Xinhua News Agency, Urumqi, June 5 (Reporters Sun Zhe and Gongbing) Relegated three times in four years, but they all "fall" because other teams did not meet the qualifications for access and investors were unable to support them. Looking at the football world, the experience of Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopard Football Club is "magic".
Want to retain the tinder for Xinjiang football
2018 season, the Tianshan Snow Leopard, with poor performance, was relegated for the first time at the bottom of the China League One. But at that time, Zhejiang Yiteng did not meet the access conditions, and the that should have been replaced, Dalian Overcoming announced its dissolution. Xinjiang Football was lucky enough to stay in the China League One field, but unexpectedly this was just the beginning.
On May 5, 2018, Xinjiang team player Sabiti was very upset after missing a goal. On the same day, in the ninth round of the 2018 season Chinese Football Association League First Division , Xinjiang team drew 0-0 with Qingdao team at home. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Hu Huhu
"We were very happy to learn that there was a chance to make up for it." said Sun Aijun, chairman of the club.
After moving from Hubei to Xinjiang in 2014, the club has had a highlight moment of defeating Guangzhou Evergrande and has been firmly in the middle of the China League One for many years. However, in recent years, due to factors from all parties, they have been forced to adjust, and the main force has been constantly leaving. The team encountered difficulties when introducing foreign players, and more and more games had to face the "all-Chinese team". The team was relegated again in the 2020 season, but the brothers' clubs have frequent problems, and the Tianshan Snow Leopards returned to the China League One again.
On November 20, 2020, Xinjiang team player failed to score a penalty. On the same day, in the second round of the relegation play-offs of the 2020 Chinese Football Association League First Division, Heilongjiang FC defeated Xinjiang team 2-1, and the two sides tied 4-4 in two rounds. Neither team scored in overtime. In the end, Heilongjiang FC defeated Xinjiang team 5-3 in the penalty shootout and successfully relegated. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Shi Kang)
Last season, the Xinjiang team, which is teamed with local players, had only 1 win, 6 draws and 27 losses, falling into , China League Two for the third time in four years. Zhang Fujun, deputy general manager of the club, said: "(replacement) is really ugly." After
was relegated, the club soon heard that it might be the third time to substitute the China League One. However, the club, which was short of funds, was very hesitant and had formulated a budget plan in accordance with the China League Two standards.
To be honest, the only investor in Tianshan Snow Leopard, Juntai Group, cannot be said to have strong financial strength and has always been "using love to generate electricity". Zhang Fujun introduced that the club's capital investment has been at the bottom of the China League One for many years. After moving from Hubei to Xinjiang in 2014, the maximum investment in a single season was no more than 70 million yuan, and last year it was less than 30 million yuan.
The reason why the club decided to stay in the China League One was that they wanted to retain the spark for Xinjiang football.
"If we go down this time, it will be not easy to come up again." Sun Aijun said.
Sun Aijun, chairman of Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopard Football Club, was at the departure ceremony of the new season. Photo provided by the club
"To ensure that you do not owe you wages"
This year is the ninth year of the Xinjiang team's competition in the China League One. Although there are many difficulties, the club said that the Tianshan Snow Leopard is one of the few professional clubs in China that can basically guarantee the payment of players' salaries on schedule.
"For the first time this year, we were delayed in paying wages. We were under great pressure at the time, but because we could guarantee wage payments before, the players were not panicked," said Zhang Fujun.
After the end of last season, the management made a blunt statement about its difficulties and said that it would further reduce its salary according to the China League Two standards, and the whole team could voluntarily choose a way out. In the end, eight players whose contracts had not expired terminated and left the team.
But the club still gained more understanding from players. During the offseason, the club mainly added multiple players with the team of Xinjiang National Games team, which won the runner-up in the U20 group of the National Games at last year's National Games U20. Ma Bokang, a local player in the Hebei team in the Chinese Super League, also came to the team on loan.
On September 18, 2021, the Xinjiang team, which won the men's U20 group silver medal in the football event of the 14th National Games, took a photo at the award ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Liangkuai
"At that time, I chose to come to the Xinjiang team because I valued the China League One platform and the atmosphere in the team. Although the salary is not much, it has been paid," said Ma Chao, who was once selected for the U22 national team. "The environment is not good now, and it is not easy for investors.He often says that there are several nine years in his life, and now it is easy to give up and pick it up again. "
" These nine years have not been easy, and our goal is to ensure that we do not arrears of wages. If one day encounters greater difficulties, we will tell the players truthfully to see if they are willing to advance and retreat together. "Sun Aijun said.
hopes to follow the "Meizhou model"
On May 24, Chongqing Liangjiang Sports announced its dissolution. On May 4, eight years ago, the Chongqing team was the first home opponent in the history of Tianshan Snow Leopards. In recent years, clubs have been constantly disappearing from the Chinese football map. Some clubs have not paid the transfer fee to Tianshan Snow Leopards until they were disbanded.
"The dissolution of Chongqing team has a great impact on us. If one day investors can't hold on, we may have the same ending. "Zhang Fujun said.
Like many clubs, Tianshan Snow Leopard is also seeking equity diversification reform and said it can make considerable concessions. The Autonomous Region Sports Bureau is also leading the coordination between multiple parties, but no companies are willing to participate.
Club told reporters that based on the strong football atmosphere in Xinjiang, the club has been working hard to build the five-level youth training echelon. Guangdong Meizhou, which is similar to Xinjiang football soil, spares no effort to support the development of football at the policy level. The achievements in recent years are great, and we can learn from Xinjiang.
On June 19, 2020, Xinjiang team players were in training. Xinhua News Agency reporter Faye Wong
"Football is a social sport, especially in Xinjiang. The existence of professional clubs will inevitably prosper local sports culture," Zhang Fujun said, "We are not simply asking the government for money or guarantee, but we hope that relevant departments will make plans for the long term and introduce some support policies so that all sectors of society can participate. "
At present, Tianshan Snow Leopards have arrived in the Dalian Division to prepare for the China League One that will start on the 8th.
Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopards players are adaptive training in the China League One Dalian Division. Photo provided by the club
Club said that Chinese football is in a low period, but I believe that the overall environment will gradually warm up in the future.
"One replacement is lucky. We must do our best to avoid this situation for the fourth time," said Sun Aijun. "This group of children are willing to fight. Even if their skills are not as good as others, they must show their energy on the court. ”
Source: Xinhua News Agency
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