Another team in the lower reaches of Japan's football pyramid are now staking a claim for a piece of the big time. MIE Rampole are based in the small city of Nabari in Mie prefecture, the name coming from a corruption of Rampo Edogawa, an author of detective novels and a native of the club's home town. Originally formed in 1980, Rampole were most recently known as Nabari Admiral and took on their spectacular new moniker at the start of 2006, when they competed in Division 1 of the Mie Prefectural League.
But like a good number of clubs from across Japan, Rampole have their sights set on a J-League place, "ideally in four years' time," says their website, a trifle ambitiously. To be fair, however, the team has been boosted by the arrival from FC Gifu of defensive midfielder Narita Takagi - formerly with Verdy Kawasaki and Yokohama FC among others - and defender Keiichiro Hashimoto.
Kaito-kun, MIE Rampole’s Mascot of Mystery
The new coach is Naoki Kurimoto, who played extensively in the old JSL before retiring in 1980. Having subsequently coached at ANA SC before working with the goalkeepers at ANA's pro manifestation, Yokohama Flugels. Since that time, he has spent time with both Consadole Sapporo and Kyoto Purple Sanga. But as well as taking their name from author Edogawa, Rampole have adopted a mascot that they feel is representative of his work in all its spookily mysterious glory. Who knows if he and Kurimoto will guide the team to glory.
But like a good number of clubs from across Japan, Rampole have their sights set on a J-League place, "ideally in four years' time," says their website, a trifle ambitiously. To be fair, however, the team has been boosted by the arrival from FC Gifu of defensive midfielder Narita Takagi - formerly with Verdy Kawasaki and Yokohama FC among others - and defender Keiichiro Hashimoto.
Kaito-kun, MIE Rampole’s Mascot of Mystery
The new coach is Naoki Kurimoto, who played extensively in the old JSL before retiring in 1980. Having subsequently coached at ANA SC before working with the goalkeepers at ANA's pro manifestation, Yokohama Flugels. Since that time, he has spent time with both Consadole Sapporo and Kyoto Purple Sanga. But as well as taking their name from author Edogawa, Rampole have adopted a mascot that they feel is representative of his work in all its spookily mysterious glory. Who knows if he and Kurimoto will guide the team to glory.
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