As we hit 25 years of size? we’re marking the occasion with our adidas Originals ‘Anniversary City Series’. The first shoe of the series is the Shanghai, which first made an appearance in our 20th Anniversary Collection. Over the past 25 years, it’s been our size? community that has helped to write our story, and so, for this special release we wanted to hear back from you. We caught up with Shaun, originally from Shanghai he currently lives in London and plays for the 7-aside team, Gentle Ballers. Let’s see what he had to say.
Tell us about yourself…
“My name is Youkuan Shaun Shen. I’m currently based in London and I’m a student there, I moved to the UK four years ago to study and play football, but Shanghai means a lot to me because I was born and raised there.”
If you had to describe Shanghai to someone who’s never been, what words would you use and why?
“Modern and diverse. The city itself is really impressive with its towering modern buildings and skyscrapers and colourful lights, it’s also a huge international hub with lots of people moving there for work or to study.”
How does the city influence who you are?
“Shanghai is a combination of old tradition and new deliberation. I grew up having friends from all over the world which gives me the ability to speak English fluently and being able to communicate and understand people’s cultures from all over the world, but at the same time not losing who I am, knowing my own Chinese culture very well.”
Let’s get into the football… Can you paint a picture for us – what is it like to be in a stadium watching one of the teams in Shanghai play on matchday?
“Matchdays in Shanghai create a buzz around the stadium, with busy roads and packed train stations. It’s exciting for football fans, but for those who don’t care about football, it’s just another day.”
Is football in Shanghai a social event?
“Fans don’t go to pubs like they do here in the UK, but they do meet at coffee shops to talk about the game before heading to the stadium. For away games, buses often pick up fans from the home stadium to travel together.”
“I usually go with friends. We don’t plan much before the match; we just meet somewhere and take the train together. Afterwards, we will always get dinner together and talk about the game. Most people head straight home after matches because kickoffs are often late.”
What’s travelling on match day like?
“The metro gets busy around 3 stops away from the stadium, roads are always busy with taxis and lots of people set up little corner shops to sell not just scarves but also some shirts that are printed with team slogans.”
What are fans usually wearing on matchdays in Shanghai?
“There are two main teams in Shanghai: one red and one blue, similar to Manchester. Fans of Shanghai Port (red) tend to dress more colourfully and give off a younger vibe, while supporters of Shanghai Shenhua (blue, my team) are mostly older. Shenhua fans dress less fashionably, reflecting the team’s long history of success in the past but fewer recent trophies.”
In the UK, football fandom is often passed down through generations. Is it the same in Shanghai, with families sharing a love for the game?
“Yes, fandom is passed down through generations. My parents are Shenhua supporters, and they passed that love for the team on to me.”
Who are your all-time heroes of Chinese football?
“Fan Zhiyi, who played for Crystal Palace, is my hero. I admire him because he prioritised his national team duties over club offers—he famously turned down Liverpool after Gerard Houllier made him an offer in a pub, as it would’ve conflicted with national games.”
How would you describe the chants and songs from fans of the teams in Shanghai?
“Most chants and songs are supportive and not rude. However, on derby days, fans often change the lyrics of the opposing team’s chants to make fun of them.”
Do you go to matches in the UK? How do the experiences compare?
“I’m a Tottenham fan and have been to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fans in England are much more passionate compared to those in Shanghai, and the crowds are bigger. That said, fans in both places love shouting at the referee!”
Find out more about our adidas Originals Shanghai – size? exclusive on the blog.
