UK visa rules blocked Hong Kong footballer's West Ham trial. Now Japan beckons
Hong Kong Football Club's teenaged goalkeeper James Wright has said the weekend's HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens provided a rare gateway for local talent to play at an elite level overseas.
Following a string of impressive displays in last year's tournament, Wright was invited for a trial with West Ham United, the club he supports.
That opportunity fell through after Wright arrived in England, because despite owning a British passport, he counted as a foreigner under Fifa rules and West Ham opted against giving a triallist one of its quota of slots for those not meeting UK work permit criteria.
A week-long stint with Charlton Athletic was arranged instead, with Wright not offered a deal but told he was welcome to train in future with this season's League One play-off finalists.
Soon after playing in this year's Sevens, 17-year-old Wright was poised to jet to Japan for a four-day tryout with Kamatamare Sanuki, set up by former Hong Kong international Au Yeung Yiu-chung, who used to play for the J3 League team.
James Wright plays for HKFC Captain's Select at the Soccer Sevens. Photo: HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens
'This tournament gives young players like me exposure to big clubs like Aston Villa and West Ham, and I had the contact from West Ham after last year,' Wright said.
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