However, 2000 was a miserable year for Lin. His mother loved football, and she used to drive to Tai-chung to watch the national hsin feng senior high football team play. Unfortunately she had an accident when traveling back to Chia-yi (嘉義) and injured her spine. As a result, Lin gave up his participation in the school football team and commuted between Taipei and Tainan every week to take care of his mother.[1]
Move to England
After serving the military service, Lin determined to develop his career overseas. He joined the reserve team of Hayes in 2004, and then he contracted with the reserve team of Bolton Wanderers in January 2005.[citation needed] He was the first Taiwanese footballer joining European football club.
MLS tryouts
In the early 2007, Lin tried to move to the Major League Soccer of the United States due to lack of opportunities in England. Being one of the 900 participants competing in Los Angeles Galaxy's open tryouts, he was included in the final 24 but left out by the coaching staff eventually.[2] Lin also challenged to Chivas USA,[3] but he was not able to make the semifinals.[4] In 2008 and 2009, Lin made several attempts in LA Galaxy's open tryouts but did not succeed.[5] On 8 March, it was announced that Lin will go on another trial with LA Galaxy.
Tainan Football Camp
In Tainan, Lin founded the Tainan Football Camp (Chinese:陽光樂活足球營, literally Sunshine Lohas Football Camp) which is sponsored by Spirox Education Foundation (Chinese:蔚華教育基金會)and Chi Mei Corporation (Chinese:奇美實業廠). He and his brother provide football trainings to the local children.