Roasso Kumamoto

Roasso Kumamoto (ロアッソ熊本, Roasso Kumamoto) is a Japanese football (soccer) club based in Kumamoto, the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture. Roasso Kumamoto was promoted to J. League Division 2 for the first time at the end of the 2007 season, and played their first season in 2008 where they finished 12th. Their team colour is red.

History

The club was founded as Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) Kumamoto Soccer Club in 1969. The club was promoted to the Kyushu Regional League in 1983.

When NTT was privatised in 1985, the club was renamed as NTT Kyushu Soccer Club. The club changed their name again to NTT West Kumamoto Soccer Club in 1999 when NTT was divided into NTT West and NTT East.

The club was promoted to the JFL in 2001 and finished 8th. In 2002, NTT relinquished the ownership of the club and community-oriented Alouette Kumamoto was born. Alouette is a French word meaning skylark, the symbol bird of Kumamoto Prefecture. The club finished 17th that season and was relegated to the Kyushu League.