Baozilona
BaoZiLona is a Chinese amateur football club based in Chengdu that plays in the Chengdu International Football League. Founded in 2012, BaoZiLona has gone on to establish itself as one of the league's most successful clubs having won two league titles and three cup competitions.
History
The Rest of The World
The Chengdu International Football League was established in March 2012. One of its original participants, The Rest of The World counted BaoZiLona's founding fathers Robin Roy, Tom Crowhurst & Andy Trown amongst its ranks.
IES Global Years & Early Success
BaoZiLona was born in August 2012. The club's team members originally consisted exclusively of language teachers who had all come to Chengdu on the same internship program. Success was instant as they won the season opening Sebastian Muller Cup. A thrilling win against the much fancied defending champions Athletico Esperanto gave them the impetus in the title race as they went on to achieve the league & cup double, clinching victory on the last day of the season.
The following season saw BaoZiLona rocked by the departure of their influential wing back George Dean and an injury to playmaker Robin Roy, as they surrendered their title to Athletico Tiki Taka (formerly Esperanto).They also failed to challenge for league honors the following season though they did secure their second Sebastian Muller Cup in September 2013. The emergence of new young talent, most notably in the form of 2013 CIFL Team of the Season midfielder Colin Ross, also stood to reignite optimism as they looked to rebuild ahead of the Spring 2014 season.
Return to The Top
Though BaoZilona struggled to hit their early heights in 2013, 2014 saw them re-emerge as title contenders. Boosted by the return to fitness of Robin Roy, the acquisition of Lasse Buchert & the form of Dominic Lytwyn, Baozilona started the season strongly winning their first five games. They would remain unbeaten the entire campaign, with nine wins and two draws, capturing the clubs second league title in the process.
BaoZiLona began the Autumn campaign by lifting their third Sebastian Muller Cup in a row, continuing their record of having won the competition every year since its inauguration.
Current Squad
First-team squad
Club Honors
CIFL Winners: 2012(A), 2014(S)
Sebastian Muller Cup: 2012, 2013, 2014
*A= Autumn Season, *S= Spring Season
Hall of Fame Inductees
- George Dean (2012-2012)
- Kam (2012-2012)
- Rasmus (2012-2012)
- Graham Connelly (2012-2012)
- Seb (2012-2012)
- Mark Calland (2012-2012)
- Kyle Long (2012-2013)
- Danny Curran (2012-2013)
- James (2014-2014)
- Lasse Buchert (2014-2014)