Maejo United

Maejo United FC

Ground: Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Stadium (RMUTL)

Capacity: 2,000

Club Founded: 2016

League: Thai League 3 North (current level)

Maejo United are one of several university teams competing in the Thai League. They do so in front of tiny crowds, yet still challenge regularly for a playoff berth.

RMUTL Stadium

Maejo United Background

The club that represents Maejo University, in the northern city of Chiang Mai, started out life in what was the non-league Division 3 North. In their debut season, the team lost in the playoffs after topping their group. 

The competition was a forerunner to the Thailand Amateur League, in which Maejo competed for the following two years, when the 'Cowboy’ finished top with Sarawut Wongchai leading the scoring, to win a place in Thai League 4 Northern Region.

Maejo University Stadium

A Change of Stadium

Kritsada Tapingyot scored regularly before United were placed in Thai League 3 North after league restructuring ahead of the 2020-21 season. Head coach Jaturong Tosuwan took the side to the playoffs, as Wichaya Pornpresart top-scored.

Ronnachai Pongputta was a star performer the following season. Maejo moved from the traditional Maejo University Stadium to play at Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna at the start of the 2022-23 campaign. They returned home for a brief spell before heading back to the RMUTL Stadium.

Maejo University Stadium

Recent Years

Jaturong Tosuwan was put in charge of the team with the goals provided by Thongchai Oampornwiman, offering cheer to the sparse crowds. Chalongchai Leelahacheewa was appointed as head coach, taking his charges to the playoffs, from where promotion proved out of reach. 

Another playoff season ensued. Again, the team failed to progress from their group, despite Douglas Mineiro's goals. Chalaphan Poonead and then Durongrit Srila both had spells as head coach of Maejo.

My visit

Maejo United 0 Wat Bot City 0

Thai League 3 North - Saturday 26th February 2022

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 180 🎟️ Free

Easy Bolt Trip

When studying the fixtures, I was most happy ahead of travelling to Chiang Mai for a long weekend, to assist in staging a junior cricket event on the following day. I sorted a taxi through the Bolt app from the Gymkhana Club ground after a couple of beers for an easy ride to the university.

I was soon on campus, earlier than I intended, and was immediately impressed with the excellent facilities. It was like all the academic grounds I’d wandered through to football stadiums; immaculately maintained and modern.

Pre-Match Musings

It was a bit of a hike on a warm afternoon, but I easily located the excellent venue, which had a covered stand, mirrored by an open one opposite, which wasn’t required for today’s fixture. Open terracing hugged the south curve of the track.

Admission was free, which was a nice bonus. The helpful young staff tried to sell me a team shirt. I really did like the white version, but unfortunately, they had sold out in my size, as prices had dropped to get rid of stock before the season’s end.

However, this turned out to be a really hard watch after a great game the previous night between Lamphun Warriors and Chiangmai FC, as the hosts desperately looked for a win, struggled against niggly and resolute opponents.

A win could have propelled them into the play-off rounds if rivals Phitsanulok failed to beat lowly Norther Tak United in their home game, which was kicking off at the same time.

The Match

Wat Bot City, also from Phitsanulok, who would later become known as Phitsanulok Unity FC, did their neighbours a favour with a dogged display bordering at times on the dark arts, eventually having their skipper Naris Klaysub sent off for two yellow cards with over half an hour remaining. Despite this, his side held on relatively easily.

Maejo simply lacked ideas, and when they did get half a sniff of a chance, they saw it snubbed out on a hard pitch. They honestly never looked like breaking the deadlock to the dismay of their aesthetic fan base.

Inappropriate Feedback

I could be sure, but the abuse given to an African in the visitor's ranks from adults behind the goal towards the end of the game had me scratching my head as it appeared to upset the player with possible racist undertones. It was not on, and it only made his teammates more stubborn.

I watched the last few minutes from the side of the pitch as I waited for my Bolt taxi, which arrived bang on time and was driven by a very pleasant lady, delighted I was visiting her city and giving her trade.

There was time for a shower and catnap at the down-at-heel Top North Guest House before meeting with my friends for a pleasant evening out in town