2014 Japan Football League
| Season | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Champions |
Honda FC 5th JFL title 1st D4 title |
| Promoted | Renofa Yamaguchi |
| Matches played | 182 |
| Goals scored | 492 (2.7 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Kazuhito Kishida (17 goals) |
| Highest attendance | 4,569 Renofa vs Honda FC |
| Lowest attendance | 145 Maruyasu vs Yokogawa |
| Average attendance | 859 |
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← 2013
2015 →
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The 2014 Japan Football League was the first season of the nationwide fourth tier of the Japanese football, and the 16th season since the establishment of Japan Football League. The first stage of the season commenced from 16 March to 8 June, and the second stage of the season commenced on 19 July, and ended on 9 November, while post-season championship playoffs were held on 23 and 30 November.
Honda FC defeated SP Kyoto FC in the final series, winning their first title since 2008, and fifth in JFL overall. Meanwhile, Renofa Yamaguchi won promotion to J3 League after it has finished 4th in the table and fulfilled all licensing criteria set by J. League.
After 10 of 18 teams were set to leave JFL for newly created J3, the league announced that it would suffer a contraction and only 14 teams would participate in 2014. The league would accommodate all winners of the Regional League promotion series and would accept applications from another Regional clubs that are willing to participate in the nationwide league. On December 4, 2013 the league announced the final list of promoted teams.
The league will turn to two-stage format, similar to the one J. League had in its early years and is planning to reintroduce in 2015. Two single round-robin stages will be held, and winners of each stage will determine the champion in the post-season home and away championship playoffs. If the same team manages to win both stages, no playoffs will be held, and they will be automatically declared champions.
No relegation is expected to take place in 2014 season, as the league anticipates expansion to 16 teams in 2015.
According to updated J. League Terms, in order to be promoted to J3 League the clubs must comply the following requirements:
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