Thespa Gunma (ザスパ群馬, Zasupa Gunma), formerly Thespakusatsu Gunma (ザスパクサツ群馬, Zasupakusatsu Gunma) is a professional football (soccer) club based in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture in Japan. The club set to play in the J3 League from 2025 after relegation from J2 in 2024, Japanese third tier of professional football.
 | |||
| Nickname(s) | Thespa (ザスパ, Zasupa) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 (as Liaison Kusatsu) 2005 (as Thespa Kusatsu) 2013 (as Thespakusatsu Gunma) 2024 as (Thespa Gunma) | ||
| Ground | Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma Maebashi, Gunma | ||
| Capacity | 15,253 | ||
| Owner | Kusatsu Onsen Football Club | ||
| Chairman | Tomohiko Nara | ||
| Manager | Masaru Okita | ||
| League | J3 League | ||
| 2024 | J2 League, 20th of 20 (relegated) | ||
| Website | thespa | ||
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History
editThe club was founded in 1995 in Kusatsu, one of the most well-known spa resorts in Japan, as Liaison Kusatsu Football Club.[1] The players were students of the specialized training college Higashi Nihon Soccer Academy. When the school closed in 1999 due to financial difficulties, the players decided to stay in Kusatsu and keep the club alive. In 2002, the club was incorporated as K.K. Kusatsu Onsen Football Club with a future promotion to the J. League in mind and adopted the new team name Thespa Kusatsu (ザスパ草津, zasupa kusatsu), meaning "The Spa, Kusatsu".[1]
Because of J. League restrictions on stadiums, they play at Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma (Shikishima Athletics Stadium) in nearby Maebashi, the prefectural capital since the club were promoted to J. League Division 2 in the 2005 season.[2]
From 1 February 2013, the club adopted the new name "Thespakusatsu Gunma", to give the impression of the club as a representative of the entire Gunma Prefecture, while still leaving the name "Kusatsu" in it, as well as the logo of the club as it is.[3][4]
After 12 years spent in the J2 League, Thespakusatsu Gunma were relegated to the J3 League for the first time in their history, having finished in last place in the 2017 J2 League. Gunma returned to the J2 League ahead of the 2020 season after being promoted back to J2 after two years spent in J3.
On 5 October 2023, Thespakusatsu Gunma announced officially, a change of name and logo to Thespa Gunma commencing from the 2024 season, dropping the "Kusatsu" which was included in the name since 2005. [5]
On 29 September 2024, Thespa Gunma were officially relegated to J3 for the second time in their history, for the 2025 season after a defeat by Roasso Kumamoto 2-3 at home, which ended four years in second tier with five games remaining.
Stadium and training ground
editThe home stadium is Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma, Maebashi, Gunma. The capacity of the stadium is 15,253. The training ground is GCC The Park in Maebashi.
Record as J. League member
edit| Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Promoted | Relegated |
| League | J. League Cup |
Emperor's Cup | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Div. | Teams | Pos. | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | Attendance/G | ||
| As Thespa Kusatsu | ||||||||||||||
| 2005 | J2 | 12 | 12th | 44 | 5 | 8 | 31 | 26 | 82 | -56 | 23 | 3,959 | Not eligible | 4th round |
| 2006 | 13 | 12th | 48 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 54 | 86 | -32 | 42 | 3,736 | 4th round | ||
| 2007 | 13 | 11th | 48 | 7 | 21 | 20 | 42 | 71 | -29 | 42 | 3,808 | 4th round | ||
| 2008 | 15 | 9th | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 45 | 52 | -7 | 53 | 4,215 | 3rd round | ||
| 2009 | 18 | 10th | 51 | 18 | 11 | 22 | 64 | 76 | -12 | 65 | 4,330 | 3rd round | ||
| 2010 | 19 | 12th | 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 48 | 4,424 | 2nd round | ||
| 2011 | 20 | 9th | 38 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 51 | 51 | 0 | 57 | 3,211 | 2nd round | ||
| 2012 | 22 | 17th | 42 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 31 | 15 | -14 | 47 | 3,341 | 2nd round | ||
| As Thespakusatsu Gunma | ||||||||||||||
| 2013 | J2 | 22 | 20th | 42 | 9 | 13 | 20 | 43 | 61 | -18 | 40 | 3,571 | Not eligible | 2nd round |
| 2014 | 22 | 18th | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 45 | 54 | -9 | 49 | 3,689 | 4th round | ||
| 2015 | 22 | 18th | 42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 34 | 56 | -22 | 48 | 4,099 | 1st round | ||
| 2016 | 22 | 17th | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 52 | 66 | -14 | 45 | 4,744 | 2nd round | ||
| 2017 | 22 | 22nd | 42 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 32 | 88 | -56 | 20 | 3,832 | 3rd round | ||
| 2018 | J3 | 17 | 5th | 32 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 37 | 35 | 2 | 52 | 3,346 | 2nd round | |
| 2019 | 18 | 2nd | 34 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 59 | 34 | 25 | 63 | 3,594 | 2nd round | ||
| 2020 † | J2 | 22 | 20th | 42 | 15 | 4 | 23 | 40 | 62 | -22 | 49 | 1,709 | Did not qualify | |
| 2021 † | 22 | 18th | 42 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 35 | 56 | -21 | 41 | 2,082 | 4th round | ||
| 2022 | 22 | 20th | 42 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 36 | 57 | -21 | 42 | 3,076 | Round of 16 | ||
| 2023 | 22 | 11th | 42 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 57 | 4,116 | 2nd round | ||
| As Thespa Gunma | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | J2 | 20 | 20th | 38 | 3 | 9 | 26 | 24 | 62 | -38 | 18 | 3,988 | 2nd round | 2nd round |
| 2025 | J3 | 20 | TBD | 38 | ||||||||||
- Key
- Pos. = Position in league; P = Games played; W = Games won; D = Games drawn; L = Games lost; F = Goals scored; A = Goals conceded; GD = Goals difference; Pts = Points gained
- Attendance/G = Average home league attendance
- † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
- Source: J. League Data Site
Honours
edit| Honour | No. | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gunma Prefecture Division 4 | 1 | 1995 | as Liaison Kusatsu |
| Gunma Prefecture Division 3 | 1 | 1996 | |
| Gunma Prefecture 2nd Division A | 1 | 1997 | |
| Gunma Prefecture Division 2 B | 1 | 2001 | |
| Gunma Prefecture Division 1 | 1 | 2002 | as Thespa Kusatsu |
| Kantō Division 2 | 1 | 2003 | |
| Gunma Prefectural Football Association President's Cup Soccer Tournament |
3 | 2003, 2018, 2019 |
Current squad
edit- As of 13 August 2024.[6]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Coaching staff
editCoaching staff for 2024.[7]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Akira Muto
|
| Coach | Kentaro Yoshida
|
| Assistant coach | Ryo Ishibashi
|
| Goalkeeping coach | Hidetoyo Watanabe
|
| Analyst | Yota Sakuma
|
| Physical coach | Yutaka Aoki
|
| Physiotherapist | Koki Katakai
|
| Trainer | Ryo Murakami Ryoji Sejino
|
| Chief secretary | Ryo Suzuki
|
| Team secretary | Ryota Osawa
|
| Kitman | Riku Takahashi
|
Managerial history
edit| Manager | Nationality | Tenure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Finish | ||
| Ratko Stevović |  Montenegro |
1995 | 1997 |
| Naoki Kimura | Japan |
1998 | 1999 |
| Ratko Stevović | Montenegro |
2000 | 2001 |
| Ryōsuke Okuno | Japan |
1 February 2002 | 31 January 2004 |
| Satoshi Tezuka | Japan |
1 January 2005 | 31 December 2005 |
| Shigeharu Ueki | Japan |
1 February 2006 | 31 January 2009 |
| Tōru Sano | Japan |
1 February 2009 | 31 January 2010 |
| Hiroshi Soejima | Japan |
1 February 2010 | 31 January 2013 |
| Tadahiro Akiba | Japan |
1 February 2013 | 31 January 2015 |
| Hiroki Hattori | Japan |
1 January 2015 | 31 December 2016 |
| Hitoshi Morishita | Japan |
1 February 2017 | 31 January 2018 |
| Keiichirō Nuno | Japan |
1 February 2018 | 31 January 2020 |
| Ryōsuke Okuno | Japan |
1 February 2020 | 4 July 2021 |
| Kiyokazu Kudō | Japan |
5 July 2021 | 31 January 2022 |
| Tsuyoshi Otsuki | Japan |
1 February 2022 | 8 May 2024 |
| Akira Muto | Japan |
9 May 2024 [8] | 31 January 2025 |
| Masaru Okita | Japan |
1 February 2025 [9] | present |
Kit evolution
edit| Home kits - 1st | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
          2003 - 2004 |
     2005 |
     2006 - 2007 |
     2008 |
     2009 |
    2010 |
    2011 |
     2012 |
     2013 |
     2014 |
     2015 |
    2016 |
     2017 |
     2018 |
     2019 |
     2020 |
     2021 |
     2022 |
     2023 |
     2024 - |
| Away kits - 2nd | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
     2003 - 2004 |
     2005 |
    2006 - 2007 |
     2008 |
     2009 |
  2010 |
    2011 |
     2012 |
     2013 |
     2014 |
     2015 |
    2016 |
     2017 |
     2018 |
     2019 |
     2020 |
     2021 |
     2022 |
   2023 |
     2024 - |
References
edit- ^ a b "Club guide; Thespa Kusatsu". J. League. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
- ^ "Two JFL clubs apply for J. League entry". Japan Times. September 30, 2004. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ^ Ken Matsushita (February 12, 2014). "Classifying the J2 teams from top to bottom". ONE World Sports. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ チーム名・ロゴ・マスコット [Team name, Emblem, Mascot] (in Japanese). Thespakusatsu Gunma. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ "新クラブプロパティについて". ザスパクサツ群馬. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
- ^ "2024 Season Member". Thespakusatsu Gunma. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ "Coaching staff for 2024". thespa-co-jp. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "武藤 覚ヘッドコーチ 新監督就任のお知らせ". thespa.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "沖田 優 氏の監督就任決定について". ザスパ群馬. 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
External links
edit- Official website (in Japanese)