Ventforet Kofu

Ventforet Kofu is a Japanese football club founded in 1965 in the city of Kofu.

The team claimed their first silverwares in 1969 as they won the Shakaijin Cup and Kanto Soccer League title. In 1992, they were one of the founding members of the Japan Football League. In 1999, the new J. League Division 2 was formed and Ventforet Kofu got a spot in the competition. However, the team faced uneasy times in between 1999 and 2001 and their 3 consecutive finishes at the bottom of the table earned them a moniker Excess baggage of J2. Though, later Ventforet ensured a more positive outlook and in 2005 they finished third thus winning a promotion to the J. League Division 1. Their stay at the top flight was short-lived as in 2008 the club found themselves in J2 again. In between 2008 and 2012, Ventforet bounced up and down between the second and first tiers. In the 2012 season, they topped the J. League 2 and were promoted to the top flight where compete today.

Ventforet Kofu play their home matches at Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium which can hold up to 17,000 spectators.