Journalist Andy Walker has kindly written this quick synopsis of his recent trip to the Far East with the Blues.

Before that, Joys and Sorrows would like to congratulate Andy on his new role as with BCFC working in the PR department focusing on social media.

Anyway, here is Andy’s article:

To say that the opportunity to cover Birmingham City’s tour of Hong Kong and China was the trip of a lifetime would be something of an understatement.

I had never previously covered a football club’s pre-season tour, been to the Far East or had the chance to put my new-found video journalism skills to the test. The fact that this was also going to be a historically significant tour for Blues further added to the importance of the occasion.

While we travelled around with and were close to Alex McLeish’s camp throughout, myself and my colleague Colin Tattum, as journalists, were still able to cast an impartial eye over the Blues squad and the impact this trip had on them.

To say that the players enjoyed themselves out in China would be a lie. Players aren’t supposed to enjoy themselves on pre-season tours; these trips are not holidays, they’re hard work. The Blues squad would spend several hours training in the intense heat and humidity that China had to offer, then head back to spend the night in a hotel room. The occasional day trip out (most notably to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China) did allow the occasional break, although these weren’t appreciated by all.

The travelling only added to the players’ frustration and at times I could understand their point of view. In hindsight, it would have been better to structure the fortnight trip into week-long stays in two separate destinations, say Hong Kong and Beijing. The four-hour journey on a packed train to Shenyang didn’t go down well, while the three-and-a-half hour flight to Guangzhou seemed unnecessary as it was a long way to travel for what was essentially just a dinner with a few local dignitaries.

The schedule also made life difficult for those diehard fans that travelled out there, as well as the ex-pats already in China. While Hong Kong was certainly an enjoyable base for Bluenoses, the vastness of Beijing and Shenyang made it impossible for supporters to feel that ‘closeness’ that Austria would have offered.

However, the tour should still be deemed a success. Blues returned safe and sound, produced some encouraging performances against a decent standard of opposition and gained some winning momentum. Carson Yeung got the opportunity to show his football club off to some very powerful and wealthy compatriots.

The club and new kitmakers Xtep gained plenty of publicity throughout the vastly-populated People’s Republic and Blues also attracted decent attendances at stadiums where they would have been strangers just a couple of years ago. For example, hundreds of voluntary stewards at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing were dressed in Birmingham City training shirts. If they didn’t know who Blues were, then they do now.

There was never going to be swarms of Chinese fans dressed in Blues shirts swarming around the squad at every airport, shopping mall and training ground they visited, that sort of attention is still reserved for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. However, there was a curious interest (and occasional Blues shirt) wherever we travelled and that will only grow now that the club have planted their flag in their owner’s homeland.

Both Blues and their Chinese owners still have a lot to learn, after all it was a new experience for two parties from very different cultures. But this is the start and, whether the playing staff like it or not, summer trips to the Far East are sure to become a regular thing.

Andy Walker

You can follow Andy on Twitter.