UK football boss eyes BN(O) boost as Hongkongers bring magic of the cup to Tranmere’s Prenton Park
- Second UK Hong Kong Cup brings eight teams to Wirral region of England for tournament decider
- With more than 184,000 BN(O) visas issued since January 2021, Tranmere Rovers owner sees potential to regenerate region
A football competition for teams made up entirely of Hongkongers living in the UK could grow into a major annual event, boosting the economy of the region where it is played, organisers have said.
Eight teams took part in the Hong Kong Cup this month, with the Sheffield Trouble Gang, featuring a number of former top-flight players from the city, ultimately winning the trophy at Prenton Park, the home of League Two side Tranmere Rovers.
The club’s owner, Mark Palios, said the competition was at the vanguard of plans to regenerate the Wirral region where the team is based.
Edison Kam-lau, who formerly played for Happy Valley, and moved to the UK in 2019, was a member of the Sheffield team that beat Nottingham Merry Men on penalties to win the final in front of around 400 fans.
Most of those taking part have British National (Overseas) passports, or BN(O) visas, more than 184,000 of which have been issued since January 2021.
A number of Sheffield’s regular players were not available because of university commitments, so Kam summoned old Hong Kong friends dotted around the UK.