Sing Tao brought touches of the bizarre to their 2-0 defeat by Golden in their final league match at Mongkok Stadium last night.
Sing Tao had planned to play without a goalkeeper in protest but they put defender Chu Chi-kwong between the posts after amazing scenes just before kick-off.
Sing Tao were warned by the Hong Kong FA they would be showing little respect to the game if they went ahead with their planned protest.
Accepting that they had to play with a goalkeeper, the 'keeper's jersey was tossed among the players in a mock gesture before Chu finally and reluctantly pulled on the jersey, much to the spectators' delight.
Chu, playing his first game as a goalkeeper, finished a hero as spectators chanted his name when the teams returned to the players' tunnel. The result meant nothing to both teams and the crowd cheered the inexperienced Chu's efforts in goal. 'It's very difficult to play as a goalkeeper,' admitted Chu, who ventured up front when he had the chance.
'I really wasn't used to it. I played volleyball before but I wasn't accustomed to the rules. I didn't know I was going to be in goal until just before kick-off.
'I couldn't stand still in the box. I'm not used to that. I always felt the urge to go up front.' 'In general, Sing Tao played quite well. We could have won the game if we had a proper goalkeeper,' said the diminutive defender who spent the last five minutes of the game up front.