Guangzhou R&F Football Club was founded as a professional team in 1994, although its history dates back to the establishment of Shenyang Ginde Football Club in 1986. The club has spent the vast majority of its professional history in China's top division, although the team has experienced relegation on two seperate occasions since 1994; bouncing back quickly both times.
Over the years, Guangzhou R&F have also undergone several relocations and name changes. In 2007 the team, still known as Shenyang Ginde, moved to the city of Changsha and adopted the name Changsha Ginde. In 2010, Changsha Ginde were relegated from the top flight and subsequently relocated to Shenzhen. While in Shenzhen, they became known as Shenzhen Phoenix. Then, in 2011, amidst serious financial difficulties, the club was purchased by the Guangzhou R&F property development group and moved to Guangzhou, where they took on their current name.
So far, the club has struggled to challenge for major national honours, even during their spells in the lower divisions. Their two promotions from the second tier came after finishing 3rd and 2nd in the league. In the top flight of Chinese football, their best peformance came in the 2003 season, when they finished the campaign in 5th place.
Nigerian striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni joined the club in 2012 and is perhaps the most high-profile footballer to have played for Guangzhou R&F to date. Some of the team's other notable players include the Brazilian striker Rafael Coelho and Chinese national team players Jiang Ning and Xu Bo.
The club currently play their home games at the Guangzhou Yuexiushan Stadium. The venue first opened in 1950 and was once able to hold 35,000 people, but now has a maximum capacity of 18,000 for football matches. The ground is also used by Guangzhou Evergrande's reserve team.
