Oita plan to borrow from a special J-League fund set up for clubs in financial difficulties, making it the first team from the top flight to be bailed out of trouble. Oita did not divulge the amount but it is thought to be in the region of 200 million yen.

Oita have been forced to go cap in hand to the J-League after gate receipts and sponsorship fees fell well below the club's expectations this season.

"It has been extremely difficult to raise funds. We have been unable to obtain funds by ourselves and will really have to slim down the scale of our business operation," said Oita club president Hiroshi Mizohata.

"As president of the club, I am responsible for our deteriorating financial position. I feel very sorry for the fans. I will work hard toward trying to get us back into the first division," he said.

Oita mounted a serious challenge for the league title last season and won the Nabisco Cup, their first major domestic trophy. However, all the positives from 2008 were undone by a spate of injuries to key personnel and the loss of Brazilians Ueslei and Roberto.

Pericles Chamusca was fired after failing in his attempts to revive Trinita's fortunes and new manager Ranko Popovic, despite his best efforts, could not save the club from the drop.

Oita were relegated Oct. 24 after a 1-1 draw away to Kyoto Sanga. Maruhan Corp., a leisure-related business giant, has pumped 1.3 billion yen into the club since July 2005, but it has decided not to renew its sponsorship for next season.