Exposing the truth and the lies about Samut Prakan City.
They Have Nice Kits
Yes they do, especially now they have got rid of those pointless stripes that looked like braces (suspenders, if you're American). This year's beautiful, and simple, dark blue home strip is complimented by those lovely yellow socks. It always puts me in mind of the kit Chelsea wore in the 1970 FA Cup final and is a fine example of less is more. That said, I'm not too enamoured with that garish fluo away kit. What's wrong with plain white?
They Are The Thai Equivalent Of Milton Keynes Dons
I really don't know where to start with this one, but I'll have a go. When Pattaya Utd were taken over and moved from Sin City to Samut Prakan, there was a lot of hand wringing and complaining (mainly from foreigners) on social media. However, this outrage appeared to completely overlook, or ignore, the fact that the Dolphins themselves had bought Bang Phra's place in the top flight back in 2009. What goes around comes around, I guess. And what about Bangkok Glass and Buriram Utd? They seem to get off scot free whenever this subject crops up. Maybe a bit of research into how these two clubs first arrived in the TPL wouldn't go amiss. So even though it goes against the grain for most of us, I think we just have to accept that this is the way it is here and, even though the number of moves have dropped in recent years, it is likely to always happen. We'd better get used to it. And in the mean time, stop singling out this lot.
They Get Poor Crowds
They came rock bottom of the average crowd league table last season and - before Covid19 struck - they were probably on course to repeat the feat this year. Sadly it doesn't seem as if the locals are that interested in watching top flight Thai football. One story I heard to back this up involves a fan jumping in a cab and asking the driver to take him to the stadium. The cabbie had no idea that the club even existed. Now there's a big black mark for the commercial department. What on earth have they been doing for the past two years? However, with local ex-pat (and super fan) Phil Williams banging the Samut Prakan City drum on his Twitter feed and widely read Ajarn.com blog, at least someone is doing their best to promote the club. All credit to him and more power to his elbow, I say. And those fans who do turn up are as passionate as any in the league, with their big flags and non stop chanting. It's not always about size...
Their Ground Is Crap
The Samut Prakan SAT Stadium comes in for a lot of stick, but it also has its admirers. You can certainly count me in the latter camp. I love the ramshackle nature of it and how it looks like it has been cobbled together in a hurry from bits that have been discarded from other grounds. The shed opposite the main stand is particularly beautiful in an odd way. I really love the location too - and I know I'm not alone in this view. That bustling high street that runs next to it is the perfect setting for a stadium of this nature, giving it a genuine urban feel and firmly planting its roots in the local community. Talk about having a club dropped on your doorstep. The challenge now is to get that local community through the turnstiles.
They Play Attacking Football
Surely this isn't up for debate?! Their 27 league matches this season have produced 100 goals - the century coming up last Sunday, courtesy of a controversial penalty for Buriram Utd deep into injury time. And that's what it's all about, right? I mean goals, not controversy. Fans want to see a winning team, but they also want entertainment. At Samut Prakan City, you currently get both. It's a fine combination. And when the standard of football drops, there's always the odd stray dog to run onto the pitch. Show me a crowd that doesn't love that.
They Have A Good Coach
Masatada Ishii comes with a good reputation. He won a couple of trophies in his native Japan, whilst at Kashima Antlers, and picked up a Manager of the Year award so also has some pedigree. Most of the reports suggest he gets the best out of the players he has and if Samut Prakan City can finish the season in 7th place or above, I think he can be considered a success. Hopefully, he'll still be there next year when - all being well - an uninterrupted campaign will give him the opportunity to build on the foundations he has put in place over the past 14 months. However, if the powers that be do decide to get rid of him, I can imagine there'd be quite a queue of clubs wanting to sign him. Who knows, we might be one of them?
With thanks to Russ, Grant, Jamie, Alec, Gian & Mark
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