In 2009, Port fan Marcus Turner was one of a handful of foreign fans who ran blogs and websites dedicated to Thai football. Although based mainly in the UK these days, Marco still gets to watch his team as often as possible. It was an abolute pleasure to catch up with him recently and fire some questions his way, ahead of Friday's match.
What are the main differences you've noticed from when you started watching Port in 2009 and the present day?
The obvious one would be the Stadium. It was only two sides (Zone A and Zone C lower) back then. It’s gone through several changes in the intervening years, not all for the better. The seats are absolutely dreadful. It took me the best part of 15 minutes to get out of Zone C (upper) after the Buriram game. Fortunately, they decided to take out a section of seating directly behind the goal in Zone B at the start of the season, so I normally go in that section and stand up.
The club as a whole is a lot different now compared to back then. We were a team of underdogs in 2009, punching above our weight and scrapping for every point. Every player looked like they were giving 100% and the fans were up for every game (a little too ‘up for it’ at times). Nowadays the expectations at the club are much higher, the budget is much bigger, but we haven’t matched the hype in terms of results/success. A lot of players look like they are happy to just play for their paycheck or sit on the bench doing nothing. There certainly wasn’t a lot of hunger or desire in the second-string players that played against Samut Songkhram, that’s for sure. It feels a bit different on the terraces too. Still a good atmosphere for the big games but falls a bit flat in games we are expected to win.
What is it you most enjoy about watching Port these days?
The social side of it is probably the best thing about the matchday experience nowadays. There are some great lads who follow Port all over the country and have done so for years. I’ve got nothing but respect for them. Obviously, I have spent a lot of time in the UK in recent seasons, but I’m always welcomed back to the Sandpit like a returning pilgrim. It's always nice to meet new Port fans too.
Is there anything you miss from the "old days"?
I miss the essence of the club from back then. As mentioned earlier, that underdog mentality we had after moving back to PAT Stadium (following consecutive relegation battles) was infectious and the team spirit/link with the fans - fostered by Sasom - made things feel much more tight-knit than they are now. The club felt a lot closer to the Khlong Toei community in general back then. That’s something I feel has ebbed away in recent years.
I also miss simple orange and blue striped shirts. Ari take note.
What are your thoughts on how the team has performed this season?
You can look at it two ways; we’ve only lost 2 out of 14 games in T1...but we’ve only won 5 out of 14. The 7 draws have really hampered us and probably cost Scott Cooper his job. I’m not being biased when I say this, but we should have won at least 5 of the games we drew. We conceded a last-gasp equalizer in two of them and were the better side in at least 3 of the others. Poor finishing and lapses in concentration have cost us dearly.
Getting knocked out of the League Cup by Samut Songkhram was a low point. With no chance of winning the league, we should be going all out in the cups. I think we underestimated them and paid the price.
And what are your expectations for the rest of it?
At the start of the season, I predicted we’d finish 5th or 6th and I have seen nothing so far to change my mind. We’re still in the FA Cup and play Ayutthaya (current joint-leaders of T2) at PAT Stadium in the next round. I’m hoping we will take it seriously and that it can be the catalyst for a good cup run – we are certainly due one.
What are your thoughts on how the club is run and how does it differ from previous regimes?
Pang definitely has more money than previous incumbents but has proven that bringing in a succession of high-profile players, with no plan of how to incorporate them into a functioning team, and then firing the coach for not getting results, does not work. That message is yet to sink in unfortunately...and I doubt it will any time soon.
One thing I will get them credit for this season is the ticket prices. It’s 50 baht to get into Zones B, C, D (uncovered stands) and 100 baht in Zone A (covered). That’s fantastic value and cheaper than some T3 grounds.
Of all the names your club has used, which is your favourite?
I like Thai Port as that was the first name under which I supported the club. Port FC is fine too - nice and concise. Wasn’t keen on Singhtarua and was glad when plans to incorporate MTI (Muang Thai Insurance) into the team's name was dropped after heavy criticism from fans. Same goes for the badge with a horse logo.
Dolphins or Lions? Discuss
Definitely Lions. Pattaya are more than welcome to the Dolphin badge and moniker.
What have been your impressions of Chonburi this season?
I haven’t watched any Chonburi games this season but just going on results alone, I’d say they are doing better than I expected them to - but with some frustrating results, particularly of late. I would have had them down as a solid mid-table side, so a top 6 finish would constitute a good season in my opinion.
What are your expectations for Friday's match?
I would be a brave man to predict a Port win given that we’ve only won one T1 away game is the past calendar year. As I write this, we haven’t yet appointed a head coach to replace Scott Cooper – interim coach Matt Holland has lost 2 out of 2 so far, so the omens are not good. If I was a betting man, my money would be on a draw.
When was the last time you watched a match at Chonburi Stadium and what are you most looking forward to on this trip?
Last game I watched there was Chonburi 1-5 Bangkok United in 2017. Dragan Boskovic, in his pre-Port days, ran riot and scored a hat-trick. I remember Renan Marques feeling the full force of your ire for a rather lethargic first-half performance (and that’s putting it mildly). He scored a late consolation so maybe the hairdryer treatment spurred him into action.
I always enjoy going to Chonburi Stadium – despite the well documented view from the away end. The fans are always friendly and give us Port fans a warm welcome. Will be interesting see how, if at all, it has changed since my last visit. I’m surprised they don’t sell away tickets on match days. I’m sure that will catch a few people out this season.
How does Chonburi Stadium compare with other grounds you've visited?
The running track is the obvious thing to dislike about it. That said, the elevated view from the main stand helps to negate the distance from the pitch and offers a good vantage point. I’ve never been in the Pool Stand, so can’t comment on that. The away end is a bit far from the pitch and quite low down, so it doesn’t offer a great view. I like that Chonburi Stadium is decked out in blue and the shark motifs in the seats help reinforce the identity of the club. If you showed your average Thai football fan a photo of the Stadium, they’d know it immediately. I don’t think that would be the case with some Provincial/Municipal Stadiums.
You watch a lot of matches at different levels. Which have been your most enjoyable experiences on this visit?
I enjoyed going to Ratchaburi’s current stadium for the first time. Very impressive venue, if a little far out of town. I actually enjoyed watching us play at Muangthong (against Police Tero) too. I haven’t been there for a long time – as most Port fans haven’t.
I’ve been to several Prime Bangkok and Thonburi United games in T3 this season at various venues. Some of their fans recognized me after a few games and came over to chat, which was nice. The lower league fans definitely seem friendlier/more inquisitive than your average T1 fan. I think farang’s are a lot less visible in the lower leagues, so we still have a bit of novelty value. That’s long since gone at T1 level.
Another enjoyable feature of T3 is watching players that were T1 regulars when I first got into Thai football. The likes of Kirati Kawesombat, Sompob Nilwong and Bireme Diouf spring to mind. Great to see them still playing well into their 30’s. There are also plenty of ex-players turned coaches who have been given an opportunity at T3 level. Sarayoot Chaikamdee is doing a great job at Samut Sakhon City.
Which do you prefer, travelling around watching lower league fixtures in exotic locations or going to the PAT?
I really enjoy both, to be honest. Going to PAT to watch my local team gives me a taste of current top-flight action complete with decent crowds, beers with friends and the unwanted presence of VAR whereas the T3 games feel like a throwback to Thai football when I first started watching it. It’s a lot more laid-back to the point where you still get last-minute stadium changes and kick-off times moving etc. You can usually have a beer and a bite to eat inside the stadium, tickets are inexpensive and the football is unpredictable with goalkeepers coming up to take free-kicks, managers making triple substitutions after 40 minutes and own goals and gaffes aplenty. That’s the Thai football I grew to love.
A more general question now, what are the biggest differences between the top-flight now and the top-flight in 2009?
I think the make-up of the league is the first thing that springs to mind. A lot of the company/state enterprise teams have disappeared such as Osotspa, TOT, TTM, PEA etc. I’m probably in the minority on this one but I really miss those teams. It would be nice if they were still knocking about – even at T3 level. The positive upside of those clubs being filtered out of the league was the rise of the provincial clubs and the end of the Bangkok-centric top-flight. If you look at T1 in 2022, the teams are spread all over the country - with the exception of the south. Hopefully Nakhon Si United will help to rectify that next season.
TV coverage is massively different too. You can stream any T1 or T2 match and selected Cup games on AIS Play for 49 baht per month, which is great...but must be having an adverse effect on attendances. Back in 2009 you got the odd game on Siamsport, T-Sports or NBT11 but that was about it. It’s obviously a lot easier to find out about fixtures etc. these days too. We were often reliant on word of mouth on message boards for fixture info/kick-off times back then.
The standard of foreign players has definitely gone up too. There were some good ones back in 2009 – Yaya and Dagno at Muangthong spring to mind – but, unsurprisingly, as wage levels have risen, so has the calibre of foreign talent coming into the league.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks for the opportunity to answer the questions. Thanks to anyone who read to the end. See you on Friday. I don’t think we have shared a beer together since that Bangkok United match. Speaking of which, another 5-1 away win wouldn’t go amiss!
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