Assumption United

Assumption United FC is the professional football club that represents the private Catholic school located in Thonburi, across the river from the Thai capital of Bangkok. The professional side was established in 2011 to compete in national football.

This came following Assumption Thonburi School reaching the 2010 final of the Khǒr Royal Cup, a forerunner of the Thailand Amateur League. Assumption lost 3-1 to Goblex Realty Staff Association, a club that would eventually morph into Nonthaburi United S.Boonmeerit FC.

 

Reaching the final was enough to gain a place in the third tier Regional League Division 2 Bangkok Metropolitan Region with ‘the Magnate‘ under the name of Assumption Thonburi-The PAC playing home games at the no longer PAC Sport Center Stadium in Bang Khun Thian.

The side finished in thirteenth spot, which was improved upon to ninth after moving to Wongprachanukul Stadium at their Thonburi headquarters as Assumption Thonburi, and then sixth in 2013. The 2014 campaign saw the club renamed as Assumption United and a tenth-place finish.

 

The following season saw the club relocate to the SCG Stadium home of Muangthong United and saw Assumption finish third, prior to being moved to the divisions West Region for 2016 as Yodsak Chaowana top scored as his side ended ninth in the table with Narongrit Khuntip in charge of the team.

Thai league football was re-organised for the 2017 campaign into four tiers. United were placed in T4 Western Region playing back at the Thonburi school stadium and ending fourth with Natpasut Malison and Chananon Wisetbumrungcharoen putting away the goals.

A disappointing finish third from bottom ensued in 2018 despite the regular scoring from Chalermsak Ruaygrabue. There was a massive improvement to third in 2019 with goals from the trio of Akira Niiho, Jakkrit Senkaew and Surawut Sutthisak under team boss Thorn Sourapoom.

A combination of the Covid-19 pandemic and a realignment to the European football calendar saw the league revert to three tiers for 2020-21. Assumption playing in Thai League 3 Western Region and finishing sixth.

2021-22 saw Natthasan Pakkarano perform admirably in goal with his side finishing fifth before the side slipped to ninth place twelve months later. The same finish ensued in 2023-24 with Imron Hayiyusoh topping the scoring for the side led by coach Thorn.

Assumption United will play in Thai League 3 West in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Assumption United 1 PTU Pathumthani 1 (Sunday 16^th October 2022) Thai League 3 West  (att: 121) 

There’s nothing I enjoy more than a journey navigating local public transport and venturing somewhere new. Waking up a little seedy after a thirsty Saturday night I stuck with my original plan rather than the temptation of lulling about and heading to a later game.

It was an adventure alright, but quite a simple one in the end. A bus to NIDA at Bangkapi and then jumping on the number 60 all the way to Democracy Monument was straightforward enough and cracking value for a total of 18 Baht.

It was a long but interesting journey with the windows down on a dull and relatively cool day. Jumping out I went for the slob’s option of a McDonalds to dull the cravings that usually occur after alcohol. I did go for the value venue to ease the guilt slightly.

A nice little walk followed, buying what turned out to be an unsuccessful lottery ticket, on route to opposite the Supreme Court by Sanam Luang. Within minutes the 91 service arrived, with the conductor charging 23 Baht for the journey, leaving me scratching my head once more as to how the inconsistent fares are worked out.

The beauty of my final ride was that it took less time than I anticipated, meaning an early arrival and that my stop was the Terminus so I couldn’t miss it. Indeed, the clippie had to give me a nudge to let me know we had arrived.

Wandering down Soi 4 Assumption I arrived to hear cheering. Surely it wasn’t an early kick-off? No, it was a school swimming gala taking place at what seemed to be a college laden with excellent facilities. 

I found the stadium without any issues and took a few shots down the near side before being ushered along by security who pointed towards the official entrance over the yon side. I thought 100 Baht was a bit steep even if the steep-sided raised stand offered a cracking view.

The lady steward asked who I was supporting and pointed to the back of the stand and to go along to the far end when I replied “Assumption”. This area had a couple of steps looking down on a full-sized artificial pitch. 

Joining the students and parents we were treated to some pre match music by Stone Metal Fire and the PA man reading out the teams. I would have a guess that the rock band were also students or alumni as one song was all about cheering for United.

The playing surface looked lush but carried some irregular scarring. I was amused as the Pathumthani line up all gave their opposing players a gift bag following the Kings Anthem. As a friend on Twitter commented, it would be interesting to see a Neil Warnock or Sean Dyche team doing that.

 

I rather hoped that they would contain stink bombs and pepper sweets from the joke shop, but that’s the child in me. A lovely touch from PTU. Onto the game in what was a slow burner. Former Thai international Kirati Keawsombut for the hosts showed skill but blasted over.

The big fella was all commitment but was lucky to see yellow rather than red in my opinion for a high challenge a little later. Perhaps referee Ratthaket Puttasorn was a man of the cloth and believed in giving a chance?

 

The visitors took the lead with an own goal when a low cross was converted into his own net by Theekawin Chansri with a PTU player breathing down his neck. Assumption replied with Kittipong Sura having a shot easily saved by keeper Saravut Konglap.

There was plenty of pretty passing going on without too much goalmouth action. Kittidet Thaeptham decided to do something about it and went close with a swerving shot going just wide from the outside of his right boot.

Custodian Konglap obviously fancied making me roar with laughter, as he was the centrepiece of the equaliser. Receiving a back pass from Jakkapong Suebsamutr he dallied and tried to dribble.

He was being closed down by Yannatat Wannatong so when he tried to clear the ball came off the advancing player and bounced into the net. Just what is it about coaches telling goalies to faff about when they are not up to the task? Not to worry. It continues to bring hilarity to us traditionalists.

 

The one criticism I had of the stand was the apparent lack of facilities to use the toilet and offer concessions. It made half-time drag. The second half saw an immediate improvement as the presentations for the swimming began across in the far corner.

The feet of Konglap kept out a Keawsombut shot at the foot of the near post prior to Nutthikorn Yaprom responding for Pathumtani with a shot that fizzed just wide. The match swayed from end to end and was a decent watch. 

Keawsombut saw his header produce a dramatic exaggerated save from Konglap. I hope someone caught it on camera for him. Kakana Khamyok was fed a throw for United before progressing and seeing his shot hit the side netting.

Giuberty Silva Neves was introduced as a sub for the University and saw a dipping free-kick superbly saved by home goalie Kasidej Rungkitwattananukul before action returned to the other end when a fine move put in Kongpop Sroirak who stood on the ball when poised to shoot. 

It was surprising that the floodlights hadn’t been turned on as it was getting extremely dull. Konglap was taking good-natured clog every time he received a back pass but then answered his critics with a really good save to push over an effort from Keawsombut.

At full time I discovered a small food stand under the far end of the stand along with a club shop. The toilets were beyond the practice pitch. I headed back to the main road and caught the bus just as it was about to depart.

The interesting ride down narrow streets filled with stalls and street food led back to Phetkasem Road, where I decided to go for the direct route home and jump aboard the MRT at Lak Song station, changing at Tha Phra to go the quick way to Lat Phrao.

The ride I followed my car journey from the previous Wednesday only from above the road I navigated when I accompanied my girlfriend to a memorial service in Nonthaburi. I eventually found the right bus stop when I alighted before catching a bus to Bangkapi.

A taxi home completed my journey. Yes, it was a bit extravagant, but I wanted to eat and watch the Premier League on TV. It had been a really enjoyable, if long day. Especially on top of a hangover. Now where’s next on the agenda!