Japan Soccer
Kyoto Sanga Purple No MoreJapanese J-2 side Kyoto Sanga have decided to drop the "Purple" from their name and will no longer be known as "Kyoto Purple Sanga" but as plain "Kyoto Sanga" for the forthcoming 2007 J-League campaign.
Sanga have been a yo-yo club of late, twice promoted from J-2 and twice relegated after the heady days of an Emperor's Cup win under erstwhile coach Gert Engels.
A change of name may bring a change of fortune according to Japanese tradition, but it is hard to see Kyoto Sanga with gates under 10,000, establishing themselves in J-1, until they find a new football specific stadium.
The color change leaves champions Urawa Red Diamonds as the sole J-League side with a color in their name. The "Purple" in Kyoto's name referred to the Imperial color, favored by the Japanese Emperors who lived in the city until 1868.
J.League News
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