Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard F.C. (Chinese: 新疆天山雪豹; pinyin: Xīnjiāng Tiānshān Xuěbào) was a professional Chinese soccer team that no longer exists. It played in the China League One division with permission from the Chinese Football Association (CFA). The team was located in Ürümqi, Xinjiang. The company that owned the team was Ürümqi Juntai Real Estate Company, Ltd. (Juntai Group). The club closed down in February 2023.
History
Hubei China-Kyle was created in December 2011 by the China-Kyle Special Steel Co., Ltd. Li Jianzhong was chosen as the chairman, and Li Jun was named the first manager. With help from the Hubei Football Association, the team was formed and registered to play in the third level of the Chinese football league during the 2012 season. Their home games were held at the Huangshi Stadium, and their home uniforms were all blue. In their first season, they finished fourth in the South Group and advanced to the playoffs. After defeating Hebei Zhongji and Shenzhen Fengpeng, they finished as runners-up to Guizhou Zhicheng in the division. This result earned them promotion to the China League One division.
In their first season in the second division, the club faced challenges due to the higher costs and professional standards required. Before the season began, the team could not afford plane tickets to their training camp in Dongguan, Guangdong, and had to travel by bus instead. Despite financial difficulties, Li Jun helped the team avoid relegation on the final day of the season by winning a 2–0 match against Chengdu Tiancheng at home. At the start of the 2014 season, the club announced it was seeking investment and considered leaving Hubei Province to find it. This led to rumors the club might move to Xi'an, but talks with that city ended. However, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Sports Bureau showed interest in investing in the club and initially took over their Under-20 team. On February 14, 2014, the bureau provided the Xinjiang Sports Centre, training facilities, and sponsorship, which allowed the club to relocate to Ürümqi, the capital of Xinjiang, and change its name to Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard. The club also received support from Ürümqi Juntai Real Estate Co., Ltd., which became its main investor for the season.
In the 2018 China League One season, Xinjiang finished last in the division. However, because teams like Dalian Transcendence, Yanbian Funde, and Zhejiang Yiteng could not continue in the league, Xinjiang remained in the League One division.
Managerial history
- Li Jun (2012–2018)
- Paul Put (2018)
- Fernando (2019–2020)
- Polat Kutulk (acting) (2020)
- Pei Encai (2021–2022)