Birmingham City reveal Hong Kong and China pre-season plans

Dec 5 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BLUES are to prepare for the 2010-11 season with a training camp and friendlies in Hong Kong and China.

Sammy Yu said it made sense in many respects after the £81.5 million takeover by Hong Kong tycoon Carson Yeung.

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The major tenet of Blues’ business plan is to build their reputation and brand in the Far East to attract investment and commercial revenue.

“Almost 100 per cent we will go,” said Yu, Blues’ vice-chairman football. “I think it is important to the club.

“Birmingham City have never really been invited to go out there. There was the Asia Cup in Malaysia but that was a Premier League competition.

“We have not been invited by an overseas body. So why not, why not go there now?

“The facilities are excellent and it is a good chance for the club, for the city, to get close with our homeland, to have a good relationship and diplomatic activity.

“Plus, we can show how professional we are, project the club, and share our experience with the China National Football Association.

“In the future, the national team of China might come here, to train or play.”

Yu said Blues were keen to set up soccer schools and academies in the Far East and also organise cultural exchanges for schoolchildren and youths from the city.

And there could be potential spin-offs for ex-Blues players.

“This kind of activity not only benefits the club, it could also benefit the players when they retire. Maybe they could coach in China, get jobs.

“Our coaching staff can see more and get more experience too. You never know what will happen, China could become one of the big leagues in years to come.”

It was thought that Blues might head off to Hong Kong and China on an ‘introductory’ tour in May.

Yu said not: “End of season, we have the World Cup and I think the boys need a rest. They will have had a hard season.”

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