April, 2008
Here are some messageboard postings I made in 2008, which pre-date the ones on the Thailand Football Webboard. Over the next couple of days, I'm going to share a few of these with you on here. Reading them again after nearly years has been an enjoyable and interesting experience.
APRIL 2008
16/4/08
I've been reading through a few of the posts on here and have been quite impressed with the interest in, and knowledge of, Thai football.
I've a few things to add that you're probably not aware of.
Attendances at league matches are up this season. Although most clubs only get a few hundred spectators I've already noticed that at a couple of grounds I've visited this year the numbers have increased from the corresponding fixtures from last season.
Particularly pleasing was the crowd at Samut Songkram early on when there must have been nearly 2,000 there. Good to see at a newly promoted club.
As I've only been to Chonburi matches I don't know if this is the case for other games. But, by all accounts, it would appear to be.
Our home crowds have rocketed this year. We were averaging about 1,800/2,000 last year (not counting the 10,000 who came to the title decider) and our two most recent fixtures have attracted 5,000+. This is obviously as a result of our victory against Melbourne. We are also regularly taking 200/300 to away games. I'm expecting a big turnout for the Osotspa game this coming weekend.
Unfortunately, the Melbourne match aside, our performances have been pretty poor so far. We seem to be struggling to find any sort of form and, considering we now have the top two scorers from last season, goals have been really hard to come by.
It's tough at the top!!
Away from Chonburi, FAT do seem to be making more of an efort to promote the domestic game; maybe they've been stung into action by the AFCs threat. Whatever the reason, it is very encouraging. I just hope that they can keep it up. I've always been very critical of FAT in the past but I'm willing to give them another chance.
The next few months should be very interesting!!
19/4/08
Osotspa 0-1 Chonburi
A much better performance from Chonburi today. Although I was slightly disappointed that we didn't go all out for a second goal instead of defending for the last 15 minutes.
500+ Chonburi supporters also made the trip up to BKK.
I'm really looking forward to Wednesday night. Should be a great occasion.
Jaded replaced Wittaya Loahgul at the start of last season. Not a bad start to his managerial career!!
23/4/08
Yes, we have an authentic Chonburi "Derby" to look forward to. The two teams share a stadium, a chairman and a lot of fans!! We'll see everyone's true colours on Saturday!!
Although I'm happy to see Bang Phra doing so well, I'd like to see us beat them convincingly.
For those of you who aren't aware, Bang Phra is a very small village between SriRacha and Chonburi. There home "stadium", which they are no longer allowed to use, is a farmer's field with a couple of rickety wooden structures for the spectators to sit on. As they are sponsored by Coke, the ground is called - without irony - The Coke Stadium.
As I mentioned above, they now play their home games at the Chonburi Municipal Stadium. All these matches are televised live on NBT/Siam Gila, as are Chonburi's on alternate weeks, and they get attendances of around 1,000.
I'm looking forward to Saturday as there will be a great atmosphere and a big crowd.
However, I think the match of the day will be TOT FC v BEC Tero. Both teams are level on points at the top and I expect there'll be a few goals.
On Sunday I'll be at the SriRacha v Nakorn Sawan match. SriRacha are currently top and, if they keep it up, we could have three local teams in the TPL next season! As with Bang Phra, a lot of Chonburi fans also follow SriRacha.
24/4/08
Chonburi 2-2 Chunnam Dragons
Yes, I was disappointed with our finishing last night. We should have won quite easily.However, I went absolutely mad when we equalised because I'd convinced myself that it wasn't going to be our night!
I'm not sure if you could tell from watching on the internet but the match was played in very difficult conditions. It had rained very hard for a couple of hours prior to kick off, the water was shin deep in the streets around the stadium, and it continued to rain throughout the match.
It's not an excuse but the pitch was very heavy.
I think our biggest culprit last night was Ney Fabiano. He missed a couple of really easy chances. There are rumours that he might be on his way (to Melbourne?) for 3.5 million. On current form I'd say, "Take the money!!"
There aren't any rules governing multiple club ownership here. I know that it could lead to problems - if Chonburi need three points to win the league and their opponents are Bang Phra etc - but no-one seems too concerned.
As for TV not showing our game, Chonburi & Bang Phra have a deal with NBT to broadcast all the home games live so I guess that the other TV companies don't get a look in. Our recent 0-0 draw away at Tobacco Monopoly was live on True Sport.
Bang Phra are able to compete at this level due to the finances paid by the owner. He's very pro-Chonburi province and wants all the clubs to do well. Expect SriRacha to be promoted this season.
26/4/14
Bang Phra 0-0 Chonburi
We totally dominated the match today but, again, we struggled in the final third. We gave the ball away too easily and, if I'm being honest, never really looked like scoring.
Bang Phra had the the games best two chances. They hit the bar in the first half and the post in the dying seconds after breaking out of defence. But, other than that, Kosin had a very quiet night.
Ney Fabiano and Baga were both missing today but we did give a debut to David LeBras. He showed a few good touches but was obviously lacking match fitness and limped off with about 10 minutes remaining.
Overall, a disappointing evening but our point makes us clear leaders at the top so, no real complaints. And, once again, a 5,000+ crowd and a decent atmosphere.
Two more games before the mini-break. Wednesday away at Nakorn Pathom and next Saturday at home to BEC Tero. Six points up for grabs.
27/4/14
The big story from the postponed big match yesterday (ToT v BEC Tero) gets curiouser and curiouser.
Apparently, Mr Christophe Larrouilh, the BEC Tero manager, complained that the goalposts at the Narmgairjon Stadium were too small! He has also insisted that someone from the league goes around all the grounds and measures the goalposts.
His complaint came just before kick off. He told his players to go and get changed and go home. Naturally the TOT supporters weren't very happy!!
However, that's not the end of the story. It is rumoured that he only complained because a few of his players were injured and would miss the match!! And he wanted the game called off!!
I'll let you know if I hear any more.
BEC are due at Chonburi next Saturday. I expect that the home fans will give plenty of stick. I have a week to try and remember some of my schoolboy French!!
28/4/08
Suphanburi were promoted in second place when we went up from the Pro League. In fact they were top until the final week of the season. So it's a shame to see them struggling.
Likewise BKK Bravo. A lot of their fans come along to watch Chonburi on a regular basis; a dozen of them were at Osotspa the weekend before last. So, I'd like to see them do well.
There are no play offs in the second division. At least there weren't last season. But, with FAT, who knows!!
I've heard about the FA Cup competition. I'll let you know when I know more.
The BEC/TOT Goalpostgate affair rumbles on. TOT have sent a written complaint to the league. We'll just have to wait and see.
Finally, for now, I'd just like to thank the fixture organisers for giving us an away match in Nakorn Pathom at 4:00pm on a Wednesday. The same thing happened last year. As I doubt my boss will believe I have yet another dental appointment, I'll have to follow it on the internet!!
30/4/14
Post: What are the attendances like at Thai Premier League matches?
As someone who follows Chonburi home and away every week, I'm probably well qualified to answer this question.
Chonburi are getting regular attendances of 5,000 this season. We have had to erect temporary seating to accomodate the extra fans. This Saturday's crowd will, I guess be another 2,000 up on the average. The match against BEC Tero is usually the best attended match of our season. We are the best supported club in the TPL by a long way.
On my travels over the past 5 years I would say most clubs (BEC Tero included)struggle to attract 1,000 fans. This season Samut Songkhram had about 1,800 for our visit, which is very encouraging. Although, like most clubs we play the attendance was boosted by a 200+ away support.
Having said that, there are signs that crowds are sneaking up this year. However, FAT, the press and the Thai public need to do more to promote the domestic game. I don't want to be too critical here because there are signs that this is happening. The Thai press in particular carry alot of coverage in a number of papers and last night I had a choice of three live matches on three different channels (whether or not they should be playing at such ridiculous times is another issue. 4:00pm on a Wednesday ?!!!).
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