014 |
Takashi Sekizuka | ![]() |
2014–2016 |
Shigetoshi Hasebe (interim) | ![]() |
2016 |
Juan Esnáider | ![]() |
2017–2019 |
Atsuhiko Ejiri | ![]() |
2019 |
Yoon Jong-hwan | ![]() |
2020–2022 |
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi | ![]() |
2023– |
Team Colors and Kits
The main colors for JEF United Chiba are yellow, green, and red.
See also
In Spanish: JEF United Ichihara Chiba para niños