Jay Haddow interview

Jay in action for Blackburn

In recent years, the likes of Law Tsz-chun and Cheng Chin-lung have graduated through the Kitchee academy, and have made over a hundred first team appearances for the club. Others to have played some of their youth football at the club include Hong Kong trio Sun Ming-him, Matthew Orr and Michael Udebuluzor. Today’s focus is someone who left the academy aged twelve to pursue a career in England.

Jay's Kitchee academy team

Jay Haddow was in the Kitchee academy between the ages of eight and twelve, and during his time there he played alongside current centre back Jason Kam and Eastern winger Timmy Ma Hei-wai. A number of his past teammates and opponents are also forging footballing careers in Hong Kong, including current Kitchee and Hong Kong full back Shinichi Chan. The financial instability of clubs and unpredictable career prospects means many pursue university degrees or other careers alongside football. Hong Kong football also does not have the quality or the salary prospects of rival Asian leagues, due to the small player pool. Hence young players look to overseas opportunities when they present themselves, either as a child like Jay, the NCAA route in the USA or taking the opportunity of a move to mainland China, which has become more common for Hong Kong players in recent years.

Jay taking on Garnacho

At the age of twelve Jay moved to England with Blackburn Rovers, rising through the age groups with Adam Wharton, currently at Crystal Palace and recently called up to the England squad, and playing against Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United and Rico Lewis of Manchester City amongst other rising stars. Despite having left Kitchee almost a decade ago, he maintains good relationships with staff at the club. His personal circumstances provide him with multiple options for the international stage- he previously played for Japan youth sides through his mother’s heritage and his father is British. Being a potential Hong Kong player, his career is followed by fans of Hong Kong football, and it is no secret that the HKFA have been in contact with Jay and other eligible dual nationals about representing Hong Kong, trying to avoid an over-reliance on naturalised players in their mid thirties. He would need to renounce his other nationalities to obtain a Hong Kong SAR passport having been born in the city, but the application process can take months, as Michael Udebuluzor and others can testify. For now, he puts any international dreams on the back burner, wanting to secure his club future first and see what happens next. He left Blackburn this summer, looking at the best opportunity in Asia for his career, a club that will give him the opportunity to develop to the best of his ability, with minutes in his preferred position.

Jay and Shinichi Chan

Much has been made this season from fans and critics alike that while Kitchee’s squad possesses a lot of experience, there is a massive over-reliance on older players, with Kitchee ranking top in minutes played by those over thirty (over 60% of minutes). Nearly a third of players used in the HKPL by Kitchee this season are over thirty five, and with Shinichi Chan at left back (, Tuscany Shek (90 minutes against HKU23) and Matthew Slattery (late cameo against Southern) being the only players under the age of 22 to feature in the league this season for the club.

This summer will bring about a much needed squad rebuild and a change of coaching personnel, but Jay is confident Kitchee can get back to winning trophies next campaign, bringing in younger players from Hong Kong and abroad. Although Shinichi's form in recent times (save for Southern away) has been shaky, Jay sees a great career ahead for the young full back, previously linked with Chinese Super League sides in January, and made his 100th Kitchee appearance in the final match of the season. He has high hopes for Kitchee youngsters Tuscany Shek and Jason Yuen (both starting the Sapling Cup final defeat) as well as Matthew Slattery, an unused substitute. He was impressed by Rangers teenagers Sergio Chiu (awarded Sapling Cup best U22 player) and goalkeeper Chun Kun-Sam.

Jay captaining Kitchee U11s

We wish Jay all the best this summer with his move, and look forward to seeing his career progress, whether in Hong Kong or further afield in Asia. We would love to see him in a Kitchee or Hong Kong shirt in the future, but it would also be great to see a Hong Kong-born and raised player in higher profile leagues in Asia.

Photos provided by the interviewee.

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Written by Adam O'Domhnaill