Thursday 27 February 2020

The Tap Room - Which Are Your Favourite And Least Favourite Thai Football Grounds?: 2014

Which are your favourite and least favourite Thai football grounds?
October, 2014



Reply #1 - 3/10/14
Name: Malky
Twitter: @BKKFootballBlog
This should be an interesting topic to kick the Tap Room back into action after a two week break. This is a subject that I’m sure will offer a wide variety of answers from the Tap Room regulars.

I think the three ingredients that are important for most spectators when making a trip to a Thai football stadium are comfort, view of the pitch, and the atmosphere at the stadium. As a sociable beer drinker and somebody who doesn’t own a car, the other things that are significant for me are access to stadia via public transport/taxis and whether or not alcohol is permitted inside the stadium.

I wouldn’t say that I have a particular favorite stadium. There are obviously ones I prefer over others. I’d say the best stadium in Thailand that I’ve visited is Buriram’s I-Mobile. To me it’s a proper football stadium with excellent facilities. I know that fans of visiting teams are generally impressed with their trip to the I-Mobile.

Other recently built venues that I like are PTT Rayong and Chiang Rai United. PTT is slightly difficult to get to without your own transport but Chiang Rai doesn’t have that problem. It’s on the doorstep of the Mae Fah Luang airport where there are plenty of taxis available to take you back into town. Chainat’s Khao Plong stadium is currently undergoing a facelift, yet the rural surroundings of it have a peculiar charm. It also must have the highest ratio of food vendors to fans that I’ve encountered in Thailand.

Moving into my home city Bangkok, the PAT Stadium isn’t the prettiest in the land but there is a magnetism about it that has sucked in many a western fan. The atmosphere is always electric and the close proximity of the fans to the playing surface gives you a great view of the action.

From a selfish point of view, I like the Army Stadium as it is a five minute taxi ride from my home. Also they have relaxed rules and ushering a beer into the stadium is never an issue.
Bangkok Glass and Muangthong have stadiums that I favour too but for some reason every time I go to either of them it pours down and I end up getting stuck in a traffic jam at some point.

The stadiums that I don’t like in the TPL are Bangkok United and BEC Tero. The actual stadium at Tero isn’t too bad but it’s in the middle of nowhere and getting a taxi back home is an onerous task after dusk. I wasn’t keen on their Thephasadin home either despite its central location. The lack of seat legroom and shallow vantage points made it an unenjoyable experience. The Thai-Japanese stadium, home to Bangkok United, lacks everything for me. There is no atmosphere, poor views from most areas within the stadium and no alcoholic beverages allowed inside. Other stadiums I’m not overly keen on are Police United and Ratchaburi. I think I’m reaching the conclusion that I don’t like running tracks!!

However, the worst view I’ve had at any location this season was the away end at TOT. I remember somebody describing it as a dog kennel which isn’t far off the mark. You can basically see the action in one penalty box. It was somewhat annoying too that one of the operative three stands to the left remained empty and closed to spectators.

In the First Division, I’ve never been to Korat, Chiang Mai or Phuket. Nonetheless, they are on my list of stadiums to visit. Looking at the rest in that league, there aren’t any venues that I particularly like or dislike although I must mention that visiting Ang Thong’s stadium was an interesting experience. It is literally stuck in the backwoods.

The stadiums that are least appealing to me are the university stadiums in Bangkok. I get irritated by the handful of fans at these matches who are more concerned about the cheering aspect and posing for Facebook pictures rather than watching the game. Also the grounds usually only have one stand and there are many rules and regulations to follow as you are on the university campus.


Reply #2 - 4/10/14
Name: Del Spafford
Team supported: Army Utd
Twitter: @DelSpaff

I would agree with Malcolm regarding the criteria for a decent stadium.

At Army United we meet all of these and I really look forward to the whole experience of going to the game. The fans there are very accommodating, friendly and welcome the foreign contingent that follow the team. The view we have is excellent, although it would be better without the running track, and the playing surface is great. The prices are very reasonable both for attendance and refreshments and the fact that these refreshments are allowed in the ground is ideal.

I’ve been following Army for a year and a half and try to get out to away games as much as possible. I think that the SCGStadium of MT United has been the most impressive. The atmosphere was great and it is a proper football ground. Getting there and away was fairly easy and we were given a decent view even as away fans. I also enjoyed going out to Bangkok Glass this year. The atmosphere again was great (made better by a positive result) and although there are only three sides the enormity of the stands makes it very imposing. Thai Port was a good atmosphere. Being on top of the action was impressive and I’m looking forward to returning.

On the other end of the scale my least favourite has to be Police United at Thammasat and Bangkok United in Din Daeng. Police United do not benefit from playing in such a huge stadium (Osotspa at Rajamangala deserve a mention here too) as there is a distinct lack of atmosphere. Away fans are behind the goal and although the view isn’t too bad as you can get up high, you do feel miles away from the action. Bangkok United is similar in the respect that there is no atmosphere although this is also compounded by the poor view.


Reply #3 - 5/10/14
Name : Brian Enever
Team supported: Chonburi

Like Malky, I think the view and comfort are probably the most important things I look for in any stadium, with the atmosphere and facilities coming a close second.

Being teetotal I'm not bothered about getting drunk inside the ground but it would be nice to enjoy the odd bottle of water in my seat.

My pet hate are the stadia that have running tracks round the outside of the pitch. While when sitting at the side the view is acceptable I think the lack of interaction between the players and spectators caused by the running track is a big loss, sitting behind the goals is far worse. We (Chonburi) will be behind one goal at the away match at the Army Stadium today (Wednesday) and, for me, it'll be difficult to watch the match properly because of the distance we'll be from the pitch.

So it's no coincidence that the stadia I enjoy going to most are generally dedicated football stadia that don't have running tracks. I also like the I-Mobile Stadium at Buriram. It's a real football stadium with very good views while the atmosphere is electric. The general facilities take some beating as well. I just wish, if they've got 1000 away seats available, they'd only sell 1000 tickets. If they really want to get the extra income and sell 2000 tickets can somebody please explain to them that they must make 2000 seats available, not force everybody to block the access stairs. Muang Thong's stadium also comes into this category, good facilities where the large fan base are on top of the pitch giving a great atmosphere. Unusually, away fans are on one side of the ground, not behind one of the goals. But, for friendliness, probably the best ground I've visited is Bangkok Glass. Very good seating and views where, again, the supporters are on top of the pitch while the general facilities are excellent and you can even take food and drink to your seat. A club that seems to go the extra mile to make sure the fans, both home and away, enjoy the whole experience of their visit and not just the football match.

As for least favourite, there are one or two. I agree there's no atmosphere at Bangkok Utd and the view is lousy but is just beaten by TOT. with their abysmal support not even capable of filling half of one of the sides, instead of giving us part of a side, we were consigned to a rickety old wooden stand behind the goal that felt like it would collapse every time one of us moved. We laughed at the netting behind the goal that was meant to protect the supporters from wayward shots, it was made with holes larger than the actual football, but in reality it shows the utter contempt that TOT FC have for the visiting supporters.

But my number one worst ground has got to be one that has hopefully now been consigned to the history books, and that is the swimming pool at Samut Songkhram. I'm convinced that, on matchdays, the groundsman was instructed to saturate the pitch using the sprinkler system, with the club then praying for a rain storm to follow. On the occasions I visited, the pitch was that badly flooded you could almost count the blades of grass poking through the surface water. And the away supporters stand didn't fare much better, with the steps to climb up it at least two feet high. On one occasion one of our supporters fell through a gap while trying to climb up and ended up in hospital.

And how do I rate our own Chonburi stadium? Better than average but not as good as the better, dedicated football stadia.

On the plus side it's all seater, covered on both sides, with good, unrestricted views from those sides, and, generally, reasonably good facilities both inside and out of the stadium. BUT, with the running track round the pitch the view from both uncovered stands behind the goals is not so good. Add the fact that we can't take either food or drink into the stadium and I think the club could do much better for its faithful supporters.



Reply #4 - 6/10/14
Name: Dominick Cartwright
Team supported:  Thai Port 
Twitter: dominick@dominick_1975 

Muangthong and Bangkok Glass have impressive grounds but try to get back from either to central Bangkok at any time and you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. I've waited for ages at both places trying to get a taxi back home. Even if you do have a ride Muangthong is gridlocked for ages after the game. Only adding to the amonut af really annoying fans who leave before the final whistle to beat the traffic, why not beat the traffic completely and stay at home that way you'll definitely be home in time for tea.

Buriram is bigger and shiner than anywhere else with proper swanky turnstiles, 24.000 decent seats and CCTV keeping an eye on you. It's a purpose built ground that really comes closest to a proper Football stadium and I really enjoyed going there. But there is a massive section of dedicated on the payroll cheerleaders they muck around like a bunch of American high school cheerleaders to choreographed dances like the worst sort of plastic paid for fans. I know genuine Buriram fans who also shake their heads when they see this sort of nonsense. There is genuine support for the club and a good atmosphere in the other sections of the ground save your money Karuna and lets have real fans in a real footy ground.

Anywhere with a running track is out, not that this is always an atmosphere killer some of the best stadiums in Europe have running tracks but they also have 80,000 cheering fans to create the atmosphere. Of the running track stadiums Chonburi comes closest to making you forget there is a track there. I've not been to Korat yet but I'm looking forward to heading there next year to see if their crowd can make me forget about the track there too.

So where is easy to get to with no running track and great atmosphere? In my own completely unbiased opinion the PAT Stadium is top, shocking choice I know. Obviously I go there every week and can't really be objective but speaking to some away fans this year "Singhtarua AWAY" is a fixture everyone looks forward to for one reason or another. Being 100% honest the netting which obscures the view in Zone B and now sad to say Zone C too is a big thing you could fault us for but when a last minute winner is scored in front of Zone B and the whole stand erupts there's no other place I'd rather be.

An honorable mention to PTT who look like they are on their way out this year. Nice ground well designed but why didn't PTT build in town? There is support for the club there, but driving way out to your own home ground is just wrong. Also they have netting but the holes in the netting are a lot wider we should ask them where they get their netting from.

In terms of the worst pretty much in agreement with previous comments. TOT's chicken shed stand is dire. You really feel they've done it out of spite because their tiny dwindling crowds were dwarfed by travelling fans sad but true.

Thai Japanese stadium is poor but the banning of drinks at the away end did lead to one of the best sights this year. The normal away end is fairly locked down but the overspill of fans went to the other end of the ground this season. And with the slightly lax security Port fans managed to rig up a pulley system to lower money to beer sellers and then hoisted up beer and ice aplenty. Out of the problems of a poor ground comes the genius of an instant beer delivery system.


Reply #5 - 7/10/14
Name: Paul Murphy
Team supported: Army Utd
Twitter: @PaulmurphyBKK

Given their standing as among the best stadia / atmospheres, I should start by pointing out that I have yet to visit Buriram, Bangkok Glass and Suphanburi so they have to be excluded from my selections.

Atmosphere
Best
It’s difficult to look past Muang Thong. You go there expecting a tough game and they usually have a decent crowd. There’s a lot of singing, some tension and the stadium is set up for football. They also allow beer in, albeit only in an MTU embossed plastic cup…

Worst
Undoubtedly, Bangkok United. When choosing a team to follow, I expected it to be BKK United as it was fairly local and the idea of following an Army team was a bit uncomfortable. However, after attending games at both grounds, the choice was easy. BKK United fans are fairly reserved, there’s no beer in the stadium, visiting fans have to go to a strange community centre to pee and the views are awful. If True Vision wants BKK United to fulfil potential, they need to consider a new stadium.

Honourable mention
As mentioned above, when it came to choosing a team to follow, the choice was between the two closest to home. My first visit to Army United was a very pleasant surprise. There was a lively but friendly atmosphere and a nice communal area outside the ground where people could drink and relax before and after the game.

Food
Best
PTT Rayong had the best range of food outlets outside any ground. Most follow the heart disease diet of fried chicken and processed meat on sticks. It was a pleasure to find a proper range of options just outside the PTT Rayong stadium. There was even plenty of fruit.

Worst
Unfortunately, it has to be Army United. There is meat on a stick (mostly processed) and little else. Last season, we had freshly made omelettes and grapao, but these have sadly disappeared. Hopefully, we’ll see them again next season.

Design
Best
Chiang Rai, MTU, Thai Port and PTT should all be given a mention. These are all proper football stadiums, with good views from almost any angle. Always a pleasure to visit them.

Worst
Once again, it has to be Thai Japanese stadium for BKK United.  Obviously, it has several purposes but it just isn’t made for watching professional football.

Honourable mention
TOT’s stadium is eccentric in its design, but I quite like it. It’s fairly accessible and you’re close to the action.

A stadium is important to the fans, so clubs should give a lot of thought to where they establish their homes, the facilities they provide and the design of their stadium. If people like me are looking for a team to follow, they will base their decisions on similar criteria.


The Final Word - 8/10/14
Name: Malky
Twitter: @BKKFootballBlog

The two conclusive things that we can draw from this week’s Tap Room discussion are that running tracks are largely disliked and that it’s a ‘toss up’ between TOT and Bangkok United for the least popular TPL venue.

To balance out the argument regarding running tracks, I’d like to point out that all the contributors to the debate this week were British. It is generally regarded that traditional British football stadia don’t have running tracks so that’s probably why we all dislike them. Had the question been posed to five American, German or Japanese football fans then we could have seen differing responses in the debate.

As I have the last say on this matter, I’ll award the worst stadium award to Bangkok United. In the past I’ve actually enjoyed visits to TOT. It’s only since they shifted the away end that I’ve began to dislike it. I can’t say I’ve ever enjoyed any trips to the Thai Japanese stadium, but I will point out that the aerobics class outside the stadium at 6pm can attract some young ladies that are easy on the eye.

The facilities at the Buriram stadium gathered the best feedback although the choreographed cheering and ticketing distribution prompted some negative remarks.

There were no surprises that Derek and Paul spoke positively about the Army stadium and likewise Dominick about the PAT. They highlighted the reasons why they’ve adopted their Thai clubs and the reasons given show why Singh Tarua and Army United have attracted many foreign supporters to their ranks.

Brian gave a passable appraisal of Chonburi’s home despite the running track and food & beverage ban inside the arena.

Just before I sign off, I must mention the Samut Songkhram stadium. I forgot about it in my opening statement. I have to agree with Brian and say that it has the worst facilities of any top flight stadium that I’ve been too. However, I’ve enjoyed both my trips there, yet it’s blatantly obvious why the stadium hasn’t fulfilled the safety requirements.

Football Siam - Ekkaphan Inthasen: 2010


End Of Empire - Siam Sports' Loosening Grip Around Thai Football's Throat by Matt Riley: 2014

End Of Empire: Siam Sports' Loosening Grip Around Thai Football's Throat
by Matt Riley
3rd December, 2014


Yesterday's decision by FIFA that Singhtarua would not be docked six points if they agreed to pay the outstanding wages of former player Matthias Christen was the last sputtering of the Siam Sport/ Muang Thong axis of control. Used to manipulating all aspects of Thai football and grazing on the tastiest of upcoming talents to either freeze or toss  aside, the Thai football landscape has changed, leaving them an island of diminishing size with every turn of the tide.

It's not only the headlining-grabbing realignment of provincial clubs around new flags that shows the end of the SS as a Thai football controller. Recently, Muang Thong's second team were targeted for some outrageous verbal and physical abuse due to their connections to the Twin Quillins. Including players being punched in the face during a match and going unpunished, a dossier was created to present to the FAT.

However, just before it was to be presented, Coach Sean Sainsbury was advised to drop the subject as the FAT were not keen to pursue it. This behaviour is indefensible and shows the ultimately spineless nature of the FAT. They are scared of their paymasters and then, in turn, scared of the new force in Thai football from the provinces. They stand for nothing and cannot muster even the semblance of backbone or morality.

Now, examples of outrageous match manipulation (once the preserve of Muang Thong) fall squarely in the Newin Chdichop camp. The startling bias shown by officials at Chonburi's recent game against Chainat laid bare the political connections between the Buriram supremo and his fellow Alpha Male Anucha Nakasai. The Siam Sport financed FA flexed their increasingly feeble muscles by banning referee Chaiya Mahaprab for eighteen months, but the deal had already been done and the Thai FA were simply caught up in the slipstream of a much bigger vessel cruising into the sunset.

On the same night, The Bomber Thanom Borikut dutifully delivered a win for politically powerful Police United with a jaw-dropping display of gall, but this Bangkok-based club didn't have the power to control the last game against Buriram United and they look like being relegated, even though they expected Singhtarua or TOT to take their place. Writ large, that is the difference between the provincial alliances and a shrinking group of bickering Bangkok-based clubs seeing their support base and political clout overshadowed by the arriviste out-of-towners

Muang Thong were recently put up for sale but, with no one comfortable with what has now become a toxic brand, they decided to take the club off the market. They approach next season with a coach too expensive to sack (despite their desperation to do so), their worst place of fifth this season and being no longer the FAT's darlings. Thai national warmup games and the Kings Cup tournament have now been switched to  PTT supremo (despite his constant downplaying)  Suwat Liptapanlop's Nakhon Ratchasima and BEC Tero are the focus of Asian attention for the growth of young Thai talent.

It is difficult to feel sorry for the club and media giant after what they have done over the last decade, but their fans deserve better than to be treated with suspicion and dislike. The vast majority of them are good people, but they are caught in the middle of a seismic karma realignment that is finally bringing their club to book for the kind of monopoly practices that would even make FIFA wince.

Some Experiences As An Away Fan In Thailand by Neal Oliver: 2019

Some Experiences As An Away Fan In Thailand
by Neal Oliver
May, 2019

I love following my team – Ratchaburi – but the question has to be asked; why do we bother in Thailand, when visiting fans are treated like something that has been scraped off the bottom of the home team’s shoe?

In many instances, away supporters are still treated like scum of the Earth, and dumped in an abandoned corner of the ground, somewhere where you can’t really see what is going on during the match. Let me give you a few examples from T1:

Sam Ao Stadium, Prachuap (Prachuap FC): Supporters must be at least fifty yards behind a goal, on terracing that is fully exposed to the elements and gives absolutely no confidence it will remain standing if the stadium is full. The ground is less than two years old, but is already rusting badly. On a wet day, a telescope is required to see the play at the other end of the pitch.

Samut Prakarn (SAT) Stadium (Samut Prakarn City): Away fans sit at right angles to the pitch, behind the goal line. Not a bad view of the near side action, but beyond that, a waste of time. Also fully exposed to the elements.

PAT Stadium, Bangkok (Port FC): Visiting fans are herded into a minute section in a corner to the left of one of the goals. There were less than two bus loads of us in the ground, but it still felt crushed. Another ground where you are fully exposed to the elements.

I could go on, but I’m sure you already know what it’s like. Then clubs have the cheek to charge away supporters premium rates for accommodating them in sub-standard terracing. Why? Is it to discourage them from travelling? At least at Mitr Phol Stadium, supporters are given decent pitchside seats – unfortunately, still with no cover, and at exorbitant cost.

My T1 experience is only one season and most of my knowledge is from the lower leagues, where hospitality is often much worse than in the top flight. The worst being Samut Songkhram.

At the beginning of last season, two car loads of supporters travelled independently from Hua Hin. Neither was granted permission to enter the stadium. Our car was directed to a school car park nearby. A couple of groups of WAGS – who are usually given VIP treatment – had been directed there also. We did somehow get to see some of the match, standing under a large construction at pitch level. The other car load were on the opposite side of the pitch, watching through a gate. No explanation was given.

Tuesday 25 February 2020

What Lies Beneath - Violence And Thai Football by Matt Riley: 2014

What Lies Beneath: Violence And Thai Football
by Matt Riley
October, 2014


Driving past the SCG Stadium late on Saturday night felt like being in the middle of a war zone. We approached the stadium by a side road and, as we looked left at the main thoroughfare the air was thick with flair smoke, the road filled with broken glass and debris whilst half a dozen ambulances ferried the wounded away. This was at 11 PM when the game had finished hours earlier, so goodness knows what the scene was like before.

At the junction we stopped, wound down the window and asked one of the many policemen what had happened. Laughing, he told us it was a big Muay Thai matchup between the clubs. We were stunned that the authorities cordoned off a large area and stood passively by, whilst the violence convulsed unrestricted. They had indeed created an ugly, jagged Muay Thai ring where mindless thugs were left to wreak havoc unmolested by the rule of law. Many fans from both the home team SCG Muang Thong United and visitors Singhtarua are women and children, which made this callous impassiveness even harder to understand.

Finger pointing and blame only fans tribal tensions in the complicated Thai mindset. To prevent losing face, highly intoxicated fans invading the pitch will be gently escorted back to their seats, punishments handed to teams for their fans' behaviour will be heavily skewed based on which side of the pro and anti Worawi Makudi divide they inhabit and wrist-slapping punishments are rarely followed through effectively or consistently. The inept Football Association and a growing number of politically powerful clubs means the tail wags the dog as clubs simply write off fines and ignore recommendations.

For Westerners living in Thailand, the match day experience is full of contradictions. Encouraged by major sponsor Singha to drink their lower- grade Leo heavily, Chang are banned from advertising using the green beer font but allowed to use the white of their water even when Leo, who only make beer, can plaster their brand on shirts. Going back five years, the drunkenness seemed devoid of edge and malice as small groups of fans came together like a Liberal Democrat Convention: deeply unfashionable but harmless. With the increased crowds and injected with the bile of politics, "third hand" figures sitting on substitute benches have acted as catalysts for a brewing anger and resentment.

Sunday night's SCG scene is a sponsor's worst nightmare. Thai football has had years to put in place tough sanctions but chosen not to. Now they are no longer in control of the story and they can't change the result. Ineptitude and self-serving corruption has resulted in a miserable FIFA rank but that is nothing compared to the way violence has been incubated in a sceptic environment of denial. This poisonous sore is about to burst and the blame for its destructive power lies squarely at the squabbling door of those who use football as leverage and point scoring.

NEW!! Ice Cold In Bangkok: 2006


Ice Cold in Bangkok
by Dale Farrington
One of the highlights of Thai football back in the day, was the post match raffle. In fact, I’m pretty sure that this would often attract bigger crowds than the game itself, with many sneaking in just as the final whistle blew so they could participate. The prizes were plentiful and not to be sniffed at so it was always worth buying tickets and, as attendances were fairly low in those days, you usually stood a good chance of winning something. On one particular trip to Bangkok, the host club’s star prize was a fridge freezer, a real top of the range model that had generated quite a bit of excitement amongst the couple of hundred who had gathered for the draw.

As all the minor prizes were snapped up, we reached fever pitch with the announcement that the next ticket out of the hat would claim the big one. The number was read out and was followed by a loud shriek, which came from directly behind me. The winner was a Chonburi fan. As she made her way down onto the pitch, we all cheered - louder than we had been doing during the previous ninety minutes - and burst into applause as she handed over the proof of her glorious victory.

Of course, once the initial euphoria had died down, the next problem was what to do with the fridge. About six of us managed to get it aboard the fan club coach, where it took pride of place front and centre just behind the driver. Within a couple of minutes some wag had filled it with beer cans and we were off, back on the road south, with a bit of unexpected extra weight on board.

Usually, there was only one pick up and drop off point for the bus on these trips - unless you were lucky enough to live somewhere en route - but following today’s events, the driver had to make a detour in order to deliver the good lady and her booty directly to her front door. We carefully negotiated all the side streets and back alleys of Chonburi and eventually arrived safely at our destination.

Again, a group of us lifted the fridge - after checking all the cans had been removed - and carried it into its new home. After plugging it in to check that it worked (would we have taken it back if it had been broken?) we rejoined the remaining supporters on the coach and completed our journey. I genuinely can’t remember the score that day - or even who the opponents were (Bangkok University?) - but I’ll never forget that fridge.

Interview With Two Thai Port Fans: 2012

My interview with Thai Port fans, Marco Turner and Peter Hockley, from October, 2012.



If Thai Port were a movie, which movie would they be and why?
Marco Turner - 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'. Our fans have seen plenty of good, bad and ugly moments over the last few years. There's never a dull moment at PAT Stadium!

Peter Hockley - Was hoping it would be 'The Great Escape' (for obvious reasons) but now after the besieging of the referee and protests against the owners, maybe 'Port Noise Complaint'.


Which three members of the Thai Port staff would you invite to a dinner party and why?
MT - I quite like Korean food, so Ri Myong Jun (North Korean), Whoo Hyun and Kim Ba-We (South Korean) would all be invited. I'm sure they all get on well, but I could act as the Kofi Annan UN peace keeping figure if discussions get too heated.

PH - Whoo Hyun, Sivakor and Steven Robb - the former two were our best players of the season and Robbo, because, well he's Robbo.


Which song best sums up your season?
MT - Reasons To Be Miserable (Part 10) by Half Man Half Biscuit (from the album: Back Again in the DHSS).

PH - 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'


Have you ever had a Thai Port related dream?
MT - Not that I can think of. They've given me a few sleepless nights though!

PH - Yes, there was a nuclear holocaust and the only six survivors were me and the Thai Port cheerleaders.


Thai Port seem to take the "Lucky Kit" superstition very seriously, which do you think is your luckiest kit?
MT - I think the black kit is the 'luckiest'. We won 3 out of 4 games in all black and just 8 out of 34 in the other two strips.

PH - Not sure, don't think we've won enough games in any of them to judge. Black seems to be the favoured 'lucky strip'. The green referee's kit would have been useful on occasions.


How safe are the temporary floodlights? 
PH - How safe is it crossing Sukhumvit road at rush hour?


If you were in a hot air balloon with the entire Thai Port squad and you had to throw one person out in order to stay airborne - who would it be and why ?
MT - The manager would definitely be out first. If one of the players had to go, though, it'd be Siwakorn Chakuprasat. He's rather weedy, so he'd probably float to the ground like a leaf on the breeze. No harm done!

PH - Worakorn, the coach, because he's clueless. Failing that, Ittiphol - 16 yellow cards and 1 red would see anybody rejected.


Which fictional footballer would you like to see play for Thai Port and why?
MT - We've failed to score in 17 of our 38 games this season, so I'd choose either Hotshot Hamish or Melchester Rovers legend Roy Race to solve our goalscoring problems. We could do with Roy's teammate Charlie 'the cat' Carter between the sticks, too.

PH - Billy the Fish (from Viz) - better back flips than Munze and we could always eat him in a nice garlic and pepper sauce if things didn't turn out.


If you broke into the PAT Stadium which one item would you steal and why?
MT - I've been in the ground on my own. The only thing worth nicking is the Port Authority of Thailand badge stuck on the main stand. I would take the groundskeeping equipment, but judging by the state of the pitch, someone's already done that!

PH - The scoreboard. It's been a source of huge disappointment all season.


Please sum up your season in five words.
MT - Underwhelming, to say the least!

PH - Companionable, passionate, frustrating, disappointing, optimistic.

Chonburi v BEC Tero - Photos: 2006

TPL
Chonburi v BEC Tero
Chonburi Municipal Stadium
11th February, 2006










Monday 24 February 2020

Nakorn Ratchasima 4-1 Tak - Match Report: 2009

FA Cup
Round One
Nakorn Ratchasima 4-1 Tak
National Football Centre, Nong Jork
1st July, 2009


An emphatic win for a very impressive Korat side. This was my first chance to see the Swat Cats this season and I certainly liked what I saw. Crisp passing, lots of movement off the ball, all players looking comfortable in possession and lots of variation. Just the way I think football should be played.

Both teams started brightly in the searing heat but it was Korat who looked the more dangerous from the off. Attacking mainly through the centre they were causing havoc in the Tak defence and it was only thanks to a post and some desperate defending that the scoreline remained blank.

The second half saw the introduction of leading scorer, Promphong, for Korat. I've heard great reports about this lad so I was looking forward to seeing him play. He looks an unlikely hero but I wasn't to be disappointed.

With the impressive Artorn marauding down the right wing, and the bulky Njoya down the left, the corner count started to grow. So too did the number of efforts on goal. Therefore it came as no surprise when, guess who, scored the opener. It was a scrappy finish - the ball was hit straight at the keeper, who fumbled it over the line - but the fifty or so visiting Korat fans didn't care as they launched into joyous celebrations on the touchline.

Once the breakthrough came there was only ever going to be one winner. The northeasterners poured forward with menace and Promphong soon added to his impressive tally with a sweet shot from just outside the box which looped into the top corner.

Tak were really struggling now and the players heads visibly dropped. With about ten minutes remaining, Promphong turned provider with a lovely little through ball which gave his strike partner the easy job of slotting the ball home. 3-0, job done.

However, there was to be a slight sting in the tail. A hopeful long punt up field was chased by a Tak striker. Out came Korat's stand in keeper and made a real mess of a simple catch, bundling the onrushing forward to the ground in the process. The ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. 3-1.

Sensing an unlikely comeback the yellow shirts attacked in numbers and were unlucky to see a right wing shot just graze the bar. From the resultant goal kick, Promphong received the ball outside the opponents penalty area. He side stepped first a defender and then the keeper before rolling the ball home to make it 4-1. A cool finish from a natural goalscorer.

I really enjoyed my first taste of FA Cup action. There was an obvious gulf in class between the two teams but all the players deserve enormous credit for providing such an entertaining game in such oppressive heat. It was bad enough standing watching!

Ref Watch - Had little to do in the way of making big decisions but handled the game very well.

Strecher Count - I can't remember a single stretcher being used. Although the trainers came on a couple of times.

The Long & Winding Road: 2018

The Long and Winding Road: 2018
Just for fun, I thought I'd keep a record of the distance I travelled to watch Chonburi - home and away - during the 2018 season. You can see the results below:


Overall
Total distance travelled: 4,881.3kms
Average distance travelled per match: 147.9kms


Home Matches (22)
Total distance travelled: 1,390kms
Average distance travelled per match: 63.1kms


Away Matches (11)
Total distance travelled: 3,491.3
Average distance travelled per match: 317.3kms


Overall
Longest distance travelled: 637.4kms Chainat (28/7/18)
Shortest distance travelled: 19.6kms Port (3/10/18)


Modes of Transport
Car = 32
Bicycle = 4
Motorbike = 1
Train = 1


Match No.33
Chonburi v Chiang Rai Utd (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Sunday 7th October
Distance travelled: 62.7kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.32
Port v Chonburi (T1)
Location: PAT Stadium, Klong Toey, Bangkok
Date: Wednesday 3rd October
Distance travelled: 19.6kms
Mode of transport: Motorbike taxi and train

Match No.31
Chonburi v Nakorn Ratchasima (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 29th September
Distance travelled: 67.5kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.30
Chonburi v Bangkok Utd (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Sunday 16th September
Distance travelled: 115.8kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.29
Chonburi v Air Force (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 8th September
Distance travelled: 58.9kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.28
Chonburi v Bangkok Glass (League Cup)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Wednesday 8th August
Distance travelled: 51.6kms
Mode of transport: Bicycle/Car

Match No.27
Chonburi v Pattaya Utd (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 4th August
Distance travelled: 44.7kms
Mode of transport: Bicycle/Car

Match No.26
Ratchaburi v Chonburi (FA Cup)
Location: Mitr Phol Stadium, Ratchaburi
Date: Wednesday 1st August
Distance travelled: 460.1kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.25
Chainat v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Khao Plong Stadium, Chainat
Date: Saturday 28th July
Distance travelled: 637.4kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.24
Chonburi v Police Tero (FA Cup)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Wednesday 25th July
Distance travelled: 46.5kms
Mode of transport: Bicycle/Car

Match No.23
Chonburi v Buriram Utd (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Sunday 22nd July
Distance travelled: 60.1kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.22
Ratchaburi v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Mitr Phol Stadium, Ratchaburi
Date: Saturday 14th July
Distance travelled: 444.6kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.21
Chonburi v Muang Thong Utd (League Cup)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Wednesday 11th July
Distance travelled: 65.9kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.20
Chonburi v Police Tero (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Sunday 8th July
Distance travelled: 63.5kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.19
Chonburi v Uttaradit (FA Cup)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Wednesday 4th July
Distance travelled: 50.8kms
Mode of transport: Bicycle and Car

Match No.18
Bangkok Glass v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Leo Stadium, Pathum Thani
Date: Sunday 1st July
Distance travelled: 310.6kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.17
Chonburi v Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University (FA Cup)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Wednesday 27th June
Distance travelled: 65.9kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.16
Chonburi v Suphanburi (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 23rd June
Distance travelled: 63kms
Mode of transport: Car


Match No.15
Navy v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Navy Stadium, Sattahip
Date: Sunday 10th June
Distance travelled: 137kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.14
Chonburi v Port (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 26th May
Distance travelled: 63kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.13
Chonburi v Ubon Utd (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 12th May
Distance travelled: 59kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.12
Bangkok Utd v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Date: Sunday 6th May
Distance travelled: 321.8kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.11
Chonburi v Prachuap (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Sunday 29th April
Distance travelled: 61.1kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.10
Air Force v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Thupatemi Stadium, Pathum Thani
Date: Wednesday 25th April
Distance travelled: 283.2kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.9
Chonburi v Muang Thong Utd (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 21st April
Distance travelled: 61.1kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.8
Pattaya Utd v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Nong Prue Stadium, Nong Prue
Date: Wednesday 11th April
Distance travelled: 69.2kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.7
Chonburi v Chainat (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Sunday 8th April
Distance travelled: 90kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.6
Chonburi v Ratchaburi (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Wednesday 28th March
Distance travelled: 58.5k
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.5
Police Tero v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Boonyachinda Stadium, Lak Si, Bangkok
Date: Sunday 18th March
Distance travelled: 260.6kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.4
Chonburi v Bangkok Glass (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 10th March
Distance travelled: 62.0kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.3
Suphanburi v Chonburi (T1)
Location: Suphanburi Stadium, Suphanburi
Date: Sunday 4th March
Distance travelled: 547.2kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.2
Chonburi v Sukhothai (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Saturday 24th February
Distance travelled: 55.3kms
Mode of transport: Car

Match No.1
Chonburi v Navy (T1)
Location: Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Date: Friday 16th February
Distance travelled: 63.1kms
Mode of transport: Car

Sunday 23 February 2020

On The Road - Singhtarua: 2014

Singhtarua
3rd May, 2014


Stadium
PAT Stadium, Klong Toei, Bangkok

Transport
Car from SriRacha (via Chonburi)

Cost
About B300 on petrol plus B260 on tolls.

Travelling Time (total journey)
3 hours and 20 minutes

Total Distance Travelled
204kms

Match Ticket
B100.

Programme
No.

Club Shop
There is a club shop at the PAT Stadium. However, it is situated about 100 yards away, on the other side of another football field - which was being used for a boules tournament. I didn't venture across.

Away End
We were given a third of an uncovered terrace behind one of the goals and half of the covered main stand which runs down the touchline. It was the same price for both.

Staff
The two girls in the ticket booth were jolly enough. Didn't really have much to do with any others - apart from the security guard who showed me where the toilet was.

Food
As to be expected, all the usual Thai food was on sale near to the ground. I was pleasantly surprised to find that one of the stalls was selling warm, thick, crinkle cut chips. A bargain at B30. Sadly, no pies to go with them.

Beer
Big bottles of Leo cost B60 from an enterprising resident of the flats behind the away end. She was doing a roaring trade courtesy of the people in my party. Mainly due to the fact we didn't even have to get up to be served. However, she had initially forgotten to bring her bottle opener, so there was a slight delay in the day's drinking as we waited for someone to run upstairs to get it.

Highlight of the Day
Getting on to the pitch at half time via a door next to the gents toilets. It was rather like stepping into Narnia. I could easily have stayed there, as not a soul challenged me. Although I did get some funny looks from the Chonburi substitutes.

Overall Experience
A reasonable day out. This is one of the easiest grounds to get to from Chonburi, and it is also easy to park close by - providing you get there early enough.

Interview With Russ John: 2015

My interview with Nakhon Ratchasima fan, Russ John, from 14th November, 2015


Please can you introduce yourself
Hi, I’m Russ John - supporter of Wolves and Nahkon Ratchasima Mazda FC

How would you sum up Nakhon Ratchasima’s season so far?
Fantastic “Over the moon”. I really expected a relegation battle. I think, however, that our current eight place is down to a very poor pool of teams in the current league.

What were your expectations at the start of the season? 
Bottom 5 – maybe just avoiding the drop

What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
In terms of points our eighth place looks pretty well nailed on – no chance of catching Ratchaburi.

Do you think the fact that, yet again, the TPL seems to be a two horse race will have a negative effect on the league as a whole? 
Not really. Buriram Utd and Muang Thong Utd are two strong teams whom I admire. Other teams need to strive and improve their practices in order to match the best. I have stated many times, that other teams must see what these successful teams are doing and copy best practice. I certainly hope that some of Buriram Utd’s magic rubs off on The Swatcats!!

Your crowds this season have been very impressive, how much of this is down to the novelty factor of being in the TPL?
Not at all – we were getting 8,000 for most Division 1 games. I just think there is a very strong fanbase here. Don’t forget we’re nowhere near the top of the league and still pull 18,000 average attendances. If we were bottom I guess gates would drop off – but we don’t intend to ever be near the bottom!!!!

What does he club need to do to ensure that these crowds will be maintained?
I think it is self fulfilling. Korat is a big city, Nahkon Ratchasima is a big province. No actually winning probably is the biggest puller for fans. Since I started watching the Swatcats with Paul Hewitt 5 years ago, I can count on the fingers of one hand the home defeats that I have witnessed (I have six fingers on each hand!!!). The stadium needs to be kept tidy and the effective marketing needs to continue. I also think that the club needs to show real ambition, for example signing quality players. Progress needs to be shown – increasingly difficult when you are already in eighth place. I think the future prospects are fantastic.

Which other TPL teams have impressed you this season and why?
Bangkok United played very well at the 80th Anniversary Stadium. Muang Thong Utd were excellent too.  Both teams have players who have pace, are quick passing and slick on the break. I’m afraid most other teams have not been very impressive at all. Below the top 4-5 there are some pretty weak sides this year.

Which other TPL players have impressed you the most this season and why?
Your boy Thiago Cunha  has scored some goals, although I have to say some of his other antics are distressing (sorry Sharks fans). Our boy Noah Chivuta I think is the best player in the league – he never stops. Chanathip is undoubtedly a great player (wasted at Tero in my opinion – he should be in a top team (like us!!!) where his skills can be shown off in front of big crowds). Heberty obviously is a great goalscorer.

What have been your impressions of the TPL as a whole this season? 
Weak with the exception of the top two. Some televised games have been exciting with good atmosphere, others have been painful to watch. The league has 3 tiers and there is a big gap between each tier. The bottom 5 or 6 are pretty poor teams.

What is the best thing about being a Nakhon Ratchasima supporter?
Undoubtedly the atmosphere inside the ground and being part of a large fanbase– I couldn’t bear to be one of 10 men and their dogs as seen at many Thai grounds

And the worst? 
Nothing – I am pretty positive about what is going on at the club.

How close to you feel to your club? 
Hmmmm so, so – it’s not like Nakhon Ratchasima is the team of my birthplace.

If you could swap one Nakhon Ratchasima player for one Chonburi player, who would you get rid of, bring in and why? 
I would like to keep all of our players, thanks. But I would fancy Dos Santos to shore things up at the back.

If you could make three changes at Nakhon Ratchasima what would they be?
Wear black shorts!!!
Get a nice scoreboard/big screen
Build another road out of the parking area - post match, it is chaos.

What are your impressions of your coach?
Well I run contrary to a lot of people’s opinions on this. To me, a coach who wins a league comfortably and then gets his promoted team up to eighth place deserves a lot of credit. However if his team fails to show progress next season, I too would be asking questions.

If you could give him three pieces of advice, what would they be?
Get a coach to help organize defence
Play Adiyeah more – or get rid of him!!
Think big and have high aspirations for the club

What are your thoughts on Chonburi’s form this season?
Hmmm – patchy I think, but the position in the table doesn’t lie. I personally think that the team’s psyche is flawed. Things tend to get a bit over emotive at times. No team in the league has drawn more games than the Sharks and you don’t win anything drawing 12 out of 28 games. If someone did some research on how many draws were gained from a winning position and how many from a losing position it would be a real pointer to the cause. Whenever I have seen the team on TV they always look worried about losing a goal when in a winning position.

Which of our players are you most wary of and why? 
Cunha is always dangerous

Which of your players should we be most wary of and why?
Noah Chivuta is often a game winner – if he plays well the team generally wins. Lindemann is always a threat with long range shots and set pieces and then of course – watch out “lock up yer daughters” Lee Tuck is around!!!

What kind of welcome can the visiting fans expect from the locals on Sunday night?
Usually there is great respect shown to visiting fans – I expect the same on Sunday.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Hope for a great game. A draw would suit me just fine!!

King's Cup - Photos: 2006

King's Cup
Thailand 3-1 Vietnam
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
30th December, 2006









Saturday 22 February 2020

Wednesday 19 February 2020

Chonburi FC Scarves


The List: 2016

At the start of the 2016 season I set myself a target of thirty things that I wanted to do over the course of the year. Here's how I got on...

The List 2016: Thirty Things I Must Do This Season

When I was growing up, it was easy being a football supporter. You'd turn up at the ground, buy a programme, pay at the turnstiles, take your place on the terraces with your mates and watch the match. You'd have a pie and a cup of Bovril at half time and then trudge home at the final whistle to fish and chips and a mug of tea. Simple.

However, in the modern age, there are so many more distractions at the stadium (especially in Thailand, with its burgeoning domestic football scene). The whole match going experience has changed. It has become an "event" and the fans are photographed and filmed as much as - if not more than - the action taking place on the pitch. Grounds are surrounded by a riot of colour and noise (as opposed to just a riot - commonplace in the 70s and 80s) and a festival like atmosphere prevails. It's not always been to my taste.

Now, with a new season just around the corner, I've finally decided to embrace this new fan culture but attempt to marry it up to things for which I have a nostalgic yearning. Therefore, I have produced a list of thirty things that I will endeavour to do this year. Some are retro and will fill me with a nice warm glow, and others are contemporary, stuff that I've never felt the urge to do before but am now willing to try.

Failed To Do
Buy a ticket from a tout
Cycle to a home match
Build a scale model of Chonburi Stadium
Write and record a Chonburi FC tribute song
Produce an old skool photocopied Chonburi fanzine
Record & release a podcast
Watch a league match that doesn't involve Chonburi
Take someone who doesn't like football to a match
Hand out flowers to Newin Chidchob's personal security guards
Take a photo of all my Thai football programmes and post it on Twitter and Facebook


DONE
20. Create some Chonburi FC graffiti
Achieved 9/10/16


On a recent trip to Malaysia, I found myself in the George Town area of Penang. After trawling the backpacker bars - where I met and chatted to a local lad wearing a Penang FA shirt - me and my companions eventually settled in Micke's Place, on the delightfully named Love Lane. It was a particularly prepossessing venue and had the added appeal of live music - a duo playing mainly Beatles songs.

Now, those of you who have been lucky enough to have visited this region, will be aware that graffiti (Street art!) is encouraged and what a colourful spectacle it creates. Therefore, when I was presented with a permanent marker and a relatively clean wall, I just couldn't resist. The results can be seen in the accompanying photo - some corner of a foreign field that is forever Chonburi FC. Until it gets painted over.



19. "Acquire" something from an away ground
 Achieved Classified

I don't want to say too much about this, you never know who might be reading. Know what I mean, guv? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more!

Anyhoo, I acquired this little beauty from a ground I visited this season. I'm expecting a knock on the door from the Old Bill any day now.



18. Get "dressed up" to go to a match
 Achieved 21/9/16


What could be a better occasion than an FA Cup quarter final tie at the imposing Rajamangala Stadium to get dressed up for? The semi final or final perhaps? But there was no guarantee that we'd get through, so I thought I'd seize the opportunity to cross item number 18 off the List, at the recent fixture against Muang Thong Utd. Thankfully, I was also able to convince my two good friends, Tim and Clarence, to join me in the festivities.

My own outfit was a throwback to the late 70's ska and Two Tone period. White Fred Perry t-shirt, black trousers, braces, boots and, to top it off, a pork pie hat. This was also my tribute to Prince Buster, the legendary Jamaican singer-songwriter who sadly died recently, and our very own Prince "Net" Buster - Mr Amponsah. Simple, but effective and I thought I looked quite smart.

However, there's no doubting that I was completely upstaged by my companions on the night. Wearing two tone blue (instead of the customary black and white) giant top hats, dressed in shirt and tie and carrying umbrellas like walking canes, they looked every inch the Victorian toffs. They looked hilarious. And what a stir they caused!

I walked a few paces behind them, as we made our way from the car to the turnstiles and thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone's reaction as we passed. They were also filmed and photographed by dozens of curious locals and even made it on to the official Chonburi FC Facebook page (an honour of sorts). I doff my (rather inadequate pork pie) hat to you both. Bravo, chaps!



17. Watch a match from the Swimming Pool Stand
 Achieved 13/8/16


Like most football fans, I am a creature of habit when it comes to going to the match. My pre-game ritual is strictly observed: arrive at the usual time, park in the same space, buy beers from the same vendor, meet with my mates in the same place, enter the ground - after a visit to the toilet - at the same time and sit in the same seat. Simple. So this was going to be a huge challenge for me.

The first big difference on this special day, was my match going companion - my wife. She used to be a regular, but has been put off by the no drinks & no food rule, plus most of her friends have also stopped attending. However, today she was going to use my season ticket.

On arrival (at the right time), I parked where I normally park, but instead of heading to the regular meeting spot, we went for a nice meal at one of the numerous upmarket restaurants that are near to the stadium. A bit fancier than the sausage on a stick I have most weeks and - truth be told - a lot tastier.

After having our appetites sated, there was just enough time to wander over to the traditional meeting place - some habits are hard to break - and have a quick chat with my mate Brian. We then bid our fond farewells and I headed to the unfamiliar territory of the imaginatively named "Swimming Pool Stand" (there's a swimming pool behind it!).

It did feel strange entering the ground through a different entrance (and getting a red stamp on my arm instead of a blue one), but I was also quite excited. I found my seat - right on the front row - and settled down to watch the football.

Even though I did keep casting glances over at my usual vantage point - I could see my wife and my friends - I actually enjoyed the experience of watching from a different angle. I had a good view, the people around me were friendly (although the Thai Vera Duckworth sitting a few rows behind me got on my nerves a bit) and it was cooler, with a lovely late evening breeze blowing though.

There's no doubt that the atmosphere was slightly different over on the "other side" - and I missed the usual banter, wit and wisdom of my regular companions - but they do say that a change is as good as a rest. And, after my experiencs on Saturday, I can say that "they" are right.

Would I do it again? We'll just have to wait and see.



16. Travel to a match by train
 Achieved 20/7/16


I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love trains! If it were possible, I'd travel to every match by rail - as I used to do when following Oldham Athletic around in England in the late 70s and 80s. However, the timetable here makes that quite difficult.

Therefore, after a quick check of the fixture list, I realised that the home match against Nakhon Ratchasima was the last chance I would get (FA Cup draw aside - but I didn't want to take the risk!) to go by train.

I caught a motorbike taxi from my house to the station - about a two minute ride - and acquired my ticket - B5! I'd given myself plenty of time, so I was able to sit on the neatly manicured station and watch the world go by as I waited for the train to arrive.

The train itself was quite busy - it was a public holiday - but I managed to find a seat (facing forwards) and settled back to enjoy the journey. There's not really much to report about the ride itself, but it was a very pleasant way to spend half an hour on a Wednesday afternoon.

On arrival at Chonburi, I dismounted and asked one of the railway employees to take the accompanying photo - next to his freshly painted sign. I then walked the 500 metres or so to the main highway, in the hope of getting some form of public transport to my ultimate destination - the ground. Within a couple of minutes a motorbike taxi approached and I flagged him down. Ten minutes later I was at the stadium - a full three hours before kick off!

Thanks to Tim and Nui for their efforts in getting me home afterwards!



15. Buy a rival team's shirt
 Achieved 13/7/16
 
Back in the old days, I used to try and buy shirts from every ground I visited. They were relatively cheap - B200/B250 in most cases - and I felt it was a way I could support the local game. However, in recent seasons, clubs have become more business savvy and the cost of replica kits has rocketed. Therefore, I was pleased to see an old school trestle table and a couple of cardboard boxes set up outside the away end at our recent cup tie with Nong Bua Pitchaya.

As I approached, I must admit, I didn't hold out much hope that they'd have anything in my size, but the young lady who served me found something straight away, amongst the piles of shirts, t-shirts, scarves and headbands. I gladly handed over my B300 and whistled a happy tune as I headed to my seat in the stand, proudly clutching my new purchase, a reminder of a much simpler time. You can stick your club superstores!



14. Have my photo taken with an opposition coach
 Achieved 9/7/16

I was at school with someone who used to do bus impersonations. His 59 - the bus from Oldham to Manchester Picadilly - was particularly good. He could also recite all the SELNEC timetables from memory.

Now, while I'm not quite in his league, I do have something of an obsessive interest in Thai football club coaches - check out any of my photo galleries, if you don't believe me - and this particular one is my favourite. It's lovely retro style is extremely appealing, so when the opportunity to have my photo taken with it presented itself at the recent league meeting, I jumped at the chance.

Sadly, I didn't get to go onboard (maybe that can be included on next season's List), but the attached photo was taken by the driver. Something my old school friend would no doubt approve of. Now I just need to nail the sound of it reversing...



13. Join in with the half time fan club scarf exchange
 Achieved 3/7/16
I've done this a few times in the past, but not for a couple of years. So, when the opportunity presented itself at the recent away match in Sukhothai, I jumped at the chance.

A dozen of us left the rain lashed terraces as soon as the half time whistle blew and made our way through the puddles and the mud to the relative sanctuary of the players tunnel. And there we waited, and waited, and waited for our home team counterparts to arrive.

Sadly - and in spite of constant reassurances that "they're on their way" - they never showed up (pretty poor from the Sukhothai fans). Undeterred, we posed for the above photograph (ably taken by my good lady wife) before handing over the scarf to one of the stadium security guards and trudging back to the stands.

On a happier note, as we stood in the tunnel, I did get the chance to peep into the away team dressing room, meet John Baggio and say "sawasdee krup" to the ref and linesmen. So it wasn't a complete waste of time!



12. Go to an away match on my own
 Achieved 25/6/16
 
I achieved this particular challenge more by accident than design. Both my regular travelling companions pulled out quite late on and my wife was working, therefore I had no option other than to make the short trip to Pattaya on my own. So with only a recording of a 1978 John Peel show for company, I set off on the well worn path south - a journey I make every day for work.

Thankfully, I remembered to turn left, instead of right, when I needed to and was soon at the cafe, where I had arranged to meet some locally based Chonburi fans. Here we enjoyed a flavoursome pre match meal of fish, chips, mushy peas and a mug of tea. Lovely. And just the thing to get us in the mood for the match.

After our food, we made our way to the ground in convoy and settled in at our usual little spot - when visiting these parts - for a couple of cold beers and a chat. A proper, old fashioned Saturday at the football. We even won! Which made the Peel accompanied solitary drive home just that little bit sweeter.



11. Eat a Wagon Wheel at a match
 Achieved 14/5/16


Thanks to my mum and dad and their annual food parcel from the old country, I was able to cross another snack related item off The List, before the recent home game against Bangkok Glass. However, this time I chose to eat my wares outside the stadium. Although, I could've smuggled it inside...if I'd wanted to!

To many of my generation, Wagon Wheels - along with Bovril - are synonymous with football matches. Indeed, the only other place I can remember being able to buy them was at primary school, when the dinner ladies used to bring out a big cardboard box full of toffees, crisps and other treats to sell at playtimes. So the taste of chocolate, marshmallow and biscuit ("a legendary experience" - according to the packet) brought back a whole host of childhood memories - and inspired a craving for Jammie Dodgers - but, surely they used to be bigger than this? Didn't they?



10. Smuggle some food into Chonburi Stadium
 Achieved 7/5/16


Regular visitors to this site and/or anyone who follows me on Twitter, will be well aware of my feelings towards our club's ridiculous stance on banning food and drink inside the stadium. Therefore, the treacherous act of smuggling four cheese sandwiches and a satsuma into the ground for the recent home game against BEC Tero, gave me more pleasure than it probably should have done - as a 52 year old man with a mortgage and a responsible job. But...it was such a sweet victory.

I even managed to consume the whole lot without being rumbled by the highly trained and vigilant 15 year old girls, who we employ as security guards. Take that! Talk about sticking it to the Man! And now I know the secret of getting things past the stringent checks at the turnstiles, you can guarantee I'll be eating a lot more grub whilst enjoying the football between now and whenever the season ends. Time to loosen the belt.



9. Use a megaphone at a match
 Achieved 1/5/16

 

I thought I might have problems getting a megaphone in to the ground, but no-one batted an eyelid. Then I remembered I wasn't at Chonburi, where everything bar the clothes you are wearing, is considered a threat to the safety of our ever dwindling band of fans or maybe even to the security of the whole country.

After reconsidering my initial plan of standing at the front - with the drummers and flag bearers - I settled for a seat about a third of the way up the stand. I had quite a good view from here and still felt that I'd be in earshot of the players, especially when they came to take a corner.

I must admit, I only used the megaphone on a couple of occasions, as we went in search of an equaliser towards the end of the game - and when a Muang Thong forward took a throw in directly in front of me (I now know how Mrs Chidchob feels. What power I had!).

However, my crowning glory was getting a laugh from the away fans when I employed the "siren" feature as the home physios ran on to treat a stricken player. I'm hoping this will catch on. It might shame them into stopping all the play acting.



8. Write an account of an overnight stay for an away match
 Achieved 11/4/16


I wrote an account of my three day trip to Samut Sakhon - and the surrounding area - for our recent League Cup tie. I enjoyed my short stint as a travel blogger so much, I might even consider doing more. In the meantime, you can read my first attempt HERE



7. Have my photo taken on the pitch
 Achieved 9/4/16


As we were leaving the Samut Sakhon Central Sports Stadium, following our League Cup win, I spotted some local children having a kick about on the pitch. I asked if I could join them. They were only too happy to let me go in goal.

So, for the next ten minutes or so, I tried to stop their shots, as they rained in from various angles and with varying degrees of power. I must admit, I found it easier reaching the high ones, but struggled to get down to the low efforts. And they soon sussed this out! Anything aimed in the direction of the bottom corners usually resulted in a goal.

Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed my inpromptu kick about and would have played for longer, but my wife was keen to get away to find something to eat. Thanks, kids. You made an old man very happy.



6. Wear a blue wig at the match
 Achieved 9/4/16


On arrival at the Samut Sakhon Stadium for last Saturday's League Cup tie, I was greeted by my mates Tim and Claire. Not only had they saved me a seat (in an already crowded away end) and bought me a beer, but they had also brought me a present. What great friends! As Tim handed me the plastic bag, I was trembling with excitement and antici...pation. What could it be? My mind raced through the possibilities. Well, actually, it didn't. I knew exactly what was inside. The big clue coming from the fact that my aforementioned buddy was already wearing his!

Moments later I had spared him the dubious honour of being the most ridiculous looking man in the stand by donning my own synthetic, curly, blue hair piece. And there we sat, for the next ninety minutes, like two washed up members of the ELO. And boy was it hot! And itchy! And silly!

However, it was worth all the discomfort - and embarrassment - as the "rugs" did the trick and saw us through to a comfortable 4-1 victory. Unfortunately, this means that they have been officially declared as "lucky mascots" and we are now obliged to wear them at every cup tie...all the way to the final!



5. Have the name of this season's first TPL goalscorer printed on the back of my replica shirt
 Achieved 2/4/16


There was always an element of risk about this one. What if it was someone I'm not that keen on? Or someone who's likely to leave in a couple of months time? Even now, there's some debate as to whether the goal was Nurul's or an own goal by the Pattaya Utd keeper. Thankfully, the Thai Dubious Goals Committee came down on the side of our diminutive striker (who I'm quite fond of), although wearing a Chonburi shirt with the name of an opposition player on it would have been funnier.

The shirt itself cost just over B1,000 (less my B200 season ticket holder discount), which is ridiculously expensive. I think B500 is far more reasonable and affordable for most fans. I'm not really a big fan of Nike - it's hard to see what they've actually brought to the table at Chonburi (other than expensive sportswear). Surely they should be doing more? However, that's a story for another day.



4. Watch a match at Sharkies Cafe, The Bazaar or Central
 Achieved 30/3/16


With the Bazaar seemingly moribund and Central unreliable as to whether or not they'll be showing the match, Tim, Brian and me plumped for Sharkies as our venue of choice to watch the Chainat game. In the old days, we were regular visitors here, when we couldn't actually make it to the stadium. But, in recent years we have tended to stay away, preferring to watch the far flung or inaccessible fixtures in the comfort of our own homes.

However, last Wednesday night was a reminder of why we used to enjoy it so much in the first place; good food, cold beer - both reasonably priced - good company, and a decent atmosphere - created by the thirty or so Chonburi fans who had also gathered for the occasion. We even made some new friends (see photo). The fact that we won (comfortably) obviously added to the enjoyment, but the whole experience was a very pleasant treat. Made even more so by one generous soul picking up the tab. Thanks, Tim!

I think we'll definitely be watching a few more matches at this venue over the course of the season.



3. Buy something tacky from the club shop
 Achieved 13/3/16


I bought this little fella for B79 after Sunday night's match. Bizarrely, it doesn't even feature the club's name, instead it has that ridiculous slogan "Reboot" - what does that even mean? – plastered across it.

Generally, I am a fan of pennants. When I was young, they were one of the only types of football souvenirs you could buy and I still have a few Oldham Athletic ones from the late 60s and early 70s, which I cherish. I’ve also got a collection of Chonburi ones from the early years. However, this “item’ isn’t really worthy of the name and I get the idea that not much thought has gone into its production; "Yep. That'll do".

I haven't yet decided where I'm going to hang it, but I am open to suggestions (please send to the usual address). It has one of those sucker thingies attached but I’m beggared if I’m sticking it on any of my car windows. I’ll probably just end up giving it away to one of our younger fans at the next home game.



2. Have my photo taken with some opposition fans
 Achieved 9/3/16


I bumped into these chaps - and a few of their identically dressed mates - whilst I was queueing for a pre match beer. They had just got off the coach and had clearly enjoyed themselves on the way over from Suphanburi. En route from the transport to the stadium, they were applauded by the Chonburi fans they met and welcomed by the old bloke who stands at the entrance to the car park.

I managed to grab the two lads in the photo just before they took up their places in the away end. Unfortunately, the rest of the group had already gone inside. Thanks to them and also the young lady who took the photo.



1. Wear a pair of Chonburi shorts to a match
Achieved 6/3/16
 

Replica shirts. Pah! I’ve never been fond of wearing them – other than when playing myself. However, there’s no doubt that they are the de rigueur item for every Tom, Dick and Somchai who goes to a Thai league match. Funny how you hardly ever see anyone wearing replica shorts, especially in this climate. Although the absence of pockets is a bit of a pain.

Therefore, I’m hoping the first item on this year’s List will start a trend. Here I am at Sunday’s match, in my Chonburi shorts (circa 2006). Oh, how I miss that old badge, with its fierce looking shark. It’s just so much better than the current one – which looks like it’s been squeezed out of a toothpaste tube.

One down. Twenty nine to go.