My interview with Chonburi fan, Pat Comer, from January, 2018
Q - Please can you introduce yourself
A - My name Is Pat Comer aged 60 and I come from Galway on the West Coast of Ireland. I am working in Amata Nakorn for a Multi National called Transitions Optical. We manufacture Photochromic Spectacle Lenses (Clear indoors and dark outdoors).
Q - How long have you been supporting Chonburi?
A - I attended my very first Chonburi FC match during 2016. It was really my wife, Dao that coerced me into attending it. I enjoyed the whole event and I picked out one Chonburi player that night. He was a small tenacious midfielder, called Adul, who tackled well and his distribution and vision were very good.
Q - And what first got you interested?
A - I moved to Chonburi in December, 2014 and started asking about Chonburi FC almost immediately. However, I did not go to watch a game until I moved to Ang Sila. I live about 5km from the stadium. and love going there. In Ireland I played rugby, Gaelic football and soccer, My mother hailed from Manchester so naturally I support Man. Utd. In Ireland I supported Sligo Rovers and Galway United.
Q - How would you sum up last season?
A - Not unexpected, given the exodus of players from the previous season. They had some good outings when they displayed some fighting qualities and footballing qualities; for example the League Cup match against Buriram Utd. Unfortunately, this passion and skill was missing from other games.
Q - Which match did you enjoy the most?
A - Even though we lost on penalties, it was the aforementioned cup game against Buriram Utd. On the night there was passion skill and flair on display. It was a proper cup match. If they could have transferred some of this to the league campaign, we definitely could have accumulated more points.
Q - Who were our best players in 2017?
A - I would select Kroerkrit as my best player. He is fast on the ball, a tenacious tackler and his distribution is also very good. Nurul Sriyarngem also stood out during 2017, but unfortunately he has been transferred. We need to hold on to our best players if we hope to do well.
Q - What were your impressions of the coach?
A - Therdsak could only work with what he had. Too often the coach gets the blame, but I won't blame him for poor performances on the pitch. If the preparation has been done, and done well, that is all that can be expected of the coach. He cannot turn ordinary players into world beaters.
Q - How do you think the delay in appointing a new head coach will impact on our preparations for next season?
A - The lack of a new coach until very recently is not good. The owners took their eye off the ball, so to speak. To prepare properly for the new season the coach should be been installed much earlier. To prepare the team properly, to purchase new players, to put a fitness, dietary and training program together takes time. Unfortunately, the new coach hasn't had that time.
Q - What are your thoughts on the new man?
A - The new coach worked in the German league. Goran Barjaktarevic will bring good organizational skills to the job. German teams are well organized, strong, athletic and don't give away too many goals. In addition they display attacking flair when the time is right. I think the new coach will bring these skills to his role at Chonburi FC and we will see a well organised, athletic team, playing in the league.
Q - If you could give him any advice, what would it be?
A - Identify the strengths of the team and play to the strengths. If the team play attractive football the fans will come.
Q - Where do you think we need to improve in 2018?
A - We need to score more goals, and we need to get the ball forward more quickly. I am not a fan of lateral passing when other options are available. If we can score more goals we will win more matches, if we win more matches the fans will come along.
Q - What are your hopes for the season ahead?
A - My main hope for the coming season is that we leave the stadium after the match knowing that the players gave it their all. I also hope we have more goals, more victories and more success. The atmosphere in the ground can be very quiet at times and seems to be disjointed. Maybe we need a few club anthems that we can all sing along to.
Q - Realistically, what sort of season do you think we'll have?
A - I am hoping that it will be better than 2017. However, the late arrival of the new coach doesn't augur well for the season ahead. The sale of Nurul Sriyarngem shows a lack of ambition and maybe the owners expectations are no better than mid table so that's my realistic expectation.
Q - What do you think about the match day experience at the stadium?
A - I love the atmosphere around the stadium. The sponsors put on a good show for the fans, with a variety of events before kick off. Inside the stadium it is not so exciting, with a lack of atmosphere.
Q - What would you do to improve it?
A - There are many things that can be done!
⦁ Before the match maybe have a marching band from a local school who will play a few rousing songs.
⦁ Have special events - Parachute landing, fireworks, Guinness book of records attempt, tug of war etc, There are many events that can be arranged.
⦁ Half time - match between two schools across the pitch, have the schools provide the mascots also. Bringing in children might also bring in the parents.
⦁ Have a song printed and give it to everybody in the stadium at a specific time arrange that everybody will sing the song together.
Q - What do you think of the club's decision to reduce the price of the season tickets?
A - Great idea, I'm buying two today. They should also sell these at a booth in Central Plaza, send fliers to every factory at Amata, every school in Chonburi and all other large employers.
Q - Do you think it will bring in more fans?
A- It will if it is marketed properly. If people are aware of the deal I think they will buy into it.
Q - Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A - Come on, the Sharks! Play like sharks and make Chonburi Stadium the one that opposing teams dread to play in.
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