In early 2010, the club announced that IFA Irish Premiership side, Glentoran would be coming over to play a friendly. The Belfast based outfit had finished their season in 3rd place and was arranging matches to help them prepare for the upcoming UEFA Europa Cup qualifying campaign.
Even though the visitors couldn't really be classed as a "big" club, it was still considered an honour that they wanted to come and play us and the news had caused a lot of excitement amongst the Chonburi faithful.
The date was set as Wednesday the 26th of May, just forty eight hours before our crucial top of the table clash, away at Muang Thong Utd. Not that this seemed to bother anyone, other than me.
This aside, I was happy about the fact that my fledgling website - then only a few months old - was receiving lots of hits from northern Europe. I'd also entered into correspondence with a Glentoran fan called Mark, who had booked to come over with a group of mates and was picking my brains (insert your own jokes here) as to where to stay and where to visit. In addition, he'd promised to bring me a commemorative lapel badge that they had made up especially for the trip.
However, at this particular point in time, Thailand was going through one of its many political crises - this time the anti-government "Red Shirts" occupation of Bangkok - and doubts were raised as to whether the match would go ahead or not.
Even though the protests had occasionally been violent, they were mainly confined to a small area of the capital, and were winding down. But this didn't stop the British Embassy from issuing a travel warning, advising its citizens not to visit the kingdom. UK insurance companies were also refusing to cover anyone who came here.
Under this kind of pressure and despite assurances that Chonburi was largely unaffected by the protests and a long way from any trouble, the match was eventually cancelled and we were denied the opportunity to test ourselves against overseas opposition.
Now, nearly ten years later, there has still been no mention of rearranging the fixture. I've almost given up hope.
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