It’s always great to see interest in the Japanese game from overseas and one of the names we see regularly on Twitter is
@JleaguefanChris who follows the game from afar. I thought I’d find out a little more about the man behind the Tweets and the web site: http://jleaguefanchris.wordpress.com
JS: Chris, thank you for agreeing to tell us about yourself. The first question is obvious: who are you!?
JLeague Fan Chris: Well, a short intro is needed first… My name is Chris Rowcroft aka JLeaguefanChris, and I am from a small town in County Durham in the North East of England, where my “main team” in English Non League Level is Spennymoor Town FC, who currently play in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division North, I have been a fan of Spennymoor (United, which folded in 2005 and evolved into the current incarnation) since I was ten years old,. For the past six years I have been a volunteer at the club; as a steward, selling programmes and also filming games, but I’ve been given the full role of the club’s cameraman for this season after stepping down as a steward.
JS: Wow, that is certainly deeply involved in the club. How do you find time to watch Japanese Football and, of course, why? And how?!
JLFC: How I got into Japanese Football is an interesting story. When I was in college a few years ago, I stumbled across a news article on the Japan Times website about Tokyo Verdy’s financial problems. Tis struck a nerve and I felt sorry for the club as a team close to my heart – and closer to home, of course – Spennymoor United, had folded a few years before due to financial problems, so I instantly made a decision to follow Verdy, and support them. I also did a bit of research on the team, and the J.League at that time, but I didn’t really do much more than keep up with Tokyo Verdy’s results to begin with.
JS: I am guessing there is more to this story on the way then ….
JLFC: Indeed, a few years later (on March 15th, 2013, to be exact) I started my Twitter account and immediately got more involved in the Japanese game through people like yourself at JSoccer Magazine and Angus at Japan Footy on Twitter being extremely helpful with anything I asked or discussed with my account. So I soon got started updating the 2013 J.League season matchdays at 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning – UK time – while watching a live game. I was then up till maybe 12 noon before heading out to watch Spennymoor play either home or away, and film the game.
JS: An interesting story. It’s fun to hear how people got into a certain team, or league, or player. Just a little sympathy for Verdy started it all! And then came a web site, too!
JLFC: In September 2013 I started a WordPress blog for all things J League. It began with an Emperor’s Cup 2013 1st/2nd, 3rd Round Draw article and, here I am, still blogging about J.League to this very day. I love learning new things about Japanese Football these days – from the JFL to the Women’s game – Nadeshiko League and Challenge League.
JS: I am sure I’ve seen a soft sport for another team in your writings?
JLFC: Yes, indeed. Another team I follow closely in the Japanese football world is A.C Nagano Parceiro – currently playing in Division 3. of course, I watched a live match when Parceiro were playing in the JFL and they stormed the game, playing some really good football and I instantly fell in love with the club.
JS: Another love at first sight meeting in Japanese Football! So, when are you coming
over?!
JLFC: My dream is to travel to Japan and watch a game from each of J.League divisions 1, 2 and 3, as well as the JFL and some Regional League games, It has been a dream of mine to visit Japan because of a love of anime/manga, in addition to the football! Can I take this opportunity to thank you – Alan – since a few of my articles have made it onto JSoccer. com and JSoccer’s Facebook page, thank you for the support.
JS: No, thank YOU for YOUR interest and support ofJSoccer – the magazine and the web site – and all things Japanese Football. It’s always nice to have enthusiastic new faces on the “scene”. And now you’ve also “made it” into the magazine. Keep up the good work, sir!
Jleague Fan Chris is Chris Rowcroft Follow him on Twitter @jleaguefanchris Check out the web site:
http://jleaguefanchris.wordpress.com
