British-Asian Footballers????

Gone to Cricket innnit Bruv!

I also think it is to do with Asian family standards. Most Asian parents want you to have a degree and stuff (be a doctor ) and give less time to things such a sports because the chances of making it to the big leagues is slim for anyone. I think Asian parents would opt for the education route. For example a friend of mine (he is white) has made it into Doncaster Rovers football club so a professional team, however he had to take 2 years to stay in training everyday between 16 - 18 so he missed sixth form. There was no guarantee that he would be selected for the first team but he made it in the end. Where as Asian parents would probably prefer you going to sixth form and then a degree rather than risking those two years to be a professional footballer.

From a physical point of view, black and white footballers tend to be bigger/stronger/faster than the Asian (South-East and Far East) counterpart. The gap is changing imo, especially when comparing to the Far East but I guess it makes a difference.

A lot of natural sports stars in SE Asia are more likely to go into cricket over football.

There just doesn't seem to be that same culture of wanting to become a footballer in SE Asians.

It's fitness levels. Most Asians have bad diets.

I might have to disagree with you there, we don't all eat curries like u get from the local takeaway, homecooked asian food can be pretty healthy

There was this documentary about racism in football which featured something about this

Wow, now that's intersting, dyu know the name of that documentary?

Wow, now that's intersting, dyu know the name of that documentary?

Yeah i think that's a big reason, I can't imagine an Asian boy going up to their parents and telling them they're going to be a footballer lol

Clarke Carlisle, Is Football Racist?

Returning to the thread topic, some of the reasons have already been stated, that is poor diet, parents' pushing for a more respectable career but a more pertinent theory is the mindset of third-generation Asians migrating from the sub-continent.

When they arrived here, their main focus was to WORK and build a stable future for their children. They just worked and worked. Sadly, getting involved in the UK's traditions - one of them being going to watch the football with their children on a weekend or watching their kids play Saturday football - wasn't something that time could provide them with. Had they done so, then that would have pushed Asian kids - if they had the tangible talent - to proceed in football with the aim of turning pro with their parents' wishes because they had encouraged them from a young age.

A non-football related example, but look at Amir Khan. His father and uncle, in Amir's amateur days, would drop everything to drive him and support him in his fights. Had they not taken that dedication then I doubt he would have continued his passion for boxing. Parents play the key, not only in words but action in regards to supporting their children's dream or desire to play professional sport. But that's not just Asian kids, it's a universal principle IMO.