Helen Deng

APART from its 2004 title, the Shenzhen soccer team’s only other claim to fame might be the number of names it has possessed.

From Shenzhen Feiyada, to Shenzhen Ping’an Kejian, to Shenzhen Jianlibao in its victorious avatar, and then on the way down, to Shenzhen Kingway, and finally Shenzhen Shangqingyin in its current state, the constant name-changing is enough to make even die-hard fans utterly confused.

Established in 1996, the team has had several owners till date. During its moment of glory, it was owned by the Guangdong-based beverage producer Jianlibao Group, which purchased the club in 2002.

However, shortly after Shenzhen Jianlibao won the title in 2004, the beverage company met with financial difficulties and its board chairman Zhang Hai was jailed for embezzlement. As a result the club was sold to its current owner, the Xintaishun investment firm, headed by Yang Saixin.

At its peak, the team boasted of several big names in Chinese soccer.

Li Weifeng, Shenzhen captain, scored two goals in a World Cup qualifier in 2001, which helped China make the World Cup final stage for the first time. In August 2002, Li was loaned to English Premier League club Everton, the first Chinese to play in the prestigious league.

Shenzhen also had several other national team members, including Li Tie, Yang Chen, Li Weifeng, Li Yi and Zheng Zhi. Zheng Zhi, who plays for U.K. Championship side Charlton now, is the only Chinese international to currently start regularly for a European club.

Since Yang became the board chairman of Shenzhen club, all the famous players have left.

“A soccer team is supposed to bring happiness to the audience. But I’m really disappointed at the team, because we don’t feel happiness,” said Hao Long of the Shenzhen Soccer Fans’ Association.

“Shenzhen club is the most complicated football club in China. It is as complicated as the city of Shenzhen,” said Chang Bin, a senior sports reporter with Shenzhen TV.