1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Hitoshi Tomishima's early life and educational background laid the foundation for his professional football career, with significant involvement in youth and university football.
1.1. Birth and Education
Tomishima was born on June 1, 1964, in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. His academic journey included attending Kyushu Gakuin High School and later Fukuoka University.
1.2. Youth and University Football
During his high school years from 1980 to 1982, Tomishima played for the Kyushu Gakuin High School football team. He participated in the 61st National High School Soccer Championship in 1982, where his team was eliminated in the second round. Following high school, he continued his football development at Fukuoka University from 1983 to 1986.
2. Professional Playing Career
Hitoshi Tomishima's professional career saw him play for two major Japanese clubs before his retirement, establishing himself as a prominent forward.
2.1. Yokohama Flügels
In 1987, after graduating from Fukuoka University, Tomishima joined All Nippon Airways SC, then a Japan Soccer League (JSL) Division 2 club. He quickly became a key player as a forward, making significant contributions that helped the club achieve promotion to JSL Division 1 in 1988. The club was later rebranded as Yokohama Flügels. He continued to play for Yokohama Flügels until 1993. In 1992, with the restructuring of Japanese football and the establishment of the J1 League, Tomishima's playing opportunities began to decrease.
2.2. Fujieda Blux / Fukuoka Blux
In 1994, Tomishima moved to Japan Football League club Fujieda Blux. While the English source indicates he played no matches during this period, the detailed Japanese statistics show he made 22 appearances and scored 5 goals for Fujieda Blux in the 1994 season. In 1995, the club rebranded as Fukuoka Blux. Tomishima did not feature in any matches during the 1995 season. He retired from professional football at the end of the 1995 season.
2.3. Playing Style
Standing at 71 in (180 cm) tall and weighing 165 lb (75 kg), Tomishima played primarily as a forward (FW). He was particularly known for his proficiency in post-play, which involves receiving the ball with his back to the goal and holding off defenders to create opportunities for teammates or himself. His playing style allowed him to effectively contribute to the team's offensive strategies.
2.4. Career Statistics
Hitoshi Tomishima's professional club career statistics are detailed below, encompassing appearances and goals in various league, cup, and league cup competitions. His J.League debut was on July 7, 1993, against JEF United Chiba at Ichihara Seaside Stadium, and he scored his first J.League goal on July 31, 1993, also against JEF United Chiba, at Mitsuzawa Stadium.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup / JSL Cup | Total | ||||||
| 1987 | All Nippon Airways | JSL Division 2 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 28 | 12 |
| 1988-89 | JSL Division 1 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 3 | |
| 1989-90 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 3 | ||
| 1990-91 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||
| 1991-92 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||
| 1992 | Yokohama Flügels | J1 League | - | 2 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||
| 1994 | Fujieda Blux | Football League | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | 22 | 5 | |
| 1995 | Fukuoka Blux | Football League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 123 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 4 | 147 | 28 | ||
Other official matches:
- 1990: Konica Cup - 4 appearances, 0 goals
- 1991: Konica Cup - 3 appearances, 0 goals
3. After Retirement
Following his retirement as a professional football player, Hitoshi Tomishima transitioned into a career in coaching, focusing on football development.
3.1. Coaching Career
After concluding his playing career, Tomishima pursued further education in football coaching by studying abroad in England. He obtained a Japan Football Association certified B-class coaching license. Since 2003, he has been actively involved in youth football development, serving as the school master for the Coerver Coaching Soccer School Joinus branch. In this role, he dedicates his efforts to training the next generation of football players.