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Fan Zhiyi

Guardian

Sunday January 7, 2001

Birthplace: Shanghai, China
Now playing for Crystal Palace in the First Division
Age: 30
Position: Central defender/striker
Joined Crystal Palace for £700,000 from Shanghai
Shenhua in September 1998
Appearances: 85 (1)

Did you get to see English football as a child,
and did you support anyone?
As a young footballer in Shanghai, I watched the old
English Division One whenever I could. Today's
Premiership is on Chinese TV all the time, but even
ten years ago we saw a lot of the old Division One.
And, yes, I watched Crystal Palace a lot. They finished
third in 1991 behind Arsenal and Liverpool, with Ian
Wright scoring constantly. But in the years before that I
most enjoyed watching Liverpool pass and move the
ball, with people like Ray Houghton who coaches here
now, and watching players like Glenn Hoddle. They
were my favourites, but the pace and passion of the
whole game here has always attracted me.

First played professional football for?
Shanghai.

How did your move to England come about?
Terry Venables spotted me during England's tour of
China in 1996, and Ted Buxton, China's former coach
and then a coach at Crystal Palace, knew about Sun
Jihai. They signed both of us after we came over here
on tour in 1998.

Had you heard of Crystal Palace before you
joined them?
Well, as I said, Ian Wright was an inspiration for me.
Palace had a great time in the early 90s, and now I
want to help us do it again.

What were your first impressions of English
football?

I was shocked by the speed and aggression, even
though I was expecting a very different style to that at
Shanghai. The game moves so quickly - defence turns
to attack in an instant - but my coaches and
colleagues helped me adjust and cope with the pace.
The concentration needed to play successfully here is
high, but I think now I誱 playing better this season
than last.

Where are you living now?
I have bought a house in Purley, which is a nice place
to live. All the neighbours are very generous, and my
wife and our little girl Fan Si Jing are very happy - my
daughter even knows a few words of English. But
when I first arrived I was living in the Selsdon Park
Hotel in Croydon: a very nice hotel for golfers but I
don't play I golf. I did feel very isolated. But Jihai and I
gave each other moral support, and everyone at the
club helped us settle down, everyone looked after us.
We soon overcame the initial fears and loneliness.

Have you got any family over with you?
Besides my wife and daughter, my parents come to
watch when it is possible. They are both sportspeople
- my father played for Shanghai too, long before
football in China became professional in 1994, while
my mother was an international athlete. They are very
pleased to see what I am doing now, and enjoy their
visits to London and to Selhurst Park.

Do you send any money home?
No - we are comfortable.

What do you like and dislike about living in
England?
The food, when I arrived, was a problem - perhaps the
biggest apart from language, but I have grown used to
it now. But culturally, England hasn't presented us with
many problems as it is a more relaxed society. I
particularly like the people here. Being famous in
China can be overwhelming, but here there is more
space and friendship.

What do you do in the afternoons and evenings?
Apart from spending time with my family, I love to
watch football on the television. Everyday I think.
Spanish football is the best in the world at the
moment, but the Premiership and First Division here
is also very enjoyable and very educative.

Is English football better or worse than you
expected?
It is much as I expected - very strong, powerful,
passionate, and at the top level is beautiful. Beckham
is a lovely player.

Have you learned to speak English?
My English is developing. Some of my teammates
pretend they can speak Chinese to me.

Is the atmosphere in the dressing room different
to other countries?
Because Chinese professional football is still in its
infancy, there is a difference, yes. Everyone here is
more sure of themselves, and more focused.

How does training differ from what you are used
to at home?
In China, training is very strict, fitness based and
regimented. Here there is more technique and tactical
coaching, plus more individual advice.

How do English fans compare to those in other
countries you have played in?
Crystal Palace fans are very loud - even when we're
very bad, they continue to shout. It is wonderful for all
of us when we are playing towards the Holmesdale
Road end of the ground, as the noise when we attack
is astonishing. In China, if you score or win the crowd
will be pleased, if you concede they will go home.
They are very enthusiastic - 100 million watched when
I first played for Palace on television - but they are not
yet so committed to clubs. Here, when we score at
Selhurst Park the players, crowd and coaches
become one. Now I feel hugely welcomed by the
supporters: at first I think they weren't sure about me,
but now everyone sees me and calls me Fan. I am
very happy.

Have you ever experienced racism by opponents
or opposing fans?
No, nothing. Everyone I deal with is very good towards
me - they don't say 'there's that Chinese man', they
say 'there's that footballer', and come and talk to me
about football. It is a nice place to live.

How long do you think you will stay in English
football?
I have a great passion for England, and for Crystal
Palace. I hope to recommend younger Chinese
players to the gaffer, and I hope we will continue to
bring Chinese players to England, as it helps the club
and the players' quality. China is very keen to qualify
for the World Cup, so the management have
encouraged players to seek European experience.
Personally, I want to become a coach eventually, and
hope to learn how to coach in England with the FA
qualifications, then maybe use that knowledge here or
to teach younger Chinese players. But I have a lot of
playing time left, I hope.