Sunday Bloody (Brilliant) Sunday

 Sunday Bloody (Brilliant) Sunday

Sisaket United 2 Nakhonsi United 1

Sunday 15th December 2014

Thai League 2

Attendance: 1,302

It had been a very cold period relatively speaking in the remote countryside of Sisaket by our home for a week or so. I had been feeling a bit under the weather with a cough and chest complaint. That could probably be put down to getting on in years and overdoing things for the previous month.

As the wind howled on Saturday night, I stayed indoors and watched some EPL action using the best-known cure to man. Some single malt Scotch whisky with cheese and biscuits. Well, it certainly worked for me over many years anyway. It helped me sleep and withdraw any thoughts of giving the match the next day a miss.

There was an extra special reason for me not to. I love my matchday, ensuring that I squeeze every last drop out of a few hours away from home. While I equally adore the peacefulness of our abode and having an occasional cycle ride and generally relaxing, it is important to have a chat in English as well as the one day of the week I eat predominantly western food. And of course, the football fills in a couple of hours of the adventure.

While I have no problem keeping myself entertained and going to a match alone, it is generally more enjoyable being in the company of others. It provides conversation and opinion, often pointing out things it’s so easy to miss while in a private cocoon. Indeed, it was while I was chatting to Peter, the amiable owner of Hong Kong Garden, my pre-match venue of choice, that he happened to mention expats he knew who never went anywhere and spent their lives in a room working online.

John, my friend and fellow Sisaket fan was away for the foreseeable future. I badly missed meeting him and going to games together. In the meantime, since his departure, I have attended matches with friends, some visiting the area who seemed to enjoy the experience of what is a special part of the world to me as well as what matchday brought. Indeed, it was friends visiting the previous week that would lead to me being introduced to a new ally.

The write-up of that day, for those who read my scribblings as they are released, will go online just before Christmas. Sort of apt for Thai football where one club decides and dictates when they play their matches throwing everything out of sync.

Anyway, it was in Leo’s after the match seven days previously that we came across Per, a passionate Arsenal supporter from Tromsø in Norway who lived in Sisaket. If that makes any sense. My only connection to his home city is remembering Chelsea playing there on a snow-covered pitch on TV. It broke the ice, so to speak, especially as Per spoke good English, as all his countrymen seemed to.

We became friends on Facebook, and I sent him a message leading up to the match. The amazing thing was that although Per loved football, he had no idea of any clubs or leagues in Thailand, which says everything about the potency of local marketing. He seemed astonished and equally delighted when I told him I went to most home games, even more so when he discovered that the city has a second stadium where Rasisalai United play in the third tier. He messaged me just as I alighted the train from Kathararom and headed for my food and beer.

He was waiting outside the Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium ahead of schedule a little later, as keen as mustard. We wandered around to the far side where I knew there would be a better atmosphere and settled down to beers, on a cold and windy night, served by the usual friendly ladies on the stall as he tried to take it all in.

He told me of his football experiences through work going to games in London, the expensive nature of it, and the wonderful people he had met along the way. It was great to meet someone else who was clearly enjoying the whole experience, even from an initial stage.

I often lament how I would love to find the same buzz once more as my initial taxi ride from Don Muang Airport in 2004 and seeing the incredible sights which grabbed my heartstrings followed by a night downtown. Then my first taste of Thai football in 2010. If someone could bottle those emotions, then surely, they’d be a millionaire. Seeing someone else getting similar enjoyment is not a bad second best.

We headed upstairs to watch the proceedings unfold. His first comment was the state of the pitch, saying he thought it resembled The Dell, from Southampton’s old home. He knew his stuff, quickly sussing out that the ref could be easily manipulated. The hosts, pushing towards the playoff places, went ahead through Caique Ribeiro in the early exchanges.

Fellow Brazilian Danilo then missed a chance that I would have been upset to fluff. Per thought it wonderful that this previously unknown competition had Brazilians playing in it. Danilo was impressive every week with his strength and game management. If only he could finish with the same aplomb that he is said to display when polishing off meals in certain local establishments. But then again, we wouldn’t be watching him ply his trade in the second tier of Thai football if he was highly competent in front of goal.

Nakhonsi had been on an awful run of form. Despite this, they played with a surprising amount of confidence, with some clever flicks and smart passing movements. They brought around twenty fans with them, showing some real dedication travelling nineteen hours by road. My friend was bang on the money when he said it was not fair to give them the worst view in the entire ground. He couldn’t believe it when I explained that they were also charged more for the privilege.

The hosts were made to pay for missing their opportunity when Bianor Neto headed home from a narrow angle from a corner with Sisaket goalie Adisak flapping like a loosely fitted letterbox as was his norm. It was soon after that referee Piyapong Thonkhain and his nearside official got in on the act, or at least they should have done.

Wongsakorn was fouled by a visiting defender, with the offence clearly inside the box. The official gave a free kick outside the area. His assistant offered no assistance. It was as well that the bloke behind me from the previous week was missing or he’d have required hospital treatment. Astonishing stuff, but highly entertaining for those without too much skin in the game.

However, it was the ref who in the end decided the game in the second half when he gave Sisaket a penalty for an offence that seemed to be making up for his previous error of judgement. The crowd certainly played their part in helping him make up his mind. They can be a feisty bunch once they’ve had a beer or two. Danilo slotted home the resulting spot kick with eleven minutes remaining on the clock.

The Lamduan saw out the rest of the game for another three points with another unconvincing performance. We wandered around back to where I was to get a lift and where Per had parked his motorbike. By the open gap below the away section, a farang was applauding the Nakhonsi side who’d gone to acknowledge the magnificent support that they had received. We joined him.

Danilo nets the winner from the spot

I commended him on his loyalty, making such a journey only for him to reveal he was a Sisaket fan who lived an hour north of the city. Si was originally from south Wales but had become a Hull City fan, the larger team I cheer for in England, after he studied at the university there. It seemed inconceivable that our paths hadn’t previously crossed.

He told us where he sat for home games, so hopefully, that would lead to another friendship being created by attending Thai football. What a splendid day. I was so overcome with emotion my wife had to recall my driver after I left my phone in the back of his car after he had dispatched me before I recalled most of the day to her. Often repeating myself. What a lucky lady.

For reasons of which I have no idea, she went to bed and didn’t want to watch the Brighton v Crystal Palace game with me, so I made the best of the company of the remaining whisky and snacks before they bid farewell. I contemplated that this could well have been the last live game that I attended in 2024.

Unless I lost my sanity and headed to Ubon v Suranaree Black Cat in the League 3 Cup the following Wednesday…..

 

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.

Yasothon

Yasothon FC is a professional football club representing the province of the same name in northeast Thailand. Originally formed as Yasothon United in 2010, they were placed in the third tier Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region as an expansion club.

Playing home games at Yasothon Province Stadium, the side ended in a credible third place, which was backed up by fourth position in 2011. A midtable and then lowly position ensued before the club dropped out of the league at the end of the 2013 season. 

They returned, minus the United moniker, after a two-year break and ended the 2016 season in eleventh place. Restructuring of the Thai League saw ‘The Rockets’ placed in Thai League 4 Northeast in 2017, ending in ninth spot.

Attendances were encouraging as supporters cheered the goals of Ousmanou Mohamadou. The Cameroon forward was replaced at the top of the scoring chart by Guinea forward Diop Badara Aly for a couple of seasons, as Yasothon finished third and then eleventh in the table. 

Thai football was once again remodelled to follow the European calendar for the 2020-21 season with changes to the league structure following. Phakhawat Poonachang ended as leading scorer for the Rockets, as they ended third in T3 Northeast under head coach Jakkapob Kattiwong.

Ninth and then tenth place finishes followed as first Pongsak Boontos led the goals chart in 2021-22 and then Amronphun Homduang twelve months later. Tanut Pattaramanee took over as head coach for the 2023-24 season. He, and then Prachumpong Kongchandee, led the side to another lowly finish as Sutthipong Duangthungsa put away the chances.

Jakkapob returned to the role of head coach at the start of the 2024-25 season.

Yasothon FC will play in Thai League 3 Northeast in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Yasothon 2 Rasisalai United 1 (Sunday 1^st October 2023) Thai League 3 Northeastern (att:400) 

This was a proper explorer’s day out without the aid of the safety belt, diving into the semi-unknown for which I was rewarded with a cracking finish to a game not particularly high in standards of quality on a gluepot of a pitch in deepest the northeast Isan region of Thailand.

I’d done a little research relating to the game, as I do videos as things unfold for our weekly Thai football podcast, and noticed gates at Yasothon had dropped off a cliff since Covid, which perhaps explained the free admission to try and entice fans back, as well as selling club shirts for just 399 Baht (8.90) 

Judging by the noise at full-time, most may well return. Their team, ‘The Rockets’ named as this is the area home to the annual big-money rocket festivals, were second best for long periods in thought and pace.

Before kick-off, the King’s Anthem sounded like it was being played by a brass band from West Yorkshire, which immediately gave me a boost. The gent on the PA did his bit throughout to build the atmosphere in a voice making his sound like a Thai Michael O’Hehir.

Visiting skipper Thitiphong Photumptha put his side ahead after twenty-four minutes when keeper Surakiad Kratumkhan flapped at and missed a corner. The initial header came back off the post before the rebound was headed home by the same player.

The legs of Surakiad denied Nattapon Yongsakool who really should have doubled the advantage. Rasisalai, who must have thought I was stalking them as this was the fourth week in succession I’d watched them, were made to pay in first-half stoppage time.

My video report was submitted to A Thai Football Podcast which was played during Episode 15

It is available to listen to on Spotify, Facebook, and YouTube

Ratthaphum Sophasing glanced home a header from a free kick to send both teams level down the tunnel. I went for a walk hopeful of spotting some kind of transport back to the bus station while exchanging smiles with lots of new friends.

The away side again dominated attacking possession after the restart on what really was a poor playing surface, which again would probably have seen a postponement elsewhere around the world.

 

It was a relief to see a huge storm skirt around town in the distance, as the lightning flashed. Yasothon were forced to change keepers owing to injury. The replacement Jetsada Bunrueng was stocky and short, but surprisingly hardly tested.

The pitch inevitably aided poorly timed challenges often caused by mis-control of the ball, which some players made the most of, leaving referee Rutratchapoom Moolpong to try and decipher a huge game of Call my Bluff. Players really don’t help themselves, but it appears to be seen as an occupational hazard out here if it means getting an opponent into bother.

It generally ends in one side being depleted. This time it was Jumnong Pitchayang of Yasothon who left his mates in the lurch, receiving his second yellow card midway through the second half. However, home coach Saranuwat Nasartsang had an ace up his sleeve when introducing forward Jetsada Artyatha just before the dismissal.

Jetsada was like a bull in a China shop. He was slow but he put his body on the line and most importantly, he got the crowd going and enthused his teammates as he got stuck into opponents and started to make things happen. Fans are the same around the world. They love a trier, especially one that engages with them, and this fella immediately got them on his side.

The away side was still more likely to grab a winner, but the home side was forcing them back. I didn’t think that they had the wherewithal or pace to create a clear chance. I’d moved around behind the goal for the last few minutes, as time was tight at full-time.

Jetsada made a smart run to stay onside and collect a good pass. Keeper Banhan Thubthong advanced and tried to make a diving block, but the ball was dinked over him and crawled over the line in the final of the six additional minutes.

The place went berserk, including those maybe unaware of the free admission who watched from behind the perimeter railings, with some enjoying a boozy tailgate party. Seconds later it was all over.

I had tried to convince a young fella to drive me back to the bus station in his tuk-tuk, but it turned out it was a company vehicle rather than being for hire. It meant a second fifty-five-minute walk of the day avoiding several ratty soi dogs as I proceeded.

And that’s where the exploring part comes into the equation. Thailand and public transport is something of a lottery, especially out in the provinces. I waited for ninety minutes in Kanthararom in the morning for a van service to Ubon Ratchathani.

The first was full and the fella at the ticket desk just shrugged his shoulders when I asked when the next one was due. It certainly makes me smile when I think back to customers haranguing me on the tube if the next train was fifteen minutes away.

From Ubon, I had a forty-five-minute wait for the bus to Yasothon. Thankfully, things are more organised at the bigger bus terminals. The fare was 116 Baht for the 100km journey. However, now lagging time-wise meant I had to forego a visit to a museum on a lake I wanted to see.

The only form of public transport was a motorbike taxi which I’m petrified of. No conventional taxis, buses or tuk-tuks. Grab and Bolt had not yet heard of in the province. It is your own transport or Shanks’s Pony time.

I managed to walk back after the game just in time if the 18.20 service had been punctual. Of course, it was not, which left things tight at Ubon to get across town to catch the last 20.30 train as all buses towards Sisaket stop at 18.00.

Google Maps said it was a nineteen-minute journey to the station. The train left in sixteen minutes. I got on board with two to spare, which offered an indication as to how fast my taxi driver went. Then on reaching Kanthararom, I discovered my good lady had crashed out at home with no Grab available. She rose from her slumbers and brought me a beer. 

A day that I’m unlikely to forget in a hurry. It was magical to encounter met with smiles and genuine curiosity throughout and watching a red full moon rise as I watched the Ryder Cup on my phone in the middle of nowhere. What an incredible world we live in.

Yasothon 0 Sisaket United 1 (Saturday 6th January 2024) Thai League 3 Northeast (att: 300)

An away trip to kick off 2024, as my friend John offered to drive us the 120km north for the match, which pitted the side sitting third from the bottom of the table against the leaders who were backed by around fifty visiting fans. What we got was a shocker of a match on a terribly hard bumpy pitch.

Both sides overplayed passes continually with play scrappy and disjointed, and quite often tetchy. Damian of Sisaket continually played the aggressor, often for no reason apart from wanting to try and show off how hard he was. It gets dull week after week. As does the one-paced build of play his side continually produced.

 

If there is a less entertaining side in the country, then I dread to see them, but despite this, they don’t let goals in. I can only imagine coach Narongthanaphorn must get some kind of guilty pleasure in collecting clean sheets and hanging onto narrow victories against sides that other teams simply batter to one side.

Make no mistake, Yasothon were awful, and surely only the free admittance sees them attract any support. They are a club going through the motions. You can’t get a beer and there is no sign of any souvenir stall, which is rare. It’s a shame as they have potential and a great catchment area. 

Danilo missed a free header from five yards for United while Matias Panigazzi saw his headed effort superbly turned around by the otherwise erratic home keeper Suriya Singkhubit. The only goal came four minutes before the break. An overhit pass hit a bump and stood up for Danilo. 

The keeper was on the edge of his box assuming the ball would reach him. The big Brazilian lobbed him, but the bounce saw his effort come back off the bottom of the bar. Pazigazzi followed up to stoop and head home. 

The Argentinian was the best player at Sisaket by a country mile and put in everything he had week after week. His fellow overseas players should have bought his meals after matches because they are frankly getting away with it. Without him, they would have been even more inept.

The second half was awful. Ineptitude was in evidence all around. There were more petty arguments, mainly involving the two African home forwards and Sisaket’s Brazilian duo. The half was probably best summed up in stoppage time as the visitors invited more pressure towards their own goal. 

The hosts were awarded a free kick just outside the box. They took an age to take it, with the effort eventually being fired twenty yards over the bar. Still, the table says it was three more points for the table toppers.

We had arrived just short of a couple of hours before the 3.30pm kick-off and settled for pre-match food at Hug Restaurant in the old town. What a find it was too, with excellent Italian food made by the Thai owner who had probably served me pizza near Asoke station in Bangkok in the past. 

He and his wife spoke great English and were most amiable. He had a reasonable beer selection and an amazing wine cellar. He told us he would show us his distillery if we called again, which might be in May. 

Yasothon hosts an annual rocket festival which is extremely popular in that part of NE Thailand and sees huge crowds as well as illegal gambling around lots of eating and drinking, two of my favourite hobbies. I might treat my good lady to an overnight stop. 

On our return to Sisaket we headed to Hong Kong Garden for food and drinks, and to watch the Sunderland v Newcastle Cup tie. A fine day out meeting nice people, which included a Russian and his Thai girlfriend who had ridden 90km on the motorbike to Yasothon for the match. 

John as ever was excellent company along with Peter at his fine establishment before my regular Grab taxi arrived to take me home at 10pm.

My video report for A Thai Football Podcast which was played during Episode 29

 

Ubon FC

Ubon FC, also known as Ubon Kruanapat through sponsorship, is a professional football club that represents the city of Ubon Ratchathani in the Isan region of Thailand. The club was formed in 2009 prior to becoming an expansion club in Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Region in 2010 as Ubon Tiger FC.

This was the third tier of Thai football at the time, with the team playing their home games at Ubon Rachathani Sports School Stadium. Surasak Thongkae top scored as the side ended near the bottom of the table, before moving into Ubon Ratchathani University Stadium south of the city for the 2011 campaign.

 

It saw an even lower finish despite the goals of Christian Fokou, with the 2012 campaign seeing the club return to their former home ground and changing title to Ubon Rachathani FC. Not that it did much good as the Tigers finished bottom of the table.

A change of name this time to bon UMT followed. This should not be confused with the club of the similar name that later played in the top flight of Thai football. However, the influence of the UMT university saw the team finish third thanks to the goals of David Srangnanaok.

 

The league title followed in 2014, which saw qualification for the Champions League playoffs. Elvis Job had put away the goals, but Ubon failed to go up from the group stages. Obviously impressed with the potential on offer UMT set up their own side in 2015 to enter the competition.

This meant a change of name to Ubon Rachathani FC for the side formed in 2009. They played second fiddle to their money laden neighbours and finished in seventh spot with Kim Ji Hun banging in the goals. Bouba Abbo became the next goalscoring hero for the fans, as he and his side ended as runners-up in 2016. 

Again, the play-offs were a step too far, prior to league re-organisation which saw the introduction of four tiers in 2017. Ubon Ratchathani returned to the University Stadium for a solitary season as they finished second from bottom in Thai League 3 Upper Region.

A much improved second place ensued in 2018, when back in the city, as Ahmed Abdalazen and Abbo shared the goals. Nattapon Tabtanon led the scoring tally in 2019 which ended in a seventh place finish before further reconstruction of the Thai League took place. 

The competition reverted to a European calendar in 2020-21 by which time the club had been renamed Ubon Kruanapat after ownership of the club was completed by the local food production company, Kruanapat.

Jirayoo Suwandee was appointed as head coach as Ubon finished fourth in Thai League 3 Northeast. Tana Chanabut and then Danuson Chaiyawan led the side from the touchline. Saran Srideth was at the helm for the start of the 2021-22 campaign. 

It saw the Tigers repeat fourth place, as Oscar Plape led the scoring charts, as he did once again in 2022-23 under head coach Kittiyuth Puttakru. This time the side finished fifth. The 2023-24 saw the club change home venue to the Ubon Rathchathani Rajabhat University (RBRU) Stadium.

Chaleamkwan Rienthong was appointed as head coach as the side received three Thai under-20-year-old stars on loan from Buriram United for the second leg of the season. Kittiyuth Puttakru took charge of the side from the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

Ubon FC will play in Thai League 3 Northeast in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Ubon Kruanapat 0 Sisaket United 0 (Sunday 14^th January 2023) Thai League 3 Northeast (att: 522)

Despite the scoreline this was a very watchable 0-0 in a local derby with the clubs only being an hour apart. League leader Sisaket increased the pace that they played at with Brazlian striker Danilo a man transformed from previous showings.

In a tight first period which fluctuated in terms of ascendancy, the visitors came closest to scoring when a free kick from Heman Kittiamphaipruek cannoned back off the angle of post and bar with keeper Klanarong Wissutiyanpirom motionless. 

After the break the usually ultra reliable Matias Pannigazzi missed a sitter from close range when getting on the end of a delicious free kick delivery, and the away side spurned another couple of chances on the break.

All the while Ubon played their part going forward and putting in a string of good centres without getting a shot on target in anger throughout. Defender Mounzir Coulidiati was impressive as he was in the game that ended 0-0 in the reverse fixture. 

The game became stretched in the closing stages after decent home midfielder Jakree Burapha was shown a second yellow card, when it looked like he’d fallen and done a good job of using his chest while on the floor to block a through ball, but the ref was having none of it.

Sisaket failed to capitalise, in what was a frustrating ending. Second placed Mahasarakham closed the gap at the top to two points, with them having a game in hand. The two sides were scheduled to meet in the final game of the season in Sisaket.

A great day out, being dropped halfway in Kanthararom by my wife to meet my mate John who drive us to Ubon Ratchathani. A late lunch was enjoyed at the excellent American owned Peppers, where I generally take friends if are using the nearby airport. It provided a good menu and fridge with a warm welcome from the boss, was nice.

Ubon has five stadiums, all worthy of staging league football. We visited UMT Stadium for a look, now home of Ubon Poly United who are trying to win promotion from the semi-pro league, where the team was training. 

UBRU Happiness Stadium is one of several Rajabhat Universities around Thailand and is a pleasant place to watch football. It used to have a shale track but is now grassed over with raised covered stands down either side. It was upgraded for sporting games between the staff of all of Thailand’s university to compete in, like a mini-Olympics and they have done a great job with it. Leg room and viewing was excellent.

The away fans were congregated on the open curve behind the goal. We went in the main stand, with my Sisaket shirt giving our game away. We weren’t the only ones in there! Not that there was any issue. The locals could not have been friendlier, with the crowd including a high ratio of aesthetic onlookers. 

Video compiled for airing on A Thai Football Podcast

To round off what was a near perfect day, my good lady was waiting at my pickup point with a can of Thai brewed German style dunkel which was most appreciated. Some top snooker and the Everton v Aston Villa game on TV over grub and more drinks was most entertaining before bedtime.

Ubon Kruanapat 0 Udon United 2 (Friday 6^th September 2024) Thai League Cup 2nd Qualifying Round (att: 300) 

Back in Sisaket after a break in the capital, it was time to enjoy a day out in Ubon, which is never a problem. However, my mate John was missing, so it was to be a solo visit, more the pity. The unusual 5pm Friday kickoff wasn’t particularly convenient for the trains as I would arrive around 2pm so I sought out the other option.

My wife drove me to Kanthararom for me to catch the bus where an early drama unfolded. At the usual little bus station, the man on the desk was adamant that there were no buses running from there. He had been previously unhelpful at the best of times, and refused to read my phone asking him a question in Thai. 

Communications can sometimes be awkward but there is usually a way round if there's willingness. He seemed to want me to get on the back of a motorbike, which there was no chance of. In the end I put Taew on the phone, who told me to head back to the market to meet her. What had happened was the bus station had now moved to the main road through town.

I wandered off, found a kind lady near where I believed the new stop was, who directed me over the road to an open fronted office. Another welcoming young man told me that it would be around forty-minutes before the minibus turned up, but that was no problem to me. 

The van was packed when it arrived. I got the last seat among many youngsters who looked like students heading to one of the several universities in the adjacent city. On arrival I decided to walk to the UBRU stadium, breaking for food along the way. The words of my good lady were beginning to ring out as I progressed.

Huge dark clouds were heading our way, and I had left home without a poncho or jacket telling her that I would be fine when she enquired. The winds grew stronger as I was still ten minutes light of my destination. Fortunately, someone was looking down on me as the rain started to pour just as I reached the stadium. 

I paid my 80 Baht for a ticket that was handed over and then taken away by the security guard by the steps to the stand and replaced by a small sticker placed on my shoulder to signify that I’d paid and to allow access in and out. The teams walked out for the King’s Anthem as it bucketed down. Why they couldn’t wait a few minutes I don’t know.

Both sides had wonderful new kits on. I was taken by both, with each also having some very large Africans in their respective line ups. The crowd looked very low at this point, and although it grew as people finished work, it was nowhere near the official figure that appeared on the website. 

The home keeper Ratchanasak Buarapha made a decent stop in the early stages as the players struggled on the sodden surface once the rain had subsided. There wasn’t too much goalmouth action, with plenty of mistakes making the first half watchable enough. Johnathon Bernardo of Udon had a header saved just before the break.

The interval offered me the opportunity to wander round and take up position in the opposite stand for the second period as it would be easier to get picked up by Grab taxi at full time and I enjoy getting a different perspective on what’s happening. 

The vocal home fans were split in two small groups at either end of where I sat, a phenomenon regular in Thai football that I can’t get my head around. I turned on commentary of the cricket from The Oval back home and is if by magic the teams went off for bad light within minutes.

One thing that Test Match Special has always achieved, in all my years of listening, is to provide some great discussion and interviews during breaks in play and so it proved once again. Along with my earlier Podcasts I was royally entertained until I got off the train a few hours later.

Anyway, after the restart in Ubon, a long hopeful free kick from Thawatchai Aocharod of the away team was tipped over by Ratchanasak as United built up a head of steam. Not that I could see a goal coming, with the prospect of dreaded extra time being considered. I said as much on Twitter, which did the trick.

A minute later, the sixty-fifth of the match, Natthawut Khamrin cut the ball back from the byline where it was met by a volley from Thawatchai who rifled in low and hard. The marking was lamentable, but the goal was probably a fair reflection of proceedings. One home fan was not impressed, his vocals drowning out my radio listening. 

Ubon had taken off the giant Jibril Abubakar by this point. I expected his presence to make a real impact, but in truth he may as well have sat with me. Their best player was the almost veteran Oscar Plape who always puts in a shift but was gradually getting slower each time I saw him.

The lead was doubled eight minutes from the end. A quick free kick from Hobeen Lee on the halfway line opened the Ubon defence like a can of beans allowing sub, Chatri Rattanawong to beat any claims for offside to finish neatly. And that was that. Udon through to the next round. 

My Grab arrived without any issues and transported me to Amber House Coffee and Food who had advertised that they also sold beer. I was in a quandary to choose this place or Demo 88, with both being around ten minutes’ walk to the station. Maybe Demo will get the vote next time.

Amber House was certainly the sort of place to go for coffee and cake. That’s not to say that the youngsters working there weren’t very polite if confused as to why a big foreigner chose to drink three large bottles of Leo in an hour while seemingly laughing like a congenital idiot. 

I can only put it down to rushing my drinks while relaxing and enjoying the chat from the cricket. I headed off giving myself plenty of time to make the final train, where a youngster wanted to give me his ticket free of charge after he had bought the wrong one.

Taew was waiting for me at Kanthararom and about to have her patience severely tested. She knows I’m bonkers and I like to visit new places. There was a bar we often passed near the station which looked interesting but only opened later. She agreed for us to go and have a look. 

Beers in Amber House with the cool beer mat

We shared a couple of drinks outside. We were the only customers. Inside was not particularly impressive and resembled a 1970s club back in England. The welcoming girls seemed fed up and there was something a bit creepy about the owner. I made my apologies in the car home. Taew simply shrugged it off. I've got a good one.

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be too adventurous, and the best ideas after beer should remain as ideas. An interesting day all in all. I certainly missed someone to keep me on the straight and narrow.