At the end of October in the golden fall of 2023, a new saga was ushered in the Chinese soccer world. Yu Jing, a soccer media personality, penned a brilliant chapter of Yunnan Yukun Football Club. This club, established only three years ago, made a splash in the Second Division League, reaping the third place in the season with an outstanding record of five consecutive wins, which is not only a recognition of their strength, but also the persistent pursuit of the soccer dream.
This achievement is of great significance to the loving Yunnan fans. They have witnessed the steady march of their hometown team in the professional league, and Yukun Football Club is like a bright spark that has ignited the flame of future hope in the deep soil of Yunnan soccer.
Yunnan, the fertile land that nurtures soccer, has left countless marks of soccer in its history. Ridge Base, Hongta Base, Kunming Tuodong Stadium, all carry the glorious memories of Chinese soccer and Yunnan soccer. However, in a period of time, Yunnan soccer seems to be drifting away from the Chinese professional league.
It wasn't until 2023 that Yunnan Yukun Football Club came out of nowhere to fill the void. Playing in the professional league for the first time, they finished in third place, highlighting the club's strength and potential. Although they have not been able to step into the First Division, they are waiting for that miracle to happen, as head coach Li Jin Yu said.
The success of Yukon Football Club is no coincidence. Since its establishment two years ago, the club has set its sights on returning Yunnan soccer to the professional league. The full support of sponsor Yunnan Yuxi Yukun Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd. has given the team a solid backing, and in 2022, the team officially started a new journey by stepping into the Second Division League as part of the Champions League.
Chang Lin, Chairman of the Yunnan Football Association, spoke highly of the development of Yukon Club, praising it as the business card of Yunnan soccer. He expects Yukun Club to continue to shoulder the expectations of Yunnan people for soccer and open a new chapter of development.
Yukon Football Club has not only won the hearts of Yunnan fans, but has also attracted soccer fans from all over the country. Their determination and vision in the Champions League has attracted many players from the Chinese Super League and Chinese League One to join them in their efforts to revitalize Yunnan soccer.
Cai Xianping, chairman of Yunnan Yuxi Yukun Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd. said in reviewing the first season of the professional league that although they regretted not being able to directly promote, they will pursue their goal with more determination. Yukun club has created a good sports atmosphere for Yunnan fans and Yuxi fans.
This season, every match of Yukun Football Club attracted many fans. Fans from Kunming, Qujing, Honghe and other places flocked to the Yuxi Sports Center, making it a sea of orange. And in away games, Yuxi fans wearing orange jerseys showed their love for soccer by playing alongside the team.
It is worth mentioning that Yukon Football Club's appeal is not limited to the China B League. When Yukun played an instructional match against Shijiazhuang Kung Fu at the Kunming Hongta base during the inter-league break, hundreds of fans were on hand to watch the match on the day of the festival and live streamed it through social media platforms, allowing fans across the country to recognize the team.
