In 2002, they were promoted to the Japan Football League (JFL), but their performance was lacklustre.
In September, Kashiwada Kiyomitsu resigned as manager, and Hashimitsu Shiro stepped in as the coach while also playing for the team.
However, they did achieve their first victory in the first round of the 82nd Emperor's Cup All Japan Football Championship.
However, this period was marked by the departure of nineteen players and staff from the club in February 2003.
In the 83rd Emperor's Cup, they were defeated by Momoyama Gakuin University in the first round.