From the MEN:
‘MANCHESTER City are set to launch a major export drive in China. The move was triggered by manager Kevin Keegan's £2m signing last season of Chinese international defender Jihai Sun.
Voted City's player of the month for September, interest in Sun from his homeland has never been higher.
The player's every move is scrutinised by a dedicated band of Chinese journalists, who follow their idol and Keegan's team around the country.
Mr Bird said: "China is without doubt a land of opportunity for us. I had one productive visit in the close-season and I will be going back over there soon. By November we will have opened three retail outlets, one in Shanghai, one in the capital, Beijing, and another at the soccer club Dalian. We are also putting together a 20 minute documentary about Sun and his life at the club. One programme about him shown on a Chinese channel had something like 30 million viewers."
Mr Bird said the superstar status of Sun - likened to that of David Beckham in England - should boost the coffers at Maine Road.
He said: "We believe our links with China will generate considerable income over the next 12 to 18 months."
Wonder if the market will be so fruitful when City are back in the Nationwide? Will all those Asians on two bob a week from the shitty wages paid by western companies want to waste their money on such a no hope outfit?