Happy Valley pull out of 2021-22 Hong Kong Premier League season, citing ‘financial realities’
- Club wanted to continue but ‘financial realities of pandemic proved too problematic’ – return to First Division still undecided
- Players will be paid, says club convenor, but Covid-19 situation means the three-year financial plan no longer viable
“After careful consideration, the management of the association has decided not to compete for the Hong Kong Premier League in 2021-22,” the club said in an announcement on social media on Thursday.
“We regret that we have not been able to continue our efforts at the top level, but we would like to thank those who have helped so much over the past two seasons and the fans who have come to support Happy Valley. Thank you, guys.”
Some of their players have already begun to move on and captain Luciano Silva has signed for KC Southern since the announcement.
Valley finished bottom of the Hong Kong Premier League’s postseason Relegation Group last season, though relegation was cancelled because of the pandemic and they would have stayed in the top flight.