The Magpies’ young striker is small, ginger-haired, talented and – like the terrace chant about the Manchester United icon – “he scores goals”.

Newcastle coach Willie Donachie is looking forward to seeing Campbell and his young teammates in action as the club make their Soccer Sevens debut. “We’ve got a very young team, but that’s why it is important for them to come here and gain experience,” said Donachie.

“Adam Campbell is one for the fans to watch – you can’t miss him and he’s got a fair bit of pace and an eye for goal. Another is Lubo Satka from Slovakia. He’s only 16, he’s still at school, but he’s a gifted defender who is very good on the ball.

“The Soccer Sevens is going to be a fantastic experience for the players, they will learn so much from being here. They will face good players from other countries and they will have to get used to the seven-a-side format and a different climate.

“They will benefit off the field as well in terms of seeing a new culture. Travel does broaden the mind so coming here is an experience you cannot buy.”

Newcastle were the English Premier League’s surprise team this season, finishing fifth under manager Alan Pardew, and Donachie believes that has set the bar higher for his players.

“It means the standard is getting better and it is more difficult for them to break into the first team,” said Donachie. “Hopefully, we’ll be a Champions League team soon, which means we’ll be attracting players from all over the world.

“Having said that, it helps these kids reach a higher standard. If they are playing and mixing with world class players then it is going to make them better players.”

The HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens kicks off on Friday (18 May) at Hong Kong Football Club with matches in the Masters competition. The Main competition begins on Saturday.

Newcastle have been drawn in Group D of the Main competition against five-time Soccer Sevens champions Aston Villa, HKFA Dragons and hosts Hong Kong Football Club.

“We’ve only been here one day and we’re really enjoying it,” added Donachie. “Hong Kong is a beautiful place, the people are friendly and the facilities here at the club are excellent. We’re really looking forward to the tournament.”

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi.

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Released on behalf of the HKFC Citbank International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Defender Alex Davey and midfield trio Lucas Piazon, Archange Nkumu and Lewis Baker were in the Blues team that won the FA Youth Cup last week with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Blackburn Rovers. Now they are part of a powerful squad looking to win the Soccer Sevens as Chelsea make their first visit to the tournament for 12 years.

Piazon, aged 18, has been tipped as a player to shine in Hong Kong. Chelsea had to fight off interest from some of the world’s leading clubs to sign the highly-rated Brazlian. Piazon graduated from the same Sao Paulo youth set-up that produced the likes of Kaka and Cafu and has consistently caught the eye when turning out for Brazil’s young national sides.

The Youth Cup quartet feature in a squad that includes several members of Chelsea’s reserves, some of them on the fringes of the first team. Right-back Billy Clifford has been on the bench for a pair of Champions League fixtures while left-back Aziz Deen-Conteh has appeared for England U19s.

Chelsea reserve team coach Dermot Drummy is promising his team will be serious contenders for the Soccer Sevens Cup. “We will be fielding a strong side – we’re coming to Hong Kong to win it,” he insists.

“Playing in Hong Kong gives our players and staff a taste of representing Chelsea abroad. It’s an opportunity to meet our fans there and it is great to play in new conditions and a different climate. The coaching staff and the players are relishing the tournament.”

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi.

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Released on behalf of the HKFC Citbank International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

The prestigious “M” Mark label brings with it government funding support plus enhanced local and overseas publicity opportunities for the tournament.

It also means the Soccer Sevens can call on professional advice from the MSEC’s Advisory Panel concerning organisation, sponsorship, marketing and promotion strategies.

“This is a landmark decision for the Soccer Sevens,” said tournament chairman Tony Bratsanos. “The ‘M’ Mark funding and other forms of support will help the tournament realise its potential and become an even more significant event in the football calendar.

“We are extremely grateful to the Major Sports Events Committee for their guidance as we submitted our ultimately successful application. In addition, we are indebted to the Hong Kong Football Association for their staunch support.

“This is a great day for the Soccer Sevens and, by extension, for Hong Kong’s countless passionate football fans.”

The MSEC, which reports to the Sports Commission, is tasked with advising the government on the hosting policy and resource allocation for major sports events in Hong Kong.

It provides a decision-making framework for determining the government’s funding priorities and involvement in hosting major sports events in Hong Kong.

The MSEC launched the “M” Mark programme in 2004 to recognise major sports events and to help them grow and become more sustainable.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi.

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Released on behalf of the HKFC Citbank International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

The brilliant winger will be joined by his former Wales and Lions teammate Martyn Williams and ex-New Zealand flyer Rico Gear in a squad that already contains five former All Blacks – including 100-cap fullback Mils Muliaina – and a host of other Rugby World Cup stars.

The BGC APBs will take on reigning English Premiership champions Saracens – making their first ever visit to the Far East – in the Chartis Cup at Hong Kong Stadium on 9 June (kickoff time, 6:00pm).

“To have household names like Shane Williams, Martyn Williams and Rico Gear so heavily involved speaks volumes for the appeal of the BGC APBs and the lure of the Chartis Cup,” said Les Mouat, Chairman and Head of Distribution, Chartis Insurance Asia-Pacific.

“Not only will these vastly experience former internationals be guiding and inspiring the BGC APBs, they will be highly visible during Chartis Cup week, coaching youngsters, meeting fans and showcasing APBs rugby to the watching world.”

Shane Williams scored a record 58 tries for Wales in a glittering 11-year international career before retiring from test rugby last December. He is playing his final season for Welsh side Ospreys and will retire from all rugby this summer, with the Chartis Cup marking his final game as a professional player.

Martyn Williams will play for the BGC APBs shortly after winning his 100th cap for Wales in their match against the Barbarians in Cardiff on 2 June. Gear, meanwhile, scored 11 tries in 19 tests for the All Blacks from 2004-07.

Two other Wales-based players have also been confirmed for the BGC APBs – Llanelli Scarlets prop Deacon Manu captained Fiji at last year’s RWC while Ospreys scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali’i played for Samoa in the world showpiece.

Apart from Muliaina, ex-All Blacks Sitiveni Sivivatu, Jerry Collins, Troy Flavell and Neemia Tialata are in the squad together with flying Fijian Sireli Bobo and Samoan brothers Alesana and Henry Tuilagi.

The BGC APBs will return to Hong Kong for the high-profile fixture having already made a major impact in the territory with their Cup triumph at the recent GFI HKFC Tens.

BGC have also confirmed they are extending their sponsorship of the team to include the Chartis Cup fixture.

“Having been closely associated with the team in last year’s inaugural Chartis Cup and then the hugely successful Tens campaign, we are delighted to continue our support for this exciting and appealing rugby team,” said Len Harvey, Executive Managing Director and General Manager, Asia Pacific, BGC Partners.

Saracens, meanwhile, will continue the defence of their English Premiership crown this Saturday when they take on Leicester Tigers in the playoff semi-finals.

The Chartis Cup showdown will be the centrepiece of a day-long rugby festival that will feature mini and veterans tournaments and a Rugby Village next to Hong Kong Stadium where fans can watch the day’s international matches live on big screens later in the evening.

Tickets for the Chartis Cup – priced $300 for adults and $50 for children – can be purchased online at www.hkticketing.com or by calling the HK Ticketing hotline on 31288288. Fans can also buy in person from HK Ticketing’s box offices and Tom Lee Music stores.

More information can be found at www.chartiscup.com.

About Chartis

Chartis is a world leading property-casualty and general insurance organisation serving more than 70 million clients around the world. With one of the industry’s most extensive ranges of products and services, deep claims expertise and excellent financial strength, Chartis enables its commercial and personal insurance clients alike to manage virtually any risk with confidence.  Chartis is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty and general insurance operations of Chartis Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.chartisinsurance.com. All products are written by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of Chartis Inc. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain coverage may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.

About APBs

Formed in 2010, the APBs are designed to showcase the vast array of rugby talent in Asia Pacific, with the occasional invited player from outside the region. Each squad typically contains household names and Rugby World Cup stars mixed with up-and-coming players from the emerging rugby nations, all infused with a commitment to demonstrate a true spirit of playing entertaining rugby. Off the field, the APBs are sociable, approachable and accessible to fans, and promote the game to players of all ages and abilities through coaching clinics and interaction with the rugby community. Crucially, the APBs carry a strong sense of social responsibility, seeking to ensure that their high profile and wide corporate connections allow various charities benefit from their activities.

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Released on behalf of the Chartis Cup 2012 by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Hong Kong face Singapore on Friday, 1 June at Hong Kong Stadium (kickoff, 8:00pm) with tickets costing $80 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens.

They take on Vietnam on Sunday, 10 June at Mongkok Stadium (kickoff 5:30pm) with adult tickets priced at $100 and concessionary tickets $20.

Fans can buy a pair of tickets – one for each match – at a discounted price of $150.

“These matches offer our many supporters and stakeholders two great opportunities in a short period of time to support the Hong Kong team,” said Hong Kong Football Association chief executive Gordon McKie.

“We are encouraging fans to attend both games, hence the discount for purchasing a pair of tickets.

“We have priced adult tickets for the Vietnam match to reflect the fact they are a FIFA top 100-ranked team and the limited capacity of Mongkok Stadium.”

From Monday, tickets can be bought online through Cityline at www.cityline.com or by calling the hotline 2111 5333. Fans wishing to buy in person can do so at Parsons Music – shop locations can be found at www.cityline.com/eng/helpdesk/outlet.jsp.

More details about the matches and tickets can be found at www.hkfa.com.

Vietnam are currently 97th in the FIFA world rankings – and 15th in Asia – while Singapore are 158th in the world and Hong Kong are at 161.

Hong Kong will be looking to build on their emphatic 5-1 defeat of Chinese Taipei on 29 February in new head coach Ernie Merrick’s first match in charge.

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Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Football Association by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

The two teams were paired together in Group C of the Main competition when the tournament draw was held at Hong Kong Football Club today (24 April).

“It is a fantastic draw, a major highlight of the first two days of the tournament,” said Soccer Sevens chairman Tony Bratsanos. “Chelsea have promised to send a strong team so it will be a great match-up against the Cup holders.

“Kitchee were only the second Hong Kong team ever to win the tournament when they triumphed last year and it is great to see them defending their title.

“The overseas professional teams who come to take part in the Soccer Sevens do not always have it their own way. They have to adapt to the seven-a-side format, the heat and the different environment. And if you have pace, as Kitchee did last year, then you can have a lot of success.”

Fans attending the HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens – to be staged from 18-20 May at Hong Kong Football Club – will be treated to the tournament’s best-ever line-up.

Chelsea are returning to the event after an absence of 12 years while Newcastle United will make their debut. Also featuring in the Main competition will be five-time winners Aston Villa, Sunderland, West Ham United, newcomers Leicester City and Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers.

The cream of Hong Kong’s emerging football talent will be on display with two official teams from the Hong Kong Football Association, the Lions and Dragons.

In the Masters competition, Treble winner Teddy Sheringham will make a guest appearance for Discovery Bay while the Ajax All Stars will feature former greats from the four-time European champions.

The Citibank All Stars will feature several former Rangers players in their squad, including Italian defender Lorenzo Amoruso and Scottish midfielders Derek Ferguson and Alex Rae.

Ex-Premier League aces will also appear for the Nottingham Forest Mobsters and another debut team, the Anglo-Scottish Lions.

Following the success of the 2011 HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens, Citibank has confirmed a three-year sponsorship for 2012-14.

“This year is the second consecutive year that Citibank have sponsored the Soccer Sevens,” commented Weber Lo, Chief Executive Officer and Country Business Manager, Citibank Global Consumer Group.

“We hope that through this sponsorship, we will help develop and grow the Soccer Sevens as one of the key international sports events by bringing the world’s best teams and renowned players to Hong Kong.

“This way we will generate tremendous excitement for all soccer fans and the general public in the city, and create values for Hong Kong society in the international sports arena.”

A new feature at this year’s tournament will be a Toys R Us Kids Carnival which will include various games, entertainment, face painting, giveaways and many other attractions that will keep children occupied for hours on end.

A wealth of information about the tournament is available on the newly launched official website, www.hksoccersevens.com.

OFFICIAL DRAW RESULTS

Main tournament
Group A: Rangers, Sunderland, Singapore Cricket Club, Kowloon Cricket Club
Group B: Celtic, West Ham United, Leicester City, HKFC Captain’s Select
Group C: Chelsea, Kitchee, HKFA Lions, Yau Yee League Select
Group D: Aston Villa, Newcastle United, HKFA Dragons, Hong Kong Football Club

Masters tournament
Group A: Ajax All Stars, Discovery Bay, Yau Yee League Select Veterans, KFC Tokyo
Group B: Citibank All Stars, Nottingham Forest Mobsters, HKFC Chairman’s Select, Bangkok Airways
Group C: Top Class FC, Anglo-Scottish Lions, HKFC Veterans, Kowloon Cricket Club Veterans

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi.

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Released on behalf of the HKFC Citbank International Soccer Sevens by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.