BBC SPORT | TV & Radio | Grandstand | Britain's search for Asian Beckham

G Two examines why there are so few Asian footballers in British football.

As India's football team embark on their brief tour of England, questions are again being asked about the lack of Asian footballers in the British game.

While black football players now amount for nearly half of the English national team, their Asian counterparts have barely caused a ripple in the game.

Previous research has proved that football is extremely popular among young Asians, but no conclusive reasons have been reached for the dearth of Asian footballers.

Viv Anderson won the first of 30 England caps in 1978, and in doing so became the first black player to have represented the national side.

If there was someone Asian kids could look up to then their parents might be more supportive

Fulham's Zesh Rahman

Anderson's achievement broke down the barriers for other black players, but he believes there is some time to go before an Asian player will play for England.

"When I was at Middlesbrough, myself and Brian Robson went into the Asian community to try to encourage support," he told G Two.

"They have their own leagues, but we found it was quite insular and they kept to themselves.

"When we did invite young Asian players to training they came along in dribs and drabs, and really didn't take it all in.

"There is nothing wrong with sticking together but if they are to break through then players have to get out of their environment and play with professional clubs."

One youngster who has made it to a professional club is Fulham's Zesh Rahman, an England U-17 international tipped to make it to the top.

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Rahman moved from Birmingham to join Fulham, and believes that convincing kids' parents that football is a worthwhile career is a major part of the struggle.

"Asian kids are interested in football but I don't think they get the support from their parents," he said.

"Parents do not think it is a good idea for their kids to play football as there are no role-models.

"If there was someone Asian kids could look up to then their parents might be more supportive."

There are signs that clubs are taking note of this seam of untapped talent.

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West Ham, Leeds and Leicester have all invested in youth schemes designed to find the next Asian David Beckham, while Bury's signing of India captain Baichung Bhutia provoked a flurry of media interest in the player and club.

And UEFA coach Chas Singh Khehra believes the talent is out there - with patience being the most important motto at the moment.

"There are still parents out there who want their kids to be doctors and accountants, but there are also parents who do like football," he said.

"If there is an Asian out there who is good enough then he will break the barriers down."

For G Two's full investigation into the topic tune in to Sunday Grandstand from 1300BST.


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