Supporter Thanks Day 2011

Barry writes:

It's that time of year again! New arrivals, photo ops, players in drag - the annual Supporter Thanks Day took place at the sprawling Twin Messe exhibition centre this afternoon. As much as all the various things to do, it was a chance to bump into all those faces behind the goal I'd not seen for a while. The season can't start soon enough!

Just shy of 6000 people turned out for a classic afternoon of S-Pulse related fun and occasional sillyness. I'm tired after another late one watching Japan claim the crown of Asian Kings, so I'll let the pictures do the talking. To have a look at 2009 and 2010's Thanks Days just click.

What it was all about

That new kit up close

The Boss

Orange suits you, fella!

Iwashita struck up conversation with me :)

I drew Nagai for my photo

Ono - Player of the year 2010

Outrageousness

Brighton and Hove Albion - S-Pulse Collaboration

Supporter's Thanks Day 2010 / Okazaki Player of the Year

Barry writes:

Players singing in drag, embarrassing President Obama impressions and photos with players. Another year another Supporter's Thanks Day. Yesterday myself and fellow UK Ultras Yujiro and Susie trooped off to Shizuoka's vast Twin Messe event complex for the annual festival of all things S-Pulse.

Aside from the various attractions and things to do we also got to meet our line up for 2010, hear the result of last year's player of the year vote, and generally pass a thoroughly pleasant closed season Saturday afternoon. This year around 6300 fans turned out, 500 more than last year, making it by far our most successful Thanks Day event.

As for the player of the year, the result was as follows:

3) Johnsen

2) Iwashita

1) Okazaki

No surprises there, then. Iwashita was immense in 2009 and visibly grew as a player over the season. Okazaki was always going to be the winner though, and I'm sure the vote wasn't even slightly close!

As for the rest of the day, I'll let some pictures do the talking.

Thousands turned out
Mr Hayagawa and half the team
The other half
This year's shirt
Gorgeous!
Ono
Nishibe, Edamura and some English fella

Only six weeks till the new season, and we now know we have a friendly to help pass the time, so I'll see you all down Nihondaira on Feb 28th, then?

Supporters Thanks Day 2009

In how many other countries do fans get the opportunity to, once a year, head to a huge event hall and watch their heroes dressed up as women performing song and dance routines? In the past I always gave the annual Thanks Day a miss, but I'm glad I was encouraged by Takumi to get off my backside and go this year.

Think a small-scale festival of all things S-Pulse, where everyone is there to have a bit of fun and you can get your photo taken surrounded by the short-skirted beauties of the Orange Wave cheer leader troop. According to Nikkan Sports, around 5800 fans turned out to make it our most popular Thanks Day yet. After getting to see Nagahata in a red dress singing the theme to Ponyo, I doubt anyone went home disappointed!

With food and beer on sale, I could have stayed there all day. Along with the forthcoming SDT Cup, it's another nice little way to spend a Saturday afternoon while we wait for the new season.

Time for a few pics!

Yours truly and Hyodo. We had a short chat, and a thoroughly nice bloke he was too.
The chiselled good looks of new signing Nagai. A massive hit with the ladies, and he'll bring a few extra through the gate this year, I don't doubt!
Johnsen was also a hit with the womenfolk, getting a rousing reception during the opening ceremony.
Omae Genki looking relaxed. A little later he was in a sparkly dress singing up on stage. :)
Someone we're all looking forward to seeing back in action this season; Jungo Fujimoto.
It had to be done. :)
That new shirt collar design up close. I'm a fan.
A small section of the huge numbers who turned out for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. I'll be there next year for sure, and with beer available from 10am, probably a lot earlier than this year!

Right, enough from me, I'm off up Fuz's place for a Burns Supper. Have a good weekend!