Roi Et Alan

 

Roi Et Alan FC is a semi-professional football club, formed in 2026, from the city of Roi Et in Northeastern Thailand. The club gained entry into the 2026 Thai Semi-Pro League, playing home matches at Pride Arena Stadium, where Roi Et PB United are also tenants.
 
Alan Shop, the owners of the club, is a clothing manufacturer company with branches in Roi Et and Mahasarakham, which specialises in making bespoke sports kits.

My visit

Roi Et Alan 0 Sisaket City 2 (Wednesday 6th May 2026) Thai Semi-Pro League Northeast (att: 875)
 
My first game of the 2026 Semi-Pro League, and what a cracker it was. Each club plays six games, three at home and three away, regardless of how many clubs enter each of the six regions. This is to give the champs in each section time to prepare for life in Thai League 3.

Last season it saw an elongated season in certain regions, seeing the promoted sides struggle with just a few weeks to sign players and then having to wait until the mid-season window was open. The new system is unfortunate for those who are drawn against stronger outfits, but that is the luck of the draw.
 
As it happens, eleven sides entered the Northeast section of the competition, with the hosts coming into the game fancying their chances of going top of the table. However, the Sisaket side had other ideas, wanting to build on their weekend victory at Amnat Charoen in this clash between the home side Black Squirrels and the Stone Castle Warriors.

 
In the opening exchanges, the hosts looked good, but City had two lads up front with pace to burn. They took the lead with a contender for goal of the season, as midfielder Wanattanan Jhantasorn controlled the ball wide on the edge of the box, flicked it up, and fired a spectacular shot into the far top corner.
 
The goal was applauded by all sections of the crowd, particularly the fifteen or so youngsters not involved in the named squad from Sisaket who were quick to acknowledge my presence wearing a replica shirt I’d bought when watching them a couple of seasons back.

 
Nathakhon Phrommawong should have doubled the lead when sent through, but his second touch allowed goalie Teeranit Udomrak and his defenders to scramble away the danger. Every time Alan, owned by Alan Shop, who manufactures kits, attacked, they looked dangerous, with City stopper, Peerapath A-Sarast, looking small and vulnerable.
 
The action was non-stop with tackles flying in as referee Komkrit Sawong did his best to let the game flow. No foreign players are allowed in the competition.  Most sides in T3 and upwards have them in their team, with Brazilians being the most used nationality. They bring skill but also lots of diving and histrionics. None of which were on display in this encounter.

The second half was dominated in an attacking sense by the Roi Et side, but they could not find a goal. One chance that went begging should really have been put away. As the pressure mounted, Sisaket were awarded a penalty when an effort on goal was deemed to have been handled.
 
Wisanuphong Priwan slotted home the spot kick in the final minute of normal time. His side is now left with two simple home games if form is anything to go by and an away game in neighbouring Ubon Ratchthani against leaders Warim Chamrap, which could well decide who goes up to the pro ranks.

 
It said something about the encounter that my mates, Dale of A Thai Football Podcast, along with Roi Et PB United fans, Glen and Wigan Steve, were mightily impressed. Indeed, the two locals said it was probably the best game they had seen at the stadium this season.
 
Bargain of the season for those interested was the purchase of a home team shirt for 189 baht (£4.30), which included a match ticket. Plenty took up the offer, while the beer and food vendors also did well outside, with fans being able to take their drinks to their seats.

 
My wife and I had travelled for three hours in the morning, stopping in Yasothon for pork khao soi noodle soup and some sightseeing, before meeting up with friends at the hotel and then heading to a western-style bar for food and drinks.
 
Post-match, we went to a huge open-fronted restaurant with live music, lots of customers, and plenty of space. Great local food, matched by the prices, with the Sisaket squad all trooping in before their journey home. Nice that the players, coach and his assistants all acknowledged us.

 
Back home Thursday morning, after breakfast by the lake in the city centre, and then a journey that, for some reason, seemed to take forever! I should be fighting fit for golf and football on Sunday.