The Japan National Stadium was filled with excitement over FC Tokyo's victory in the Tamagawa Clasico, their first since the 2018 season. After the match, the Tokyo players, reporting the win to their blue and red comrades filling the stands, wore blue T-shirts.
Hotaka Everyone is waiting You’ll never walk alone
What was written there was a message to Hotaka NAKAMURA, who suffered a severe injury—a right Achilles tendon rupture—near the end of the Sec. 10 match against Albirex Niigata, forcing him into a long-term absence of about six months.
"We are fighting together with Hotaka."
What fostered the movement to send that message and involve fans and supporters in supporting Nakamura was the thoughtful gesture of a certain player, the team's feelings, and the team manager who worked tirelessly to give shape to those feelings.
A heartfelt T-shirt finalized in about three hours
It was May 2nd.
On the way to the away game against Avispa Fukuoka the next day, a player suddenly spoke to Chief Manager Kazuaki Ban during the trip to the venue.
"Is there anything we can do to encourage Hotaka?"
The one who spoke was Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who also had experience of a long-term absence due to a major injury.
"When I was with Yokohama F.Marinos, there was a player who suffered a major injury during the season. To convey my feelings for him and to show that, as a 'family,' we were fighting together on his behalf, we once wore a uniform with a message for that player on the front and his number on the back during warm-ups. It was based on that experience that I made the proposal to Chief Manager Ban."
Having witnessed a teammate's serious injury firsthand and drawing on his own experience, Teruhito NAKAGAWA harbored a strong desire to overcome various hardships together with his teammates. This idea can be seen as a proposal unique to NAKAGAWA, who places utmost importance on the sense of “family” and “unity” that he deeply felt during the process of winning two league championships with Yokohama FM.
To respond to that sentiment, Manager Ban also quickly took action.
"At first, we struggled a lot with what kind of item to create. Trying to add messages to the current uniform base would not allow enough time for completion. There were ideas such as printing messages on players' T-shirts or having players wear Nakamura's goods, but thanks to the merchandising department moving quickly, we somehow settled on printing the message on a blue T-shirt in the club's colors."
Starting with the Merchandising Department, each division worked tirelessly to shape their feelings for player Nakamura and deliver those sentiments to him.
"At the same time as deciding on the items, I wanted to decide what message to print, so I created a LINE group chat for all players except for player Nakamura. It was around 3pm on the 2nd, I believe." The chat screen quickly filled up with each player's passionate thoughts.
Amid passionate messages from players waiting for his return, such as "We're waiting for you, Hotaka!", team captain Masato MORISHIGE posted the club's signature phrase, "You’ll never walk alone." Receiving widespread support from teammates and with everyone wishing for Hotaka NAKAMURA’s comeback, the opening message was unanimously decided.
"From player Nakagawa's proposal to the conception of the T-shirt message and the completion of the design, everyone in the responsible departments took action. The business department coordinated with sponsors, and the operations department handled adjustments and outreach to the J.League and others. I am grateful that everything was completed in about three hours and that everyone involved supported us, and thanks to that, I believe we were able to deliver the T-shirts the day before the Kawasaki Frontale match. There were voices wondering whether we would walk around the stadium wearing the T-shirts regardless of winning or losing, but I boldly declared that we would win no matter what (laughs). We won the match, and I’m glad we were able to deliver the message to player Nakamura."
Chief Manager Ban spoke with a smile, as if recalling that day.
"I want to welcome him at an exciting time"
"When I was with Yokohama FM, I had the impression that encouraging injured players with message T-shirts like this was a very good idea. I believe that good ideas should be adopted regardless of the club, skillfully incorporating each club’s colors and character. This time, I proposed creating a message uniform as a kind of 'flavoring' for the club. I have feelings for player Nakamura and a relationship playing on the same side. I also understand the pain of suffering a serious injury. When I thought about what actions would encourage him and what would make Nakamura happy, the idea of wearing a T-shirt came to mind. I’m sure Nakamura is pleased as well."
The initiator, player Nakagawa, looked back. And finally, when asked about Nakamura’s return, he concluded with these words.
"Not only I, but all of my teammates wish for his speedy return, and we have been moved by Nakamura’s fighting spirit and passionate passion. Naturally, there is sadness when such a player is sidelined, but I believe he is also working hard on rehabilitation to come back. With the thought of 'for Hotaka Nakamura,' we made the T-shirts and all wore them, and I believe it is important to once again aim for the 'championship.' We want to keep winning each match while carrying Nakamura’s feelings on our backs, and also welcome him back at an exciting time like the championship race. The attitude of fighting for someone else is what Tokyo needs now, and I want to continue playing with the feeling of 'Wait for Hotaka.'"
After the Kawasaki match, a message from player Nakamura was sent to the LINE talk group that players and staff are participating in, saying, "(Message T-shirt) Thank you very much. I will believe in everyone and work hard on rehabilitation. I will definitely overcome it and come back stronger. Nice victory!! Thank you for your hard work!!"
Everyone's passionate feelings were surely conveyed through the screen.
You'll never walk alone You are never alone.
"Wait for Hota"
