1. Overview
Narita Takaki (高木 成太Takaki NaritaJapanese, born April 5, 1977) is a former Japanese professional football player and manager. Throughout his playing career, he primarily operated as a midfielder, specifically a defensive midfielder, though he was also registered as a defender later on. He notably played for Yokohama FC, where he was a key figure in their promotion from the Japan Football League (JFL) to the J2 League. After retiring as a player, Takaki transitioned into coaching and management roles, including managing FC Suzuka Rampole and various youth teams. He has also been involved in football administration and community activities.
2. Early Life and Education
Narita Takaki was born on April 5, 1977, in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. His early football development took place at Kunimi High School, where he studied from 1993 to 1995. During his time there, he participated in the National High School Soccer Championship twice. In the 73rd tournament in 1994, Kunimi High was eliminated in the third round, and in the 74th tournament in 1995, they were defeated in the second round. Notable classmates of Takaki at Kunimi High School included fellow footballers Yuzo Funakoshi, Matsumoto Migaki, and Yoshinari Hyakutake.
2.1. Youth and High School Career
Narita Takaki's youth football development was primarily shaped by his time at Kunimi High School in Nagasaki Prefecture, where he attended from 1993 to 1995. This period was crucial for his early career, as he gained significant experience competing in the prestigious National High School Soccer Championship. He appeared in the tournament twice, first in the 73rd edition in 1994, where his team reached the third round, and then in the 74th edition in 1995, where they were eliminated in the second round. His academic and athletic experiences at Kunimi High School laid the foundation for his professional football career.
3. Playing Career
Narita Takaki's playing career spanned over a decade, during which he featured for several clubs across various Japanese leagues, from regional divisions to the J1 League. He was known for his versatile playing style, primarily excelling in midfield roles.
3.1. Club Career
After graduating from high school in 1995, Narita Takaki began his senior playing career in 1996 with Blaze Kumamoto, a club in the Japanese Regional Leagues. While with Blaze Kumamoto, he famously failed an audition for a J-League player on the television show ASAYAN; however, this experience unexpectedly played a role in his subsequent move to a larger club.
In 1998, Takaki joined J1 League club Verdy Kawasaki, though he did not make any competitive appearances during this stint. The following year, in 1999, he moved to the newly formed Yokohama FC, which was then competing in the Japan Football League (JFL). He quickly established himself as a central player for the club, primarily operating as a defensive midfielder. His contributions were instrumental in Yokohama FC winning the JFL championship for two consecutive years, in 1999 and 2000, which secured the club's promotion to the J2 League for the 2001 season.
In 2002, Takaki had a brief return to Tokyo Verdy on a loan spell from Yokohama FC. He made 14 appearances in the J1 League, 6 in the J.League Cup, and 1 in the Emperor's Cup during this period. He returned to Yokohama FC in 2003, playing for them until the end of the season.
After a one-year hiatus from professional football in 2004, Takaki joined JFL club FC Horikoshi in 2005. During his time there, he faced his former club, Yokohama FC, in the third round of the Emperor's Cup at Mitsuzawa Football Stadium. The match was notable for the strong boos he received from Yokohama FC supporters, though he also exchanged jerseys with legendary player Kazuyoshi Miura after the game.
In 2006, he moved to FC Gifu, a club in the Regional Leagues. Later that year, in December 2006, he transferred to MIE Rampole, a club in the Japanese Prefectural Leagues. He announced his retirement from professional football in January 2007, but not before helping MIE Rampole achieve promotion to the Tokai Adult Soccer League through the Tokai Adult Soccer Tournament. MIE Rampole secured victories of 4-0 against FC Gole and 1-0 against Yamaha Motor in the tournament.
Even after his professional retirement, Takaki briefly returned to playing as an amateur. From December 2008 to October 2010, he played for NSP CLUB's top team, which competed in Division 4 of the Tokyo Prefectural Football League. During this period, he participated in and won the Kitaku Football Association Chairman's Cup.
3.2. Playing Style and Position
Narita Takaki, standing at 69 in (174 cm) and weighing 143 lb (65 kg), primarily played as a midfielder. Although he was later registered as a defender in the latter part of his professional career, his natural and most frequent position, especially in the J1 League and J2 League, was as a defensive midfielder (ボランチBoranchiJapanese). He was right-footed.
4. Coaching and Management Career
Following his professional playing career, Narita Takaki transitioned into coaching and management roles, contributing to the development of Japanese football at various levels.
In February 2007, shortly after his retirement as a player, Takaki was appointed as the youth director for Yokogawa Musashino FC. However, he resigned from this position on April 5 of the same year, which coincided with his birthday.
In November 2010, Takaki was appointed as the manager of FC Suzuka Rampole (formerly MIE Rampole), a club he had previously played for at the end of his professional career. He officially took charge from the start of the 2011 season and was also registered as a player for the club. In 2012, his second year as manager, he led FC Suzuka Rampole to win the Tokai Adult Soccer League. This victory was particularly dramatic, as the team secured the championship with a comeback win against FC Gifu SECOND in the final match, after never having held the top spot in the league standings throughout the season. Takaki remained the manager of FC Suzuka Rampole for four years, stepping down in December 2014. Following his managerial tenure, he briefly served as the strengthening director for FC Suzuka Rampole, but departed the club in February 2015.
In April 2016, Takaki took on a new coaching challenge, becoming the manager of the U-18 team for Tokyo 23 FC, an amateur club based in Tokyo.
5. Post-Playing and Management Activities
Beyond his direct involvement as a player and manager, Narita Takaki has undertaken various roles contributing to football development and civic life.
5.1. Administrative and Youth Development Roles
In June 2007, Takaki played a key role in the establishment of "NSP FC", a comprehensive sports club primarily focused on activities in Sumida Ward and Katsushika Ward in Tokyo. This initiative demonstrated his commitment to promoting sports at a grassroots level.
From 2007 to 2010, he served as the School Master for the Yokohama FC Soccer School, a role where he was responsible for overseeing the youth development programs and nurturing young talent for his former club. Following his managerial stint at FC Suzuka Rampole, he briefly held the position of strengthening director for the club in 2015, focusing on improving team performance and player recruitment strategies. His current involvement in youth development continues as the manager of the Tokyo 23 FC U-18 team, a role he assumed in April 2016.
5.2. Civic Engagement and Other Endeavors
In addition to his football-related endeavors, Narita Takaki has shown an interest in public service. In April 2015, he ran as a candidate for the Suzuka City Council election. Despite securing 1,293 votes, he was ultimately unsuccessful in his bid for public office. This venture highlighted his commitment to contributing to the community beyond the realm of professional sports.
6. Career Statistics
| Season | Club | League | League Apps | League Goals | Emperor's Cup Apps | Emperor's Cup Goals | J.League Cup Apps | J.League Cup Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | ||||||||||
| 1996 | Blaze Kumamoto | Regional Leagues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | Regional Leagues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | |
| 1998 | Verdy Kawasaki | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | Yokohama FC | Football League | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 18 | 0 |
| 2000 | Football League | 20 | 5 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 21 | 5 | |
| 2001 | J2 League | 42 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 50 | 4 | |
| 2002 | Tokyo Verdy | J1 League | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 21 | 1 |
| 2003 | Yokohama FC | J2 League | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 23 | 1 |
| 2005 | FC Horikoshi | Football League | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 22 | 1 |
| 2006 | FC Gifu | Regional Leagues | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 0 |
| 2006 | MIE Rampole | Prefectural Leagues | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | NSP CLUB | Tokyo 4th Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | Tokyo 4th Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011 | FC Suzuka Rampole | Tokai 1st Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Tokai 1st Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 141 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 161 | 12 | ||
7. Assessment and Legacy
Narita Takaki's career is marked by his significant contributions both as a player and later as a manager and administrator in Japanese football. As a player, he is most remembered as a foundational member and a key figure in Yokohama FC's early success, particularly their back-to-back Japan Football League championships and subsequent promotion to the J2 League. His consistent performance as a defensive midfielder was crucial during this pivotal period for the club.
His transition into management saw him achieve further success, notably leading FC Suzuka Rampole to win the Tokai Adult Soccer League in 2012, demonstrating his tactical acumen and leadership capabilities. Beyond professional football, Takaki has actively engaged in youth development, serving as a school master for the Yokohama FC Soccer School and a youth director, highlighting his dedication to nurturing the next generation of players. His involvement in establishing NSP FC further exemplifies his commitment to grassroots football. Although his attempt to enter local politics was unsuccessful, it showcased his broader ambition to contribute to society, reflecting a desire to impact the community beyond the football pitch.