North Bangkok University FC
Ground: North Bangkok University Stadium
Capacity: 3,000
Club Founded: 2006
League: Thai League 3 Central (current level)
Among several universities with football clubs in the Thai Leagues, none has North Bangkok University FC's consistency, regularly reaching the playoffs.
Home matches were split between the Infantry Department 11 Royal Guard ground, Thanarom Village Football Field, Bangkok University Stadium and the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Minburi. After moving to the North Bangkok University Stadium, they had their first playoff disappointment.
Several mid-table finishes ensued. In 2016, Robert Ghansah topped the club scoring chart. In 2017, Thai league football was restructured. The club was placed in the new fourth-tier Thai League 4 (T4) Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Sirichai Lamphuttha and Poomipat Kantanet scored the goals as North Bangkok raced to the league title.
In the playoffs, Marines Eureka ended promotion aspirations. The club bounced back to secure their second consecutive title when Joao Francisco scored the goals. Muang Loei United were defeated in the playoffs, as North Bangkok went up to the third tier, where Piyapong Homkhajohn put away the goals.
The 2020-21 campaign saw Thai football realign its fixture calendar to correspond with the European season, with the competition reverting to three tiers. Pandemic restrictions didn't stop NBU. Chanotaj Pipatmongkonchai's goals helped them finish top of their divisional table. The playoffs proved a step too far.
Under their boss Damrongsak Boonmuang, the side dusted itself down and finished top again the following season. Thitiwa Thitinartaen was top scorer before a dramatic last round of playoff games saw North Bangkok pipped for promotion in the last few seconds.
Célio and Veeraphong Aon-pean then shared the goals as NBU when another unsuccessful playoff campaign ensued after winning a third consecutive divisional title. The 2023-24 campaign saw Phitchanon Chanlung and Pheemphapob Viriyachanchai also get in on the goalscoring act as the side went no further than the playoffs in their attempts to be promoted.
Twelve months later, the Horsemen reached the playoffs, this time coming mightily close, losing on aggregate in the 3rd/4th place decider against Pattani, when Ellas Souza portrayed his skills.
The following season, Jaden Meyer, Sakari Tukiainen and David Darbellay helped NBU to the playoffs again.
My visits
North Bangkok 1 Chamchuri United 2
Regional League Bangkok Region - Sunday 6th April 2014
👨👨👧👧 c200 🎟️ 60 THB (£1.40)
My flight from the annual Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes flew over the stadium as we descended to land at Don Muang ahead of my Sunday football double header.
My flight from the annual Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes flew over the stadium as we descended to land at Don Muang ahead of my Sunday football double header.
After checking into the Asia Airport Hotel, I went downstairs into the Zeer shopping mall for some desperately needed food after feeling rather under the weather for the previous thirty-six hours. I wasn't short of options.
I crossed the pedestrian bridge that straddled the expressway and thankfully found a cab driver who understood my instructions. It was a relief, as my driver, who'd earlier dropped me at the hotel from the airport, was determined to take me on a city tour before he realised that I wasn’t a first-time traveller.
The pleasant drive along the Rangsit Nakhon-Nayak Road took me past the many eateries and markets alongside the khlong. I took the same route I’d used the previous year to photograph the Bangkok Glass Leo Stadium, a few hundred metres further down the road.
The pleasant drive along the Rangsit Nakhon-Nayak Road took me past the many eateries and markets alongside the khlong. I took the same route I’d used the previous year to photograph the Bangkok Glass Leo Stadium, a few hundred metres further down the road.
My driver took me right through the campus and dropped me at the entrance to the Bangkok University Stadium. After taking a few photos, I bought my ticket and looked into the stadium from outside. I found myself in the away section. Ironically, I had a Chamchuri United shirt from an earlier visit, but I didn't have it handy.
The stadium was basic, with low stands down one side with bench seating, linked in the centre by an area for press, cameras, and match officials. Players got changed in separate blocks at either end of the stands.
The rest of the arena had no spectator facilities but was surrounded by wire fencing. The far side had a scoreboard on the halfway line. The weather was in the high thirties for a 4pm kick-off, so I didn’t expect a fast-paced encounter.
However, I was pleasantly surprised with the tempo and action on a perfect pitch with Leo Stadium in the background. Amazingly, the match kicked off bang on time, which I found to be rare in Thailand.
The Horsemen were made to pay for their wastefulness as Chamchuri took the lead a couple of minutes before the interval. Number 19 brought down a cross at the back post and fired home to the joy of the fifty or so visiting fans, including a little lad who led the chanting on his own!
The joy didn’t last too long as North Bangkok restored parity in stoppage time. A visiting hand blocked a free kick before number 16 fired home the second attempt. I took a walk at the interval to the shop underneath the halls of residence behind the far goal as there was no catering at the ground.
I bought a key ring from the club shop before taking a seat in the home section for the second half while enjoying a gratefully received bottle of water and an ice cream. The home side continued to press, but Chamchuri looked mightily effective on the break.
The game seemed destined to end at level until the visitors broke once more in stoppage time with number 10 finishing another counterattack. It was very nearly 3-1 as the ball once more entered the Bangkok net, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
It had been a decent encounter in general. I headed back on foot past the buildings in mid-construction, where a student was working on an old aeroplane fuselage. I crossed the footbridge over the busy road as the sun set over Pathum Thani and took a taxi to Muangthong United for the north Bangkok derby against Bangkok Glass.
North Bangkok University 0 Nakhonsi United 0
The joy didn’t last too long as North Bangkok restored parity in stoppage time. A visiting hand blocked a free kick before number 16 fired home the second attempt. I took a walk at the interval to the shop underneath the halls of residence behind the far goal as there was no catering at the ground.
I bought a key ring from the club shop before taking a seat in the home section for the second half while enjoying a gratefully received bottle of water and an ice cream. The home side continued to press, but Chamchuri looked mightily effective on the break.
The game seemed destined to end at level until the visitors broke once more in stoppage time with number 10 finishing another counterattack. It was very nearly 3-1 as the ball once more entered the Bangkok net, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
It had been a decent encounter in general. I headed back on foot past the buildings in mid-construction, where a student was working on an old aeroplane fuselage. I crossed the footbridge over the busy road as the sun set over Pathum Thani and took a taxi to Muangthong United for the north Bangkok derby against Bangkok Glass.
North Bangkok University 0 Nakhonsi United 0
Thai League 3 Playoffs Lower Region - Saturday 19th March 2022
👨👨👧👧 520 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)
It was time for a long-overdue revisit to North Bangkok University Stadium, and with the team qualifying for the end-of-season group stage playoffs for promotion to the second tier, I figured there was no better time.
While I dreamed of my new location back in England, I thought the venue would be awkward to get to. However, my local knowledge, along with a couple of apps, gave me public transport options.
From Minburi, I took a bus to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat. I crossed the road and caught a 39 service to Future Rangsit Mall for food and a look around. A musical band played middle-of-the-road Thai stuff as shoppers milled in increasing numbers.
When it came to finding my bus along the main road towards Nakhon Nayok, I came unstuck. I couldn’t find the bus stop. Google Maps marked it in the wrong place. The game started at 3.30pm and time was getting on, so I jumped in a taxi.
It was immediately apparent that many visiting supporters had travelled a long distance in minivans from the south. Outside the entrance, they had a stall set up selling souvenirs, and others had set up an impromptu bar.
Security stewards who manned the gate were heavy-handed, but that might have to do with an incident in the previous home game where Bangkok FC player Aitsaret Noichaiboon attacked NBU man Supasan Ruangsuphanimit with a Muay Thai-style elbow, and all hell had broken loose.
The sides cancelled each other out in this competitive clash. I viewed from among the superb away supporters. The German coach of the visitors, Jorg Steinebrunner, was animated at times, but he seemed to get his message across
NBU's main tactic was long throws into the box towards Sergey Tumasyan, who looked a good player. They weren't shy to fall over quite a lot. Fortunately, referee Thapakorn Thongkon was having none of it.
While I couldn’t condone attacking any player, I quickly understood how opponents could lose their rag against the university mob. They were a piece of work and knew plenty of dark arts.
Both sides had won their first game 3-0 and were determined not to give anything away in this encounter on a poor playing surface. The heat wasn’t helping either, with drinks breaks being called midway through each half.
At the break, I walked to the shop at the far end for refreshments and an ice cream before settling back down. Ten minutes into the restart, an excellent Nakhonsi move ended with a header just past the post. That was about it.
Both defences dominated an absolute stalemate. The courtesy campus bus took fans back to the main road. I crossed the bridge. A bus soon arrived to take me back to Zeer Rangsit. Another couple of services delivered me back to Minburi.
North Bangkok University 0 Saruburi United 0
It was time for a long-overdue revisit to North Bangkok University Stadium, and with the team qualifying for the end-of-season group stage playoffs for promotion to the second tier, I figured there was no better time.
While I dreamed of my new location back in England, I thought the venue would be awkward to get to. However, my local knowledge, along with a couple of apps, gave me public transport options.
From Minburi, I took a bus to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat. I crossed the road and caught a 39 service to Future Rangsit Mall for food and a look around. A musical band played middle-of-the-road Thai stuff as shoppers milled in increasing numbers.
When it came to finding my bus along the main road towards Nakhon Nayok, I came unstuck. I couldn’t find the bus stop. Google Maps marked it in the wrong place. The game started at 3.30pm and time was getting on, so I jumped in a taxi.
It was immediately apparent that many visiting supporters had travelled a long distance in minivans from the south. Outside the entrance, they had a stall set up selling souvenirs, and others had set up an impromptu bar.
Security stewards who manned the gate were heavy-handed, but that might have to do with an incident in the previous home game where Bangkok FC player Aitsaret Noichaiboon attacked NBU man Supasan Ruangsuphanimit with a Muay Thai-style elbow, and all hell had broken loose.
The sides cancelled each other out in this competitive clash. I viewed from among the superb away supporters. The German coach of the visitors, Jorg Steinebrunner, was animated at times, but he seemed to get his message across
NBU's main tactic was long throws into the box towards Sergey Tumasyan, who looked a good player. They weren't shy to fall over quite a lot. Fortunately, referee Thapakorn Thongkon was having none of it.
While I couldn’t condone attacking any player, I quickly understood how opponents could lose their rag against the university mob. They were a piece of work and knew plenty of dark arts.
Both sides had won their first game 3-0 and were determined not to give anything away in this encounter on a poor playing surface. The heat wasn’t helping either, with drinks breaks being called midway through each half.
At the break, I walked to the shop at the far end for refreshments and an ice cream before settling back down. Ten minutes into the restart, an excellent Nakhonsi move ended with a header just past the post. That was about it.
Both defences dominated an absolute stalemate. The courtesy campus bus took fans back to the main road. I crossed the bridge. A bus soon arrived to take me back to Zeer Rangsit. Another couple of services delivered me back to Minburi.
North Bangkok University 0 Saruburi United 0
Thai League 3 Playoffs Lower Region - Saturday 2nd April 2022
👨👨👧👧 200 🎟️ 100 THB (£2.40)
If I thought I would see a better game on my return a couple of weeks later, I was to be disappointed. This one really stank the place out. Again, I went in with the away fans and enjoyed the same over-the-top security measures.
Tumasyan was missing from the Uni lineup. This meant they were even more lacking in forward invention with the strong wind at their backs in the first half. Saraburi opted for a shorter passing game that was more pleasing on the eye.
Both sides fired off speculative efforts in the early exchanges. Saraburi supporters made me most welcome as they cheered on their heroes. One of their defenders' last-gasp challenges snuffed out a North Bangkok attack.
Aboubacar Kone looked like a class act for the visitors in midfield, dealing with the bumpy pitch. United took the ascendancy as the half progressed. It said plenty that I enjoyed ref Kristin Saisombat's performance as much as any player in a real contrast of styles.
Saraburi were the better side after the interval. Still, neither side had a shot on goal. The visitors' skipper went down with what appeared to be a nasty injury, but play continued. Fans screamed hysterically. Play was delayed while the player received attention.
It fired up both teams. The home side's Piyaphong Homkhajohn took some real abuse. He gave plenty in return. While NBU didn't figure highly on my most watchable sides, their skipper, Weerayut Jitkuntod, was solid and excellent in general.
The closest either side came to goal arrived late on when Saraburi keeper Ritthikiat Yodsamut nearly palmed a long-range shot into his own net, but the score remained blank until full time.
At which point I again jumped aboard the free shuttle bus and began my walk along the main road towards the BG Pathum United v Port game, when I was intercepted by a fan who turned out to be the father of an away team player, who kindly gave me a lift.
If I thought I would see a better game on my return a couple of weeks later, I was to be disappointed. This one really stank the place out. Again, I went in with the away fans and enjoyed the same over-the-top security measures.
Tumasyan was missing from the Uni lineup. This meant they were even more lacking in forward invention with the strong wind at their backs in the first half. Saraburi opted for a shorter passing game that was more pleasing on the eye.
Both sides fired off speculative efforts in the early exchanges. Saraburi supporters made me most welcome as they cheered on their heroes. One of their defenders' last-gasp challenges snuffed out a North Bangkok attack.
Aboubacar Kone looked like a class act for the visitors in midfield, dealing with the bumpy pitch. United took the ascendancy as the half progressed. It said plenty that I enjoyed ref Kristin Saisombat's performance as much as any player in a real contrast of styles.
Saraburi were the better side after the interval. Still, neither side had a shot on goal. The visitors' skipper went down with what appeared to be a nasty injury, but play continued. Fans screamed hysterically. Play was delayed while the player received attention.
It fired up both teams. The home side's Piyaphong Homkhajohn took some real abuse. He gave plenty in return. While NBU didn't figure highly on my most watchable sides, their skipper, Weerayut Jitkuntod, was solid and excellent in general.
The closest either side came to goal arrived late on when Saraburi keeper Ritthikiat Yodsamut nearly palmed a long-range shot into his own net, but the score remained blank until full time.
At which point I again jumped aboard the free shuttle bus and began my walk along the main road towards the BG Pathum United v Port game, when I was intercepted by a fan who turned out to be the father of an away team player, who kindly gave me a lift.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Many thanks for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.