When Scottish footballer Derek Currie was made an offer to travel to Hong Kong to play against the one sportsman he had dreamed of meeting on the field, he couldnt say no. From apprentice printer in Glasgow to playing football against Pele in the Far East, singing with Stevie Wonder and shadow-boxing with Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Currie enjoyed a magical life as one of the first three European professional footballers in Asia. He was quickly nicknamed Jesus by Hong Kong football fans. Here he traces the early development of professional football in the then-British colony through his own career: the games, the places and the characters he met along the way. Given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he didnt think twice travelling 6,000 miles across the world to pursue his dream of professional football. In the years that followed, he met international stars from music, showbusiness, boxing and horse racing. Here in words and pictures is his amazing story if not for the photographic proof you could be forgiven for thinking it might be a fairy tale! It isnt.
Derek Currie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1949. At the age of 21 he travelled to the then-British colony of Hong Kong to become one of the first three European professionals to play soccer in Asia. Over a 12-year career he played against greats such as Pele and Eusebio, but also met celebrities from a range of fields, including Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Marvin Hagler. During a spell playing for the San Antonio Thunder in the NASL, Currie scored the official first goal in the Bicentennial League against the St. Louis All-Stars.
An illustrious playing career. An excellent read. Craig Brown CBE, former manager, Scotland football team I first met Derek when I came out to Hong Kong for the Sevens in 1990 just after Scotland had won the Grand Slam. We thought we were the heroes but the real Hong Kong heroes were Jesus and his great pal Walter Gerrard, aka the Water Buffalo, who we enjoyed so many happy times with over the years. What a pair of Scots they were together. Gavin Hastings OBE, former captain, Scotland national rugby team Derek is one of the friendliest and smartest people I have ever known. He is not only an extremely talented football player, but also shows outstanding sportsmanship I dont think I have ever seen him lose his temper, on or off the pitch. Even before retiring from football, he was a great businessman and developed numerous partnerships with people from all walks of life. Due to his iconic long-haired, bearded look, we, the Hong Kong media, nicknamed him Jesus. Derek was one of the first foreign footballers to play in Hong Kong and played a pivotal role in bringing quality to the Hong Kong game. His skills and performance brought us to new heights, kickstarting a 10-year breakthrough period in local football the most remarkable period post-WWII. Derek truly is an icon for Hong Kong football. - Lai Yu-ching, sports television producer Like Derek Currie, I was a youngster when I first went to Hong Kong, only 18 when I first met him; by then he was already a local football legend. But our joint love of racing led us to becoming great friends. Derek went on to become champion tipster in the racing sections of the Hong Kong Standard and South China Morning Post and Im tipping this book will be another winner. -- Philip Robinson, winner of five English & Irish Classics, twice Hong Kong champion jockey
