Colonial secretary got the ball rolling

Say 'Lockhart' today and the first thing that might spring to mind is the bars and clubs in Wan Chai.

But let's raise a glass to the person after whom the famous road is named, Sir James Haldane Stewart Lockhart, who was responsible for establishing organised soccer in Hong Kong.

Lockhart, a former colonial secretary, is mainly remembered for signing the convention for the extension of Hong Kong territory with the Qing dynasty in 1898. Under that convention, the territories north of Boundary Street, later known as the New Territories, were leased to Britain for 99 years and became part of the crown colony.

But he was also responsible for another less-publicised deed - setting up the first football club on this 'barren rock'.

In 1886, Hong Kong Football Club was established. It happened at a meeting chaired by Lockhart at the Victoria Recreation Club.'Lockhart was just 28, and was an all-round sportsman,' historian Denis Way, who is writing a commemorative book to celebrate Hong Kong Football Club's 125th anniversary next year, said. 'He played football, rugby, cricket and also rowed for Victoria Recreation Club. He called for a meeting as he had the authority to do so.

'He was encouraged by others in the foreign community, especially in the British Forces, who needed to keep fit by playing competitive sport, and they wanted to play more football.