Since the professionalization reform set sail in 1994, Hubei Wuhan soccer has been writing its own legend in the land of Jingchu as a participant and witness. From Steel Ambition to Yaqi's Dream, from the splendor of Cardinal K to the new chapter of Donghu Hi-Tech, and then to the lush greenery of the Optics Valley, the flag of Wuhan soccer has flown in the wind and rain, witnessing the city's joys and sorrows.
At the end of November, Wuhan Hengdare Enterprise came out of nowhere, vowing to take over Hubei Zhongbo. on December 1, the three giants shook hands, and on December 7, Hengdare was unveiled at its base in the Optics Valley, depicting the blueprint for the new season. However, in the blink of an eye, on December 12, a storm swept through, the agreement was canceled, and Hubei Wuhan soccer faced an unprecedented crisis.
At the time of Hendricks withdrawal, Yan Zhi, chairman of Zall Holdings, threw a heavy bomb on microblogging, announcing the full takeover of the Hubei Wuhan soccer team, renamed Wuhan Zall Professional Football Club. Fate seems to play a joke, December 14, Yan Zhi and the Sports Bureau leaders met, quickly reached an agreement, Wuhan soccer in despair ushered in a turnaround.
As time passes, Hubei Wuhan soccer has ushered in its own spring. 2022 season, Wuhan Chegujiang women's soccer team and Wuhan Sanzhen men's soccer team both won the championship, Wuhan became the first professional reform of the first "city double championship" city, writing a new chapter in the history of soccer.
Looking back at the crisis at the end of 2011, Hubei Wuhan soccer nearly lost its last hope. Without Wuhan Zall stepping forward, what will be the tomorrow of Jingchu soccer? Fans are full of gratitude and have expressed their respect to Zall online.
Chu Feng, president of Orange Storm Fans Association, said, "Thanks to Zall for lending a helping hand at a difficult time, and I hope Wuhan soccer can usher in a new spring." Zhang Zhi, president of the E-Magic Fans Association, also expects Zall to operate professionally and promote the steady development of Hubei soccer.
Wuhan Zall didn't disappoint their fans, achieving the feat of "transcending" in the 2012 season. 2013 season was relegated, but they didn't give up, and from the 2014 season onwards they kept on accumulating, and finally transcended again in 2018 to return to the top league.
In Yan Zhi's eyes, soccer carries social responsibility. From the moment they took over Hubei Zhongbo, Wuhan Zall's goal was to keep the "Han Army" in Wuhan and bring happiness to their fans. They have never blindly pursued big names, and in the 2019 season they ranked second to last in the Chinese Super League, but quietly invested in youth and grassroots soccer.
At the beginning of 2020, the outbreak of the new Champions League brought Wuhan Zall an existential crisis, and it became more difficult to invest in soccer. However, in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, they worked hand in hand with the fans, firmly sticking to the field of the Chinese Super League, and realized the glory of "one city, three super" in the 2022 season.
In the 2022 season, Wuhan Changjiang led the Chinese Super League table for a while, winning 5 and drawing 1 in the "battle of survival" with Guangzhou City, Guangzhou and Hebei. However, for reasons well known to all, they were deducted 9 points and eventually relegated. Nevertheless, the future of Wuhan soccer is still full of hope.
