Fan Chun Yip

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

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").

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.

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, infuriating the Uzbekistan's forwards, to the extent that one of them spat at him, though the matter was resolved. At last, Fan Chun Yip was noted the Man of the Match.

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.

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).

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Fan made it into the Hong Kong league's Team of the Season four times consecutively between 2001 and 2005, and has been awarded the 'Hong Kong First Division League Most Popular Player' twice consecutively (2004–06).

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

Fan played for Shatin Sports Association in the Hong Kong First Division League. Before joining Shatin Sports Association, he played for Instant-Dict, Yee Hope, Hong Kong Rangers and Happy Valley. This is Fan's second spell with Happy Valley, having joined on loan some years previously. He made his international debut on 19 November 1998 against the Vietnam.

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.

Fan Chun Yip (born 1 May 1976) is a Hong Kong retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Widely considered one of the best goalkeepers in Asia back in the day, he was voted Hong Kong Footballer of the Year during the 2003–04 season.