Word: Ash Pritchard

While the concept of athletic men in shorts is undoubtedly appealing to the average gay man, the mere thought of throwing on shin pads and running around a pitch is enough to send shivers down the spine of most of us. Memories of schooldays filled with humiliation, or an aversion to the homophobic realities of jock culture often mean that us gays avoid football like the plague. However, not all tremble at the sight of a white leather ball. One group of sporty Hong Kong queers are debunking the myth that the gays can’t pay football. DS caught up with One-Nil, group finders, Janson Mui and Peter Sabine.

DS: Why did you start one-nil?
One-Nil: Fate and fortune on a momentous evening over some free vodka at Volume; Two gay football fans met and their lives (and livers) were changed forever. Gay was about to take the Hong Kong football scene by storm! After meeting in Volume, Peter and Janson realised that they each weren’t the only gay in the village who liked to play football. After chatting for a while they decided to set about creating Hong Kong’s first gay football team and the idea behind One-Nil was born. It was an opportunity for us to play more football and meet new people at the same time.

DS: What was the initial response of from the gay community in Hong Kong, has this changed in the months since you started?
One-Nil: The response was great. Everyone was really encouraging. Quite a few people were surprised that gay guys actually play football too. There were a few doubters who thought we wouldn’t be able to put a team together, but we set about proving them wrong, and so far we’ve done OK. We’ve got some way to go to get the team really established and more than just a group of guys playing together at the weekend, but we’re confident we can do it!

DS: What about from the other (presumably straight) football crowd, how do they act when they realise they are paying against a gay team?
One-Nil: We found most people to be very accepting but there were a few jokes about what goes on in the changing rooms afterwards. There have been a few suggestions that we should call ourselves “Team Queen” and play in a hot pink strip. It doesn’t bother us; it just gives us something to laugh about in the bar.

DS: How many people play on the team?
One-Nil: Well we’ve had a lot of interest and our Facebook group now has over 50 members and there are about 20 regular players who come along to most games. We’re always on the lookout few more players and are really keen to get some more players with experience so we can build a much stronger squad, so please send your CV’s with stats and photos to onenilhk@gmail.com (joke, about the photos!)
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DS: Where do you play, and who do you play against?
One-Nil: Wherever we can get hold of some balls! Seriously we play all over Hong Kong depending on where we can find a pitch. We normally play casually against whoever wants to play, but we’re also looking to join in some more tournaments and have a few more competitive matches and are happy to play some friendly matches too.

DS: I haven’t kicked a ball or played sport for years, what are the requirements to join the team?
One-Nil: We’re open to anyone interested in joining and giving it a try, but we’re also looking for some experienced players to help us to build a competitive square and become Hong Kong’s answer to England’s Stonewall FC. For us it’s about having a good laugh, having a good and competitive game of football and then meeting new people.

DS: What have been the best parts of the one-nil experience for you guys since you started the team?
One-Nil: Since we started One-Nil we’ve all made a lot of new friends, tested each other’s alcohol tolerance, sang some karaoke and occasionally played some football. More than just the players in the team, we’ve all met friends of friends and made some new great drinking buddies and friends off the football pitch, none of which would have happened without One-Nil.

It’s great to get involved in a gay scene in a gay-scene that’s not all about gay bars and partying, though obviously that’s a lot of fun too! There’s a good mix of people in the team, people of different ages, people you see in the bars and people you don’t. It really creates a way for shy or nervous gay guys to meet other guys socially without having to negotiate the gay scene or uncomfortably explain their whereabouts to family and friends. It’s a lot easier to say I’ve been playing football, than it is to lie about where you went out that night. It’s quite rewarding to know that the stereotypes that are painted about gay guy’s lifestyles and interests aren’t always true, and to play a part in tearing down those misconceptions; and to do that by doing something we love doing makes it all the more fun.
If the questions below are more like the ones you’d want to ask us then joining a gay football team probably isn’t for you – but we had fun answering them…!

DS: I seem to remember that football players are exclusively uneducated, gay-bashing straight men. Is this true, and will there be opportunities to seduce them at one-nil training?
One-Nil: It’s not always true but on the occasion that it is, we would encourage them to wet the towels before they whip us. It makes for a good post-match bondage…urm…ing session…hmmm.

DS: I’m gay, I’m trendy, I like Lady Gaga. Why should I play football when it might damage my new vintage t-shirt?
One-Nil: Have you not heard of Shabby-chic? The whole point of vintage is to get Personality. We love the sweaty scruffy t-shirt look. Also we are in talks with Lady Gaga over sponsorship, we hear she’s a massive fan!

DS: Will playing in goal damage my manicure?
One-Nil: It will, get over it already, just think of all the balls you’ll get to handle.

DS: How do you score?
One-Nil: Hmmm…well it takes a lot of effort; a lot of sweat; occasional body contact; smooth ball handling; the ability to endure some pain; to swallow your pride; to not peak (or peek) too early; give it all you’ve got and after you’ve negotiated some big tackle; with one long hard thrust, SHOOT! If you manage to scrape a draw in the end, and it all comes down to penalties, you may just have to put on a brave face and take one for the team!

Gay guys WLTM likeminded individuals for hot sweaty football action.
Get in touch today at onenilhk@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at OneNilHK