Birmingham chairman will pay for players' Christmas party after losing drinking contest

Birmingham's new chairman Vico Hui has pledged to fund the players’ Christmas party after losing a drinking bet with back-up keeper Colin Doyle.

Brum owner Carson Yeung laid on a banquet at the China Court restaurant in Birmingham last Monday for boss Alex McLeish and City’s first team squad.

Hong Kong tycoon Yeung was in the Far East so charismatic Hui, 43, made a speech and sung karaoke at the bash following their £80million takeover.

Birmingham’s squad were allowed alcohol after taking four points from successive home games with Sunderland and Manchester City ahead of today’s trip to Liverpool.

And as the evening climaxed, Hui asked if anyone would compete with him in downing a pint as quickly as possible.

City’s squad accepted the challenge providing Hui would meet the cost of their Xmas bash next month should he lose.

And when Hui agreed, the squad volunteered the club’s towering Irish keeper Doyle, 24, who is 6ft 5in.

Doyle, behind Joe Hart and Maik Taylor in the pecking order at St Andrews, promptly emptied his vessel in an astonishing 2.5 seconds to the delight of team-mates.

And though Hui drained his almost equally as quickly, Doyle was universally declared the winner.

Hui must now shell out for the squad to visit Glasgow for a night out next month before the hectic festive football fixtures.

A source said: “It was great for team spirit.

“The chairman clearly fancied his chances and wanted a player to take him on.

“They all refused until Barry Ferguson suggested Doylie do the honours on the condition there was something on it.

“Hui agreed and the lads loved it when Doylie necked his so quickly.

“Hui looked stunned. He never had a chance of matching that but certainly gave it a go.

“Now Ferguson and James McFadden, who both know Glasgow well, are lining up a big night for the boys in Scotland on the chairman.”