Chongqing - As Chongqing Tonglianglong FC gears up for its long-awaited return to the Chinese Super League (CSL), one of its most passionate supporter groups is celebrating a milestone—the Yuzhou Twelve Guards Fan Association marks its tenth anniversary this month.
The "Yuzhou Twelve Guards" are active in the stands. (Photo provided by the interviewee)
What began in November 2015 with fewer than 30 fans has grown into a registered community of more than 3,500 members, including over 600 paying supporters. Named after Chongqing’s ancient title “Yuzhou” and symbolizing unity through the idea of the “twelve guards,” the group has become a vibrant fixture in the stands—first supporting Chongqing Lifan and now Chongqing Tonglianglong.
“We started just after the 2015 CSL season, hoping to bring together people who shared the same passion,” recalled Lin Wei, president of the association. “It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve continued to grow. Now, as we mark our tenth year, we’re looking ahead to an even brighter future for football here.”
Lin Wei, president of the Yuzhou Twelve Guards Fan Association. (Photo provided by the interviewee)
From Local Stands to National Stages
The group’s presence extends far beyond local matches. Last November, 150 members traveled overnight by train to Shanghai to support Tonglianglong in their final promotion match. Their chants and banners helped inspire the team to a historic victory and a return to China's top flight after 1,265 days.
Lin still remembers another nail-biting night in October 2018, when Chongqing's team scored twice in stoppage time to salvage a draw against Hebei's team. "Most fans had already left," he says. "But those who stayed saw something unforgettable."
More Than Just Fans
Beyond matchdays, the Twelve Guards have built a tradition of giving back. Since 2015, they have run an annual "Warm Winter" charity drive, delivering sports equipment, winter clothing, food, and blankets to schools in remote parts of Chongqing, such as Youyang and Qianjiang.
In December 2025, the group partnered with Chongqing Tonglianglong to visit a school in Qianjiang. They have also brought students to CSL matches, offering many their first live football experience.
In December 2025, the "Yuzhou Twelve Guards" visited a school in Qianjiang District. (Photo provided by the interviewee)
The association recently donated a symbolic artifact to the Chongqing Sports Museum: a weathered megaphone emblazoned with "Chongqing, Fight On!", used in 2014 to celebrate Lifan’s return to the Super League. "We just asked for the loudest one they had," Lin says with a laugh.
Eyeing the Future
With Tonglianglong back in the CSL, Lin emphasizes the need for grounded expectations. "The goal is consolidation—staying up is the priority. The CSL is a big step up," he notes. "But as fans, we’re ready to welcome supporters from across China and show what Chongqing football is all about."
They are not alone; groups like the Chongqing Brothers Union, founded in 2014, are also rallying behind the team. "We know it won’t be easy," says Brothers Union president Liu Chongfei, "but we’ll support the team with the same energy that helped them rise." As the new season approaches, the story of the Yuzhou Twelve Guards reflects more than local loyalty—it highlights how grassroots passion can sustain football culture, drive community action, and carry both a team and a city forward.