Q - Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A - I'm Lewis, I'm from Northern Ireland. I been here on and off for near 5 years. I have been teaching in Bangkok for the last 3 and a bit years. I'm a Bolton Wanderers fan, used to have a season ticket and I followed my beloved Northern Ireland all around the world going to daft places such as Azerbaijan and I witnessed our wee country defeat the likes of Spain, England, Sweden and Denmark (I'll not mention the losses to Armenia and draws against Canada). I love my football.
Q - How long have you been supporting Army Utd?
A - I've been going to the Army games from the start of this season.
Q - What first got you interested in Army Utd and how did you hear about them?
A - Me and my mates had been talking about finding a team to support for a few years now. I remember last season one of my mates put forward a case for Bangkok Glass. He said 'They're sponsored by Leo, play at Leo Stadium and we love drinking Leo so it's a perfect match.' Thankfully they are to far away to travel to week in week out. We live and work in the Ari area and Army stadium is just round the corner. It's that simple really. That’s how we picked our team. Best decision ever. Me and 6 of my mates now attend every home game. A few hangers on from work always pop up and come along to see what it's like as well.
Q - What are your thoughts on the way your club is run?
A - From what I've seen, which isn't much, the club seems to be run well. Quite well organised, almost military like (ho-hum). It's good that they have decided to bring in more foreigners as this will hopefully help make the club more professional rather than when they were just playing army personnel.
Q - Are you happy with the management, coach and players?
A - Yeah, very happy. Both on and off the pitch. We're not a great team but I think everybody works hard. Both players and coaches are very friendly and always willing to have a chat pitch side after the game or the bar (the aptly named 'Army Arms') afterwards when they are getting new random daft songs sung at them by a bunch of drunken teachers. Last week, for some unknown reason a song to the tune of 2 Unlimited's 'No limit' was belted out to our left winger. He even danced and fist pumped along which was priceless. At the same time I'm demanding 5 goals of Leandro for my birthday next week then trying to persuade Tony Costa's wife to get him to stay on next year. Thank God one of our mates from Bulgaria knows Portuguese and can translate all this.
Another thing that really impressed me recently was that the players even came up, shook our hands, said hello and had a chat with us when we were having a beer before a recent away game. No prima donnas at the 'Home of Gentlemen'. I love our team, it's like a proper local team, reminding me of Irish league football when I was growing up.
Q - How do you think you could improve your team?
A - We need a big man up front and at the back. If we had a big centre forward that Leandro could play off we would be a lot more dangerous. Also a playmaker for the middle of the park as sometimes we look a bit one dimensional going forward., I think we have the basis of a decent team. If we could get a bit of strength in depth, maybe next season a top 8 (or in my dreams top 6) finish wouldn't be out of the question.
Q - What do you think you can realistically achieve in what remains of this season?
A - I think we're safe from relegation now, unless we go on another disasterous losing streak. After seeing the FA Cup draw today. I want at least a semi final spot (home to FC Chainat next in the quarters) and then who knows PEA or BEC Tero away in the semis. I'll just pray for an upset (and a weekend away with the lads in Buriram).
Q - How many home and away games do you manage to get to?
A - Me and my mates go to all home games and to away games around Bangkok like MTUTD, BEC Tero and TOT. It's hard to go to as many away games as I would like as I work Saturdays.
Q - Which has been your best home performance this season and away performance?
A - Muang Thong Utd both home and away. No one expected us win let alone put 3 past them. Our away form is absolutely shocking so it was nice to pick up a draw against Muang Thong the other week. One nil down, Robbie Fowler scuffed a feeble penalty wide and Leandro slotted home a late (albeit soft) penalty to send us home happy. Also the FA Cup game versus Chonburi needs to get an honourable mention (Cough Cough).
Q - Which has been the best team you have seen this year?
A - So far the best I've seen is your lot, Chonburi. In the league game against us in June when you won 3-4. They looked very assured on the ball and looked like running away with it in the first half. We were lucky to make the final score respectable. The only time this season I've seen the Army totally outplayed.
Q - And the best individual player?
A - Maybe a surprising one but Douglas from Buriram FC. He's been the standout forward I've seen this year. Will be interesting if he makes the cut at the new Buriram merger team next year. If he doesn't I would love to have him in my team.
Q - What sort of crowds have you been attracting this season?
A - From what I hear last season there was nobody going to the games. I have no idea why that was but there is always a decent crowd. I would hazard a guess to say around 2-3,000 are in attendance for each home game. Maybe the ticket prices are helping the attendances, 100baht and 50baht for fan club members, they were even free a few months ago when we were on dismal run of form. There are always fewer fans at Sunday games though, it seems even nobody wants a hangover on Monday morning.
Q - Which set of visiting fans impressed you the most at the Army Stadium?
A - The fans that impressed me most so far were Sisaket, just a mass sea of orange and boy were they drunk and noisy. Biggest set of fans I've seen at Army Stadium this year which to me is surprising.
Q - What sort of away following do you have?
A - The games I've been away and the ones I've seen on TV always show a decent away following. I would guess maybe at least 500 or more would go to the away games, more for games that are in Bangkok or the surrounding area.
Q - What's your favourite away ground?
A - I thought BEC Tero had a nice little ground but sadly it lacked in atmosphere. Hopefully next season I will be able to clock up some more away days.
Q - What are your thoughts on the fact there'll only be away fans at tomorrow's match? Would you prefer there to be home fans there as well?
A - Do you know if the referee was on the PEA bus??? Joking aside, it's not fair as the minority reared its ugly head and ruined it for the honest decent Chonburi fan that took no part in the trouble.
Sanctions like this should happen and hopefully it will act as a deterrent in the future. If anybody saw their mate about to do something silly, maybe they'll tell them to wise up. We can but hope.
Selfishly, I hope no home fans being there will give us a bit of an advantage, make the away game less intimidating for our players. Doubt it will help much though. I can see a Chonburi victory tomorrow, I'd be chuffed if we snook a point.
Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi FC?
A - Obviously one the 'big' teams in the league. Overall I think you have a good solid team. In my mind a definite cert for second this place year. You have a good fan base, one of the largest away supports I've seen this year, noisy bunch as well. One of the lads in our office is a Chonburi fan and we rip him to shreds, bless his little cotton socks, his Chonburi posters always disappear and get replaced by Army ones.
Q - Which players should we be looking out for tomorrow?
A - Obviously Leandro up front, brilliant when he stays on his feet and if he's fit Rafa Santana on the wing. Tatree Singha is nippy up front but needs to find the net more (saw him walking proudly round Big C this morning proudly wearing a Robbie Fowler MTUTD top he obviously swapped the other week and a pair of tracksuit bottoms that said 'AMY UNITED' on them. Classy! Our keeper Naratip is a really good shot stopper but sometimes his positioning is shocking and is dodgy on crosses. The main one to watch out for is the living legend that is Tony Costa, Army 23. Cult hero. Think, Ivan Campo's pace meets Paul Scholes tackling ability meets Vinnie Jones' finesse. The nicest man you'll ever meet though.
Q - Thank you, Lewis.
A - You're welcome.
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