The Crusher Tribute Act

Stars on Sunday

A Tribute Act to my mate Crusher from the Bloke Behind Me

 

Sisaket United 2 Chanthaburi 1

Thai League 2

Sunday 8th December 2024

Attendance: 1,311

December has always been a strange month for me. I have never really enjoyed Christmas, and all the fuss connected to it, which at times in my adult life affected me mentally. I’ve no idea why. Perhaps spending so many years as a single person or the emotion involved along with drinking too much possibly lowered my resolve. It has admittedly become easier since 2021 through my move to Thailand, being in a relationship, and a place where it’s not heavily celebrated.

A few days before Santa was getting ready to dish out gifts in 2020 it was the height of lockdown during Covid and a miserable time without seeing friends with pubs shut down and no sport to attend. I had bought lots of food and beer and returned to my home of the time in Northwest London and started drinking when I received the awful news that my good friend Crusher had passed away. I drank an awful lot that night.

David Johnson, to give Crusher his Christened name, and I had become friends in the early part of the 1987-88 football season. I had been aware of him at Scarborough matches, this big bloke a couple of years older than me who appeared to be permanently angry during a game. By then I had begun to work as a Postman with Crusher’s dad, George. He was another of whom the term “does not suffer fools gladly” was invented. Like his son, he was extremely honest and loyal.

Sunday League teammates

I initially invited Crusher to join us in a car to a midweek away game at Hereford, and a friendship was born. We had plenty in common, be it beer, pubs, playing local football, or going to Scarborough FC as well as cricket. Our views on life were around the same as well as our political beliefs. 

We ended up going all over together supporting Boro and England, both football and cricket, as well as visiting Europe and Australia and becoming teammates and drinking partners for British Gas FC while also frequenting the town's pubs together. I'm sad, that like my parents, Crusher didn't get the chance to see me enjoying life overseas as a married man, especially after all the support he gave me.

From Crusher With Love

Those who never met him are much the poorer. He was there to listen, remaining calm, offering a solution, but only if asked, and generally being a rock. He loved laughing and living life and was immensely popular, being able to also tell great stories. If he had a pint, a newspaper, predominantly to do the puzzles, and some music he was happy, particularly sitting at the bar in The Cask pub. It says it all that old mates run an annual coach to a Scarborough Athletic away game each season in tribute and to remember him.

It was in the Cask establishment that many a quiet couple got to hear Crusher if they happened to be sitting anywhere near a TV when Liverpool, his other love, were playing. His range of profanities towards the referee and several opposition players was as good as any I’ve yet to hear and formed entertainment of its own. It was repeated watching Scarborough from the terraces. 

The match officials certainly knew he was in attendance. Certain opponents got extra special treatment. I’m not sure what Russ Wilcox ever did wrong when he wore various opponents' shirts against us, but I swear his first move after running onto the pitch was to look across and listen for the first bit of feedback from the big man which would continue for the following ninety minutes.

Among his classics include the beauty delivered to Paolo Maldini. “You’re only in the team because your dad is the manager”. Any Aussie cricketer, particularly Ricky Ponting, yet except anyone playing as an overseas signing for Yorkshire, received special attention. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a happier man when we celebrated an Ashes win together on his birthday at Sydney Cricket Ground.

I didn’t think I would ever meet anyone rattier during a game who supports a team in Thailand. There is a large lady who shouts incessantly at Port FC in the top corner of B Zone. I wouldn’t dare be late home if I lived with her, but she is more of an encouraging nature. I think. And of course, some lead the orchestrated cheering while using a megaphone. Astonishingly, clubs can be fined for audible chanting accusations of cheating towards the officials or the administrators in Thailand. Good luck ever introducing that elsewhere.

I’m different to most fans in Thailand. While I cheer for Port FC when in Bangkok and Sisaket United when at home in Northeast Thailand, I attend any game I can and don’t get upset by the results. To me, the match is to be enjoyed as a part of my weekly day out. I generally find those ex-pats who get too involved become frustrated, somehow expecting the same experience and levels of organisation and structure as when watching football in their western home country. That will never happen.

I find it far more fun to go along, have a few beers, have a cheer and then go home and look forward to the next game. I love it and it plays a big part in my life. On Sunday 8th December 2024, I met someone probably more animated than Crusher. It might yet even change the way I support Sisaket United.

Like anywhere, it is usually better when attending something with friends. Ben from Denmark, along with Noi who lives in Bangkok as well as my wife Taew were with me on the final day of what had been a heavy month of socialising in many different locations around the country. The match at Sri Lamduan Stadium against Chanthaburi was the ideal opportunity to round things off with a hotel stay in town with the game sandwiched between a late lunch, lots of beers and then a pub at fulltime. Perfect.

Our guests had been to the home game with Khon Kaen the previous year with my Danish pal being impressed with the vitriol shown towards the referee with comments from the main stand suggesting that his wife was from the same city as the visitors. In Bachman-Turner Overdrive mode, “He Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”.

It was my suggestion that we watched from the uncovered far side where the more vociferous fans assembled with no danger of rain on this occasion. It proved to be an inspired decision. We went upstairs after beers and snacks outside in the fan zone enjoying the whole occasion as it should be.

I let Taew decide where to sit and she came up trumps. The hosts went ahead within a minute when a long throw from skipper Pongsak Boontod was flicked on at the near post by Caíque Ribeiro and put away by top scorer Danilo. The big Brazilian was outstanding all evening while assisted by fellow countrymen Caique and Abner.

As ever, the Thais filled in, which often saw Danilo becoming exasperated by some of the poor game management and lack of skills around him from the natives. The tactics of coach, Narongthanaphorn, who could be negative in the extreme, probably not a huge help.

Fans in Sisaket can be extremely passionate. It was noticeable that crowds would build throughout the game after they got away from work, with the volume increasing as beer was being consumed at regular intervals. It could go up on the dial if the opponents employed ways to frustrate or the officials were deemed to be against the home team. Enter my new hero.

Within minutes, a Chanthaburi defender was not penalised, probably correctly. It led to some pushing and shoving between players on both sides, which ignited a tinder box. The bloke behind me, probably in his thirties was going berserk. He had a booming voice, which he used for the rest of the game with very few stops for breath as he abused anyone belonging to Chanthaburi as well as the match officials.

Next to him was a slender lady who never spoke a word. Was it a first date on which he was trying to impress or perhaps she enjoyed it as much as the rest of us did? I was at a loss what he was shouting, but Taew’s facial expressions suggested there was lots of abuse with a hint of humour. What I’d have given to sit Crusher next to him.

The away side scored a lovely goal to restore parity which was finished by Tongan international Ata Inia. While the Wild Rabbits were not very good, they looked dangerous going forward led by another Brazilian, Tiago Chulapa. All three supporters in the distant away zone seemed happy.

They had been charged double the money for the experience, one thing I dislike about Thai football. Crusher would have certainly had views about it, especially if he had been plonked in there.

You could have heard a pin drop. However, it was soon back to normal. I had noticed the previous week that Chanthaburi had lost a tempestuous battle away to league leaders Phrae United in which Irish defender Clyde O'Connell had been given his marching orders. That journey by road was eleven hours, compared to less than eight to Sisaket. And people wonder why clubs struggle financially.

Not that the bloke behind me showed any sympathy for the travel or cost incurred. His abusive lexicon was continually impressive in a country famed for its hospitality.

Just past the half-hour mark, Abner made the most of finding a way to tumble in the box as he ran into an opponent. Referee Nasri Tamat pointed to the spot, a decision undoubtedly swayed by crowd pressure. Quite reasonably the visiting team players were extremely angry. Danilo kept his cool, stepped up and slotted the penalty past the generally dodgy goalkeeper Chaloempat Ploywanratta.

The second half followed the pattern of many Lamduan home games. Sisaket decided to try and hang on to their lead. It was a tactic they consistently used in the three seasons I had become a regular. The times that they are caught out, especially since being promoted to the second tier, are surely worthy of a change of thought. Unbelievably in the closing stages, previously unambitious Thai home players turned adventurous making shocking decisions. I was wondering whether Danilo or the bloke behind me would pop first.

I turned around when the full-time whistle was blown to shake hands. I would have asked him for a photo but didn’t want him to think I was taking the piss. Many locals were laughing at their fellow fan and me thanking him and vowing to meet again the following week.

Uan, our one-legged driver, a story of his own, was waiting behind the main stand to drive us to Leo’s, a wonderful bar and restaurant to see out the rest of the night. They had an offer on Guinness of buy one and get one free, while Australian striploin steaks had a big reduction in price.

There was still time to make acquaintance with Per for the first time, a Norwegian who it transpired lived in town and was doing his pieces while cheering on Arsenal and seeing them have two goals chalked off through VAR on TV. He was unaware of Sisaket having a professional team, the news of which seemed to make his evening as contact details were exchanged between us, hopefully, to introduce him to a life-changing experience.

A grand day out, with England starting it by winning the Test in New Zealand. It was full of fun, and laughter surrounded by great company as beer flowed in excellent venues soaked up with delicious food, and a rare home win too. But most of all, the bloke behind me, topped it off by doing his Crusher tribute act. I hope he was the same value in a bar and in life in general.

RIP Crusher. Happy Christmas everyone.

Sisaket United post August 2024

 

Please click on this link to read all about the history of the club and my previous visits to home games before August 2024.

The 2024-25 season was one of great change by the time it was completed. Coach Mo, Narongthanaphorn Choeithaisongchodok, was relieved of his duties during the mid-season break to be replaced by Pipob On-Mo, the former Thai international midfielder. He, in turn, departed at the end of the season.

His replacement was former Sisaket FC coach, the veteran, Somchai Chuayboonchum.

Sisaket United FC will play in the Thai League 2 in the 2025-26 season.

My visits post August 2024

Sisaket United 1 Pattaya United 1 (Saturday 10th August 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,512)

Plenty of anticipation awaited as Sisaket embarked on their maiden second-tier campaign in Thai football. What we received was a game that offered plenty of everything and more than enough to keep the spectators entertained before the match, and then when it started at 6.30pm.

New Brazilian signing Abner was fed by compatriot Danilo after just seven minutes to finish in style past keeper Phiyawat Intrapim. All looked good for the hosts in a fast-paced encounter in which visiting forward, another Brazilian, Patrick Cruz, looked a class above all others on show with his neat footwork.

This was aided by the Sisaket coach, predictably going into defence mode and leaving the three imports up front with the space between them and the rest of the team being large enough to host the Surin elephant Festival. Remarkably enough, pressure was gradually built before Pattaya equalised after half an hour when a cross saw Pakornkiat Kaena put through his own goal. 

At which point, the visiting Dolphins for some reason decided that they would become more defensive-minded and rely on breaks than grab a game by the scruff of the neck that was waiting to be won. The third Sisaket Brazilian, Caique, had been played on the left wing, despite him being a creative forward pressing midfielder. 

The one-dimensional tactics had done for him as he was withdrawn just after the hour mark, as I offered the coach feedback. The game became niggly, passionate, and naughty at times. I compared it to watching England play against themselves at the recently finished Euros. 

The home team coach failed to use most of the talent at his disposal because I’m not sure he knows how to. The away side settled for a draw when a win was on the cards. Meanwhile, the Pattaya players fell over with alarming regularity, having quickly realised that referee Nasri Tamat was as weak, taking advantage of his general cluelessness. 

Dolphins coach Theerawekin Seehawong went on the pitch three times to remonstrate, before he was eventually shown to the stands. The stretcher bearers were overworked before players suddenly and miraculously jumped to their feet. 

Patrick Cruz and his teammate Waleed Adel decided to exchange punches with each other before a combination of Abner and Danilo missed a glorious chance during the additional seven minutes of stoppage time at the back post from a well-delivered free kick.

All in all, a feisty affair, but as ever, it was only part of a good day out. The later kick-off than in previous seasons allowed for a proper drink pre-match, both in Leo’s and Hong Kong Garden, after getting a van from Kanthararom. In the first place, Caique was in with a friend having a water. I did warn him about the coach then, and I got the impression that he sort of knew already. 

My pal John was waiting for a late lunch before we headed to the stadium earlier than usual, and via an off-license. Sisaket going up would undoubtedly improve the standard of the matches, but there were most certainly things that didn’t appeal to me, not least because Chang was the only beer available rather than Leo.

That was resolved by me taking my own and putting them in a plastic cup to take in acquired from one of the vendors. In fairness to the club, they made some kind of effort, with tables and chairs on the main road behind the stand to create some kind of fan zone. Designated seats were required, while the price had nearly doubled to 100 THB, which was around £2.25 in the best position. 

Caique’s friend turned out to be another Brazilian, Alberto Gouvea, who had signed for Rasisalai United in T3. He and his girlfriend sat just behind us and were good company. I would look forward to seeing him perform a month or so later, especially if he scores as many goals as he told me he would.

Full time, my driver somehow managed to get through the cordon to park near the exit before I had one last beer with my wife, who had better observational ability than the ref by identifying that I had already sampled several beers.

Sisaket United 1 Chiangmai United 1 (Sunday 15th September 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,399) 

An entertaining game as Sisaket equalised late on. Plenty of endeavour, skill, and dross with controversy of a goal each being chalked off, so standard Thai fare really.

The hosts came into the encounter in the playoff places, the visitors from the north third from bottom, not that anyone would know on this showing. Perhaps both sides were in false positions, with Sisaket punching above their weight following promotion. 

The game was played at a frantic pace throughout, with midfielders having a quiet time as the ball fizzed from end to end. I rated the away side's front foreigners, Carlos Neto and Arnold Suew, above the home pairing of Danilo and Caique Ribero. This was especially true in the opening exchanges, with the footwork of Carlos Neto outstanding.

His side went ahead through a long-range swerving free kick from Suew after half an hour of proceedings. I’m not entirely sure keeper Adisak would have been too pleased with his effort in trying to stop it. The visitors wearing light grey shirts with white numbering came close in the very poor effort stakes. 

Danilo missed an absolute sitter on the stroke of halftime, heading wide from five yards as his side got back into things with both sides playing some good stuff at high intensity. This continued after the break on what was a slick surface, with the region receiving many heavy downfalls in the days leading up to the match.

Indeed, the groundstaff deserved much credit for their endeavours, with it looking in excellent condition and maybe helping to level it out. Just one patch, like a single bloke’s bedsheets, which detracted from its appearance. It certainly encouraged plenty of challenges to go flying in. 

Referee Krisda Luangyos certainly had his hands full, dishing out seven yellow cards, as the hosts were being less than hospitable at times. The officials would then be involved heavily in two big moments. Chiangmai had a goal ruled out for offside. I was right in line with it and called it straight away.

The visiting coach was apoplectic, racing down the touchline to offer feedback to the assistant with the flag. A few minutes later, the hosts were denied, with that decision being clearly wrong when photographic evidence from the live feed was produced. No VAR in T2, at least until the midseason break, so on we went. 

The Lamduan eventually drew level, and deservedly so on the balance of play, when exchanges of passes, which I’m not entirely sure were intentional, eventually found Danilo a yard or so out to score with fourteen minutes remaining. After that, the away side blew a great chance to take all three points.

A strange day out. News that the dreaded words of the car needed attention was thankfully a cheap part, while a trip to the stadium to buy my ticket in advance to be sure I was under cover in case of rain proved fruitless, as the office was closed despite the club advertising it would be open. 

Nice food and company in Hong Kong Garden, my usual pre-match haunt with a couple of beers to wash it down. John was unavailable, and news that the place might shut down too in the not-too-distant future sort of put a dampener on things, along with hearing that a friend back home was unwell.

Again, I took my own supply of beer to the stadium to avoid Chang, as I people watched and made conversation with the locals. 

Sisaket United 1 Kanchanaburi Power 1 (Saturday 28th September 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,424)

Fair play to both sides. A decent enough game to watch. Both teams hit the woodwork and had half chances to win it. Kanch, with some powerful exports to match their title, went ahead on the hour, through a header from the big Brazilian defender Jeferson Sousa that went in off the underside of the bar.

Sisaket drew level 10 minutes from time. Abner came off the bench after being missing through injury and made an impact in general, with his low shot from the left-hand side of the box having too much strength for keeper Chinnapong Raksri. Adisak, the goalie at the other end, was erratic with his distribution and on crosses.

There was plenty of feistiness, especially in the closing stages and as good an atmosphere as I’ve been in the stadium. The locals genuinely care. I also had a walk around the perimeter at the interval. The far side had an abundance of beer and food stalls. I managed to find a vendor selling alternatives to Chang behind the main stand. 

I’m glad the game was enjoyable, as I had such a nice time having food, drink, and watching rugby league on TV from Australia in Hong Kong Garden in good company before the game, that it was a wrench to leave. Back home with my reliable driver in time for the second half of an excellent Arsenal v Leicester City encounter.

Sisaket United 2 Bangkok FC 3 (Sunday 20th October 2024) Thai League 2 (2,258)

An excellent game of football and a very good few hours of fun as Taew and her great-nephew Boet joined me. We headed to Leo’s beforehand for food, which both thoroughly enjoyed, before being met by Clinton, an online Aussie friend who was on a football and cultural tour of the region.

Danilo latched onto a defensive error after fourteen minutes as Sisaket started like a house on fire. Bangkok were the best side that played at Lamduan Stadium the season before and gradually got into this encounter before Wichaya Pornprasart unleashed a thunderbolt from range, leaving keeper Siwat Rawnpa grasping thin air.

A fine move twelve minutes after the restart saw sub Padungsak Phothinak put the visitors ahead with a header. After that, the hosts piled forward, while Bangkok looked likely to score on the break, fluffing several chances. The outstanding Dudu Lima made it 3-1 with thirteen minutes remaining. 

Danilo grabbed one back in additional time, but it proved to be a consolation, in a game where Seiya Kojima, Simon Dia, and Charyl Chappuis stood out for the away team. We returned to Leo’s and dropped our friend off before Clinton visited us in the country and went for food the following day.

Sisaket United 1 Chonburi 1 (Saturday 26th October 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 2,923)

A game I was really looking forward to, and I wasn’t disappointed. Usual trip through and lunch at Hong Kong Garden. I decided to watch the first half on the open side and the second with the Displaced Supporters behind the goal after the break. Chonburi brought good support, but their promotion favourites were made to wait until the final minute to draw level.

Substitute, Theerapat Kaewphung fired home an equaliser. The clash between Danilo and visiting centre-back Charlie Clough failed to ignite, with the Brazilian latching on to a ball on the edge of the box and advancing to slot past goalie Noppakun Kadtoon after twelve minutes.

The atmosphere was superb throughout and matched the occasion. Sisaket did their utmost to hang on, but they were eventually found out. I was forming the opinion that it might yet turn into a relegation battle, especially if they continued to invite pressure through their tactics when ahead. The defence was not good enough to keep clean sheets.

Sisaket United 1 Chiangrai United 3 (Wednesday 30th October 2024) Thai League Cup Round of 32 (att: 1,522)

I was hoping for a cup upset with Chiangrai struggling in T1 and fielding a side with many changes from their league lineup. However, coach Narongthanaphorn decided to follow suit. It felt like a very low-key occasion in which Chitchanok Xaysensourinthone put the Beetles ahead after thirteen minutes. 

Sisaket drew level within four minutes through Thaweekun Thong-On, but Chiangrai regained the lead just past the midway mark of the first half with a goal from defender Banphakit Phormmanee, as his side looked a constant danger from set pieces.

Chinese forward Guo Tianyu took plenty of lots of stick from the home fans and reacted to both sides of the ground when he was substituted. I offered him feedback in Thai, which, on reflection, might have had more chance of being understood if I’d shouted at him in English.

His side extended their lead through Carlos Iury, who had come off the bench, with nine minutes left on the clock to progress to the next round.

Siskaet United 1 Trat 0 (Friday 8th November 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 1,301)

A hard-fought and important win for the Lamduan in a scrappy game, extremely low in quality at times. The number of passes going astray was remarkable at times in near-perfect conditions. The one player to cover himself in glory was Danilo.

It was he who scored, escaping his marker to head home a free kick from a well-flighted free kick two minutes before the interval. In the second half, the lack of game management from his teammates had the big Brazilian going spare. Sisaket would be in a sorry state without him.

Trat looked a ragbag bunch in physique, with their away kit looking like a Sunday League offering. They offered very little, yet the home side only just got over the line against them. At least the home support, while lacking in numbers for some reason, did their bit and created a decent atmosphere.

A good few hours out, as ever being fed and watered at Hong Kong Garden, where Peter’s choice of tunes was akin to Brian Matthew's Sound of the Sixties on Radio 2 when I used to visit my dad, so that put a smile on my face. Something we all needed after the world events of the week.

Sisaket United 2 Chanthaburi 1 (Sunday 8th December 2024) Thai League 2 (att: 1,311)

A fitting climax to the end of several weeks of festivities, as my wife and I caught up with friends and visited places around the country. A decent game of football as part of a wonderful day out inspired me to pen an article with a tribute to an old friend.

Sisaket United 0 Mahasarakham SBT 0 (Wednesday 12th February 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,733)

Since my previous home match, I had been travelling extensively around Thailand. Returning back I was glad to head back into town and visit Peter at Hong Kong Garden before the game. Changes had seen Phipob On-Mo come in as coach and Charlie Clough arrive on loan.

It had been my pleasure to assist him, giving him tips on where to eat and drink. We had met at Leo's a week earlier to say hello and have an enlightening chat. We were to meet after the game back at HKG, and I decided that this was an ideal game to make a video for my YouTube channel, focusing on his career and the matchday experience at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium.

The video for my YouTube channel was made at the game.

The game ended in a stalemate, but not without incident. It was also the first time I'd seen the wholly inadequate VAR system in operation in a Thai League 2 game. The scoreboard wasn't equipped to tell fans what was going on, and judging by the handball that they didn't spot in the Mahasarakham box in stoppage time, they quite frankly didn't know what they were doing.

Sisaket United 2 Chainat Hornbill 1 (Saturday 1st March 2015) Thai League 2 (att: 1,626)

A game with plenty to keep the passionate Saturday night crowd entertained. Sisaket deservedly went in 1-0 ahead at the break, through Abner, and played excellent football. A good stop from Phanumek Palawec in the Hornbill net denied English defender Charlie Clough. 

Chainat had piled on the pressure before that, desperate to salvage something from the game as they went into it third from bottom, with Sisaket four points off a playoff position. The leveller came with seven minutes to go after Adisak decided to have his usual brainless ten minutes, which caused jitters as Selwan Al Jaberi came off the bench to head home.

From that point, including the eight minutes added on, the game descended into something more akin to basketball as both sides, realising that a point was worthless, went for it, hell for leather. Danilo was denied before Clough, who had converted to the main striker, nearly set up the winner. 

The goal came in the ninety-eighth minute when Wongsakorn put away a low cross at the back post as bedlam ensued in the home sections. A brilliant way to end an entertaining match.

My mate John was back from a sabbatical, making it even more enjoyable, with a very boozy few hours being added to at Leo’s, where the two-hour beer promotion buffet was attacked with gusto and offered an explanation as to my condition the following day. We were even joined by Charlie Clough, which added to the evening.

Sisaket United 2 All Star 3 (Wednesday 16th July 2025) Pre-Season Friendly (att: c100)

Read here for my musings on pre-season friendlies, what supporters learn from them, and a worthwhile day out.

Sisaket United 3 Ubon Eastern 1 (Monday 4th August 2025) Pre-Season Friendly (att: c300)

What do friendlies tell you? Well, on this occasion, it offered optimism for home fans, with their overseas players looking decent. Judivan, the 30-year-old Brazilian with 5 caps at the under-20 level, looked strong and clever up front. Vastly experienced veteran wide man Steeven Langil was excellent. We passed a comment at the end of the match about just how awful the playing surface was.

A decent game to watch. The newly promoted side to T3 from an hour up the road, consisting mainly of trialists, went ahead as Sisaket played with the same competency as England batted at the same time at The Oval. 

When the Test was over, it was like a light came on and they looked a different side, though I'd be astonished if there was any connection between the two. Eastern are based at the excellent UMT Stadium in Ubon Ratchathani, formerly home to Ubon United until they went bust with financial issues.

A leveller before half time through a low free kick from Judivan, followed by another couple of goals, some excellent football and some good stuff falling apart owing to the dreadful pitch, making lads on trial or those trying to impress having already signed looking like idiots, which I think is most unfair.

Nice to have a day out without chat about the recent border conflict. In the excellent company of my mate John, we headed to the gym, enjoyed a drive about town, had 9 holes of golf next to the stadium and then took advantage of the buy 2, get 1 free Guinness to wash down my bangers and mash in Leo's. Beer, as ever, was taken inside the stadium to our seats.

The talk of the region at the time, away from the border dispute, was the government announcing that the land where the Buriram United stadium and the motor racing circuit next door have been built is on land that the owner and ruler of the province doesn't own, but belongs to the State Railway of Thailand. 

Sisaket United 0 Khon Kaen United 0 (Sunday 31st August 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 2,147) 

Another northeast derby and more excellent entertainment despite ending blank. How it did so was down to the home side missing four glaring chances in the first ten minutes, and then their centre back Pakornkiat, who miraculously cleared two KKU efforts off his own line with ‘keeper Prasit Phadungchok beaten.

A weak ref who seemingly allowed the visitors to foul at will, a poor pitch, and strange tactical decisions from Sisaket coach Somchai Choyboonchum. Some heavy rain added to the fun, which meant the shirt of winger Steeven Langil will need some washing. 

Strange really. I went home three times in the last month, filthy and drenched, to a less-than-positive response. A pro gave me his shirt, and my wife was all smiles and got on with cleaning it immediately. Strange creatures, women.

Good food and beer in Leo’s of whose owner joined me and my mate in the stands, which seating layout was apparently designed with pygmies in mind, especially when it rains and everyone tries to shelter under the roof. The small Thais under umbrellas diverting the rain onto me made my pals laugh more than I did.

Sisaket United 1 Kasetsart 3 (Sunday 21st September 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,462)

Another highly entertaining game involving a Sisaket club, even if it would have caused great angst to those of whom it really matters. The hosts were 3-0 down by half-time thanks to two awful errors by goalkeeper Adisak and a penalty, correctly flagged up by VAR, when a United defender decided it was a good idea to grab an opponent by the legs at a corner.

As a lover of football nostalgia, I enjoyed being taken back to 1975 and Stewart Kennedy’s performance at Wembley. Not sure his coach was as impressed, even though, for reasons only he knows, he seemed to be blaming the ref at the interval. Despite being 3-0 down, a very flat home side still created chances of their own.

After the break, it was one-way traffic, and countless chances were being squandered. I think I would introduce a rule if in a position of authority, which bans Thais from shooting from outside the box. They are generally hopeless. That said, they have endless energy, an accusation that could not be made of Judivan up front for Sisaket. 

They got one back through Filippe, the star home player on the night, for whom flying winger Steeven Langil was well marshalled by Kasetsart captain, Chayapol Supma. Their keeper, Prin Goonchon, played the part of pantomime villain, eventually being carded for time-wasting. French attacker, Ismail Sassi, was the best player on the park.

A fun few hours, as again a huge storm avoided my football game. The village back home got the lot for the following twelve hours. Good food and a couple of drinks pre-match, where Leo's were recruiting and interviewing staff for the new sports bar in town, due to open in a week. Most enlightening. 

Sisaket United 3 Padriew City 2 (Wednesday 24th September 2025) Thai FA Cup Qualifying Round (att: 305)

The worst conditions I have ever seen a pro game played in. The pitch was already dreadful before another storm landed, waterlogging it further and putting the kick-off back thirty minutes. The visitors from Chachoengsao had travelled eight hours, which is perhaps why the ref went ahead.

It was slightly better than expected to begin with, at which point Sisaket, fielding many of those without regular first-team action, had raced into a 3-0 lead within half an hour. Two goals came from the spot, one from Kittipong, the other from Phengchaem on the back of a well-worked goal finished with power by Pansiri.

Then a storm of Biblical proportions, complete with thunder and lightning, deposited more rainfall. It made sense to call it off, but the ref persevered to half-time when the rain stopped. The second half was a complete farce, which the players did their best to handle. All credit to them, along with the officials who had good games. It was bad enough in the grandstand!

Nigerian forward Jeremiah Kegbe was a real handful for the visitors, being big, strong, and talented. Best of all, he gave everything and smiled, enjoying every moment. If only all foreign signings were like him. He scored from the spot, the fifth penalty I’d seen over the two matches, and then beat keeper Adisak, who had a few days to forget, at the near post. Sisaket did enough to hang on.

I would have offered a baht for the thoughts of the groundsman if such a thing existed. Instead, they simply let the pitch dry out and play on it, ruts and all. It is a disgrace to professional football. When it had standing water, two lads tried to remove it using the type of squeegee used on a wet floor. They couldn’t even use those properly, as the surface is so uneven.

Sisaket United 1 Mahasarakham SBT 0 (Saturday 4th October 2025) Thai League 2 (att: 1,884)

Possibly not a game to captivate the neutral or a first timer, as my mate and I took along, but a victory based on proper hard graft for the hosts, who seem to have adopted playing a lone striker and then protecting a lead. Fair play to the club for trying to improve the pitch. Nowhere near perfect, but a lot better than doing nothing.

Filippe Veloso, the Brazilian up front, minus his two foreign teammates, ran his socks off and had a tremendous game against the powerful Korean centre back, Lee Jongcheon. Everyone in the home orange shirt contributed to a win based on teamwork, with the rub of the green decisions wise. The goal came when a free kick came back off the bar and was put away by Kittipong Wongma ten minutes before the interval.

By then, Mahasarakham had seen VAR chalk a goal off for an earlier foul, and then one disallowed in stoppage time for offside. The visitors had former Sisaket forward Danilo up front, who may as well have come to the pub with us. That said, I shook the hands of the whole home bench when substituted. A nice touch. His strike partner, veteran Leandro Assumpcao, saw a shot come back off the underside of the bar.

It was a wonderful few hours as ever, beginning with a long drink in the excellent Londoner Sports Pub. We watched Thai League 3 football on TV, enjoyed the promotions, played pool, and made new friends. More 7.30 pm kick-offs please. We sat on the open side in the stadium, where the passionate volume was noticeably increased through the additional drinking time.