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 prior to August 2024.

Sisaket United 1 Pattaya United 1 (Saturday 10^th 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 it 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 warm 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 only Chang being 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 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 15^th 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 sides 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 coming 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 blokes’ bedsheets detracting 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. My pal John unavailable and news that the place might shut too in the not too distant future sort of put a dampener of things, along with hearing a friend back home was unwell.

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

Sisaket United 1 Kanchanaburi Power 1 (Saturday 28^th 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 I’ve been in the stadium. The locals genuinely care. I also had a walk round 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 before the game, 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) Thail 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 a 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

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 8^th 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 akin to Brain Matthew 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 arriving 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 focussing on his career and the matchday experience at Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium.

The video for my Youtube channel made at the game

The game ended in 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 explains my condition today. We were even joined by Charlie Clough, which added to the evening.

 

Chanthaburi

The current Chanthaburi FC, a professional football club from the province of the same name based in southeast Thailand was formed in 2013, playing their games at Chanthaburi Province Stadium. This was after a reformation of the club of the same title that was formed in 2004.

In 2006 Chanthaburi were admitted into Division 1, also known as the Provincial League, where they ended in eighth place. This was followed by fourth and then a fifth-place finish as Witthaya Lhoareang topped the scoring charts.

 

Sirisak Musbu-ngor put away the goals in successive seasons which ended in poor league placings, while the goals of Kassiaty Gildas Labi in 2011 saw little improvement to general performances. Bottom place in 2012 saw Chanthaburi relegated. Prawit Wasoontara ending the season as top scorer with four goals tells its own story.

This led to a drop down to Division 2 Central-East where they finished fourth, fifth, and eighth in a season spent at Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University Stadium, where the team also played in 2011.The level was restructured leading to a move to play in Division 2 East. A tenth place slot offered no inclination as to what was to follow in the 2017 season. 

Further changes had been made to the league set up, leading to ‘The Wild Rabbits’ finding themselves placed in Thai League 4 Eastern Region. The goals of Mbassegus Mbarga led the side to the regional title assisted by Lee Jung-hun, but they fell short in the Champions League promotion playoffs.

Second place was achieved in 2018 with Chainarong Samuttha leading the scoring charts. Again, the club topped the attendance average in the region, but once again fell short of winning promotion through the playoffs.

 

For the next two campaigns Tripop Janoensheep scored most goals, with the 2020-21 season back in the third tier under head coach Arthit Onkham after further reorganisation saw them back in T3 Eastern Region.

Htoo Kapaw did his bit to cheer the crowds in 2021-22 despite a lowly league finish for the side coached by Nattapon Kokittipong before he was replaced by Tanadat Sangurai for the 2022-23 season where the goals of Luan Santos saw a divisional runners-up spot arrive. 

The side went on to top the Upper Group in the playoffs and win promotion to Thai League 2 for the 2023-24 campaign, where Brazilian coach Alexander Apsrecid was put in charge of team affairs. Supachai Komslip replaced him before the end of the season, in which Wander Luiz top scored as Chanthaburi consolidated their status.

Chanthaburi FC will play in Thai League 2 in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Wednesday 16^th August 2023

Koh Chang was the destination for my wife Taew and I on the Thursday, so I suggested breaking up the journey as she hadn’t driven any distance for a while. Chanthaburi seemed as nice as place as any, so off we headed from Minburi.

 

We were a little early to be checking into our hotel, so opportunity knocked for a little sightseeing. King Taksin Memorial Park was a bit of a let-down as that and the lake surrounding it was in the middle of renovation.

Fortunately, the Provincial Stadium was on the way to our accommodation, so I asked my good lady to stop while I took some pictures, which was easy through the fence. It was another slight disappointment and certainly lacking in what I expected of a second-tier venue. It was a typical Thai multi-pupose arena complete with running track.

The one stand was fine, but that was about it. Just a few rows of open bleachers opposite. I had seen previous images of a big corner stand, like the one on situ at Phisanulok but it was no longer there. The most impressive feature were the modern floodlights.

Not to worry, it was still on my list of venues to watch a game at, hopefully sometime in the future. We headed to Hotel Kasemsarn, a rather old fashioned but tidy place before going exploring around the quaint town that would certainly warrant a revisit.

The standout was probably the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with its strong French influence, and the little lane off the river housing the Chanthaboon Waterfront Community.

Taew was happy enough as we found a lovely little boutique clothes shop, and we enjoyed a nice meal overlooking the river which was extremely good value at Yindee Café prior to retiring for the evening, before we completed our journey south the following morning.

Bangkok United

 

Bangkok United FC is a professional football club from the Thai capital, formed as Bangkok University FC in 1988 when they were based at the University Stadium in Rangsit and played in academic competition football and winning university championships.

The club became members of the second tier Thai Division 1 League for the 2002-03 season, winning the title at the first attempt under coach Somchai Subpherm to be elevated into the top level of Thai football, where they ended fourth in their debut campaign.

Punnarat Klinsukon was the star player as his side lifted the Thai League title in 2006, which was backed up by fourth place in 2007. United played their 'home' matches at alternative venues in the AFC Champions League of 2007, Thai-Japanese Stadium and the Thai Army Stadium.

In 2009 the club changed its name to Bangkok United in an arrangement with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to fall in line with the Football Association of Thailand's new regulations that all teams in the topflight must be registered as limited companies.

The club's former home at Thai-Japanese Stadium

The team also moved from the Bangkok University Stadium nearer to the centre of Bangkok by using the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng as the club took on the nickname of 'Bangkok Angels' prior to new coach Worakorn Wichanarong taking over in 2010 before being replaced by Prapol Pongpanich.

The team was relegated from the Thai Premier League at the end of that 2010 season despite healthy backing from True Corporation, who became the new owners of the club, with their name often preceding that of Bangkok United in the title. Suwaroch Apiwatwarachai then had a spell in charge of the team. 

United ended the 2012 season in third place and earned promotion back to the TPL under the tutelage of Sasom Pobprasert thanks to the goals of Romain Gasmi. United finished in eighth place on their return to the top flight in 2013 as Thai striker Sompong Soleb cheered the faithful with his goals.

For the 2014 season United rebranded themselves and introduced a new club logo and abandoned their traditional green, white and orange colours for a red and black outfit as the Portuguese coach Rui Bento took over the management of the team before being replaced by Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul after just a few months. 

The Brazilian, Alexandré 'Mano' Pölking arrived as the new coach in June 2014, installing a playing style which received acclaim from neutrals as well as United fans. The team improved their previous finish before making the astute signing of Dragan Bošković from Suphanburi.

The club made another move; this time back to near where they were formed as they took up residency at Thammasat Stadium in Rangsit in time for the 2016 season as they required a facility that could be used by any potential Champions League appearances.

The Montenegrin frontman Bošković would finish as the leading scorer for the next three seasons, with Bangkok finishing as league runners-up in 2016. However, the team couldn't progress from the group stages of the AFC Champions League in 2017. A third-place league finish ensued in 2017 with United reaching the FA Cup Final. 

The match at Supachalasai Stadium ended in a 4-2 defeat to Chiang Rai United, with Pokklaw Anan and Jaycee John netting the consolation goals. BU went out in the Preliminary Round of the 2018 Champions League to Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta'zim before ending the 2018 domestic season as runners-up. 

Nelson Bonilla netted the goals in 2019 which saw the team end in fourth place. Pölking departed in October 2020, with his successor being Totchtawan Sripan. Nattawut Suksum ended top scorer as the team ended 2020-21 in fifth place. Leading midfielder Heberty led the goals tally in 2021-22 with the Angels finishing third in the table. 

The Australian, Aurelio Vidmar, had arrived as the new head coach in March 2022 before he was replaced by the returning Totchtawan Spripin in the mid-season break during the 2022-23 campaign. The new man led the side to second place in the league as Willen Mota top scored, as well as ending as beaten finalists to Buriram United in the FA Cup.

The 2023-24 campaign ended in a second successive runners-up spot in the league with Mota and Mahmoud Eid scoring regularly. The Bangkok Angels lifted the FA Cup following a 2-1 win against Kanchanaburi at Ratchaburi with the assistance of some controversial VAR calls.

Bangkok United FC will play in the Thai League 1 in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Thai-Japanese Stadium

October 2008

I was in Bangkok having a break and staying with my good friends Steve and Ea While Steve was working I found myself with time on my hands so I got on with discovering the clubs and stadiums of Bangkok.

After a couple of grounds one beautiful morning, I took a taxi to the Thai Japanese Stadium which didn't have a Skytrain or Metro station nearby.

The stadium was built for the youth of Bangkok by the Japanese as a thank-you for something or other. It housed every imaginable sport on the complex, including the Bangkok Football Academy which judging by the amount of banners received a large funding from Everton FC. 

It played host to Port Authority of Thailand FC before their move back across the city to their renovated home. 'The Bangkok Angels' moved into this in the city, which has a capacity of 10,320 after their name change. It is one of the more substantial stadiums in Bangkok. 

On one side is a barely covered stand fitted with red seats. 'BMA' (Bangkok Metropolitan Association) is picked out in white seats as the BMA own the stadium. The rest of the stadium is a continuous ring with seats fitted throughout (unusual in Thailand). 


The word 'BANGKOK' had been picked out with white seats in the stand opposite the main stand. This stand also has an insignificant cover. Unusually for a Thai stadium there is a perimeter fence on three sides separating the stands from the pitch.

The facilities were absolutely impeccable. It is another stadium with a track but with a narrow tier of seats all the way round and a magnificent main stand with glassed boxes and facilities at the rear. 

Bangkok United 2 Chanthaburi 1 (Sunday 8th April 2012) Thailand Division One (att: 1,021)

It was my final day in Thailand after a magnificent two-week stay. It was likely to be my final chance to see any football in The Land of Smiles for another year, so I was determined to fill my boots. 

After checking into my rather basic accommodation near Suvarnabhumi Airport I had been to the first half of Thai Honda v Samut Sakon and then crawled across the city by taxi in the hope of seeing some of R-BEC v Customs United. 

I'd sort of achieved my aims so I commandeered a taxi to take me to Din Daeng and the Thai-Japanese Stadium by toll road so that I could see as much of United's clash as possible, which had kicked off at 6pm.

I arrived at the complex gates to be confronted by an amazing sight. At least a thousand people were being led by a dancer on the stage at the front of the courtyard and accompanied in loud music in a huge public aerobic session. I have to say It was magnificent seeing people of all ages determined to get fit.

I dodged my way around the crowd and found the club desk selling tickets. I paid my 60 baht (around £1.15) and had my wrist stamped as is custom so I could use any catering or club shops at half time and went up the steps to a fairly busy stand. 

The score was 2-0 at the time to 'The Bangkok Angels' after around thirty-five minutes of play. I took up a seat and within a few minutes 'The Hares' got one back with a superb shot from the edge of the area, much to the joy of the fifty or so travelling fans on the far side of the ground as well as several Chanthaburi supporters in our stand. 

Maybe they were reluctant to pay 10 baht more for an inferior view? At half time I went downstairs to have a look at the club shop. I bought an orange United home shirt which cost me 500 baht (just over a tenner) before enjoying and filming the rest of the dance. 

It ended soon after and I congratulated the not-so-young leader on his efforts, which he seemed to appreciate. I was suffering from dehydration so I was relieved that the catering stand sold Gatorade. I got a bag of crisps to keep me going as I didn't want to spoil my evening meal.

I bought a couple more plastic bottles of refuel and I was slightly shocked when I tried to get back into the stand. The guards insisted on pouring both drinks into plastic glasses. They obviously hadn't seen how poor my throwing arm was!

I enjoyed the whole experience of the second half, even though it was goalless. I loved watching football in warm conditions and seeing how animated the locals got. I saw a western family sitting watching lower down the stand. I surmised that the pretty young lady was perhaps a WAG to one of the imported players?

The visitors tried desperately to grab an equaliser, while United had chances of their own. As the half continued an electrical storm was brewing and coming closer as it lit up the distant suburbs. 

With only a couple of minutes remaining some of the floodlights went out. The referee stopped the game. That was my signal to make a run for it. I knew only too well how huge the storms could be in Thailand. 

Taxis would be at a premium and I didn't particularly fancy getting soaked or worse. I'm not sure whether they went back on to complete the game in full light or not, but I later found out on the web that there had been no further goals.

I hailed a taxi very quickly and soon wished I hadn't. I had to meet Steve and Fah for a mookata traditional Thai barbeque, at a place I'd been to before on Nawamin Road. I told the driver this and then rang up Fah so she could explain in Thai. 

My driver who worryingly took a swig of extra strength lipo, which is used to stay awake, then took me via every toll road he could seemingly find. He drove like a lunatic in the torrential rain. 

I used the phrase 'jai yen yen', meaning calm down, jokingly to begin with and then in a sterner tone with an expletive chucked in the middle as I thought about covering my eyes.

He asked me to ring Fah once again and I spoke to Steve. I realised where we were as I could now see out of the window as the rain abated a little. He had taken me on the route I wished the driver had taken to get me to the RBAC Stadium earlier that afternoon. 

We were near the airport and heading to Fashion Island Shopping Mall, which was the route I'd used often to get to Steve's house. We joined up with Ram Intra and went back towards Bangkok on it to turn off where I wanted to be. During the afternoon I had completed a circular tour of the city, when half of it wasn't required!

I was shaking when I greeted my friends. The mookata was pretty poor as the locals had been and gone and eaten the best stuff. Never mind. It had been a brilliant day and holiday as a whole. 

I said my goodbyes and headed back to my basic hotel wishing I was around for the next weekend's round of games in a league set-up that's hard to fathom but wonderful at the same time.

To see a brief clip of the game that I recorded, click here.

Thammasat Stadium

Bangkok United 2 Lamphun Warriors 0 (Sunday 6^th November 2022) Thai League 1 (att: 1,307)

 

A chance to finally tick off United in a home game came by way of it being conveniently kicking off after I had headed to Kanjanapat v Saraburi United in the third tier with visiting German friends Thorsten and Maren.

I had been to Thammasat Stadium at the end of the previous season for the League Cup semi-final tie between PT Prachuap and Chonburi, and had even visited the Thai-Japanese Stadium for my third Covid vaccination soon after arriving in Thailand in December 2021. 

We managed to hail a cab after coming out of the Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University and crossing the busy Pahonyothin Road. Our driver was a real character chatting away, which was too much for my limited local tongue but laughing as we went.

After a U-turn which had my pals anxious, we jumped out of the cab on Khlong Luang Road, which we crossed by footbridge and then walked through an extension car park to the area selling an extensive range of football snacks, but no beer. 

Plenty of souvenirs were also for sale and music was played. The club did their best to make it homely, but Thammasat and its surroundings were simply too big for them. The tickets for the home stand were reasonably priced at 100 baht and we got a cracking view.

Home fans at the front, predominantly teen-aged, did their best to drum up an atmosphere as we settled into our seats high in the stand. It almost felt like being at the cinema with lots of legroom, food, and panoramic vantage point. 

I had decided before we arrived that I wanted the visitors to win as I had been less than impressed with some of the celebrations of the United players away to Port a few weeks earlier, even if I acknowledged that they were a good side.

We were about to see something akin to a one-sided cup tie as Lamphun were going to have their hands full. However, they had the earliest opportunity when Anan Yodsangwal and Chenrop Samphaodi combined well with Yodsangwal having his effort blocked by defender Peerapat Notchaiya.

United responded with a fine move which saw the ball pulled back to Thitiphan Puangchan, whose volley lacked punch and was easily gathered by keeper Nont Muangngam who was to become a prominent feature throughout the evening.

United tried to play patiently and drag the Warriors defence out of position, and it nearly paid off when a fine through ball from skipper Everton fed in Vander Luiz whose shot was saved by the advancing Muangngam. The Brazilian had raised my ire in the clash at the PAT, so I was happy he was thwarted. 

My two friends had seen Lamphun take a 5-0 beating at their temporary Chiang Mai base to Muangthong United a week earlier and had not been impressed. I enjoyed their work ethic and fancied them to score, probably more out of optimistic blind faith.

The resulting corner swung in by Heberty saw Suphan Thongsong denied with a header by the flying visiting custodian. Chayawat Srinawong then dragged back for Heberty who fired wide as the frustration began to grow for the Bangkok Angels.

A partial block by Aly Cissokho saw him help deny Vander Luiz, whose effort came back off the foot of the post, which I found most amusing as the teams trotted down the tunnel all square a little while later.

Soon after the restart, Srinawong was held up in the box, so he laid the ball back to Thitiphan Puangchan who saw his shot come back off the post with the keeper well beaten. Was it going to be one of those nights? 

The pressure continued unabated and finally, the Lamphun rearguard was breached when Vander Luiz played the ball square to Henerty whose low left-foot shot from outside the area went into the corner past the outstretched hands of Muangngam.

Amazingly Warriors came close to an equaliser when a cross from Yodsangwal saw a header from Mohammed Osman come back off the crossbar. At the other end, Zander Luiz cut inside to shoot but his effort hit a desperate defender and went over the bar.

The lead was extended on seventy-three minutes when the excellent Mahmoud Eid crossed to find sub Ratchanat Arunyapairot whose scruffy finish did the job, but they all count as any scorer will tell you.

Somehow Eid was denied when his header from a corner hit Zander Luiz on the line after a fingertip save by Muangngam before going behind off the head of the sprawling goalie. The away team never gave up a losing cause and again came close to a goal.

Home keeper Michael Falkesgaard made a real pig’s ear coming out of his box and was dispossessed by Samphaodi. Unfortunately for the loanee from BG Pathum United, he didn’t get enough on his shot, and it was easily stopped by defender Putthinan Wannasri.

Then they brought on a sub apparently on big money. I thought that Ognjen Mudrinski must have enjoyed the nightlife of Chiang Mai since his arrival and shape. Going through the motions is being kind. 

Meanwhile, Muangngam kept out a couple later efforts. He could be proud of his night's work. At full time we departed from behind the away fans curve and was soon in a taxi back to Yaek Kor Por Aor for the BTS Skytrain to make our own way home.

It had been a delight to share some good times at three games with my visitors and hopefully help them in the same way they did for me when I visited Germany a couple of years earlier. As for Thammasat Stadium. Well, I wouldn’t be rushing back, or at least I said that at the time!

Bangkok United 2 Port FC 2 (Sunday 7^th April 2024) Thai League 1 (att: 3,876)

My first football for a couple of weeks after my participation on the committee of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes. We had a ball in the north with a successful event even in temperatures sometimes tipping over forty degrees. It was no shock to feel similar heat when heading out to this match north of the capital.

I was rewarded with a cracking match between the hosts who were in second spot before the start and their third-placed visitors. Just how the players maintained their energy levels was something to behold in the searing heat, while the game became naturally stretched and slower towards its conclusion.

United started by far the brighter of the sides and were dominant in its early stages after an early header from Barros Tardeli for Port was tipped over by Thai international goalie Patiwat Khammai. A brilliant flowing home attack was thwarted by a clearance from a Port defender from under his own bar. It was no surprise when Bangkok went ahead after seventeen minutes.

A pinpoint cross from Bassel Jradi found the excellent Mahmoud Eid at the back post. His unmarked header went back across the goal and into the far corner past keeper Somporn Yos. I was doing my update reports for my mate Dale to collate back in Kendal for our weekly podcast and I was predicting that the hosts could win handsomely, but never presume in football.

Out of nowhere Port found their feet and began to play superbly. Suphanan Bureerat, who I thought had an outstanding game went close with a curling effort from outside the box. Then a delicious cross bent in towards goal from Tanisith Siripala picked out Felipe Amorin who rose to head home at the far post on thirty-four minutes.

A couple of minutes later Felipe made it 2-1 to Port. The Bangkok defence went missing, not for the first time down their right. Tardeli made the most of the space, setting up his fellow effort who put the ball away into the corner with aplomb. The home support was stunned while the away mob from Khlong Toei, which numbered around three hundred celebrated.

Thossawat Limwanasathian went perilously close with a long-range free kick for United in the last meaningful action of the half. At the interval, I caught up with Matt, a home fan and fellow contributor to the podcast and a young fella from Newcastle who was travelling with friends and trying to fit in some matches. He said he was most impressed with the match and the whole round experience.

Port nearly extended their lead when Felipe was denied his hattrick by the outstretched foot of Patiwat. There were a couple more opportunities to clinch the match before the home side took control and exerted pressure. The equaliser came just past the hour mark. Somporn produced a remarkable save to keep out a volley from Willen Mota, but Jradi was on hand to head home the rebound.

The pressure on the away goal continued. Somporn made a great stop from an effort from sub, Vander Luis, with the same two involved again a little later. Somehow a flick on near post header was not converted by the melee of home players as Port held out. Their defence had given their all, including Englishman Charlie Clough. I thought a draw was about right.

I caught a van to the station where a monorail took me to Lak Si. The direct bus from there was old but thankfully air-conditioned. It got caught in heavy traffic not far from its destination where I had a ten-minute walk. The journey took nearly three hours.

While I cheer for Port, I was not going to pay double the ticket price to stand behind the curve on an open area when I could gain a magnificent, covered view looking down on the pitch near the hallway line. I’d reached an age where I could control my emotions and just enjoy the match.

Refreshments were purchased outside on the vast forecourt and taken in. There was a good range available but only one stall selling soft drinks. Mad in the conditions. Fortunately, a sponsor marquee sold energy drinks for those who spotted them. 

My Roving Report Video for A Thai Football Podcast

Post-match I headed to the stop where I had previously caught a bus back towards the city after a Thailand game, only to see it turn left instead of right and leave me stranded. Another was not far behind, so I headed to the main road to catch it, which was just as well, as it went straight on.

The old wooden floored vehicle required the windows to be wound down and belched out more filth than Bernard Manning. I arrived home at Hathai Rat at 10.30pm after another top day out.