PTU Pathumthani

 

PTU Pathumthani FC is a football club from the Thai capital of Bangkok who were formed in 2013 as Seeker FC to join the league structure. The 'Iron Horse' played their home games at Pathum Thani before an amazing development took place before the beginning of the 2013 season.

The trading card manufacturer Futera took over the club, renaming it Futera Seeker and implemented an incredible experiment. After trying out the experiment in London it initiated a system where fans anywhere in the world could subscribe and become virtual managers of the club. 

They watched the game live online and voted on tactics, substitutions and playing style. The data was compiled by analysts in the stands who then transferred the results to the bench who then followed the instructions.

To see my video from the Seeker's away game at Look Tabfah Pathum Than showing the system in action during the 2013 season, click here:

However, after just one season Futera withdrew their sponsorship as the club moved grounds to use the Khlong Chan National Housing Sports Stadium which had previously been home to Osotspa and then Raj-Vithi.

Klong Chan Stadium

They were on the move again before the end of the season as they relocated across town to share Police's Boonyachinda Stadium before changing their title to PTU Pathum Thani Seeker for the 2015 campaign and finishing in tenth place.

The club was placed in the Central Region for the 2016 campaign as 'Seeker' was dropped from their title, with the side ending in seventh place while playing home games at Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University Stadium. Thai league football was restructured for the 2017 season. 

PTU Pathumthani was placed in the fourth tier Thai League 4 (T4) Bangkok Metropolitan Region where they finished in seventh spot after moving back to Boonyachinda Stadium. The club were on the move again, this time to Ratchakram Stadium for 2018 and coming fifth in the final table as Nuttapol Promthongwan topped the scoring chart. 

Ratchakram Stadium

Diego Barrera led the scoring in 2019 as the side finished in third place. The Thai League was restructured once again to follow the European calendar from 2020-21, with PTU being placed in Thai League 3 West. Seventh place was achieved under head coach Vorapan Toontone.

Brazilian signing Giuberty starred in 2021-22 as the side ended second in the regional division before falling short of winning promotion in the Champions League playoffs. Yossagorn Silaket was appointed as coach at the start of the 2022-23 season.

He departed to be replaced by Kantawat Suwanphayakoon, whose side won the West region title in 2023-24 thanks to the goals of Eric Kumi, but then failed to progress through the playoffs.

PTU Pathumthani FC will play in Thai League 3 Central in the 2024-25 season.