Ten years ago today, the club officially announced the signing of Therdsak Chaiman. The Thailand international - who went on to coach the side - is one of the greatest players ever to have pulled on a Chonburi shirt. Here are three articles that pay tribute to him.
Therdsak Officially Unveiled
27/12/09
Therdsak Chaiman was officially unveiled as a Chonburi player during half time at today's Super Cup match against BEC Tero. Club Vice President, Annop Singtothong, presented him with his number 13 shirt on the Supachalasai pitch.
There was some recent speculation that the veteran midfielder (as we are obliged to call him) would be joining an Indonesian club. However, we were always confident that he would come to us.
It is likely that the Chonburi fans will get their first chance to see Therdsak in meaningful action in the Queen's Cup tournament, which is due to begin on January 30th.
TERRIER THERDSAK STILL HAS BITE AT 38
by www.bangkokpost.com
18/3/12
The seemingly evergreen Therdsak Chaiman is back for another tilt at Asian football glory nearly a decade after being named the continent's most valuable player.
The dynamic Chonburi midfielder, likened to Manchester United's Paul Scholes by Red Devils legend Bryan Robson, is approaching his 39th birthday but is still turning in man-of-the-match performances for the Thai Premier League runners-up.
Thersdak will lead Chonburi into their vital home match with Singapore's Home United in the AFC Cup on Wednesday as he bids to recreate the heady days of 2003 when he had one hand on the greatest club prize in the Asian game.
He scored a 60th minute penalty that brought BEC Tero Sasana to within a goal of Al Ain in the two-legged final of the inaugural AFC Champions League (ACL) only to see their challenge fizzle out after the referee disallowed a headed equaliser that would have taken the showdown into extra time.
Therdsak, noted for his free kick expertise and rare two footedness, scored four goals as BEC Tero Sasana swept aside Kashima Antlers, Shanghai Shenhua, Daejon Citizen and Pakhtakor to reach the final.
The pain of losing to Al Ain was soothed a bit for Therdsak as he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, a richly deserved award.
Chonburi _ nicknamed the Sharks _ did not have enough bite in their 2012 ACL play-off match with Pohang Steelers, going down 2-0 last month, but are amongst the favourites for the second-tier AFC Cup after bowing out on penalties to eventual champions Nasaf Qarshi in last year's quarter-finals.
A 1-1 away draw with Yangon United in their opening Group G game was not the start Chonburi had hoped for but Therdsak is confident they can do the business at home against Home United (March 21) and Hong Kong's Citizen (April 3).
"It is an important game against Home United. We play at home where we are very strong," said Therdsak, who played club football in Singapore for five years.
"Last season we got full points from our home games and if we do that again this year I am sure we will qualify from the group.
"In Myanmar, we missed a lot of chances. We could not finish. We played at 3.30pm _ it was so hot and some players could not adjust. If we had taken a 2-0 lead at half-time we would have won easily, as it was we scored late to draw 1-1."
The terrier-like qualities of Therdsak, his ability to ping 40-yard passes and goal-scoring record has drawn comparisons with Manchester United's Scholes with Robson leading the praise of the diminutive Thai.
"Therdsak for Thailand is like Paul Scholes for Manchester United. They're the same age and Therdsak loves the game just as much as Scholes loves the game," said Robson when he was coaching the Thai national team.
"He has an influence because of his vast experience and because he's a great professional. That rubs off on the young players.
"He's still also got a lot of great ability. Therdsak can change a game because he can create a goal and he can score a goal out of nothing."
Therdsak, who was a key member of the Thai team that won the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2002, retired from international football after the Southeast Asian championship in 2010.
That has saved his legs from some wear and tear but Chonburi coach Withaya Laohakul knows that he has to protect his prized possession if he wants him to continue playing into his forties.
"He cannot continue to play game in game out," admitted Withaya. "But I need to use him for the important games [he is such a vital player for us]."
Therdsak ran himself to a standstill in last week's King's Trophy clash with Buriram United, the Chonburi skipper succumbing to cramp after scoring a penalty in the shoot-out.
Chonburi scored late in the traditional season-opener to draw level 2-2 and went on to beat the domestic treble winners on penalties, a victory that was toasted throughout Thailand.
26/2/13
As reported last week, 39 year old Therdsak Chaiman has signed a new two year contract with Chonburi. The veteran midfielder is a well respected figure in South East Asian footballing circles. Here, a range of fans, journalists, players and coaches pay tribute to someone who can quite rightly be called a legend.
"I'm delighted that Thai legend Therdsak Chaiman has signed a new 2-year deal with Chonburi. He is one of South East Asia's finest."
Ian Griffiths, journalist
"Therdsak is a great man, a role model to all players. Truly a legend & definitely should be named in the club as well as Thai Football "Hall of Fame".
Nat : Muang Thong United fan
"A fantastic pro who clearly proves that size doesn't matter -even at the highest level! Has shown consistent top form into his late 30's. Great role model for the new generation of Thai players."
Bruce Campbell: Assumption Sriracha Coach
"Without question, the most technically gifted footballer I've played with. He added to his extraordinary talent by his competitiveness and unwavering work rate. A pleasure to of called him a team mate and an honour to call him a friend. you could also add that, nobody really knows how old he is because he changes his passport every 4 years, he could in fact be the oldest professional athlete in the world today..."
John Wilkinson: Footballer
"Therdsak Chaiman is up there with Kiatisuk in Thailand's footballing hall of fame. A modest man, good with the media and a wand for a left foot, he could - and does - float effortlessly into space. Loved watching him and privileged to have commentated on many of his games over the years."
Dez Corkhill: Astro Arena, Malaysia
"Therdask is only one year younger than myself, so I respect him so much for still being able to play professional football in the TPL at the tender age of 39. From what I've heard, he's one of the fittest players at Chonburi. The younger generation of Thai footballers should look towards him as a role model. He is a modern day Stanley Matthews."
Malky : Thai football blogger
"Therdsak is a perfect example for any young player in Thailand. Chonburi wouldn't be the same team without him.
Steven Robb: Footballer Singtharua FC
"Therdsak Chaiman is the most respected player in Thai football over the last two decades. His professionalism, leadership and loyalty are examples to every player hoping to emulate his achievments and status as one of Thai's sporting greats. He is a natural leader and someone who has the utmost respect of colleagues and opponents alike. He leads by example and, whilst his actions speak louder than words, he has remained at all times humble and pleasant and undoubtedly has the attributes to become a quite outstanding coach/manager as he nears the end of his "stellar" playing career. See him play in the next couple seasons and please pay tribute by "putting your hands together" for one who is "Simply the Best".
Bangsaen Tim: Chonburi Season Ticket Holder
"A great professional in the truest sense, disciplined on and off the pitch, massive work rate but most of all has the ability to win a game from nowhere, either a dribble, great through pass or one of his free kicks. He has the football intelligence to play for 2 more years as he knows when and where to run and he is still in love with the game."
Steve Darby & Ray Hall: Coaches
'I work as a teacher in Bangkok and teach young learners on Saturdays. One weekend, I was understandly shocked when I saw Therdsak Chaiman standing outside my classroom. I spoke to him after the lesson and it became apparent that I had been teaching his eldest son for a number of months. I'm pleased to report that he is an absolute gentleman off the pitch, as well as a class act on it'.'
Alistair Macdonald Fraser: Chonburi fan
"Incredible. He's been one of the best in the TPL since his return from Singapore. A fantastic example to younger players coming through. Makes you wonder what might have been, had the league had its current profile when he first broke through."
Kevin Watkin: Thai football writer
"Therdsak Chaiman is an inspiration to all us middle aged guys. It is wonderful to see someone his age out there giving the youngsters a run for their money. The wisdom that comes with age is priceless. Therdsak is the Ryan Giggs of Thailand."
Tommie Duncan - Confused Singhtharua and Bangkok United supporter
"It's difficult to avoid cliché when talking about Therdsak, but they all hold true: fine player, great role model, excellent ambassador for Thai football. I see no reason why he can't go on playing well into his forties if he chooses to do so."
Paul - webmaster of www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc
"I’ll never forget interviewing a jubilant Therdsak Chaiman on Jalan Besar Stadium’s plastic pitch in 2008 just minutes after he’d won the S-League title during his run of four straight championship with SAFFC. Loved in Singapore as well as his home nation of Thailand, Therdsak is a multi-talented and charismatic individual who is a true Southeast Asian sporting icon."
Jason Dasey, Host/Executive Producer, Astro SuperSport (Malaysia) & Editor, FourFourTwo Magazine (Singapore/Malaysia)
"Class has no sell by date..."
Jakarta Casual
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