\"My Story with Football\" Collection Event
The \"My Story with Football\" collection event, proudly sponsored by the renowned \"Lufang Legend\" under the Yutu Group, is currently in full swing. We cordially invite you to participate!
All participants whose stories are selected will receive a coupon redeemable for \"Lufang Legend,\" one of Yutu Group's fully owned sub-brands. This valuable coupon will be distributed in the near future.
展开剩余89%The Shanghai Fans of Nantong Zhiyun
By Chaohua Xishi
Five years ago, I moved to Shanghai to build a life, driven by the pressures and anxieties that come with it. After a long day of work, if there’s a football match to watch, I would gather a few friends, sit in front of the TV, and eagerly await the whistle to kick off. As a passionate fan with over thirty years of experience, this simple pleasure feels like a luxury to me.
I hail from Rugao, and it seems like my love for football is something inherent, ingrained deeply within me. For a long time, I only had a generalized, broad sense of loyalty to a team. But when Nantong Zhiyun emerged, it felt as if the rootless reed had found solid ground to settle, and I couldn't contain my excitement. I repeatedly told myself, “Now I have my own team.”
Perhaps those who don’t follow football can’t fully grasp why we feel this deep attachment. Compared to other top professional clubs in the domestic league, my hometown’s team lags in terms of financial investment, league performance, and fan base. Especially in terms of fan numbers, I’ve always hoped that over time, the situation would improve.
It wasn't until an unexpected encounter that I realized the fanbase of Nantong Zhiyun was far broader than I had thought.
Two years ago, at a gathering with friends, the conversation took an interesting turn. Before the meal, a friend told me to stay longer that night. I hesitated, saying I had something important to do, but after some gentle persuasion, I admitted that I had to leave early to catch a football match. As soon as I mentioned the match, a friend who usually kept to himself suddenly perked up and asked if I was from Rugao, and whether I supported Nantong Zhiyun. When I confirmed, he became quite animated.
It turned out that this friend, from Fuyang in Anhui, often traveled between Nantong, Shanghai, and Huzhou in Zhejiang. To my surprise, he was highly knowledgeable about Nantong Zhiyun, even down to the team’s early formation details. He spoke about the investors’ efforts for the club’s development, key players who made the journey from the second division to the top league, and the foreign players brought in over the years.
We spent the evening chatting passionately about Nantong Zhiyun. It was clear to me that he was a true football lover and a real fan of Zhiyun. He kept saying how envious he was that our hometown, especially Rugao, had such a great football environment and team. Despite missing that night’s match, I gained a new friend who shared my love for the same club. He became the first true Zhiyun fan I met in Shanghai.
Since then, I’ve met more and more Nantong Zhiyun fans in Shanghai. One day, a friend added me to the “Nantong Zhiyun Shanghai Fan Alliance” group, and that’s where I encountered an even broader group of fans. It was astonishing to discover that Nantong Zhiyun had such a significant presence in Shanghai. There were fans from cities like Yancheng, Lianyungang, Taizhou, Huai'an, Suqian, Xuzhou, as well as from provinces like Henan, Anhui, and Shaanxi. To my surprise, there were even Shanghai natives who were die-hard Zhiyun fans.
One particularly memorable moment was during the 2024 match between Nantong Zhiyun and Shanghai Shenhua. Due to the hot weather, “Brother Wang” from Dongtai, the leader of the Fan Alliance, called for a fundraising campaign to help the away fans. In no time, over 20,000 RMB was collected to purchase cold drinks, bottled water, and other cooling supplies. We also prepared a banner to welcome the visiting fans. When we unfurled the banner near the bustling streets outside the Shanghai Stadium, passersby rolled down their windows to give us thumbs up. What moved me most was when some local Shanghai fans shouted, “Wolves howl across the Yangtze; only Zhiyun reigns!” That moment will stay with me forever.
This kind of connection, born from football, transcends boundaries of location, gender, or background. It’s a unique bond that connects us all.
Beyond these activities, we also organize events like watch parties and fan trips. Through this fan network, I’ve met many incredible people. There’s “Young Master” who cried after a crucial relegation battle, “Brother Wang” from Dongtai who organizes events at his own expense, “Squirrel” and “Drunk Brother” who are known for their generosity and loyalty, “Elevator Brother” Old Zhang who decorates his car in Zhiyun’s colors, “Ski” who waves flags in the North Stand, and “The God of Speed” who always greets new foreign players at the airport. There’s even “Little Dingdang,” a lone female fan who travels alone to every away match. These individuals, like you and me, are ordinary people, united by their deep love for Nantong Zhiyun. Together, we cheer for victories and shed tears in defeat.
The Nantong Zhiyun Shanghai Fan Alliance has deeply rooted itself in this vibrant city. From the bustling Bund, to the crowded Lujiazui, to the towering White Magnolia, to the orderly metro stations, Zhiyun Blue can be spotted everywhere. Despite being a smaller group, we exist in every corner of Shanghai. This city is not just home to Shenhua and SIPG fans; it is equally home to the admirable and lovable fans of Nantong Zhiyun!
At times, I ask myself why I am so passionate about football. What is it that we’re truly watching? I believe it’s because football offers the joy of success born from hard work, while also teaching us that success is not always guaranteed. Yet, we must rise and continue striving. Moreover, having a team from my hometown adds a sense of belonging and pride, especially for someone like me, far from home, working hard to build a future.
Not every effort will result in success, but without trying, success will remain out of reach!
Wolves howl across the Yangtze; only Zhiyun reigns!
Author: Chaohua Xishi
Editor: Xu Man
Proofreaders: Zang Yidong, Tang Yanyun, Gao Lei
Auditors: He Jun, Sun Zengyu
发布于：福建省旺源配资-高杠杆股票-正规的杠杆炒股平台-专业的股票配资价格提示：文章来自网络，不代表本站观点。
