FC Gifu

History

During the Japan Soccer League and former Japan Football League years, the city and prefecture of Gifu were represented by the Seino Transportation Co. (西濃運輸 Seinō Un'yu) works team, which was relegated from the old JFL for the last time in 1997 and folded shortly thereafter in January 1998.

The modern-day Gifu club was founded in 2001 (Seino's last manager, Masayuki Katsuno, was among the founders, and a former Seino player, Takashi Umeda, recently returned to town and joined the club following a decade-long stint with Oita Trinita). The club was promoted to the new Japan Football League in 2007 after beating Honda Lock S.C. in the promotion/relegation play-offs.

The team earned third place at the end of the 2007 season, meaning it qualified for promotion to J.League Division 2. On 3 December 2007, J. League approved a promotion for the team for the 2008 season.

The club finished the 2012 season in 21st place, narrowly missing out on relegation to the Japan Football League.

Between 2013 and 2018, the team constantly placed in the lower realms of J.League Division 2 (now renamed to J2 League) and narrowly avoided relegation until 2019, when they finished last in the league and were relegated to J3 League. Since then, the club has played in the J3 League.

Crest

The team's crest was designed to represent Gifu Prefecture. The top of the crest represents the mountain ranges of the northern part of the prefecture. The flowers are Chinese milk vetch, which are the prefectural flower. Each of the three lines represents one of the Kiso Three Rivers flowing through the prefecture. The banner at the base of the crest is the same as the symbol on the helmet of the victorious Tokugawa clan at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

League & cup record

;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

Current squad

As of 22 August 2025.

Out on loan

Coaching staff

Managerial history

Kit evolution

Other teams

They also run as a reserve team FC Gifu Second, which currently plays in the Tōkai Adult League Division 2. They have played in the Emperor's Cup and Shakaijin Cup in the past.

References

References

1. "Club profile". FC Gifu.
2. "Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ）：Ｊリーグ.jp".
3. (29 December 2012). "FC Gifu club information".
4. "Players".
5. ja
6. "Official statistics J League". J League.
7. "Official J League Statistics". J League.
8. "Notice of contact termination of coach Yasuaki Oshima".
9. "Kiyotaka Ishimaru Announcement of Director Inauguration".