Yokohama FC: The Fan-Founded Club and King Kazu’s Home
Yokohama FC: The Fan-Founded Club and King Kazu’s Home
Born from protest when two clubs merged, Yokohama FC became Japan’s first supporter-owned pro team — and the long-time home of the eternal Kazuyoshi Miura.
Yokohama FC has one of the most unusual origin stories in Japanese football. It was founded in 1999 by fans of Yokohama Flügels in protest at their club’s merger with Yokohama Marinos — becoming Japan’s first supporter-owned professional club, modelled on Barcelona’s socio system. It joined the J.League in 2001, plays at Mitsuzawa Stadium, and in 2005 signed Kazuyoshi Miura (“King Kazu”), who became its face for years. ⚠ Division can change — check current status.
1. Who Yokohama FC is
The club the fans built — and Kazu made famous.
Yokohama FC stands for something rare in pro sport: a club created and owned by its supporters.1 That identity, plus its association with a national legend, gives it a story far bigger than its size.
2. Born from protest
When Yokohama Flügels were merged into Yokohama Marinos in 1999, their supporters refused to accept it and founded Yokohama FC — the first supporter-owned professional club in Japan, following Barcelona’s socio model.1 The club earned J.League membership in 2001 and built a loyal following at Mitsuzawa Stadium.
3. The home of King Kazu
In 2005 the club signed Kazuyoshi Miura — “King Kazu” — who became the face of Yokohama FC for the best part of two decades as the world’s oldest top-level professional.1 The partnership made the fan-founded club one of the most recognisable names in Japanese football. ⚠ Confirm the club’s current division and squad.
4. Why it matters
- It’s fan-founded. Japan’s first supporter-owned pro club.
- It stands for principle. Born from protest at a merger.
- It’s King Kazu’s club. Home of the eternal Kazuyoshi Miura.
In five lines
- Yokohama FC was founded in 1999 by Yokohama Flügels fans.
- It was Japan’s first supporter-owned professional club.
- It is modelled on Barcelona’s socio system.
- It plays at Mitsuzawa Stadium and joined the J.League in 2001.
- It signed Kazuyoshi Miura (King Kazu) in 2005.
Explore the J.League
Clubs, players and how to follow Japanese football.
Sources & notes
- Yokohama FC — founded 1999 by Yokohama Flügels fans protesting the Marinos merger; first supporter-owned pro club in Japan (Barcelona socio model); J.League from 2001; home Mitsuzawa Stadium; signed Kazuyoshi Miura (King Kazu) in 2005. Wikipedia; Wikipedia (Flügels)
A club profile dated 16 June 2026. League structure and standings change — flagged ⚠ items should be confirmed against official sources.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月16日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月16日
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