FC Tokyo 2001 Training Shirt

FC TOKYO - TRAINING SHIRT 2001

FC Tokyo trace their roots to 1935 and the works team of Tokyo Gas, taking their current name in 1999 when a consortium of Tokyo companies backed a push into the professional J.League. They are based in Chōfu in western Tokyo and are nicknamed the Aoaka (Blue and Reds) after their colours, or simply the Gasmen. In 2001 the club finally settled into a permanent home at what is now Ajinomoto Stadium, having spent their early years playing across a string of Tokyo venues.

The 2001 season, during which this training shirt was worn, was FC Tokyo's second in the top flight and confirmed they belonged there. Managed by Kiyoshi Okuma, they finished a comfortable 8th of 16, winning 10, drawing 5 and losing 11 of their 30 games with a perfectly balanced record of 47 goals scored and 47 conceded.

The club's fast-rising popularity was one of the stories of the year, home crowds averaging over 22,000 and comfortably outdrawing city neighbours Tokyo Verdy, who had just relocated from Kawasaki.

Brazilian forward Amaral, adored by supporters as "The King of Tokyo", led the scoring with 17 league goals and remains one of the club's greatest icons, sitting third on their all-time list. 

Follow the club on X: @fctokyoofficial