Good interview here. http://magazine.tokyofootball.com/03/ Long story short, they have strong connections but isn't formally part of the university.
Vanraure Hachinohe parted ways with long-time coach Matsuichi Yamada, who led the team from Tohoku D2 to the JFL. They also signed a few new players: Wataru Sasaki (DF) from Doto University Hikaru Matsumoto (MF) from Fuji University Takahiro Noguchi (GK) from Rein Meer Aomori (previously at Zelvia) Shunji Sumomosawa (MF) from Sony Sendai Last year I was skeptical about their lack of experienced veterans but they had a rather good seasons and judging from the highlights they seemed like a well-mixed up team. They're probably just waiting for a few J2/J3 rejects to become avaiable anyways.
Actually I really like that Hachinohe concentrates on young players from the universities instead of J-leaguer washoffs. I hear rumours of one or 2 more sony sendai players coming but thats only logical since the club is owned by a sportsclub situated in Sendai.
Yeah what's more they're investing on local guys- I think 90% of their squad comes from Hokkaido, Aomori and Morioka prefectures.
Though thats also the reason why they in my head lacks a bit behind Nara in the J3 race. But OK my family originally comes from the ancient Ikaruga Village in Nara so Im also a bit biased.
Um yeah, it says that they'll hold the board meeting on 12/10, then announce the new teams on the website at 12:30pm.
Well they might only announce the last not promoted team unless we have one of the teams from 2014 exept Yamaguchi withdrawing.
With Okada-san on FC Imabari, they are also looking for a promotion to J3. CMIIW, I'm only using google translate on this page http://www.sponichi.co.jp/soccer/news/2014/11/01/kiji/K20141101009207510.html PS: I also just realized that "duck" on FC Imabari logo is the mascot of Imabari City
Its even more fun the ducks name is Barry for the last part of the city name Bari. That duck has a special cult status among japanese football fans. btw. this article goes indept with Okadas idea on Imabari and his motivation to create a Japanese form like the tiki-taka in spain or Löws german style. Its 4 pages long. http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO80339420R01C14A2000000/
Its official Nara, FC Osaka and Club Dragons are promoted to JFL. Although I preferred Fukui going up, I realized when counting how many university teams in the regional leagues that a test case as Club Dragons are needed to shape the pyramid system lower in the system. In Kansai League 5 of 18 teams were university tied teams.
And they still using first year college kids in their rooster? Or perhaps as a stepping stone to establish a pro team in Ryugasaki?
Well one of the things we are gonna see. Theres so many issues about independent university teams in the pyramid, we need a case to see what happens.........
Veertien Kuwana change it's name to Veertien Mie and add Yokkaichi (and all cities/towns in Mie) as it's hometown for next 2015 season in Tokai League Division 2. http://www.veertien.jp/fc/wtn/?p=3295
Hm, they appear serious about J. League future. And looks like there is some nice competition for Suzuka Rampole—Suzuka city is located just between Yokkaichi and Kuwana, so there will be some battle for fans' attention.
Everybody is always talking about Veertiencoming from behind agressively, I think actually they feel threatened by Suzuka because they got new rich owners this october.
Who knows maybe Veertien will have a "Ganju effect" on Rampole? Makes me think of Grulla Morioka who jumped to J3 only once Ganju Iwate had started to become a possible threat to their predominance in Iwate football.
Exactly I think we will see Rampole go into the final 4 in the regional playoffs in 2015 but no promotion, and the year after in 2016 go up. Offcourse its hard to predict but there seems to be a tendency saying first time in regional playoffs unless you are really strong you get smack, next time you win a match or 2, 3rd time you go into the final round and finally you make it.
Any news about the application submitted by Fukushima United to become the 100 Years Plan club? When will the announcement be released?