JFA Hall of Fame Inductee

UCHINO Tairei

Inductees Recommended by the Committee (Special Selection)

Born in Kanagawa on 29 April 1885

Childhood Name: Sakuzo Shirota
Graduated from Tokyo Normal Higher School
Scholar of Chinese classics. Serves as professor at Tokyo Normal Higher School and Tokyo University of Science and Arts, head of literature at Komazawa University, and head priest at Daijoji (Soto Zen)

In 1919, when head of the graduates' football club at Tokyo Normal Higher School, Uchino - together with Jigoro Kano, president of Greater Japan Sports Association and headmaster of Tokyo Normal Higher School - accepts receipt of FA Cup from Football Association in England. Receiving guidance on the operation of the English FA and the rules of the competition from British Embassy Secretary William Hague, and devoting all energies both to organisation building and to the selection of a president (ultimately appointing Jikichi Imamura as first president), Uchino makes a tireless contribution to the foundation of the JFA in 1921. Even after the foundation, Uchino is active in the heart of operations as one of the founder board members. Meanwhile, the JFA "three-legged bird" logo adopted in 1931 is a composite by Jitsuzo Hinago of ideas presented by Uchino and others.

Takes interest in coaching as well as playing from time at Tokyo Normal Higher School, and works to strengthen the clubs and boost the popularity of football in his teaching roles at Toshima Normal School from 1909 and later at Tokyo Normal Higher School again. In 1917, forms first club team in Japan, "Tokyo Football Club", consisting mainly of players from the three normal schools of Tokyo Normal Higher School, Toshima, and Aoyama. Focuses on raising level and popularity of Japanese football, bringing new perspective to previously school-centred sport.
In 1918, works on development of football in Kanto, including role as head of committee of Kanto Football Tournament, which was originally hosted by Tokyo Football Club. Later becomes president of Kanto Football Association. Awarded 3rd Class Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1941 Passes away in 1953

• 
  IMAMURA Jikichi
• William HAIGH