14th April, 2016
Prologue
In the eight years I have been doing this website, I have been privileged to interview many different people connected to Thai football and beyond. Numerous chairmen, coaches, players, journalists, fans and many others have always been so helpful, willing and kind enough to take time out of their busy schedules to spare a few minutes to answer questions for my site, and for which I’ve always been extremely grateful. So, imagine my surprise - and it has to be said, disappointment - when the following, curt e mail exchange took place with a Buriram Utd fan and “journalist”, in the run up to Friday’s match:
My initial e mail:
Hi XXXXXX,
Do you know any Buriram Utd fans who would be interested in being interviewed - via e mail - for my website, ahead of the match against Chonburi on the 15th?
Here is a link to previous opposition fan interviews I've done http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/113109/CustomPages/view/19059
Thanks
Dale
The reply:
Hi Dale,
Sorry I really don't know anyone who'd be interested in those questions. We're not too bothered about what goes on elsewhere. Just what concerns us. Good luck, hope you enjoy the game. You will get a warm welcome, that is for sure.
Regards,
XXXXXX
Thankfully - and in total contradiction to XXXXXX’s rather presumptuous claim that no Buriram Utd fan would be “interested in those questions” - I did find someone who was more than happy to answer them. You can read my interview with the ever accommodating Jamie Pinder below.
Q - Please can you introduce yourself
Firstly, my name is Jamie Pinder and I've been living in Buriram for 8 years, following the team for the last 5 years. Currently, I spend 6 months of the year watching football as I am a language and skills trainer and work every other month overseas. I try to plan my schedule to arrive home on a Saturday and catch a game immediately!
Q - What were your expectations going into the season?
At the beginning of every season Buriram expect to be winning trophies. It's difficult to improve on 2015 domestically but the PLT is the main objective, of course. A good run in the AFC Champions League was a possibility but we got a tough draw and have really not performed.
Q - And what are our expectations now?
Diogo has been a big loss as has Korawit, the centre back partner to Tunez. Putting 5 past Bangkok United gave up all hope but we look fragile at the back and it's just about being held together now. If any PLT coaches watch us regularly it's easy to see where we're vulnerable (but I'm not going to tell you).
Q - What have been your impressions of Buriram Utd’s performances this season?
The team's form has been mediocre in the PLT but only by their own high standards. In the AFC, I think a tough draw and a lack of an off season didn't help. It's something that comes with being so successful. There was also the farce of players coming and going (especially the strikers) and so the coach still is struggling to find a settled team. The team will get stronger as the season progresses as they do every year.
Q - If you could give your coach one piece of advice, what would it be?
I do have one bit of advice for our coach. In the warm up, tell the players to practice hitting the target. Too often they try to practice clever shots and 9/10 miss the goal. Sadly, once the game starts the players shoot high and wide. It's 8 yards wide and 8 foot high...it's not that difficult to hit.
Q - What is the best thing about the way your club is run?
The best thing about our club is the passion of the owner and his full backing for the whole project. His aim is AFC glory in 10 years. If anyone can make it happen, then we trust that he can.
Q - And what would you like to change?
I would like to see more involvement with the fans. Rather than being told what to do, elicit fans' opinions. There is a slightly dictatorial approach sometimes. (Don't tell him I said that!)
Q - Buriram Utd seem to have everything - great stadium, great facilities, well stocked club shop, racetrack etc - but what one thing would you like to add?
If I were too add something to our product, I'd expand the merchandising to include replica old shirts and improve the match day experience both before the game and at half time. The new Buriram Castle brings people in but I'd like some entertainment, some geeing up of the crowd before the game. Also, for the midweek and AFC games, run promotions to get more people coming. Nobody likes a half full ground.
Q - And if you could change one thing, what would it be?
If I could change one thing it would be the awful kit we’ve been wearing, the pink shirts with dark shorts. It looks like we took our home kit to a game, realized it clashed with the opposition and something suggested we wear pink shirts. It just doesn't match. Even all pink would look better! That said, I do like the shirts but not as part of this kit!
Q - What do other clubs need to do in order to catch up with Buriram Utd both on and off the pitch?
The money that Buriram have makes it difficult for other teams to catch up but it's a cycle and another wealthy owner will come along and boost another team. In reality, to catch Buriram you need to see their weaknesses and play to them. Off the field, the marketing team do an amazing job. Selling so many pink shirts is quite amazing. The income that they generate is staggering. Does any other team promote itself quite so well?
Q - Be honest - Is it boring winning everything every year?
As to whether it's boring or not winning everything, I thought it might be, but it's not. For the future of Thai league football it would be good to have more competition as long as we still win! The big problem for Buriram Utd will be when they don't win. The local fans enjoy a winning team but I'm not sure how they'd react to a losing one. If one or two players move to Japan/ Korea next year, things could get interesting.
Q - What have been your impressions of the opening few rounds of the PLT?
The opening 6 games have thrown up one or two surprises. I'm sure the fans of Bangkok Glass are ecstatic right now and Chiang Rai Utd must be pretty happy too. Away to Chiang Rai Utd is always a difficult game. Hopefully these will continue and, along with Bangkok Utd and Muang Thong Utd should make it an exciting season. I'm disappointed with Suphanbri so far. They came to Buriram and played well but have been inconsistent so far. Personally, I like to see all the non-Bangkok clubs do well and am particularly pleased to see Sukhotai in the top half (John Baggio is the new superstar.) Shame we won't be going to their stadium this year. Message for PLT. Why enforce a ban on Sukhotai when Buriram Utd are coming to town? It's their biggest earning weekend!
Q - What have been your impressions of Chonburi this season?
I watched the Chonburi v Sukhotai game from the away end and that's the only time I've seen you play. Chonburi created a pile of chances but couldn't finish. I think your team has improved since then but I cannot really comment too much. Sorry.
Q - What are your expectations for Friday’s match?
I expect the game to be quite open with lots of chances but the home team will win by a couple of goals; maybe 4-2. In the Chonburi team, the centre back (Anderson dos Santos) who scored against Sukhotai looked good and dangerous at set plays. In the Buriram Utd team I think you know who is dangerous. Vamos Tunez.
Q - You missed out on our recent Tap Room discussion, so here's your chance - Where do you think the PLT/TPL will be in ten years time?
Where will we be in 10 years time. Well, the Thailand League of Premier (as it's now called) is based in Issan as all the teams in Bangkok have quit because their fan bases disappeared when gold was discovered in Kalasin making this the richest place in the world.
The Udon Down Unders are the new guys on the block, with a complete team of players with one Thai parent and one Australian parent. Each team has become a representative of their local population with the Buriam Brits still the team to beat, although they are now being run by the next generation of the Chidchob dynasty from their safe house in Kensington, London.
The Khon Kaen Canadians reflect their heritage and are still trying to convince people that playing on ice is more fun and practical in the summer. The Sakon Nakorn Swiss are climbing the mountain that is success at the newly sponsored Chang Ice Cream Cup. Finally, the Nakon Nowhere boys are still trying to locate their fathers!
Back in Bangkok and there is an attempt to bring football back but since Thai Port's PAT stadium was over taken by the rising waters of the Chao Praya River and Chonburi had to move their ground further inland, all the way to Poipet (they are now the Poipet Porpoises) there seems little chance of a revival happening.
In the real world, Buriram United have completed their 15th consecutive treble season but have not yet managed to get out of their AFC Champions League group, despite being drawn against teams from Borneo, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.
Q - Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Finally, the away support that Buriram Utd have is as good as any English team. One advantage of being a fan is that just about every stadium is full when we play so the atmosphere is fabulous. The hardcore fans are brilliant but, I do wish we had some better songs! I guess being a Buriram Utd fan is very similar to following Man Utd back home (in years gone by). You expect to win every game and are sad when you don't. There will be a time in the near future when things change but for now, we are GU12. Buriram United til we die.
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