Capacity: 3,245
Club Founded: 2009
League: Thai League 3 League North (current level)
Uttaradit FC represent the northern city of the same name in the north of the country, with the ‘Fighting Cocks’, as they were originally nicknamed, joining the Regional League Division 2 Northern Region, as coach Atithep Yoosawad led them to fourth in their debut campaign.
A season was spent playing at Uttaradit Rajabhat University Stadium, before returning to their original venue. A change of name to Uttaradit-Morseng failed to result in any measure of success.
A League Title
Midtable finishes were the norm, with Noh Hyeong-cheol being the regular source of goals. Uttaradit competed in Thai League 4 North in 2017 following league restructuring, where they finished fourth in the table.
Diarra Aboubacar Sidick, the Ivorian striker, would lead Uttaradit to the regional title in 2018. However, the side fared badly in the playoffs, and then regrouped under head coach Vorrakorn Vijannarong for the following season, where the goals of Giuberty Silva Neves helped the team retain its title.
Again, the playoffs ended in disappointment for the ‘Broken Sword’, as Uttaradit were now nicknamed. After further reorganisation of the lower tiers, Uttaradit were placed in Thai League 3 North in 2020-21, with the fixture calendar being aligned with that in Europe. The team ended in fourth position.
Chatchai Narkwijit put away the chances in 2021-22 as Uttaradit Saksiam, as they were known under a sponsorship deal, finished seventh after Chumnan Pharkunthud had been appointed as head coach during the season.
Playoff Action
Chaiwat Puengsiri took charge of the side for the following campaign, as the goals of Phufah Chuenkomrak helped the side to a runners-up finish. The playoffs ended in disappointment. The TPF backing of the club was put in place before the 2024-25 season, as Nitipong Saiyasit was named as head coach.
He was replaced by Sorrasak Ratson for the following campaign, before Theerawekin Seehawong replaced him halfway through. Within a few matches, Anucha Chaiwong was appointed and took Uttaradit to the playoffs.
My visit
Stadium Visit - Tuesday 25th March 2025
Road Trip
The opportunity to visit the Province Stadium in Uttaradit came about as my wife Taew and I were staying at the far side of the town on our final stop of a four-day road adventure from Sisaket to Chiang Mai.
We’d already enjoyed the delights of an overnight stop in Loei, where I took in the Saturday night match against Surin City, before a wonderful two nights in Chiang Khan, which offered lots of fun and relaxation.
Dramatic Journey
The road to our strategic destination for the evening was dramatic at times, with plenty of mountainous roads being travelled along. The scenery in parts was not unlike deepest Wales or the Highlands of Scotland. Good for me, but undoubtedly more testing for my good lady behind the wheel.
The stadium impressed me when we turned into the complex off the main road. The main stand was better than most, boosted by smart individual seats on its raised deck. The raised open area opposite was more in keeping with other similar venues. The trees that surrounded the arena gave it an enclosed feel.
Discovering Uttaradit
Once I had completed my videoing and photography, we headed to check in at our resort, which had a semi-rural location. Baan Suan Palm Resort was decent value, clean, and included a breakfast, which we could enjoy before heading to Chiang Mai early the following morning.
We spent a couple of hours visiting some local attractions, including Laplae City Gate and the Phraya Pichai Broken Sword monument. Food was obtained at a quaint department store in the city centre to take back as we enjoyed a relaxed evening.
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