YFCMD thrown a Premier League lifeline with potential sponsorship
Premier League side had been set to lose funding from Japanese parent club
YFCMD are the only one of eight Premier League clubs that did not apply for a licence for next season after applications closed last month. It was said their major financier - Yokohama FC from Japan, would discontinue its backing after three seasons.
I don't know what will happen if YFCMD cease to exist. I am still young and need more playing opportunities
There is likely to be nine teams in the Premier League next season, including two sides promoted from First Division - Sun Source and Southern.
But things took a dramatic turn yesterday following speculation that an eleventh hour sponsor had been found for YFCMD.
"We will have a meeting with the club," said FA chief executive Mark Sutcliffe yesterday. "Our club licensing officials mentioned changes that happened in the club and we want to know whether it will apply and if it can meet the club licence criteria. If there is a special case, we may need the chairman of the board to agree [to license YFCMD].
"We want 10 teams in the League rather than nine and we have the option of approaching Tai Po to come back."
Tai Po finished bottom of the table and will be relegated to the First Division next season. But club secretary Chan Ping said earlier it might consider staying in the top flight if there were only nine teams for next season.
Leung was delighted with today's news of a meeting between his club and the association.
We want 10 teams in the League rather than nine and we have the option of approaching Tai Po to come back
"Since our defeat to South China in the play-off final last month, we heard nothing about our future from the management," said Leung, who attended yesterday's Jockey Club Youth Development Programme press conference. "It was a bit worrying because I don't know what will happen if YFCMD cease to exist. I am still young and need more playing opportunities."
Now 23, Leung who has represented Hong Kong at various levels, said he had benefited from the programme, which he joined in Primary Three.
Leung was appointed as programme ambassador yesterday, along with South China midfielder Chan Siu-kwan and two women players - Citizen's Chan Wing-sze and Sha Tin's Ho Wan-tung.
