Air Force United

 

Air Force Central FC was a professional football club that was based in the north of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The club were formed as Royal Thai Air Force FC in 1937 as they quickly became one of the most successful outfits in the country.

The club's honours included several Khor Royal Cup and Queen's Cup triumphs throughout the decades. Success continued into the nineties as the Thai FA Cup was lifted in 1995 and 1996. This brought league honours as the Thai Premier League title was claimed in 1997 and 1999. 

Silverware once again arrived at Thupatemi Stadium in 2001 as Air Force once more won the FA Cup. Unfortunately, that saw the end of the run, which saw the team relegated from the TPL at the end of the 2003-04 season.

In 2009 the club changed its name to Air Force United as regulations in Thai football required all clubs to become private franchises. United continued in the second tier of Division One as they tried to regain their top-flight status without really getting close to promotion.

United had to relocate to Ramkhamheang University for the latter part of the 2011 season as the floods in the north of the season hit Thupatemi Stadium. They moved out once more at the end of the following campaign to North Bangkok Stadium, while their home venue was renovated.

'The Blue Eagles' battled successfully against relegation in both 2011 and 2012, while the 2013 campaign under the stewardship of club legend Narasak Boonkleng turned out to be one of great success after a couple of lengthy unbeaten runs led to the team winning promotion under the title of Air Force AVIA FC.

The club changed its title to Air Force Central FC for the 2014 campaign in a sponsorship deal. Unfortunately, the change didn't bring any good fortune back in the top flight. The team were relegated after finishing second from the bottom of the table and Boonkleng departed.

Sasom Pobprsert took over in 2015, intending to take Central straight back up at the first attempt. He took the side to ninth place with Julius Oiboh top-scoring. The goals of Valdo and Leandro fired the Air Force to fourth place in 2016, just missing out on promotion.

Thai League football was restructured for the 2017 campaign, with Air Force being placed in the second tier Thai League 2 (T2). Probrsert led his side to second place and promotion thanks in part to the goals of Kayne Vincent as the crowds flocked to Thupatemi Stadium. 

However, the clubs spell in the top flight lasted just one season. The Blue Eagles finished bottom of the table as Probrsert was replaced in March 2018 by Andrew Ord who lasted until June before former Welsh international goalkeeper Jason Brown took over. 

The Central Group pulled their sponsorship as the club was renamed Air Force United for the 2019 campaign. The team finished fourteenth in Thai League 2 as Vincent again ended as top scorer. The change of monarch also led to the withdrawal of government support to state-owned signs around this time.

The club franchise was sold as Air Force relocated and was renamed as Uthai Thani FC. You can read all about them here.

Thai Royal Air Force FC moved into Thupatemi Stadium to play in Thai League 3 in 2020. Their exploits can be seen here. 

My visits

Luk Tapfah Pathum Thani 1 Futera Seeker 1 (Wednesday 27th March 2013) Thai Regional League Central West Region (att:  c300)

To see my round-up and photos from the above match, click here: 

I had the opportunity to visit Thupatemi Stadium at the above game, after visiting several stadiums in the area. Because of its location, I'd been past a few times and had flown right over it when using the nearby Don Mueng Airport. Indeed, during the match, several Nok Air and Air Asia flights went close by over the pitch.

The stadium had a running track around the playing surface but the stands were straight at the ends, which would mean quite a viewing distance from the corners. It was immaculately painted in white, both inside and out. Just one side had a roof, with blue seating and a VIP and press area occupying the centre section. Old-fashioned scoreboards stood at the rear of both ends. 

Outside there was a large car park and some smaller pitches leading out onto Phahonyothin Road. The rear of the Main Stand had an excellent club shop, which would be well worth a second visit as it stocked shirts from many other Thai clubs as well as paraphernalia of Blue Eagles souvenirs.

Air Force Central 2 Police United 2 (Saturday 31^st October 2015) Thai League Division One (att: 3,389)

The last of my touring mates was heading home after the Beer Battered Seadogs tour. I had taken Karl and Tony for lunch at the Australian Bar in Soi 11 before we enjoyed a relaxing leg and foot massage on Soi 5. 

Last-minute shopping had been purchased by the lads at MBK which was followed by the slowest served strawberry smoothie in history, in the plush Siam Center.

I was now ready for some ‘me time’. The boys headed back to check out of our fine Bally D Varee Diva Suites on Soi 20 before they headed to the Crossbar for the Birmingham City v Wolves game to say goodbye to Steve, Vaughan and Brian.

For me, it was a step into the adventure of local Bangkok transport and I couldn’t wait. The BTS Skytrain took me to the northern terminus of Mo Chit from where I looked down on the enormous Chatuchak Weekend Market and to my delight the row of bus stops. My earlier research had offered me a list of buses heading close to the Thupatemee Stadium and fortunately, the 34 service soon arrived.

The bus had seen better days and had a Manchester United large sticker above the driver. The driver dunked his mug into a big bucket of water to stay hydrated. The engine was right next to my seat up front, so I stood for a while until a seat further back became available. Air conditioning was by courtesy of open windows. The ‘clippie’ operated from a little wooden tin. I think he charged me 8 Baht (16p). It was to be excellent value.

We went slowly up the fascinating Phahon Yothin Road, past lots of markets and thousands of people. This was proper Bangkok. To be honest I had moments when I wondered if I was on the correct bus? Time was passing by as we got stuck in traffic where the Skytrain extension works were being carried out.

Occasionally I recognised a name like Kasetsart University. I tried to place it into a virtual map in my mind. Not being able to spot the familiar Don Muang Tollway was throwing me. When I retraced my footsteps online later I realised I’d been on the same road for a short while with Steve when we took the bus from Minburi looking for the home of Police United the previous March.

Passing more built-up shopping areas and population centres I was getting a little concerned. There were less than thirty minutes to the 6pm kick-off. We passed the Air Force Museum, which gave me some comfort, but just where was that tollway? When two young lads got on in AFC shirts I was over the moon.

When they got up I followed. Sure enough the stadium was just over the busy road and through the market. Really I should have grabbed some of the chicken on the stalls, but I trusted my luck to food at the stadium. When would I ever learn? 

My ticket was 120 Baht (around £2.40). With a large Coke and some fried skewered meat in hand for 45 Baht (90p), I went upstairs to the Main Stand. This was familiar surroundings to me as I’d been to Thupatemee Stadium in March 2013 for a Luk Tapfah Pathum Thani game. The club shared the stadium. There was a good-sized mixed crowd in attendance. As usual, the game kicked off late; this time eight minutes.

Planes soared above every couple of minutes as they came to land at nearby Don Muang Airport. Police were cheered on by around 200 away fans. In a delicious twist of irony, they were placed in the worst part of the ground, at the far end and a long way from the pitch.

In the early stages, Police’s attacking midfielder Adnan Barakat was standing out. Central’s Ghanaian frontman Issac Honey on loan from BEC Tero Sasana, was proving a handful. After around the half-hour mark, Air Force took the lead with a slightly deflected shot at the near post from Hyunjin Lee. The Brazilian Valdo was having a fine game for the AFC as he took on opponents with skill.

It really was a good game. Air Force started the game just outside the promotion places against the runaway leaders. The home fans on the far side were doing their best to rouse their side. The bank blasted out a decent version of ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’. It was infinitely preferable to listen to Southampton fans sing it for the twentieth time in a game. 

Police drew level with an absolutely brilliant goal. Several one-touch passes gave the home side air sickness before a solo run and finish from Tana Chanabut gave the scoreline a more realistic tint. Police were not getting many decisions from the officials, so I thought the equaliser was deserved.

The scoring in the first period wasn’t done there. On forty-three minutes, an Air Force attack ended with the visitor’s Kon Saipanya putting the ball into his own net at the back post while under pressure 2-1 at the break. I entered the stand at the far end for some additional photography before heading across to the far open side. A fine feature at most grounds is that your ticket allows you to use other stands, as long as the stadium isn’t full.

Before I went in it was time for another Coke and a carton of small chicken pieces which really put any KFC product in the shade; quality and price-wise. I nearly repeated the dose, but I was wary of leaving room for later beers!

The atmosphere was certainly feisty in the cheap seats, but also humorous. The presence of a foreigner was greeted with lots of smiles. The home fans were excellent with vocal encouragement. One of the older fans seemed to be instructing the ball boys not to rush too much in returning the ball when it went out of play.

The game was ebbing from end to end. Air Force had chances to extend the league, but the Police weren’t destined for a swift return to the top flight for nothing. Halfway through the second period, it was time for me to make a move. I was slightly reluctant, but Port were my team and I wanted to see their 8pm kick-off at TOT.

I went through the car park past the numerous vendors and over the Lam Luk Ka Road to flag down a taxi for my second match of the evening.

I later found out from a Central fan at TOT Stadium that the final score was 2-2. Dagno Saika had levelled in the second minute of stoppage time. No wonder he looked fed up.

To see my video, as part of my tour diary, click here. 

Police United

 

Police United FC was a professional football club based in Lak Si to the north of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The club was dissolved at the end of the 2015 season, before merging with BEC Tero Sasana, to become Police Tero FC for the 2018 campaign.

The Police Tero page, with a full background, can be viewed here. 

The club were formed in 1960 as Police United, under the management of the Royal Thai Police before going on to enjoy a rich and successful history.

United won the League Cup in 1989, 1991 and 1993 before league honours followed. However, the team was relegated in 1997, before returning to the top flight as the club were crowned champions of Division One, and gained promotion to the TPL in 1999 with Yordchay Dejleh topping the scoring chart.

Police were relegated once again in 2001-02 before winning promotion once again in 2006. The ups and downs continued as the team was relegated just one year later. The goals of Manit Noywech helped United to promotion and the Division 1 title in 2009 with Chaiyong Khumpiam the championship-winning coach for a second time.

The club was taken over by the Insee concrete company in 2010 after league regulations required all clubs to be private franchises and the club moved from the Booyachinda Stadium to the Thamassat Stadium in Rangsit.

Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul took on the coaching duties in 2011, with Police finishing in mid-table for four consecutive seasons; with the goals coming from Chakrit Buathong, Surachat Sareepim, Leandro Dos Santos and Michaël Murcy throughout the period.

Police suffered a poor 2014 season and were relegated to Division One. Head coach Attaphol Buspakom was given the task of restoring their former status as the club decamped to their traditional Booyachinda Stadium home next to the police headquarters as Insee ended their sponsorship in the club.

The team won the Division 1 title in fine style with Tana Chanabut smashing in twenty-five goals. However, the success came at a price as it was discovered that the club failed to pay their players.

The club license was revoked, leading to a sabbatical from competitive football. A solution was found when BEC Tero Sasana became homeless; with the Booyachinda Stadium offering a welcome refuge. The clubs merged for the 2018 season.

My visit

Insee Police United 0 Suphanburi 2 (Wednesday 27th March 2013) Thai Premier League (att: 3,722)

I was on a free day before I was to meet up with my teammates for the cricket the following week in Chiang Mai and I'd made the most of it in temperatures up to forty degrees after enjoying brunch in town.

I decided to visit several stadiums while I had the opportunity, with both Kasetsart and Bangkok University being on the list as well as TOT and Bangkok Glass. I then took in the first half of the Regional League game between Luk Tapfah and Futera Seeker.

A taxi took me up the main road towards Ayutthaya before pulling off at Khlong Nueng to the Rangsit Campus of Thammasat University. My driver dropped me right outside the entrance for the VIP seats, which cost 200 Baht, which was around £4.50, at the time. 

This was quite expensive compared to other prices that I had encountered at previous games. I jogged up the stairs into the sparsely occupied seating area. At least I was afforded an excellent view even if it was lacking in atmosphere on that side.

Thammasat Stadium was an arena I'd wanted to visit for some time after seeing photos of it and flying over it one day before landing at the nearby Don Mueng Airport. It had been constructed for the 1998 Asian Games, resembling a scaled-down Rajamangala Stadium, with dipping open ends but with roofs down both sides. 

It was certainly a fine construction if a long way from the city. It offered a fine addition to the Thammasat University campus, whose students would benefit from having such a venue along with the other legacy facilities from the Games.

The dramatic floodlights hovered over each corner of the arena. United's move there as well as a joint tenancy with Regional League Luk Isan - Thai Air had kept the stadium in use. Once more it was nice to be in a stand with plentiful legroom.

There were far more fans on the far side. The home ultras away to my left numbered only around fifty fans, but the away end behind the other goal attended in large numbers and made a lot of noise as well. The game was a decent standard on a snooker table-like surface.

Suphanburi went one up following what looked like a dive earned them a penalty. The spot kick was slotted away by Pichit Jaibun as the visiting support went wild. In fairness, their heroes had been the better side up until then. 

The Police side started throwing themselves to the floor as they detected referee Chaiya Mahapab might have been weak. Suphanburi almost doubled their lead as the home team goalie made an awful hash of a free kick before United had a superb set piece of their own come back off the woodwork. 

The game flowed from end to end as Suphanburi's Ivory Coast forward Bireme Diouf lobbed keeper Pattara Piyapatrakitti but saw his effort brilliantly headed off the line. Police's import forward Ludovick Takam from Cameroon decided that falling over and acting was the order of the day.

At half time I walked round the back of the away end and visited the plentiful refreshment stands behind the far side, as well as purchasing a Police away shirt for around £15. I decided to go in with the majority of the home fans for the second period in the Crimson Cops Stand to make the most of the atmosphere and occasion.



United piled on the pressure for much of the second half, but they couldn't find a way to equalise. The visitors rode their luck and still carried danger on the break. Frustrations were growing around me as the game grew towards its conclusion. 

Suphanburi forward, Dragan Boskovic, ran unchallenged at the Police rearguard and finished with aplomb to seal the victory with six minutes of normal time remaining to add to the annoyance of the home support.

At full time I went back to the main gates by the dual carriageway and after around ten minutes of concern managed to get a taxi to take me back to the city centre, which I would find out in later years was not always easy.

I could only guess that my driver was desperate to get home for his favourite TV show, as we showed everything a clean pair of heels as he weaved in and out of any traffic at great speed down the Don Muang highway.

I'd had a great day out and was happy to get to my hotel for a proper night's sleep after the rarity of an alcohol-free day on holiday! It had certainly been an adventure with my incredible earlier game.

I couldn't help but consider why Police played so far out of town and who would actually watch them regularly.

To catch some of the atmosphere of the evening, please click here.

Wednesday 1^st April 2015

On a steaming hot April Fools Day, I declared to Steve that I wanted to visit a couple of stadiums I’d never previously been to; but by local transport.

We set off from my hosts’ home at Samakorn in Minburi on foot before catching the local Songthaew; a type of open-backed van with wooden seats at either side. In Minburi town centre the market was thriving and the area was a general hive of activity. 

We crossed the road and soon found a minibus heading in the right general direction. It would eventually go to Chattachak but we needed to be towards Lak Si. We alighted once it headed down Phahonyothin Road. We weren’t exactly sure how much further along Chaeng Wattana we needed to be but we decided to walk and find out.

Under normal circumstances, this would have been a wise idea, but the temperatures were touching 40’. Fortunately, we were in the shade or under cover through ramshackle settlements as the tight pavements were shared with mopeds. After a walk of over two miles, we bought some drinks and sunk into a seat at the open Bunyajinda Stadium.

We were dripping in sweat but happy to see that a junior match was just about to take part on the pitch. Steve made enquiries and deducted it was the final of a junior tournament involving a Japanese side and the local Sistamon team. Even smaller kids played on the running track surrounding the pitch.

Boonyachinda Stadium had three stands down one side with roofing, all next to each other with the outer two at an angle to be closer to the pitch. The far side had a section of open seating, while there was no spectator accommodation behind either goal.

After around fifteen minutes we made a move as we wanted to visit the home of BBCU, a couple of kilometres west across a golf course and major roads. We decided to take the journey by taxi once we could find one!