Air Force United FC
Ground: Thupatemi Stadium
Capacity: 25,000
Club Founded: 1937
Club Dissolved: 2019
Another professional club that represented the forces before being dismantled was Air Force United. In their case, their license was transferred by the owner to continue in Uthai Thani.
Founded as Royal Thai Air Force FC in 1937, the football club quickly became one of the most successful outfits in the country. Honours included several Khor Royal Cup and Queen's Cup triumphs throughout the decades. Success continued into the nineties as the Thai FA Cup was lifted in 1995 and 1996, while the side also reached the final several times.
They went on to win the Thai Premier League (TPL) in 1997 and 1999. That saw the end of the run, as the team was relegated from the TPL a few seasons later. In 2009, the club changed its name to Air Force United as Thai football regulations stated that all clubs had to become private companies.
The team continued in the second tier of Division One without really getting close to promotion. United were forced to relocate to Ramkhamheang University for the latter part of the 2011 season as the floods in the north of the season hit Thupatemi Stadium.
They moved out once more at the end of the following campaign to North Bangkok Stadium, while their home venue was renovated. The 'Blue Eagles' battled successfully against relegation before the 2013 campaign, under the stewardship of club legend Narasak Boonkleng, turned out to be one of great success
Sasom Pobprsert took over team affairs with Julius Oiboh top-scoring. The goals of Valdo and Leandro were not quite enough to win promotion in 2016. Thai League football was restructured for the 2017 campaign, with Air Force being placed in the second-tier Thai League 2 (T2).
Probrsert led his side to promotion, thanks in part to the goals of Kayne Vincent, as the crowds flocked to Thupatemi Stadium. However, the club's spell in the top flight lasted just one season. Probrsert was replaced by Andrew Ord, who in turn was succeeded by former Welsh international goalkeeper Jason Brown.
The Central Group withdrew its sponsorship as the club was renamed Air Force United for the 2019 campaign. Vincent again ended as the top scorer. The change of monarch also led to the withdrawal of government support to state-owned signs around this time. The club license was relocated and was renamed as Uthai Thani FC.
The forces continued to have a presence at Thupatemi Stadium, as Thai Royal Air Force FC moved in to play in the Thai League 3 in 2020.
My visits
Luk Tapfah Pathum Thani 1 Futera Seeker 1
The forces continued to have a presence at Thupatemi Stadium, as Thai Royal Air Force FC moved in to play in the Thai League 3 in 2020.
My visits
Luk Tapfah Pathum Thani 1 Futera Seeker 1
Thai Regional League Central West Region - Wednesday 27th March 2013
👨👨👧👧 c300 🎟️ 50 THB (£1.20)
I had the opportunity to visit Thupatemi Stadium for a game that can be read about here, after visiting several stadiums in the area. I'd been past the venue a few times and had flown right over it when using the nearby Don Muang Airport. Indeed, during the match, several Nok Air and Air Asia flights flew over the pitch.
A running track surrounded the playing surface, but the stands were straight at the ends, which would mean quite a viewing distance from the corners. It was immaculately painted in white, both inside and out. Just one side had a roof, with blue seating and a VIP and press area occupying the centre section. Old-fashioned scoreboards stood at the rear of both ends.
Air Force Central 2 Police United 2
Thai League Division One - Saturday 31st October 2015
👨👨👧👧 3,389 🎟️ 120 THB (£2.80)
The last of my touring mates was heading home after the Beer Battered Seadogs tour. I had taken my mates for lunch at the Australian Bar in Soi 11 before we enjoyed a relaxing leg and foot massage on Soi 5.
Last-minute shopping had been purchased at MBK, which was followed by the slowest served strawberry smoothie in history, in the plush Siam Centre. I was now ready for some ‘me time’.
The boys headed back to check out of their hotel before they watched football in the Crossbar with friends. For me, it was a step into the adventure of local Bangkok transport, and I couldn’t wait. The BTS Skytrain took me to the northern terminus of Mo Chit, from where I looked down on the enormous Chatuchak Weekend Market and, to my delight, the row of bus stops.
My earlier research had offered me a list of buses heading close to the Thupatemee Stadium, and fortunately, the 34 service soon arrived. The bus had seen better days and had a Manchester United large sticker above the driver.
He dunked his mug into a big bucket of water to stay hydrated. The engine was right next to my seat up front, so I stood for a while until a seat further back became available. Air conditioning was provided by open windows. The ‘clippie’ operated from a little wooden tin. I think he charged me 8 THB. It was to be excellent value.
We went slowly up the fascinating Phahon Yothin Road, past lots of markets and thousands of people. This was proper Bangkok. To be honest, I had moments when I wondered if I was on the correct bus. Time was passing by as we got stuck in traffic where the Skytrain extension works were being carried out.
Occasionally, I recognised a name like Kasetsart University while I tried to place it into a virtual map in my mind. Not spotting the familiar Don Muang Tollway threw me. When I retraced my footsteps online later, I realised I’d been on the same road for a short while with Steve when we took the bus from Minburi looking for the home of Police United the previous March.
Passing more built-up shopping areas and population centres, I was getting a little concerned. There were fewer than thirty minutes to the 6pm kick-off. We passed the Air Force Museum, which gave me some comfort, but just where was that tollway? When two young lads got on in AFC shirts, I was over the moon.
When they got up, I followed them. Sure enough, the stadium was just over the busy road and through the market. Really, I should have grabbed some of the chicken on the stalls, but I trusted my luck with food at the stadium. When would I ever learn?
I bought a ticket, a large Coke and some fried skewered meat. There was a good-sized mixed crowd in attendance. As usual, the game kicked off late; this time, eight minutes. Planes soared above every couple of minutes as they came to land at nearby Don Muang Airport.
Police were cheered on by around 200 away fans. In a delicious twist of irony, they were placed in the worst part of the ground, at the far end and a long way from the pitch. In the early stages, Police’s attacking midfielder Adnan Barakat was standing out.
He dunked his mug into a big bucket of water to stay hydrated. The engine was right next to my seat up front, so I stood for a while until a seat further back became available. Air conditioning was provided by open windows. The ‘clippie’ operated from a little wooden tin. I think he charged me 8 THB. It was to be excellent value.
We went slowly up the fascinating Phahon Yothin Road, past lots of markets and thousands of people. This was proper Bangkok. To be honest, I had moments when I wondered if I was on the correct bus. Time was passing by as we got stuck in traffic where the Skytrain extension works were being carried out.
Occasionally, I recognised a name like Kasetsart University while I tried to place it into a virtual map in my mind. Not spotting the familiar Don Muang Tollway threw me. When I retraced my footsteps online later, I realised I’d been on the same road for a short while with Steve when we took the bus from Minburi looking for the home of Police United the previous March.
Passing more built-up shopping areas and population centres, I was getting a little concerned. There were fewer than thirty minutes to the 6pm kick-off. We passed the Air Force Museum, which gave me some comfort, but just where was that tollway? When two young lads got on in AFC shirts, I was over the moon.
When they got up, I followed them. Sure enough, the stadium was just over the busy road and through the market. Really, I should have grabbed some of the chicken on the stalls, but I trusted my luck with food at the stadium. When would I ever learn?
I bought a ticket, a large Coke and some fried skewered meat. There was a good-sized mixed crowd in attendance. As usual, the game kicked off late; this time, eight minutes. Planes soared above every couple of minutes as they came to land at nearby Don Muang Airport.
Police were cheered on by around 200 away fans. In a delicious twist of irony, they were placed in the worst part of the ground, at the far end and a long way from the pitch. In the early stages, Police’s attacking midfielder Adnan Barakat was standing out.
Central’s Ghanaian frontman, Issac Honny, on loan from BEC Tero Sasana, was proving a handful. After around the half-hour mark, Air Force took the lead with a slightly deflected shot at the near post from Hyunjin Lee. The Brazilian Valdo was having a fine game for the AFC as he took on opponents with skill.
It really was a good game. Air Force started the game just outside the promotion places against the runaway leaders. The home fans on the far side were doing their best to rouse their side. The bank blasted out a decent version of ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. It was infinitely preferable to listen to Southampton fans sing it for the twentieth time in a game.
Police drew level with an absolutely brilliant goal. Several one-touch passes gave the home side airsickness before a solo run and finish from Tana Chanabut gave the scoreline a more realistic tint. Police were not getting many decisions from the officials, so I thought the equaliser was deserved.
The scoring in the first period wasn’t done there. After forty-three minutes, an Air Force attack ended with the visitor’s Kon Saipanya putting the ball into his own net at the back post while under pressure, 2-1 at the break. I entered the stand at the far end for some additional photography before heading across to the far open side.
It really was a good game. Air Force started the game just outside the promotion places against the runaway leaders. The home fans on the far side were doing their best to rouse their side. The bank blasted out a decent version of ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. It was infinitely preferable to listen to Southampton fans sing it for the twentieth time in a game.
Police drew level with an absolutely brilliant goal. Several one-touch passes gave the home side airsickness before a solo run and finish from Tana Chanabut gave the scoreline a more realistic tint. Police were not getting many decisions from the officials, so I thought the equaliser was deserved.
The scoring in the first period wasn’t done there. After forty-three minutes, an Air Force attack ended with the visitor’s Kon Saipanya putting the ball into his own net at the back post while under pressure, 2-1 at the break. I entered the stand at the far end for some additional photography before heading across to the far open side.
A fine feature at most grounds is that your ticket allows you to use other stands, as long as the stadium isn’t full. Before I went in, it was time for another Coke and a carton of small chicken pieces, which really put any KFC product in the shade, quality and price-wise. I nearly repeated the dose, but I was wary of leaving room for later beers!
The atmosphere was certainly feisty in the cheap seats, but also humorous. The presence of a foreigner was greeted with lots of smiles. The home fans were excellent with vocal encouragement. One of the older fans seemed to be instructing the ball boys not to rush too much in returning the ball when it went out of play.
The game was ebbing from end to end. Air Force had chances to extend the league, but the Police weren’t destined for a swift return to the top flight for nothing. Halfway through the second period, it was time for me to make a move. I was slightly reluctant, but Port were my team, and I wanted to see their 8pm kick-off at TOT.
I went through the car park past the numerous vendors and over the Lam Luk Ka Road to flag down a taxi for my second match of the evening. I later found out from a Central fan at TOT Stadium that the final score was 2-2. Dagno Saika had levelled in the second minute of stoppage time. No wonder he looked fed up.
The atmosphere was certainly feisty in the cheap seats, but also humorous. The presence of a foreigner was greeted with lots of smiles. The home fans were excellent with vocal encouragement. One of the older fans seemed to be instructing the ball boys not to rush too much in returning the ball when it went out of play.
The game was ebbing from end to end. Air Force had chances to extend the league, but the Police weren’t destined for a swift return to the top flight for nothing. Halfway through the second period, it was time for me to make a move. I was slightly reluctant, but Port were my team, and I wanted to see their 8pm kick-off at TOT.
I went through the car park past the numerous vendors and over the Lam Luk Ka Road to flag down a taxi for my second match of the evening. I later found out from a Central fan at TOT Stadium that the final score was 2-2. Dagno Saika had levelled in the second minute of stoppage time. No wonder he looked fed up.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Many thanks for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.