Chan Wai Ho

Early life

Chan Wai Ho lived in Lok Wah Estate, Ngau Tau Kok when he was young and he graduated in Maryknoll Vocational Evening Secondary School. He moved to player hostel of Hong Kong Rangers in Boundary Street when he was a vocational apprenticeship of Rangers.

Rangers and Yee Hope

His father decided that he would join Rangers (HKG) to be a vocational apprenticeship when Chan Wai Ho was 16 years old. He stayed at Rangers for some months on trial for a professional contract. However, Rangers only gave him a contract after several twists and turns. Eventually, he appeared for the first team a few times in this season.

In 1999–2000 season, Yee Hope chairman Joe Chan invited Chan Wai Ho to join his team. Chan really started his professional career in this season. His number of appearances did not increase after he joined the team, but Arie van der Zouwen thought Chan Wai Ho was one of the best centre-back in Hong Kong and selected him for Hong Kong.

In March 2004, Chan Wai Ho was suspended for 12 games after fighting along with four other Rangers players against Nan Shing Property FC players in a league match in Dongguan on 7 March 2004. The match was suspended and never completed.

In 2006, it was rumoured that he had had a trial with English Premiership Club Reading and would play at the Madejski Stadium in the English Premiership. And in 2007, it was rumoured that he would join Birmingham City after Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung became the chairman and executive director of the club.

Transfer record

Chan Wai Ho's transfer fee to South China from Rangers (HKG) was HK$400,000, which broke the record of the highest local transfer fee and highest transfer fee in Hong Kong First Division League. The highest local transfer fee record was kept by Tam Ah Fook when he moved to Ernest Borel from Happy Valley by HK$140,000 in 1992. The highest overall transfer fee was originally kept by Cheng Siu Chung Ricky when he moved from LD Alajuelense in Costa Rica to South China in 1994–95 season for a fee of US$30,000 (about HK$234,000). But there was rumour in the media that the record has been broken by Chan Siu Ki's 2008 transfer from Kitchee to South China, which cost the Caroliners HK$800,000. The actual fee has not been disclosed.

South China

On 19 April 2007, it was revealed on HKFA webpage that Chan transferred to South China from Rangers (HKG). His registration was just in time for him to represent the team to compete in the Hong Kong FA Cup 2006-07. Chan was described by South China convenor Steven Lo to be the best Chinese centre back in Hong Kong. He made his debut for South China on 20 April 2007 in the Hong Kong FA Cup First Round match against Wofoo Tai Po.

Chan Wai Ho wears no. 15 at South China AA to commemorate his former Rangers FC teammate Cheung Yiu Lun, who died in October 2003 in a traffic accident. He was not able to wear no. 15 at Rangers because the number was retired after Cheung's death.

Back to Rangers (HKG)

It is confirmed that he will join Fourway Rangers on 20 July 2010. But rumours said that he would return to South China in January 2011.

Back to South China

Chan Wai Ho re-joined South China in the January 2011 transfer window. He felt his form dropped as he also had to work as a coach at Fourway Rangers. He signed a one and a half-year contract.

Chan Wai Ho scored the opening goal in the 2010-11 Hong Kong FA Cup final against Wofoo Tai Po.

Dreams

Following South China's decision to self relegate, Chan terminated his contract with the club. He was announced as a player and captain of rebranded Dreams on 26 July 2017.

Hong Kong

Arie van der Zouwen selected him in Hong Kong national football team in 2000.

In June 2011, Chan Wai Ho was made captain of Hong Kong national football team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification matches against Saudi Arabia.

On 22 March 2013, Chan Wai Ho scored the winner for Hong Kong against Vietnam national football team in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification match. After the match, acting Hong Kong national football team coach Kim Pan Gon said Chan is a top Asian level central defender.

Chan played his farewell match for the representative team on 7 June 2017 against Jordan.

Hong Kong U23

Chan Wai Ho scored twice in the 2009 East Asian Games, against South Korea in a group game and against North Korea in the semi-final. In the penalty shoot-out against North Korea, Chan Wai Ho also scored his penalty.

Chan Wai Ho scored the winning goal for Hong Kong national under-23 football team against Uzbekistan national under-23 football team in the 2010 Asian Games. Hong Kong won the match 1:0.

Club

South China

International

 Hong Kong

Hong Kong U23

Individual

Club

International

Personal life

Chan Wai Ho became a father on 9 August 2010 when his wife gave birth to a son. He accompanied his wife in the hospital in the morning, then attended the Hong Kong national football team training in the afternoon.