A WORLDWIDE television audience of half a billion - reputedly the largest for an English cup game - tuned in for Bury's clash with Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. (August 15).

But it wasn't the Shakers that most of them wanted to see in the Gigg Lane cup tie.

In fact most viewers were in China and looking out for two of their compatriots making senior debuts in English football.

Chinese TV news carried a report of the match but the country's football fans were probably disappointed with the way things turned out.

First, Bury ran out convincing 3-0 winners.

And second, one of the players only lasted 18 minutes!

All this in front of about one eighth of the world's population - only 2,780 of them from Bury!

Fan Zhiyi, the 29-year-old Chinese national team captain, played the full 90 minutes and picked up a booking for a heavy tackle on Mark Patterson. But international team-mate, 22-year-old Sun Jihai damaged an ankle after 18 minutes in an incident which did not involve any other player. He hobbled to the sideline but was unable to resume after treatment.

Fan Zhiyi plays at centre back for his country. Sun Jihai is a versatile defender.

Palace signed the Oriental duo about a month ago for a combined £500,000 fee.

They are the first Chinese players to be involved in the Football League in this country.

Both were given first team debuts in the Worthington Cup second round first leg tie and Bury supporters witnessed a piece of footballing history.

Bury season ticket holder Neil Taylor (35) was at the game with his nephew Christopher (eight).

He said: "They both did well, the lad who limped off had made a particularly good start.

"A few years ago fans would probably not have expected to see Chinese players in England. But with so many foreign players coming to this country at the moment it is not a complete surprise that some of them are coming from what used to be known as 'lesser' footballing nations. The quality gap between countries continues to narrow and players from places like China will not look as out of place over here now as they once might have done.

"But there is always the argument that they are taking the place of English players and reducing opportunities for our young footballers.

"In any case though, the result was right on Tuesday night!"

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