Shimizu S-Pulse (清水エスパルス, Shimizu Esuparusu) is a professional Japanese football club. Located in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, S-Pulse currently competes in the J1 League (J1). Formed as recently as 1991, S-Pulse are one of the youngest professional teams in Japan. The club was formed at the advent of the J.League in 1991, and originally consisted of players drawn exclusively from Shizuoka Prefecture; a unique distinction at the time.
Given the club's youth when compared to many of their J1 peers, S-Pulse have had a relatively large impact on Japanese football. Since the game turned professional in 1992, they are one of the most prolific and consistent performers in cup competitions, having made no less than ten final appearances: five times in the Emperor's...