Fan Chun Yip

Childhood and early career

Fan Chun Yip was born in Hong Kong into a 7-member family. He is the youngest son. As a child, his 2nd oldest brother, who was tragically murdered in 2006, invited him to a 7 a-side match. Because he was the smallest,he was picked to be the goalkeeper. He surprised everyone with his agility and goalkeeping prowess, and even dived to save shots from the opponent on the hard concrete "pitch". After this, Fan Chun Yip would regularly play in goal, which built his interest in football.

In 1985, Fan Chun Yip joined the Hong Kong football promotional program, and was picked for the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation training team. This was the first step towards his illustrious football career.

After being picked for the Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation training team, Fan Chun Yip was picked to join the Hong Kong Sports Institute because his potential was recognised. From amateur, Fan Chun Yip was promoted to the junior team, then promoted to the youth team. Because of his average height, it was not easy for him to proceed and become the first choice keeper of the youth team.

After Fan Chun Yip's promotion to the youth team, he started off his 4-year long accommodated training. Because Fan Chun Yip was professionally trained by the Hong Kong Sports Institute, he eventually was selected to represent the Hong Kong youth team.

Hong Kong Rangers is the First Division club Fan Chun Yip first joined. In a reserve League match, he injured his index finger and was forced to rest for a couple of months. After recovering from this injury, he was named in the Hong Kong Olympic squad.

After a year at Hong Kong Rangers, he was loaned to Happy Valley. Happy Valley gave him the chance to make his debut, against his parent club, Hong Kong Rangers.Fan Chun Yip gained a lot of first-team experience with Happy Valley, although a hand injury kept him sidelined for two months. After this, he was released by Hong Kong Rangers.

In the two years after Fan Chun Yip's departure from Hong Kong Rangers, he joined Yee Hope and Instant-Dict. In the third year after Fan Chun Yip's joining to the club, he helped the club to win the Hong Kong FA Cup.Unfortunately, it was the last title for the club, as the sponsor left the club, forcing them to disband. On the night of 8 August 2003, Fan Chun Yip became nationally famous. There was an exhibition match against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the Hong Kong National Stadium. In the first half, the home team was down 4–2 due to the poor performance by the China goalkeeper An Qi.Fan Chun Yip came on as a substitute in the second half. He made a string of excellent saves to keep Real Madrid (with World Class players such as Beckham, Zidane, Raul and Ronaldo) at bay in the second half. After this 45-minutes, everyone in Hong Kong started to recognise and notice him.

Performances

In 2005, Fan Chun Yip again impressed in his second appearance in the East Asian Cup, his excellent performances impressing foreign press and football fans alike. Indeed, he was eventually awarded the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. Fan Chun Yip is now recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in Asia (along with the Japan National Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and the R.O. Korean National Lee Woon-Jae).

On 6 September 2006, Hong Kong were playing against Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup Qualification Group stages. Fan Chun Yip was the star player for the Hong Kong, he consistently made excellent saves enfuriating the Uzbekistan's forwards, to the extent that one of them spat at him, though the matter is now resolved. At last, Fan Chun Yip was noted the Man of the Match.

Recent news

On 17 November 2004, China played against Hong Kong in Guangzhou in a World Cup 2006 qualifying match. Fan Chun Yip performed numerous saves, and saved Zheng Zhi's crucial penalty kick. The save ended China's hope of reaching the 2006 tournament on goal difference, with Kuwait finishing above them in the group by virtue of one goal. After the match, the Mainland Chinese press named Fan Chun Yip 'The Bane of China', and Fan Chun Yip received some personal attack and threats; though fans of Hong Kong supported and honoured him as the Hero of Hong Kong, Pride of Hong Kong, etc. This has somewhat ironically led to his popularity in China, and Fan has attracted some Chinese clubs' interest.

In 2005, Chinese Super League team Changsha Ginde were interested in Fan Chun Yip and wanted to sign him from Happy Valley, and he verbally accepted the offer. The transfer was called off however, due to the sudden murder of his brother. Fan chun yip had no choice but had to stay in Hong Kong to take care of his family. In the meantime, he has promised that he will not join any team in the future except Changsha Ginde, and indicated that he will join them after the painful transition.

On 1 July 2007, a Reunification Cup was held in Hong Kong to celebrate the re-merging of Hong Kong with China anniversary. A China-Hong Kong XI (Chinese national team including six Hong Kong international players) played a World Star XI. Fan Chun Yip was given the captain's armband by the Chinese national team's head coach. He took part in the first half of the International exhibition match and again impressed highly. His excellence was acknowledged by the fans, who gave him an ovation and chanted his nickname Jyujai (豬仔; "Piggy").

Personal honours

Hong Kong Footballer of the Year (Season 2003–04)

Team of the Season 4 times, (Seasons 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04 & 2004–05)

Hong Kong Most Popular Player 2 times (Seasons 2004–05 & 2005–06)

Goalkeeper of the Tournament (East Asian Cup) 2 times (2005 & 2007)

Captain of the China-Hong Kong XI

Hong Kong Captain

40 caps for his Nation

International career

As of 14 January 2009.

Personal life

Fan Chun Yip married when he was 23 and has a son named Fan Ki Chi(Kenji). He and his family now live in Kowloon Bay. He enjoys war game simulations with his teammates and friends during his leisure time. His most admired football players are Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and Italy's number one Gianluigi Buffon.

Fàn is a member of the Fàn family.

Fame beyond football

Fan Chun Yip is sponsored by Nike, with all his sportswear provided by the company. His goalkeeping gloves and boots are sewed with his initials on (C Y FAN).

Fan is also the spokesman for two companies, one for skincare and the other for ointment.

In 2005, Fan Chun Yip was invited to be the host for a Hong Kong TV program about sport.

Fan Chun Yip is now also an amateur football live commentator with IPTV's now TV.

Fan Chun Yip was invited to be a visitor in an Olympic related TV programme on TVB in 2008.