Learn more
Hong Kong Premier League: North District to join top flight for first time despite finishing third in First Division
- Top two clubs, Central & Western, and EnGenis Kowloon City, decline opportunity to move up a level
- Club chairman Joe Chu says they plan to invest HK$6 million to HK$7 million in maiden season
North District will play in the Hong Kong Premier League for the first time next season, club chairman Joe Chu Ho-yin said on Friday, despite finishing third in the First Division.
With top two sides Central & Western, and EnGenis Kowloon City, both declining to move up a level, District grabbed the opportunity to make their debut in the city’s top flight.
Chu said the chance to play Premier League football had come as a surprise, because before a late surge his team had been in the middle of the table.
Hong Kong-born footballer can’t yet play for city amid 6-month wait for passport
“The top two have rejected the promotion offer and we were fortunate to secure commercial sponsors to support the team,” he said.
The chairman said his side’s only ambition at the start would be to provide “more opportunities to the young generation so that they may become stars of the future for Hong Kong”.
“Also, we want to attract more fans from the district to support us and playing in the top tier Premier League will certainly be a good reason,” he added.
Chu said they had set aside a budget of between HK$6 million and HK$7 million, similar to other district teams, and would see how they performed in the first two seasons before setting more ambitious goals.
While they would have a squad of mostly younger local players, Chu said he planned to discuss bringing in some from overseas with his coaching staff, so the team was not embarrassed in the top flight.
“It’s not easy to secure top quality local players as most of them are with contracts with the big clubs, and we don’t have the budget to compete with them,” he said.
Chu said he had asked the Leisure and Cultural Services Department about using their home ground in Sheung Shui to host games next season, but nothing had been confirmed.
Hong Kong Football Association chairman Pui Kwan-kay welcomed the addition of an 11th team to the city’s top domestic league, and said it was another step along the road of having 14 teams.
“We may come across some difficulties of arranging the fixture with the odd number of teams but any technical problem can be resolved,” he said.
“It will not be easy for North District as a newcomers as they will have to fight hard for their future, but we are happy to see more zealous people to get involved in local football.”
Separately, Premier League club Eastern said they have extended goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai’s contract.
The Hong Kong international rejoined the club in 2014 and has since made more than 200 appearances. The 33-year-old was named in the team of the season for the 11th time at this year’s Football Stars Awards.
North District will play in the Hong Kong Premier League for the first time next season, club chairman Joe Chu Ho-yin said on Friday, despite finishing third in the First Division.
With top two sides Central & Western, and EnGenis Kowloon City, both declining to move up a level, District grabbed the opportunity to make their debut in the city’s top flight.
Chu said the chance to play Premier League football had come as a surprise, because before a late surge his team had been in the middle of the table.
“The top two have rejected the promotion offer and we were fortunate to secure commercial sponsors to support the team,” he said.
The chairman said his side’s only ambition at the start would be to provide “more opportunities to the young generation so that they may become stars of the future for Hong Kong”.
“Also, we want to attract more fans from the district to support us and playing in the top tier Premier League will certainly be a good reason,” he added.
Chu said they had set aside a budget of between HK$6 million and HK$7 million, similar to other district teams, and would see how they performed in the first two seasons before setting more ambitious goals.
While they would have a squad of mostly younger local players, Chu said he planned to discuss bringing in some from overseas with his coaching staff, so the team was not embarrassed in the top flight.
“It’s not easy to secure top quality local players as most of them are with contracts with the big clubs, and we don’t have the budget to compete with them,” he said.
Chu said he had asked the Leisure and Cultural Services Department about using their home ground in Sheung Shui to host games next season, but nothing had been confirmed.
Hong Kong Football Association chairman Pui Kwan-kay welcomed the addition of an 11th team to the city’s top domestic league, and said it was another step along the road of having 14 teams.
“We may come across some difficulties of arranging the fixture with the odd number of teams but any technical problem can be resolved,” he said.
“It will not be easy for North District as a newcomers as they will have to fight hard for their future, but we are happy to see more zealous people to get involved in local football.”
Separately, Premier League club Eastern said they have extended goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai’s contract.
The Hong Kong international rejoined the club in 2014 and has since made more than 200 appearances. The 33-year-old was named in the team of the season for the 11th time at this year’s Football Stars Awards.