The club was founded on August 13, 1933, as Esporte Clube São José, after Futebol Clube and Klaxon merged.[2] The club merged in 1945 with Associação Esportiva São José to form São José Esporte Clube.[2]
On March 8, 1964, São José became a professional club.[citation needed]
In December, 1976, due to a financial crisis, the club changed its name to São José Esporte Clube, with the purpose of not paying its debts. The club also changed its colors, which were black and white, to the current blue, yellow and white ones, and changed its logo.[citation needed]
In 2003, the club was renamed to Esporte São José, but in 2005, the club returned to its previous name, São José Esporte Clube.[3] In 2006, São José moved back to Campeonato Paulista A-2.[citation needed]
Years in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1982 Place: 12th out of 44
1990 Place: 19th out of 20
The Águia (Eagle) became the official mascot of São José in 1978, two years after São José changed their team colors. "Azulão do Vale" (Big Blue of the Valley) was the team's nickname before that, but they changed it to "Águia do Vale" when Águia became the team's mascot. Águia was chosen as the club mascot as eagles are driven animals and will fight to the end even against the odds.[citation needed]
The biggest rival of São José is Taubaté. The derby between the two clubs is known as O Clássico do Vale do Paraíba (The Paraíba Valley Classic).[citation needed]
The current kits of São José are made by RT Sports, a local kit sponsor.[citation needed] Until December 1976, the club played in black and white vertical striped shirts, black shorts and white socks, not unlike Corinthians away kit.
^ abcLancepédia - A Enciclopédia do Futebol Brasileiro (in Portuguese). Vol. 1. Rio de Janeiro: Lance! Publicações. August 2009. p. 257. ISBN978-85-88651-14-2.
