The third and final part of my pre website messageboard postings.
JUNE & JULY 2008
23/6/08
Here's some breaking news for you all. For the second half of the TPL season champions, Chonburi, will return to their spiritual home, Assumption College, SriRacha.
That's right, for the rest of the campaign all our home games will be played at the Princess Srintorn Stadium. It's good news for me as it's only about two minutes from my house but it will be interesting to see if it affects our attendances.
This also means that Bang Phra will now be playing all their remaining home fixtures in the farmer's field known as the Coke Stadium in Bang Phra.
It would appear that both clubs are no longer welcome at the Chonburi Municipal Stadium.
Incidentally, I've just returned from watching Bang Phra beat Chonburi 4-0 in a warm up match. Don't get too excited by the scoreline as our team was made up mainly of trialists and fringe players while BP fielded a full strength team. The trialists included a Georgian, an Argentinian, a couple of lads from Senegal, two more from Cameroon and....wait for it...two English players!! The two English boys lasted for about 15 minutes before being replaced to save them from collapsing with heat exhaustion!!! I wonder if we'll see them again?!!
28/6/08
Bang Phra v Army
An extraordinary afternoon in Bang Phra. The Army's first win doesn't even begin to tell the story.
An entertaining match was punctuated with two outstanding incidents. The first came on the stroke of half time when one of the Army players was fouled on the halfway line. The referee had already blown for a free kick but the "foulee" decided to take matters into his own hands by swinging a puch at the "fouler". The ensuing brawl involved all 22 players, the coaching staff, the substitutes, a number of fans and the police. It spilled over from the pitch onto the car park!! Leaving the majority of spectators looking at an empty patch of grass as about 100 people traded punches at the back of the stands!!
The whole thing lasted about 10 minutes and was finally resolved when the ref sent off the player who'd thrown the first punch plus an unidentified second party. The game restarted with a free kick for the Army and, 5 seconds later, the half time whistle was blown.
In the second half, the ten men visitors went a goal ahead. Entering the last ten minutes an Army striker went down wanting attention, in an obvious display of time wasting. However, at the opposite end of the pitch, one of his team mates collapsed with no-one anywhere near him. It soon became apparent that something was seriously wrong and the medics and an ambulance were called. The stricken player, who didn't move, for what seemed like an eternity, was carried into the back of the ambulance and rushed to hospital.
During the remaining time the Army had at least 4 clear cut chances to seal the match but failed to take them. When the final whistle blew the jubilant Army players ran over to the far side of the ground to celebrate with 200 camouflage clad visiting supporters.
It's certainly a match I'll never forget; especially as I won second prize in the post match raffle!!!
Can Chonburi v Customs match it for drama? I hope so!!
30/6/08
Customs 0-1 Chonburi
Here are some photos from yesterday’s very entertaining match (dead link), Customs v Chonburi. A well deserved win for the visitors but we were clinging on against nine men in the last five minutes!!
No prizes for spotting me. But there is a prize if you can tell me why I look so worried!!!
Yet another good away following. The fans certainly played their (our) part in securing the victory.
The Custom's number 6 wasn't just getting stick for his "unique" throw-in technique but for his assault on one of our players earlier in the match!
The Kasem Bundit University Stadium is a great facility. However, the pitch did cut up rather badly and…the goalposts certainly weren't regulation size; I could touch the crossbar from a standing position. I wonder if we'll hear any complaints?!!
Incidentally, prior to the match, three coachloads of Chonburi fans held a very civilised demonstration outside the shop owned by the person responsible for deciding we could no longer play at the Chonburi Municipal Stadium. We also presented him with a petition. He wasn't best pleased but there wasn't a lot he could do other than listen to our pleas.
I'll try and keep you updated with any developments.
13/7/08
ToT 1-1 Chonburi
A very entertaining match between TOT and Chonburi, yesterday. Two teams trying to play football (on a terrible pitch!) and a big crowd, including a large travelling support.
I felt we shaded it possession-wise but overall I think a draw was a fair(ish) result.
It bodes well for next Saturday when the same two teams meet on a much better surface.
Oh, how we all cheered when the BEC result was announced over the pa (BEC Tero 0-1 Army).
19/7/08
Chonburi 2-2 ToT
I was very disappointed with TOT's tactics, which seemed to be, "Score in the first minute and then kick everything in a blue shirt"!!!
I praised their approach last week but I thought that they resorted to some very poor tactics today. This was a shame as there was a big crowd and an air of expectency.
I'm obviously disappointed that we dropped a couple of points at home but I wish the visitors had shown more of a desire to play football (which they are capable of) than fall back on "gamesmanship".
It was interesting to see how they celebrated at the end, as if they had won the World Cup!!
Still, we are top of the league and showing signs that we are yet to hit our full stride.
It will be an interesting couple of months.
24/7/08
New sponsor for Chonburi
by www.bangkokpost.com
Thailand Premier League champions Chonburi FC received a huge financial boost when they signed a sponsorship deal worth 18 million baht with Hemaraj Land and Development Plc yesterday. The property developer will be the club's main sponsor for three years starting next season.
Chonburi manager Vittaya Khunpluem said the money would help strengthen the team's bid in the Thai league and the AFC Champions League.
The club is constructing a new 15,000-seat stadium to be their home ground which is expected to be complete in the middle of next year, he said.
Vittaya said the club aimed to become the number one football team in Thailand in terms of both results and marketing.
Arguably the best organised football club in Thailand, Chonburi are looking for players from Brazil, Argentina, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, he said.
Hemaraj chairman Sawad Horrungruang said the firm, whose main business is in Chon Buri and Rayong, wanted to help encourage the young to play sports.
He hoped that the sponsorship would also help football development in Thailand in general
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