Tai Po Dream Catchers? Football club to change name as protesters call truce
Application is with Hong Kong football chiefs and owner Francis Yip argues that rebranding can ‘make club more attractive’
Tai Po’s co-owner has confirmed he plans to change the Premier League leaders’ name to Tai Po Dream Catchers – and said the club’s supporters, who protested about it only days ago, were warming to the idea.
Francis Yip, who bankrolls Tai Po alongside wife Catherine, said on Sunday he had lodged an application with the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) to change the name, and anticipated beginning next season under the new banner.
Fans vehemently protested against the move during the victory over North District on January 18. On Sunday, however, they showed no ill-feeling towards the owners, even as Tai Po’s title hopes were dealt a setback by a 2-1 home loss to Kitchee. A prominent fans’ group, 12th Green Warriors, had called for a truce on Saturday.
Yip said he wanted the club to have “a more suitable name, [which reflects] helping youngsters chase their dreams”.
“Now they know our reasons, the supporters understand,” he said. “They know they should support the players; we have to oppose our opponents, not ourselves. We think this will make the club more attractive overall. It is not a commercial move.”
Yip said he was waiting to hear back from the HKFA, and his commitment to the club would remain if the name change were to be vetoed.