Chonburi FC

www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc

HEADLINES

  • Home » 
  • Custom Pages
Website last updated: 19 Jun 2013 @ 05:48

News Archive 2011

150 NOT OUT [14 Apr @ 7:55am]

7/4/11 Saturday's local derby against SriRacha will be Chonburi's 150th TPL match since being promoted in 2005. During this period, we have employed three head coaches, finished 8th, 1st, 2nd, 2nd and 3rd and used six different grounds to stage home games. Below is a complete record of the 149 matches we have played so far. CHONBURI FC TPL RECORD 2006- Present Home P75 W36 D28 L11 F120 A71 Pts136 Away P74 W42 D23 L9 F116 A62 Pts149 Overall P149 W78 D51 L20 F236 A133 Pts285 COACHES RECORD – TPL Witthaya Laohkul 2006 P22 W5 D12 L5 F29 A28 Pts27 2011 P7 W4 D2 L1 F16 A8 Pts14 Jadet Meelarp 2007 P30 W19 D6 L5 F50 A25 Pts63 2008 P30 W15 D14 L1 F34 A14 Pts59 2010 P30 W17 D9 L4 F57 A28 Pts60 Kiatisuk Senamuang 2009 P30 W18 D8 L4 F50 A30 Pts62 OVERALL Jadet Meelarp P90 W51 D29 L10 Pts182 Kiatisuk Senamuang P30 W18 D8 L4 F50 A30 Pts62 Witthaya Laohkul P29 W9 D14 L6 F45 A36 Pts41 OTHER LANDMARK TPL MATCHES 1st – 28/1/06 Chonburi 1-3 Port Authority of Thailand http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1884999 50th – 13/11/07 Police 0-2 Chonburi http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1894655 100th – 9/8/09 Chonburi 2-0 Pattaya Utd http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1864124 CHONBURI’S TPL HEAD TO HEAD RECORD http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=7649

FAT AND TPL MUST IMPROVE : AFC [14 Apr @ 7:53am]

4/4/11 he AFC has asked Thailand clubs to improve their infrastructure, media facilities and youth development programme in order to be eligible to take part in the AFC Champions League. A Special Mission Team, headed by AFC’s Director of Competitions Tokuaki Suzuki, recently completed its assessment of Thai Premier League clubs. “AFC appreciates the hard work put in by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Thai Premier League and the clubs to improve professional football,” Suzuki said. "But Thailand still has some weak points such as stadiums, media facilities and operations, and youth development. If the clubs cannot improve their facility and programme to meet the criteria, they will not be able to play in the AFC Champions League from 2012-2014. The AFC strongly encourages the clubs to improve their stadium, media facilities and youth development system." "In conclusion, Thailand has great potential and wants to improve under the leadership of Dato Worawi and Dr. Vichit to meet the criteria before the deadline." FAT President Dato’ Worawi Makudi, who is also a FIFA Executive Committee member, appreciated AFC’s efforts and expressed hope that the Thai clubs will work hard to meet the criteria. “We sincerely appreciate the efforts of AFC in this inspection visit. I believe our clubs and league would have received much knowledge and experience from this visit. “We accept all the constructive comments by the AFC delegation and hope to consistently improve in order to meet all the criteria. I hope all the concerned parties will benefit from this inspection visit,” he said. Full story http://www.the-afc.com/en/inside-afc/676-afc-news/34147-smt-winds-up-visit-to-thailand-

CHONBURI FC DOCUMENTARY [14 Apr @ 7:53am]

31/3/11 You can watch a new thirty minute documentary about Chonburi FC here http://www.springnewstv.tv/th/video/detail.php?gid=10&id=1575&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d946acb7be830e5%2C0 The show is in Thai but there is a lot of good footage for non-Thai speakers to enjoy and it is well worth half an hour of your time.

HOME AND AWAY [14 Apr @ 7:52am]

31/3/11 Chonburi will visit the city's IPE Stadium on Sunday to take on the Navy, as the away side. It was only last season that the same ground was home to the Sharks. And it was a case of "Home Sweet Home", as we went the entire league campaign without losing a game. In fact our only two defeats at the venue came at the very beginning and the very end of the year - a 0-1 reverse against Police Utd in the Queen's Cup in February and a 0-2 loss to Bangkok Glass in the League Cup in October. However, we have also been the away side at the Sports College in TPL fixtures on two other occasions. In June 2006 we drew 0-0 with Port Authority (Thai Port) and in October the following season, we beat PEA 4-0 on our way the the league title. 3/6/06 TPL Port Authority 0-0 Chonburi http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1885000 27/10/07 TPL PEA 0-4 Chonburi http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1894641 You can also see video highlights from PEA 0-4 Chonburi here http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;;p/a/u/0/n97-7dzWmPU

TPL FIXTURES : LATEST CHANGES [14 Apr @ 7:46am]

DownloadDownload (pdf): 72 KB

29/3/11 There have been a few minor changes to the 2011 TPL fixture list for October and November. Chonburi's affected games are : Chiang Rai Utd away on Saturday 22nd October instead of Saturday 15th October BEC Tero away on Sunday 30th October instead of Sunday 23rd October Police Utd at home on Saturday 5th November instead of Saturday 29th October. All other dates remain unchanged. You can see a full updated TPL 2011 fixture list in the attachment. With thanks to Steve.

COACH HENG HAS A DIG AT THE TPL [13 Apr @ 10:00pm]

27/3/11 INFLUX OF FOREIGN PLAYERS by www.bangkokpost.com The Thai Premier League has become popular not only for local fans but also for foreign players. There are now 121 overseas players in the TPL this season, thanks to a new regulation which allows each club to have seven foreign players on its books and a maximum five in one match (7+5). The rule was introduced by the Football Association of Thailand and Thai Premier League Co last season. It was reported that certain big clubs pushed for the new regulation which initially upset small teams who could not match the big guns' spending power. But now most clubs in the 18-team TPL have a maximum seven foreign players on their books. They are from 26 countries including Brazil, Cameroon, Japan, South Korea, Britain, Ivory Coast, Pakistan, Finland and Laos. Understandably, Brazilians form the biggest foreign contingent in the TPL with 26 players. Other major suppliers include Cameroon with 13 stars, Japan (12), South Korea (12), Britain (7) and Ivorians (7). While many officials say their clubs have been better off with foreign players who they believe are more skilful than local players, some coaches argue that the influx of foreign players could hurt the national side and football development here. Chonburi FC manager Witthaya Laohakul says the current 7+5 system is not beneficial to Thai football particularly its national team. "There are too many foreigners in the TPL and worse is that they are not grade-A players from their countries," said the former Thailand coach who is a vocal critic of the FAT. Although a maximum five foreign players are allowed on the pitch at the same time, the ex-Thailand midfielder says most clubs have seven on their books. "Home-grown players get less chances to play. It will affect the national team in the long run because we will not be able to produce our own players," said Witthaya. At continental club competitions, Thai teams have not fared well probably because of the 7+5 rule. Witthaya says Muang Thong United were eliminated in the AFC Champions League because the TPL's rule is different from that of the Asian Football Confederation. The AFC allows only four foreigners (three non-Asians and one Asian) for each club in one match in its continental club competitions. Witthaya argues that most foreign players in the TPL are not much better than local players so it is not likely for Thais to learn from them. "Indeed, I think many Thai players have better basics and they need chances to play to make progress. Unfortunately, most Thai players also get lower wages than the foreigners," said Witthaya who played for clubs in Germany and Japan. But Chonburi also have a maximum seven foreign players on their books. They are Darko Rakocevic and Vladimir Ribic of Serbia, Japanese duo Kazuto Kushida and Daiki Higuchi, Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano, Nigeria's Kenneth Akpueze and Belgian Nlome Ndebi Berlin. Fabiano has been one of the best foreigners in TPL history. He helped Chonburi win the league crown in 2007( he didn't actually sign until the start of the 2008 season) and then moved to Melbourne Victory. After an unsuccessful spell in Australia he returned to Thailand to play for Bangkok Glass before returning to Chonburi this year. (Today's opponents) TTM FC Phichit are dubbed "Korea FC" because they have six Korean players and are coached by Korean Myung Ho Bae. With several Korean players from both teams, a recently match between Insee Police and TTM was labelled as "Battle of Princes of Kimji." TTM's Korean players are certainly not too bad with Yeon Gisung a leading striker this season. Team manager Kovit Rungsawang says he is satisfied with the Korean players not only because of their performance but also their commitment. "Their football skills are second to none. They also have discipline and responsibility and this is very important," said Kovit. "I want them to show their Thai colleagues how to be good players." Kovit says each get at least 100,000 baht a month. TTM can have another foreign player and not surprisingly Kovit is looking for another Korean. "When you have many players from the same country, it is good because they will feel at home," he said. TTM finished 13th last season and with their in-form Korean players they target a higher finish this term .

CHONBURI STADIUM EXTENSIONS [14 Apr @ 7:21am]

24/3/11 Work has begun to increase the capacity of the Chonburi Stadium. An extra four rows of seats will be added to both the West Stand (which is usually reserved for visiting fans) and to the Scoreboard End. The improvements are expected to take about two months to complete and will allow the ground to accomodate just over 8,000 fans.

MORE SEATS INSTALLED [14 Apr @ 6:56am]

14/3/11 The club has begun installing more seats at the Chonburi Stadium. Work started as soon as yesterdays match finished, in order to make the ground completely all-seater in time for this weeks AFC Cup tie. The last remaining terracing, at the Scoreboard End, will have been fitted with blue seats before the two teams take the field in Chonburi's historic fixture against South China on Wednesday. The extra seats mean that the stadiums capacity will be reduced to a little over 6,000. However, latest reports suggest that the two corners of the ground that link the North Stand to the two stands behind the goals will be filled in in order to accomodate more fans.

UPDATES [14 Apr @ 6:47am]

12/3/11 Tickets for Chonburi's TPL clash with TOT and the AFC Cup match against South China on Wednesday, will go on sale at the stadium ticket office from 9:00am on Sunday. The club is also looking at ways of allowing more fans to watch games, after moving to a stadium with a drastically reduced capacity. Options discussed so far include adding extra terracing in the corners - which would take an estimated two months to complete - erecting a large screen outside the stadium and showing all home games on the giant screen at Central Plaza.

CHONBURI 1-0 PATTAYA UTD [14 Apr @ 6:42am]

10/3/11 Chonburi beat Pattaya United 1-0, courtesy of a Ney Fabiano goal, in a low key friendly yesterday. The match was played to officially open the 34th Sansuk Cup. The tournament, for local teams, will run at the Sansuk Stadium near Bang Saen until April 12th.

TPL UPDATED FIXTURE LIST [14 Apr @ 6:42am]

DownloadDownload (pdf): 72 KB

10/3/11 Following the recent changes to the 2011 TPL schedule, I have updated Chonburi's fixture list. You can see the revised edition here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/fixtures_table.pl The complete TPL fixture list can be viewed in the attachment.

PLAYER APPEARANCE STATISTICS [14 Apr @ 6:36am]

8/3/11 The club has produced a list of TPL appearance statistics, covering the period 2006-2011. The players in the top ten are : Pipob On-Mo (2006 - present) 117 Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool (2006 - present) 115 Arthit Sunthornphit (2006 - present) 115 Chonlatit Jantakam (2006 - present) 114 Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng (2006 - present) 97 Phanawut Jintha (2007 - present) 86 Natthapong Samana (2008 - present) 85 Ekaphan Inthasen (2008 - present) 85 Surat Sukha (2006 - 2009) 78 Suree Sukha (2006 - present) 78 You can find more information about the current squad here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/the_squad.pl Season archives here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/season_archive.pl And Chonburi's complete TPL playing record here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=7649

CHONBURI FC : PREVIOUS AFC CAMPAIGNS [14 Apr @ 6:35am]

1/3/11 On the eve of Chonburi's third foray into AFC competition, I thought I'd take a look back at our two previous continental campaigns. In 2008 we competed in the AFC Champions League, after winning the TPL the previous year. The following season, 2009, we reached the last eight of the AFC Cup. You can read all the previews and match reports, and see photos and videos from the games, by clicking on the links below. AFC Champions Leage 2008 http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=6186 Photos http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=49520 AFC Cup 2009 http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=5175 Photos http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=43903

CHONBURI MUNICIPAL STADIUM [14 Apr @ 5:32am]

7/3/11 Yesterday I paid a visit to the Chonburi Municipal Stadium. The ground was home to Chonburi FC on and off between 2002 and 2008. The club eventually had to leave, following a dispute with the local council. You can see a couple of the photos I took on Sunday, here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=54350 Images 83-86 Images 1 and 2 in the same gallery show the ground during its heyday. You can read more about the Chonburi Municipal Stadium and other stadiums used by Chonburi FC, here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=7237

CHONBURI STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS [14 Apr @ 5:27am]

6/3/11 The club has been working very hard to ensure that the stadium is ready to host the first AFC Cup home game on Wednesday 16th March. The floodlights have been upgraded, seats have been fitted in to the West Stand, the sub's benches have been lowered to allow a better view for the fans in the Main Stand and the playing surface is receiving a lot of attention. There are signposts on the main approaches to the ground and the area around the stadium has also been tidied up. I visited earlier today and was very impressed with what I saw. It has to be one of the most modern, well equipped grounds in the country. My only gripe is still the reduced capacity but when the stands are full, the atmosphere should match anything that we have experienced at our previous homes. You can see a few photos from my visit here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=54350 Images 73-82

CHONBURI 2-3 SRIRACHA [14 Apr @ 5:26am]

5/3/11 Chonburi lost 3-2 in today's "friendly" against SriRacha.

CHONBURI v SRIRACHA [14 Apr @ 5:25am]

5/3/11 Chonburi will play SriRacha in a low key friendly this afternoon. The match, which is expected to be nothing more than a glorified training session, is at the IPE Sports College. Kick off is at 3:30pm and admission is free.

SHOOTING PRACTISE [24 Mar @ 10:14am]

23/2/11 Chonburi beat Thai Airways 6-0 in a low key friendly at the IPE Stadium earlier today. As the scoreline suggests, the match was little more than shooting practise for the Sharks.

A FEW LANDMARKS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2011 [24 Mar @ 10:02am]

23/2/11 Home The 21st point won at at home will be our 150th in the TPL The 40th goal scored at home will be our 150th in the TPL The 32nd goal conceded at home will be our 100th in the TPL Away The 9th win away will be our 50th in the TPL The 38th goal scored away will be our 150th in the TPL The 5th point won away will be our 150th in the TPL Overall The 8th match will be our 150th in the TPL The 26th win will be our 100th in the TPL The 1st draw will be our 50th in the TPL The 28th goal scored will be our 250th in the TPL The 25th goal conceded will be our 150th in the TPL The 26th point won will be our 300th in the TPL

CHONBURI FC OFFERS TO LISTEN TO FANS CONCERNS OVER NEW STADIUM [24 Mar @ 10:01am]

22/2/11 The club have responded to a number of complaints from fans after Saturday's home game, by opening a Complaint Hotline. General Manager Anop Singtothong apologised to supporters following a few teething problems before, during and after the first fixture at the Chonburi Stadium. The much reduced capacity lead to many people being locked out and other concerns, including ticket purchasing arrangements and lack of entrances and exits being opened, were also raised. The management has promised to listen to constructive criticism and work with the fans to ensure that the mistakes are not repeated. If anyone wishes to contact the club to express their feelings on the subject of the new ground, they are encouraged to call 038467609 or fax: 038467610.

OPPOSING OPINIONS ON THE NEW STADIUM [24 Mar @ 9:59am]

22/2/11 Our first match at the Chonburi Stadium Stadium seemed to go according to plan. But what did the fans think of the new matchday experience? Here are the thoughts of a visiting Thai Port fan (Strunky) and a Chonburi supporter (Tim). Ratings 1=Poor 2=OK 3=Good 4=Very Good 5=Excellent TPFC : Seating 3 - They forgot to put plastic seats behind the goals. CFC : Seating 4 - Unfortunately more plastic seating would just reduce the capacity even more. I believe the club needs to build up both the size and depth of the concrete slabs at both ends and complete the circles around to the other grandstands to ensure we can get more spectators in. TPFC : Sight lines 2.5 - Binoculars anyone? CFC : Sight lines 4 - It is a necessary evil for the stands behind the goals to be so far away from the pitch when utilising grounds with athletics tracks. As this is not a purpose built stadium there is little that can be done unless you remodel both ends using the athletics track as the first rows of seating and by utilising scaffold seating as at SriRacha FC. TPFC : Pitch 5- Looked like AstroTurf to me, couldn't really tell from where I was sitting. CFC : Pitch 4.Definitely grass, although it appears better than it actually plays. Some hard work has taken place recently and the surface seems to be improving and hopefully will continue to do so. TPFC : Fan experience 4 - Would have been a 5 but I had to have been 200 yards from the opposite goal. CFC : Fan experience 4 - It is a new stadium and it will take time to bed in. Th e locals are still trying to set up their fan base and peiople are getting used to their seats etc but overall it will improve as the season progresses. Although the passion generated would obviously improve with no athletics track. TPFC : Ticket price 2 - It must be the priciest ticket in the league. CFC : Ticket price 2 - I think the reduction in capacity has allowed the club to hike the prices. However, I would agree that the general ticket from 80 to 120 is now too high and needs looking at ,especially for the regular fixtures at the stadium and not the "big" matches, whenindividual seating will not be needed for many of the paying fans. TPFC : Parking 5 - I found a spot right next to the gate an hour before kickoff. CFC : Parking 4 - It's going to be OK and fans will shortly find their regular spots around the stadium. TPFC : Staff 5 - Friendly, knowledgeable, organized, what more can you say? CFC : Staff 4 - Could do better but a good start. Again the staff are feeling their way into the new set up but open gates/exits must be in place. For a double decker grandstand to only have a couple of entry points that are also the exit points is a recipe for problems. TPFC : Security 5 - Well trained and sensible. Wish I could say the same about the buffoons at the Yamaha (Muang Thong United's stadium). CFC : Security 4 - An improvement compared to most football security but not under pressure this week due to the special relationship between the teams and fans. It will be interesting to see what happes when they do come under pressure later in the season. TPFC : Lighting 5 - I could barely see a shadow. CFC : Lighting 5 - Excellent and bore comparison with floodlighting in the UK football League, as I never noticed at all. TPFC : Toilets 5 - Plenty of them, probably 10 times more than at the PAT (Thai Port's stadium). CFC : Toilets 5 - Would agree but again signage needs to be in place and improved upon. TPFC : Food and Drink 4 - No beer in the stands, but maybe that's league wide this year. CFC : Fodd and Drink - 4 Club banning beer etc in stadium but could also utilise the office/shop space on ground floor to improve access and reduce queues and therefore make more money. Again they need to review the good and bad generally from last week and make action plans to address what needs improving. TPFC : Scoreboard 5 - As good as the one at the Supachalasai National Stadium. CFC : Scoreboard 5 - Excellent TPFC : Family friendly 5 - The place is surrounded by a beautiful park with a kids playground, class. CFC : Family friendly 4 - It is certainly family friendly but again I believe areas will need to be cordoned off and improved upon when certain teams visit as the relationship between the fans will not be as per Saturday. Problems could arise with free access to most areas. ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? TPFC : The new Chonburi Football Stadium is a center piece for the club and the city. I traveled there on Saturday with many other Thai Port supporters and found the whole experience to be quite pleasing. The place is sparkling new I think it could be one of the best in Thailand except for the dreaded running track around the pitch. All in all my family and I had a great time. Wish the result was better but it's a long, long season ahead. CFC : Very good start given that it was match day one but the clubneeds now to review all areas and address accordingly. This needs to happen specifically in certain areas but given it was the initial competitive match the club should be congratulated. However, areas can and must be improved upon but what a great stadium in comparison to the IPE and the view from the double deck South stand is quite excellent. With thanks to Strunky and Tim.

COACH HENG PROMISES IMPROVEMENT [24 Mar @ 9:56am]

21/2/11 Chonburi head coach Witthaya Laohkul has promised fans an improved performance against Osotspa this coming Saturday. Speaking earlier today, Coach Heng said, "We know we can play better than we did against Thai Port. I felt we gave the ball away too easily on occasions and our play lacked rhythm. However, everyone supported each other during the game and we have been working hard in training to try and eliminate basic mistakes." He went on to say, "It won't be easy against Osotspa but we are confident and I can promise our supporters that we will try our best." The match will be played at the Saraburi Provincial Administrative Organisational Stadium on Saturday 26th February. Kick off is at 6:00pm.

CHONBURI FC SEASON PREVIEW - GUEST COLUMNIST 4 [24 Mar @ 9:48am]

17/2/11 Here's the fourth of this week's season previews by a guest columnist. Today it's the turn of Bangkok based Chonburi fan Tobias Enkel. SEASON PREVIEW After last season I think that only PEA could be on a par with Muang Thong and Chonburi. I am sure that this season there will be more competition for the top places in the table. In my eyes the teams competing will be Bangkok Glass and BEC Tero, also the other teams look stronger and better organized than previous seasons. I'm curious to see how the promoted teams will get on, especially Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai and of course Sriracha. I hope the Blue Marlin will perform well. With Sriracha, Pattaya and Siam Navy ,we will have 3 other teams located very close to us It will be interesting to see how many supporters will follow Chonburi to the away matches, if there are other interesting matches played in or around Chonburi. But I am sure that there will not be much less followers than last season. The season will be very long and for everyone, but especially the likes of Chonburi , who will have the AFC Cup, FA Cup, Toyota League Cup, the TPL and with national team matches for some players. So it is very important that the full squad is on a high fitness level and always on standby. In my opinion we should use the Toyota League Cup for the second squad, to keep them match fit. Our main focus should be on the TPL, FA Cup and the AFC Cup. In that international competition we can hopefully perform as well as Thai Port or Muang Thong United did last year or maybe even better. It would be good for Thai Football if we could improve our standing in this competition and if we would get a fixed spot for Thai teams in the future for the Champions League. However, this is a subject for another day, here our focus is on next season. My predictions are: We will finish in second place in the TPL (after first place at the season break), We will reach the semi finals of the FA Cup, I don't really care about the Toyota League Cup, and we will reach the final of the AFC Cup. No titles won but a good season overall! Tobias Enkel

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY : FRIDAY 17th FEBRUARY, 2006 [24 Mar @ 9:46am]

17/2/11 Five years ago today Chonburi won their first match in the TPL. Following a defeat against Port Authority (H1-3), and two draws Osotspa (A3-3) and BEC Tero (H0-0), the Sharks beat Krung Thai Bank 2-0, in a televised game, at the Thupadamee Stadium in the north of Bangkok. The two goals were scored by Phaisan Pona and Arthit Sunthornphit and the win lifted the team into seventh place. Other results that weekend - all played on Saturday 18th February Port Authority 0-3 Thai Tobacco Monopoly Osotspa 3-0 PEA BEC Tero 0-0 Thai Honda Bangkok University 1-1 Army Bangkok Bank 1-0 Suphanburi After the weekend's fixtures, Osotspa topped the league with ten points from four games. Thai Tobacco Monopoly and Port Authority shared second spot with nine points. Suphanburi were bottom after suffering their fourth successive defeat. Full 2006 archive http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/season_archive.pl?id=25314

CHONBURI CHASING ENDO [24 Mar @ 9:44am]

17/2/11 Chonburi are believed to be interested in signing Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo. We understand that the club are prepared to offer a quite substantial salary to tempt the thirty one year old Japanese international to come and play in the TPL. It would be an incredible coup for the club if they were to land a player, who has been one of the best Asian players over the past ten years, but now seems to be surplus to requirements in Osaka.

CHONBURI STADIUM PRICES [24 Mar @ 9:43am]

16/2/11 The admission prices for the new stadium have been announced. Scoreboard End (terraces) - B60 North Stand (seats) - B120 West Stand (terraces) - B60 Main Stand (seats) - B120 & B150

NEW LOOK PROGRAMME [24 Mar @ 9:41am]

16/2/11 Chonburi's new look matchday magazine will make its debut at Saturday's home game against Thai Port. The first issue features interviews with Ekkaphan Inthasen, Witthaya Laohkul and Kazuto Kushida, plus much more. The programme will cost B15.

CHONBURI FC SEASON PREVIEW - GUEST COLUMNISTS 3 [24 Mar @ 9:39am]

16/2/11 Here is third of this week's guest columns. Today it's the turn of Phil Larkin to give his thoughts on the season ahead. All opinions are the author's own. Hey there fellow Chalarmchon's, Phil is here to preview the upcoming season. It looks as though the club has been rather prudent with our signings this year and it appears that we, just like the rest of the world, are suffering from the Global Recession. It was very disappointing to see that we didn't sign the two former Real Madrid youth players but we do appear to have signed the man who ate Ney Fabiano. Don't worry, they have given him the same number! I cannot wait to see the new Stadium and have heard a number of tremendous reports about it. It also looks as though we are embarking on a season that will never end. This will be great for the owners and sponsors, but what of the average fan who continually has to shell out to follow their team? Rumour has it that there will be a close season of around 10 days next January so get ready to see most of the TPL teams end up shattered, like Muangthong Utd did during the Cup Final. On the subject of Muang Thong, they are kidding themselves if they think they are going to be as strong as they were last season, purely on the basis that they have lost Rene. No longer can they be inspired by a man who is a cross between a bird's nest and Compo from Last of the Summer Wine! Elsewhere, PEA FC appears to be on the up and up and their fans are fanatical, as long as they are paid! (allegedly – ed) On a serious note, they do appear to have made some decent signings and they are a horrible team to play against, with everyone behind the ball. I could write about each of the 18 teams in the TPL forever, but I will not bore you, because there is going to be only one winner. That's right fellow Sharks, your humble scribe is predicting Pipob lifting three more trophies this year. And Bryan Robson will finally decide that our Mo is the only man to spear-head Thailand's attack. How he has been over-looked so many times is beyond me! So there it is. One team, one goal, one vision, one heart, one soul, just one solution. I love Queen, me! Remember, a shark is for life, not just for Christmas. Phil L

CHONBURI FC SEASON PREVIEW - GUEST COLUMNISTS [22 Feb @ 7:48am]

GUEST COLUMNIST ONE 15/2/11 A FOOTBALL VIRIGIN IN THAILAND This is my mini review of my first season based in Thailand and supporting Chonburi FC and the enjoyment and trials and tribulations encountered. by Bangsaen Tim As a “Thai football virgin” I had difficulties understanding the official club website with my poor Thai but eventually located, via various search engines, the wikipedia site and this thankfully led me to the website : www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc At last I could begin to plan ahead as information was readily available in English. I began to read up on the club and its history and felt there were like minded ex-pats out there and I was definitely not alone. All the information was not only up to date but these Thai football followers had been there and got the T shirt, so to speak. I began to plan my first venture, a trip to the home game against Bangkok Glass in May. I had ascertained that tickets were on sale at the IPE on match days from 1:00pm. This led to my first big mistake, as arriving at the stadium at 2:00pm all the B100 and B150 tickets were sold out and all that remained were the B80 tickets opposite the covered grandstand, on the open concrete. It was not being uncomfortable that was any great concern but the 90+ degree heat. Being a fairly big bloke, to say I sweated away what felt like between 7-10kg is an understatement and whereas the Thai fans alongside me just could not have been friendlier (as we shared food and drinks throughout the match) the heat was tremendous. I looked longingly at those positioned in the shade of the grandstand opposite and vowed to reserve my seat at all times in future. The match was exciting and the crowd were really committed and passionate. I guess there was an attendance of in the region of 10,000+ , which included a large travelling support. I thoroughly enjoyed the match and the standard of football pleasantly surprised me. I left committed to return regularly, although I would ensure I did not end up feeling like a “well done steak”. Subsequently on locating the Club shop in the centre of Chonburi I ensured that prior to each home game I would secure a grandstand seat as early as possible but this was my first experience of the “Thai calendar and the knowing smile”. Through trial and error I soon interpreted that tomorrow meant some time soon, although I have no idea really when but it is likely to be before the end of the week and hopefully before the match!!! After a few abortive and time consuming attempts to purchase tickets, the shop, seeing my frustrations, kindly took pity on me and began ringing to advise me on confirmed delivery. I continued to attend home matches when ever I could and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. However, the overall “match day operation” had to be seen to be believed, as the words communication, organisation and management are primarily absent from the TPL and their constituent clubs. Whilst this does not dilute from the overall enjoyment, you just have to understand the “ethos” and go with it, or it would drive you to distraction. Kick Off times appeared just an indication of a rough start time and the half time interval sometimes stretched for twenty to twenty five minutes. The ninety minute UK experience seemed to stretch for two and a half hours in Thailand. But Chonburi F.C. slowly began to get into my blood and two thirds of the way through the season it was still all to play for in the league. Having either watched regularly at home or the away games via television, Chonburi seemed to be hanging on in there but were certainly not firing on all cylinders. We were surely due to hit our early campaign form again soon and thereafter be in a position to pull away from Muang Thong United, who had AFC Cup distractions and were hardly setting the world alight either. Well the opposite occurred and the wheels well and truly came off. We struggled to maintain even our mid season form and a lack of squad depth, and the absence of a clinical striker, meant that we slowly descended toward mediocrity. We were eventually pipped by PEA for the runners up spot, with Muang Thong retaining their title. The belated arrival of the Toyota Cup and its two legged matches, suddenly announced in mid season, added to the overall total of fixtures played and as season’s-end approached all the players seemed to be “running on empty”, especially the internationals. However, Chonburi managed to at least fight through their fatigue into the FA Cup Final to meet the newly crowned TPL champions. During the run up to the final, the club website announced that as Muang Thong had already secured their AFC Champions League place then Chonburi would automatically qualify for the AFC Cup, no matter what the result of the final. Thoughts of guaranteed exciting AFC nights in Chonburi soon turned to disappointment, when the Thai FA announced that PEA would be allocated the AFC place should Muang Thong win the final. (Could politics have reared their ugly head as others searched for the rule book that had mysteriously disappeared?) All that remained was for the club to actually win the cup and claim their rightful place in the AFC Cup. In a pulsating Cup Final in late November we duly did. In the background throughout the season was the clubs “on and off” move to the recently massively renovated OBD Stadium in the south of the city. Rumours were rife and one week after the announcement that the club would definitely be staying put at the IPE for the foreseeable future it was subsequently confirmed the club would be moving to the “newly named” Chonburi Stadium after all! “Never say Never” especially in Thai football. During the off season I monitored www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc and also the official site for news on season tickets for 2011, as I had made up my mind to commit to the club and buy one. Also the new Stadium, with its large double-decker main grandstand being no more than 10 minutes from home, helped me to make my decision.. After a few e mails and phone calls I am now in a group of 20 season ticket holders on the front row of the main stand’s upper tier. And I am hugely relieved. I am also aware that this season could be the longest in FIFA history, as we do not complete our league fixtures until Sunday January 29th 2012. We are already on amendment Number 4 of the fixture list, since the first draft, and bets are now being taken as regards the final number of amendments that will be undertaken during the season However, do we love it? Of course, and we could not do without it. To be fair it is in its formative years and has come a million miles from our first top flight season in 2006. But I will close with one piece of advice, it certainly is as well to be prepared for the inevitable frustrations related to being a dedicated Thai football follower here in the “Land of Smiles” Enjoy the season and remember to have fun, remain patient and smile.

TPL 2011 PREVIEW [22 Feb @ 7:32am]

PART ONE 9/2/11 With the new season a little over 72 hours away - although Chonburi fans will have to wait a bit longer - here is a preview of the forthcoming campaign, written by Davy Hulme. Thai Premier League Preview by Davy Hulme The 2011 Thai Premier League gets underway on February 12th at a time when the domestic game has never been more popular. Following the relaunch of the TPL in 2009, big-name sponsors, businessmen and politicians all jumped aboard the bandwagon bringing huge amounts of money with them. But how is this new-found wealth and popularity affecting the game? We investigate the positives and negatives in this Brave New Era, starting with the good things about the game. Media Live matches will be shown on Saturdays and Sundays on True Visions, NBT 11 and T-Sport. The sports newspapers, meanwhile, devote more column inches than ever before to the game. Siam Keela is particularly supportive and offers TPL pull-outs in its weekend editions. Every club in the TPL has an official website and most have several unofficial ones, too. There is even an increasing number of independent English-language sites started up by fans. Stadia Stadia have been and are being improved. Chonburi, PEA, and Sriracha all play in new arenas, whilst those of Muang Thong, Thai Port, Bangkok Glass and TTM Phichit have been redeveloped beyond recognition. Sisaket’s has also been expanded, and Chiang Rai are beginning the redevelopment of their Mae Fah Luang home. Tickets When the TPL really took off, in 2009, there were fears that ticket prices would also rocket. By and large, those fears haven’t been realised. Five years ago ticket prices ranged from 20 to 50 baht. In 2010 ticket prices were still as low as 50 baht at many grounds, and the top clubs charged only a little more. The cheapest ticket at champions Muang Thong was 60 baht. Bangkok Glass also started at 60 baht; Chonburi’s and Thai Port’s cheapest were 80 baht while tickets for the prestigious FA Cup final were only 100 baht. Scheduling There are still problems, but, for the most part, matches start at a reasonable time on Saturdays or Sundays. ‘Nothing surprising there’ you may say, but it wasn’t always this way. Long-term Chonburi fan Dale Farrington tells us about the bizarre timing of matches during Chonburi’s title-winning season: “During our 2007 campaign we had a rash of midweek, 4:00pm kick offs. Even the last round of matches – which could have seen the title decided – were all played on a Tuesday at this time! Thankfully, we'd beaten Krung Thai Bank the previous Tuesday, in a match with a 6:00pm start, to win the league, before a crowd of 8,000. The following week, at 4:00pm, there were less than 500 in the ground.” In 2011, nearly all the fixtures will be played on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Fans The revamped, slick, streamlined TPL is attracting fans as never before. Before 2009, only Chonburi and PEA Ayutthaya could attract attendances of over a thousand; before 2007 no clubs could. Now, attendances in the thousands are the norm. Muang Thong typically attract 10,000; double that for big games. Bangkok Glass, Thai Port and Chonburi are in the 5,000-10,000 range, and over in Buriram, Newin Chidchob’s PEA usually fill their 20,000 capacity i-Mobile Stadium. As fans fill the stadiums the media show more interest in the game and offer more coverage. As they offer more coverage more fans come to matches. It’s an upward spiral which slows little sign of slowing. Perhaps understandably, this huge surge of popularity, coupled with the attendant increase in wealth, has brought new challenges and problems. Fans A positive can also be a negative. The multitudes packing stadia every week are to be welcomed. But this new era for the TPL has seen the arrival of hooliganism in Thailand. Thai Port F.C are often held up as the main offenders, but trouble has also flared at Chonburi, Navy Rayong, Pattaya, Muang Thong, Buriram PEA and throughout the Thai football pyramid, but punishments have been pretty feeble. The most serious incident occurred at Nakhon Pathom of Division 1 in late December. At the end of this crucial relegation/promotion play-off against Sisaket, fans of the home side attacked Sisaket fans on the pitch whilst members of the coaching staff went after the referee. One of the aggressors even produced a gun! On this occasion the authorities acted swiftly and very firmly: Nakhon Pathom have been banned from the league for two years. The punishment seems draconian, but it sends out a strong message to would-be offenders. Scheduling Another one of our positives that cuts both ways. Matches may now kick off at a sensible time at weekends, but there are simply far too many games. The FAT have let themselves get carried away by the success of the relaunched top flight and are now behaving with all the restraint of a child given the keys to a sweet shop. Halfway through the 2010 season, without warning, the FAT announced that there would be a brand new league cup competition. Sure enough, just a couple of weeks later, the Toyota League Cup got underway. This new tournament had to be squeezed in alongside the TPL fixtures, and the FA Cup which was already underway, and it was a two-legged competition. Sure enough, it caused fixture congestion chaos. The TPL finished a month later than was originally scheduled, and the FA Cup final was played nearly two months late. But the FAT weren’t finished there. Just a few days before the end of the season they announced that the bottom three weren’t to be automatically relegated, as had been assumed all season. Instead, the three ‘relegated’ sides from the TPL were to take part in play-offs against the fourth, fifth and sixth placed teams from Division 1. Two of these six teams would be rewarded with places in the 2011 TPL, along with the top three from Division 1, as the FAT decided to expand the top tier from sixteen teams to eighteen. The TPL season, which had been originally scheduled to finish on September 26th, eventually drew to a close on Christmas Day. We will see the controversial League Cup again in 2011, but it is at least scheduled to start earlier. The high-stakes play-offs may also return as FAT president Worawi Makudi recently said he would like to see a 20-team TPL in 2012. Referees Unfortunately, the most important person on a football pitch has not been a part of the TPL cash bonanza. The referee who was threatened with a gun in the aforementioned Nakhon Pathom game received 1500 baht for his efforts – equivalent to a couple of replica shirts. The pathetic remuneration of referees clearly opens the door for corruption. Dr Vichit Yamboonreung, the TPL president, has stated that referees will receive 5,000 baht per game baht in 2011. It’s a start, but we still think it’s nowhere near enough. And there are no excuses anymore: the TPL can now easily afford to pay them far more. Those problems are all easily solvable: hit hooligans with strong punishments; stick to the original schedule as closely as possible and don’t introduce new competitions during the season; pay referees much more. Therefore, we’re still positive about the state of the TPL in this era of unprecedented popularity: low ticket prices, new and improved stadia, great media coverage and thousands of fans flocking to games every week are all reasons to be cheerful. The domestic league has never been in better shape. With thanks to Davy. PART TWO 10/2/11 Here is Davy Hulme's club by club guide to the eighteen team's that will be competing in this year's Thai Premier League. Army United Formed: circa 1964 (Renamed Army United in 2011) Stadium: Army Stadium, Din Daeng, Bangkok Nickname: Green Army / Soldiers Best Player: Tatree Singha Website: www.rtafan.com Main Sponsor: Acer Army finished bottom in 2010, fully ten points from safety, but find themselves still in the TPL in 2011 after sailing through the relegation play-offs. There’s no reason to suspect they’ll do much better this season. Finishing in 15th place (one place above the relegation zone) will suit them fine. Bangkok Glass Formed: 2006 (bought out Krung Thai Bank F.C in 2009 in order to get a place in the TPL) Stadium: Leo Stadium, Pathum Thani Nickname: The Glass Rabbits Best Player: Kunihiko Takisawa Website: www.bangkokglassfc.com Main Sponsor: Leo BG will look to improve on their fifth-place finish achieved in 2010. They were the ante-post title favourites of many last year but they never came close to landing the TPL trophy. Close-season capture of Thai Port’s Sarayoot Chaikamdee will give them more potency up front. The Glass Rabbits should do better in 2011. BEC Tero Sasana F.C. Formed: 1992 Stadium: Thephasadin Stadium, Pathumwan, Bangkok Nickname: Fire Dragons Best Player: Teerathep Winothai Website: www.becterosasana.in.th Main Sponsor: 3K Battery Tero have signed a dozen players during the close-season as they try to assemble a squad capable of putting the club back amongst the big boys. The four-time TPL champions have faded in recent years but in 2011 they should be able to improve on their ninth-place finish of 2010. Losing top scorer Anon Sangsanoi to Muang Thong is a big blow, though. Buriram PEA Formed: 1970 (relocated and renamed Buriram PEA in 2010) Stadium: i-mobile Stadium, Buriram Nickname: Thunder Castle Best player: Suchao Nutnum Website: www.burirampea.com Main Sponsor: King Power Mr Chidchob’s purple machine will almost certainly be Muang Thong’s main title threat in 2011. A strong team with a lot of money and influence at their backs, PEA are the favourite in many people’s eyes (including this writer’s) to end Muang Thong’s recent dominance of the TPL. Most of their signings have been pretty low-key, but they’ve retained the services of all their best players including their talismanic striker Suchao Nutnam. Chiang Rai United Formed: 2009 Stadium: Mae Fah Luang University Stadium, Chiang Rai Nickname: The Fighting Beetles Best Player: Wasan Natasan Website: www.chiangraiunited.com Main Sponsor: Leo Certainly not a title contender, but this remarkable club has enjoyed back-to-back promotions since joining the fledgling Regional League in 2009. Their debut in the top flight geographically stretches the division as never before. Mid-table would suit them, and the gruelling journey away teams will have to make could be their key to putting points on the board. Thirteen close-season signings have been added to aid them in their quest for survival. Chonburi Formed: 2002 Stadium: OBD Stadium, Chonburi Nickname: The Sharks Best Player: Ekkaphan Inthasen Website: www.chonburifc.net Main Sponsor: Chang The 2007 champions were second in 2008 and 2009, and third last year. The original ‘big club’ in the TPL, the 2010 FA Cup winners are now in the shadow of Muang Thong and PEA. The title looks beyond them but second place and another cup are realistic goals. Insee Police United Formed: 1960 as Royal Thai Police. (Renamed Insee Police United in 2010) Stadium: Thammasat Stadium, Rangsit, Pathum Thani Nickname: The Policemen Best Player: John Wilkinson Website: www.pufc.co.th Main Sponsor: Insee The Policemen finished eleventh in 2010, seven points above the relegation zone. A host of close-season signings suggests that they are setting their sights higher in 2011. Hugely experienced and free-scoring midfielder John Wilkinson – a Singaporean international player with 30 caps – was a surprising and inspired acquisition. Khon Kaen F.C. Formed: 2005 Stadium: Khon Kaen Sports Stadium Nickname: The T-Rex Best Player: Surachet Singngorn Website: www.khonkaenfc.net Main Sponsor: Chang Automatically promoted after finishing second in Division 1 in 2010, Khon Kaen are the second Isaan club to be promoted to the TPL, Sisaket being the first to make it to the top flight in 2009. They have signed a couple of Laotians and Chinese players during the close-season but will struggle to attract any big names. A cup run is possible, but in the league a relegation battle looms. Muang Thong United Formed: 1989 Stadium: Yamaha Stadium, Nonthaburi Nickname: Twin Qilins Best player: Kawin Thamsatchanan Website: www.mtutd.tv Main Sponsor: Yamaha The 2009 and 2010 TPL champions are still the team to catch, but fans and the Thai football world were rocked by the shock sacking of head coach Rene Desaeyere in early January. Clearly, he can’t have been sacked for what happened on the pitch. It’s been suggested there were behind-the-scenes disagreements over transfer policy. Whatever the reasons, he’s gone, and retaining the title in 2011 will be a stiffer challenge for MTU without him. The capture of the prolific Anon Sangsanoi was an important signing. If he can continue his scoring feats then MTU could yet be celebrating another championship come the 2nd October. Osotspa Saraburi F.C. Formed: 1977 as Osotspa F.C (Renamed Osotspa Saraburi M-150 in 2009) Stadium: M-150 Stadium, Saraburi Nickname: M-Power Best Player: Jetsada Puanakunmee Website: www.osotspafc.com Main Sponsor: M-150 Mid-table in 2010, and that’s probably the best they can hope for in 2011. Not much activity in the transfer market, but the signing of PEA’s Pipat Tonkanya looks useful. One of the best sides in Thailand a few years ago but have been completely left behind in this new era despite the move to Saraburi during the 2009 season. Pattaya United Formed: 2008 (Took over TPL team Coke Bang Phra) Stadium: Chonburi Sports College (IPE) Stadium, Chonburi Nickname: The Dolphins Best Player: Kengne Ludovick Website: www.pattayaunited.com Main Sponsor: Ocean 1 Tower A decent sixth-place finish for the Dolphins in 2010, mainly thanks to the goals of TPL leading scorer Ludovick. He has put pen to paper for another two years, but they’ve lost the talented Anucha Kitpongsri to neighbours Chonburi. Very ambitious when they arrived on the TPL scene, Pattaya have become strangely inert. Mid-table beckons. Rajnavy Rayong F.C. Formed: 1937 as Royal Thai Navy F.C. (Renamed Rajnavy Rayong in 2009 and Siam Navy in 2011) Stadium: Chonburi Sports College (IPE) Stadium Nickname: Dragon Horses (as Rajnavy Rayong; no details on new nickname) Best Player: n/a (see below) Website: www.nvryfc.com Main Sponsor: PTT (as Rajnavy Rayong; no details on new sponsor) The Navy, one of the best supported sides in Thailand (when they were playing in Rayong), haven’t given their fans much to cheer about in the past couple of seasons. That looks unlikely to change in 2011. The close-season has been marred by a dispute between the club and the Royal Thai Navy and by revelations that players haven’t been paid. The upshot is that the club has left Rayong and changed its name to Siam Navy. Their best players have been sold – ten in all to date – and none have come in the other direction. They’ve been involved in relegation battles for the last two seasons; this season, just remove the word ‘battles’. SCG Samut Songkhram F.C. Formed: 2004 Stadium: Central Sports Stadium, Samut Songkhram Nickname: Crazy Mackerels Best Player: Phanuwat Yimsanga Website: www.scgsamutsongkhramfc.com Main Sponsor: SCG The little club from the smallest province in Thailand have continually punched above their weight since promotion in 2007. Investment from cement giant SCG at the start of 2010 was a huge boost to a club struggling financially. The controversial sacking of coach Somchai Chuayboonchum in December didn’t go down well with players – ten of whom went on strike, and then followed their coach to Chantaburi F.C – or fans. Shrewd signings have been made since, though, and we reckon that the Mackerels will still be swimming with the big fish by the season’s end. Sisaket Muang Thai F.C Formed: 1999 Stadium: Sri Nakhon Lamduan Stadium, Sisaket Nickname: Dangerous Koupreys Best Player: Piyawat Thongman Website: www.sisaketfc.com Main Sponsor: Muang Thai Insurance Lucky, lucky, lucky! Or was it something other than luck? Either way, Sisaket find themselves still in the TPL in 2011 after coming through the impromptu relegation play-offs. However, those handy play-offs have left the Isaan club behind in their preparations. No signings of note yet, and they can’t expect anymore favours in 2011. Hard to see them not struggling again but their year’s experience in the top flight, and their ten new signings, should help. Sriracha F.C. Formed: 2005 Stadium: Sri Maharat Suzuki Stadium, Sriracha, Chonburi Nickname: The Blue Marlins Best Player: Sujarit Jantapon Website: www.srirachafc.com Main Sponsor: Chang Sriracha are fast becoming Thai football’s yo-yo club. Relegated from the TPL in 2009, they immediately came back up in 2010 as Division 1 champions. The signing of Chula United hitman Aron Da Silva could be crucial to their chances. In 2011, Sriracha find themselves in an expanded division with several teams which appear considerably weaker than themselves. We reckon their yo-yoing days are over, for a season at least. Thai Port F.C. Formed: 1967 as Port Authority of Thailand F.C. (Renamed Thai Port in 2009) Stadium: PAT Stadium, Khlong Toey, Bangkok Nickname: Port Lions / Khlong Toey Army Best Player: Jirawat Makarom Website: www.thaiportfc.com Main Sponsor: FB Battery There’s never a dull moment at Thai Port. The 2009 FA Cup and 2010 League Cup winners have been plagued by crowd trouble and distracted by a financial dispute between the club and the Port Authority. They finished fourth in 2010 largely thanks to Sarayoot Chaikamdee’s goals. But ‘Jo Five Yards’ has moved on to Bangkok Glass, and TP have lost several other key players. With their vociferous support, the orange and blues can beat anyone on their day – it’s why they’re such a good cup team – but they may have to settle for a lower league position in 2011. TOT-CAT F.C. Formed: 1957 as Telephone Organisation of Thailand F.C (Renamed TOT-CAT in 2010) Stadium: Chaeng Wattana Stadium, Lak Si, Bangkok / Yamaha Stadium, Nonthaburi) Nickname: The Phoenixes Best Player: Tomas Kozar Website: www.tot-catfc.com Main Sponsor: TOT-CAT Similar to Samut Songkhram, TOT is another club which seems to defy the laws of gravity in the TPL. Unlike Samut Songkhram, TOT can expect to seriously struggle this season. They’ve lost their president and some of their best players; they’ve signed no one (and don’t appear to have any cash to spend) and still don’t know where they’re going to be playing in 2011. Definite relegation candidates. TTM F.C Phichit Formed: 1963 as Thailand Tobacco Monopoly F.C (Renamed TTM Phichit in 2010) Stadium: Phichit Stadium Nickname: Northern Tigers Best Player: Kraikitti Inutane Website: www.ttmfc.com Main Sponsor: TTM TTM finished just one place above the relegation zone on 2010, and responded by sacking their coach just before the end of the season. Korean Ho Myeong-Bae was installed and links have been established with Korean club Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. A couple of (you guessed it!) Korean players have been signed and many more are likely to follow. It’s a novel way of trying to turn around a club’s fortunes. Success or otherwise depends on how the men from ‘Kowlee’ settle. Please note that all information was correct at the time of writing. However, due to the very nature of Thai football, circumstances may have changed at some clubs. Thank you. With thanks to Davy. PART THREE Here is the third and final part of a series written by Davy Hulme, looking at the state of Thai football in general. The 2011 Thai Premier League got underway on February 12th amid unprecedented levels of popularity. The huge wave of interest in the TPL generated by the 2009 relaunch shows little sign of slowing: attendances are high, half a dozen TV channels offer TPL coverage, big-name sponsors have got involved, new stands and stadia are springing up and the game has never been so awash with cash. And the game has never been so awash with cash. That fact is a double-edged sword. Money builds new stadia and buys quality players; money also creates vested interests. The concern is, and with no little justification as we shall see, that the waterfalls of money that have been pouring into the game will influence decision-making by those in power whose impartiality should be unquestionable. And whose decisions should be influenced solely by doing what’s best by Thai football. Doing what’s best, for example, by the national team. The Elephants have been making headlines recently for the wrong reasons. Rather embarrassingly, they failed to make it out of their group in the AFF Cup in December. This tournament, contested by the eight best footballing nations in Southeast Asia, has been dominated by Thailand over the years. But in the 2010 competition, they didn’t manage to win one of their three group games and needed an injury-time equalizer to avoid what would have been a shocking defeat to Laos. The players complained of fatigue brought on by a hectic domestic league and cup schedule for their early exit. It’s not in my nature to indulge the complaints of the modern player; but this time he should be listened to. Unbelievably, just three days before the first group game against Laos over half the squad had been involved in the FA Cup final between Muang Thong and Chonburi: a gruelling, physical match which went to extra time. ‘Why play the FA Cup final just before jetting off to Indonesia for an important regional competition?’ you may well ask. The final should have been played on October 2nd but fixture congestion kept pushing back the date of the final until it ended up being held on November 28th. According to FAT chief Worawi Makudi – on the defensive from an accusatory media – this congestion was caused by postponed matches owing to the Red Shirt protests at the start of the season. Well, he would say that: the truth would shine an uncomfortably bright light on his role in the fixture pile up, especially as the demonstrations were confined within a couple of square miles in downtown Bangkok. The easily verifiable truth is that the mid-season break in June was used to catch up on nearly all the postponed fixtures. The log jam at the end of the season was clearly caused by (a) the FAT’s self-serving decision to play vanity friendlies against Atletico Madrid and Leicester City and (b) the introduction of the league cup two-thirds of the way through the season. Leicester City are now owned by the King Power group and were therefore obliged to play a match here. So because of the link between one Thai company and one English football club, a whole weekend’s worth of fixtures was wiped out. Atletico at least provided a decent workout for those of Bryan Robson’s squad who were included in the TPL All Stars Xl, but still it meant another round of league fixtures being delayed. The new league cup competition was announced after more than half the season had elapsed, and got underway in August – just eight weeks before the scheduled end of the league season. To make matters worse, the competition was two-legged and there wasn’t even an AFC Cup (Asia’s equivalent of the Europa League) place at stake. The FAT sanctioned those friendlies and the league cup; they didn’t have to. Khun Worawi need not look beyond himself and his association for the causes of the fixture congestion, and for the reasons why the national team travelled to Indonesia in a state of minimal preparedness and, in many cases, physical degradation. We may never know for sure why the FAT decided to allow the introduction of the league cup so late in the season. What we do know is that the competition is sponsored by the most powerful, most influential and biggest-selling car manufacturer in Thailand: Toyota. Eyebrows were further raised when just a few days before the final weekend of the season it was announced that instead of the bottom three going down automatically, as planned, there were going to be relegation play-offs between the bottom three in the TPL and the teams ranked fourth, fifth and sixth in Division 1 instead. Two of these six teams would join the top three from Division 1 in the 2011 TPL, so expanding the division from sixteen teams to eighteen. The argument was that the division needed to be expanded as a response to the increased popularity of the TPL. Many inside the game believe it was nothing more than an elaborate way of trying to keep Bangkok United and Sisaket – who had finished second and third from bottom respectively – in the top flight. One of United’s main investors is TV and Internet giant True who, so the story goes, weren’t too keen on seeing their investment drop into the relative obscurity of Division 1. Sisaket, meanwhile, are the TPL’s breakthrough club. The first Isaan side to be promoted to the TPL, they have a large support and they broaden the appeal of the traditionally Bangkok-centric TPL. Not the kind of club the top flight wants to lose. Again, we’ll never know for sure. But the fact that the relegation play-offs were only announced once it was mathematically certain who was going to finish in the bottom three is very suggestive. Incidentally, at one of the crucial play-off games between Nakhon Pathom and Sisaket, some of the home supporters, and members of the home club’s staff, were so incensed by the referee’s performance, that they ran on to the pitch at the final whistle and started to attack him. The poor man – whose bloody face was splashed across the front pages of all the following days newspapers - was given no protection by the local constabulary and had to run into the stand populated by visiting fans in order to escape a severe beating, or worse. One of his attackers, a Nakhon Pathom FC employee, was actually brandishing a gun. The adverse publicity caused by the incident, and the resultant press coverage on the main Thai TV channels, resulted in Nakhon Pathom being banned from competing in the league for two years. A ruling that some consider too harsh but one that has been applauded by others for sending out a clear message to those who may feel compelled to behave in the same manner at a future date. With thanks to Davy

Half A Million Hits!! [15 Feb @ 10:24am]

8/2/11 We have just passed the 500,000 mark. I'd like to pass on my warmest regards to everyone who visits this site and express my gratitude to all of you who contact me on a regular basis. I genuinely enjoy updating this website and I appreciate your continued support. Thank you, and all the best. www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc Chonburi su su

Trialists Unlikely To Sign [15 Feb @ 10:22am]

7/2/11 It appears unlikely that the two former Real Madrid youth team players Bo Ampleford and Lionel Franck will be offered contracts by the club. Coach Witthaya Laohkul said earlier today that the pair, who both scored in Saturday's friendly against Ratchaburi, had impressed during their trial but, on reflection, were no better than the players we already have.

Chonburi FC 2011/12 TPL Fixtures Update [15 Feb @ 10:20am]

7/2/11 The latest, and hopefully final, version of Chonburi's 2011/2012 TPL fixture list can be found here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/fixtures_table.pl The season's final four matches, which are now scheduled to take place in January 2012, are 7/1/12 CHONBURI v Army Utd 15/1/12 CHONBURI v Pattaya Utd 21/1/12 Muang Thong Utd v CHONBURI 29/1/12 CHONBURI v Bangkok Glass

Ratchaburi The Last Time [15 Feb @ 10:19am]

4/2/11 The last time Chonburi travelled to Ratchaburi was for a Thailand Premier League match against the Police, in November, 2007. Even though the fixture kicked off at 4:00pm on a Tuesday, two coach loads of fans made the trip. The 2-0 win proved to be an important one, as it gave us the advantage in the title race with Krung Thai Bank, who we beat the following week to clinch the championship. You can read the match details here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1894655 And see a few photographs here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=44173 Images 22-26 Tomorrow's match kicks off at 5:30pm

Two trialists Train With Squad [15 Feb @ 10:17am]

3/2/11 The two former Real Madrid youth team players who are currently on trial at Chonburi ,have been training with the squad. Lionel Franck and Bo Ampleford, who arrived on Tuesday, have spent the last two days being put through their paces by the coaching staff. Coach Witthaya Laohkul said, "They have already shown some good skills but we won't be rushing into anything. We would like to see more before we make a decision on whether or not to offer them contracts." It is expected that the pair will feature in Saturday's match against Ratchaburi.

In Defence Of The New Kit [15 Feb @ 10:08am]

2/2/11 Chonburi's new playing kit has met with a mixed reception. Some people have been less than complimentary. "Hideous", "Not too keen", "The diagonal stripes don't work for me", being just a few of the comments. However, one fan, Phil Larkin, is really impressed with the new look. Here's what he has to say about the 2011 strip. Dear Chalamchons, It has come to my attention that the new kit has divided opinion. Personally, I think it is great and can see Pipop lifting more than one trophy whilst wearing it. Over recent years, there have been many dodgy kits. The pink one Everton had, the tiger print one Hull had and I even had my doubts about Chonburi's orange and blue third strip from last season. However, as kit manufacturers standardise their designs, it is quite nice to see a little bit of ingenuity going into the design of our new strip. The design appears to be unique and I feel that it is appropriate for a club of our size to have a strip that stands out. Adidas and Nike strips are just the same all over and there is rarely any difference between the stock designs. Chelsea and France, Stoke City and Paraguay are just a couple among the tired and weary world of today's kit designs. FBT have created a unique kit for us and that is to be applauded. I know that many people feel strongly about their teams strip; Celtic and Newcastle fans went nuts over the fact that the hoops and stripes were not connected one year. We do not have that problem as we have not always worn stripes, and one must always remember that there are AFA rules regarding what can actually be on a strip so as not to make the sponsors irate. If you are still not convinced, fellow Sharks, please remember that this kit 'is just for a season, and not for life! Phil Larkin

Chonburi FC 2011 Squad Numbers [15 Feb @ 10:06am]

1/2/11 Goalkeepers 1. Suchin Naknayom 18. Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool 28. Hasachai Sengla Defenders 2. Suree Sukha 3. Nattapong Samana 4. Kiatprawut Saiweaw 6. Suttinun Phukhom 11. Anucha Kitpongsri 16. Darko Rekocevic 23. Phaisan Pona 24. Kenneth Akpueze 25. Chonlatit Jantakam 29. Jetsadakorn Hemdaeng 30. Daiki Higuchi 34. Noppanon Cachpolayuk Midfielders 5. Phanuwat Jintha 7. Arthit Sunthornphit 8. Ekkaphan Inthasen 13.Therdsak Chaiman 14. Jira Charoensuk 15. Purithat Jarigarnon 17. Kriangkrai Pimrat 19. Adul Lahso 22. Kazuto Kushida 26. Sarawut Jantapan 39. Supasek Gaigaew Forwards 10. Pipob On-Mo 21. Sukree Etae 31. Nuroon Sriyangem 32. Nlome Ndebi Berlin 38. Ney Fabiano de Oliviera 40. Wanich Jaisaen

Two Former Real Madrid Youth Players On Trial [15 Feb @ 10:05am]

1/2/11 Two former Real Madrid youth players are due to train with Chonburi this week. The pair, Lionel Franck and Bo Ampleford both age twenty one, will arrive today and be pitched straight into training. Coach Heng said,"These are the kind of players we have been looking for to partner Pipob On-Mo in attack. We still have room for overseas signings so we will watch them this week and may sign them before the February 10th deadline."

On This Day In History - Saturday 28th January 2006 [15 Feb @ 10:04am]

28/1/11 Five years ago today Chonburi FC made their bow in the Thailand Premier League, with a home defeat by Port Authority of Thailand. Below are a few TPL related articles from our debut season at the top level and links to all the statistics and photos from 2006. CHONBURI ARRIVE IN THE TOP FLIGHT Chonburi 1 Thai Port Authority 3 Thailand Premier League 28th January, 2006 After a wait of seven months we finally got to taste life in the newly structured Thailand Premier League. And how sweet it was. Five minutes into the brand new season, Piopob On-mo had put us in front. We were going to walk this league. Unfortunately two hours later, life wasn't so good. We had been beaten 3-1 by a much better team and learned a few harsh lessons about how tough life was going to be among the big boys. TPL Record P1 W0 D0 L1 F1 A3 Pts 0 ON TARGET 16/5/06 by Tor Chittinand National striker Teerathep 'Leesaw' Winothai broke a goal-scoring drought last weekend when he netted BEC Tero Sasana's opening goal to beat Suphan Buri 5-0 in the Thailand Premier League. Teerathep, top scorer in the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines last year, had been struggling to find form recently and had not scored in the first 14 matches of the season. He admitted it was a great relief to score. "I did not know how long my drought was going to go on for but once I scored my confidence came flooding back and the whole team played well," said Teerathep. BEC Tero are now in fifth place with 20 points from 15 matches, which is six points behind leaders Tobacco Monopoly. Chonburi 2-3 Thailand Tobacco Monopoly VISIT ARRANGED 24/5/06 by Tor Chittinand The Football Association of Thailand will send the 12 Thailand Premier League teams to England and Germany in September to help them with their football. Eight million baht will be used to fund the project. The twelve teams are: Tobacco Monopoly, Osotspa, Port, Provincial Electricity, BEC Tero Sasana, Krung Thai bank, Bangkok bank, Suphanburi, Chonburi, Thai-Honda, Army and Bangkok University BANGKOK UNIVERSITY WIN THAILAND PREMIER LEAGUE 5/7/06 Bangkok University captured the Thailand Premier League for the first time after beating defending champions Tobacco Monopoly 1-0 in the last match of the Thailand Premier League at their Rangsit campus last Sunday. They finished one point ahead of runners up Osotsapa and three points clear of BEC Tero Sasana. Bangkok University got the vital winning goal in the 64th minute through Suriya Domthaisong, although the fourth-placed Tobacco team protested, claiming Suriya had handled the ball. The victory earned Bangkok University 10 million baht as champions. At Chulalongkorn ground, Osotspa defeated Krung Thai Bank 1-0 with a goal from Kritsada Kengdem. This was enough for Osotspa to win three million baht for finishing second. BEC Tero clinched third place by defeating the Provincial Electricity Authority 2-0 with goals from Teerathep Winothai and Pipat Tonkanya who was the top scorer in the league with 12 goals. BEC Tero won two million baht while the PEA just avoided relegation in 10th place. In other matches Thai-Honda FC defeated Royal Thai Army 3-2 but it was not enough for Honda to avoid relegation. The other relegated side was Suphanburi who were beaten 3-2 by Port Authority. Bangkok Bank took fifth place by beating Chonburi 3-2. Bangkok University and Osotspa will be playing in the AFC Champions League in the next season. 2006 Season Archive http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/season_archive.pl?id=25314 2006 Photo Gallery http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=43992

Chonburi FC 2011 Playing Kits Launched [15 Feb @ 9:58am]

26/1/11 Above is an image of Chonburi's first and second choice kits for the 2011 season - there is also a third kit, which is mainly white. The new strip made its public debut at a launch party earlier this evening.

Friendly Match Announced [15 Feb @ 9:51am]

26/1/11 Chonburi will play Ratchaburi FC in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 5th February. The match, at Ratchaburi Central Sports Stadium, will kick off at 5:30pm.

Kit Launch & Press Conference Details [15 Feb @ 9:50am]

26/1/11 Chonburi FC's kit launch and press conference gets underway at 6:00pm this evening. Fans have been invited to the event, at the city's Central Plaza shopping mall, and a large turnout is expected. The schedule is as follows : 18.30-19.00 - Fan club activities and games.. 19:00-20:00 - Press conference and fashion show, when the new kit will be revealed. 20.00-20.30 - Chonburi FC club shop will be open for business.

Chonburi FC 2011 Kit Launch [15 Feb @ 9:48am]

25/1/11 The club will be hosting a kit launch party at Central Plaza, Chonburi tomorrow (Wednesday). The event, which starts at 6:00pm, will give fans the opportunity to meet the players, see the new playing kit and visit the newly refurbished club shop. There will also be games and giveaways.

Chonburi FC Updated Fixtures [15 Feb @ 9:45am]

24/1/11 I've updated Chonburi's 2011 TPL fixture list. You can see it here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/fixtures_table.pl Our season breaks down as follows : HOME Saturday = 6 fixtures Sunday = 6 fixtures Wednesday = 5 fixtures Total = 17 fixtures The five Wednesday home fixtures are : 23/3/11 TTM 30/3/11 Samut Songkhram 13/7/11 PEA 17/8/11 Chiang Rai Utd 24/8/11 Police Utd AWAY Saturday = 9 fixtures Sunday = 5 fixtures Wednesday = 3 fixtures Total = 17 fixtures The three Wednesday away fixtures are : 18/5/11 Army Utd 1/6/11 Bangkok Glass 3/8/11 Samut Songkhram

Witthaya Backs Sukree [15 Feb @ 9:35am]

20/1/11 Chonburi coach Witthaya Laohkul is backing Sukree Etae to lead the attack during the forthcoming season. The twenty five year old, who was signed from Narathiwat midway through the last campaign, has been given a vote of confidence by his boss. "He has improved a lot since last year and I'm confident that he will do well for us. He has also matured and I'm keen to give him his opportunity as a first team regular." It is likely that the striker, who only made a handful of appearances during the second half of 2010, will be paired with Sharks legend Pipob On-Mo, in a new look front two.

FA Cup Official Reception [15 Feb @ 9:34am]

20/1/11 Thaicom, the sponsors of the Thai FA Cup, will be holding an official reception to celebrate Chonburi's recent triumph. The party will be held at the SC Park hotel in Bangkok between 5:30pm and 8:30pm tonight. All the club's players, management and coaching staff are expected to be in attendance.

Yoshio Kato Speaks [15 Feb @ 9:30am]

18/1/11 New goalkeeping coach Yoshio Kato has expressed his delight at joining the club. The former Japanese international was offered a role by the Sharks following his experiences working for his country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. "I was contacted by Witthaya (Laohkul) after the tournament and he asked me if I'd like the opportunity to come and work in Thailand.. I think the ASEAN football scene is improving so I was pleased to come." He went on to say, "I know I must work hard at Chonburi but I hope I can bring success to the club this season. I believe my role as the goalkeeping coach is a very important one." The fifty three year old also outlined his philosophy of what it takes to be a top goalkeeper. He said,"The three main areas are good concentration, good preparation and the ability to read the game."

2011 Fixtures Update [15 Feb @ 9:13am]

15/1/11 Chonburi's opening TPL fixture of the 2011 season will be played on Saturday 19th February at the Chonburi Stadium. The match has been moved back one week due to opponents Thai Port's involvement in the Toyota Challenge, which was their prize for winning last season's League Cup.

Chonburi FC TPL 2011 Fixtures [15 Feb @ 9:11am]

15/1/11 The first draft of Chonburi's 2011 TPL fixture list has been released. There will inevitably be changes made and it already looks like the scheduled opening match will be postponed, as Thai Port are due to play in the Toyota Championship on February 13th.

Chonburi FC TV Top Twenty : 10-1 [15 Feb @ 9:08am]

14/1/11 Here are the top ten most viewed videos on my You Tube channel Chonburi FC TV. 10. 26/12/10 Chonburi FC Celebration Parade & Party - Part One http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/8/Tew8jWqR9pg 9. 19/12/09 Chonburi Fan Club Match - Part Two http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/10/sjyqEknDeiE 8. 30/1/10 Friendly Match : Chonburi 1-0 Thai Honda http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/7/O4Nu6U3PeK4 7. 28/11/10 FA Cup Final : Chonburi 2-1 Muang Thong Utd - Extended Highlights http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/9/qFqnWoXl1zI 6. 19/3/08 AFC CL : Chonburi 3-1 Melbourne Victory http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/6/7yD38o3otzI 5. 26/11/06 Singapore Cup Final : Chonburi 2-3 Tampines Rovers http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/4/nQPMvr1F0Vw 4. 10/12/08 Pre-Season Friendly : Navy Rayong 2-2 Chonburi http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/3/XZIQI0R4-2s 3. 4/10/09 TPL Muang Thong Utd 1-1 Chonburi - Part Two http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/2/TxnmDZNyFxg 2. 4/10/09 TPL Muang Thong Utd 1-1 Chonburi - Part One http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/1/d7eFJm1jp5o 1. 30/1/10 A Tour of the Chonburi (OBD) Stadium http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/0/p9MWe8exMVM

Yoshio Kato Arrives [15 Feb @ 9:07am]

14/1/11 Japanese goalkeeping coach Yoshio Kato has arrived at the club. The former international will be responsible for working with the squad's current goalkeepers and overseeing specialist goalkeeping coching throughout the province, in conjnction with the Chonburi FA. The experienced fifty three year old is expected to sign a two year contract later today.

Chonburi FC - The 132nd Best Team In Asia [15 Feb @ 8:48am]

13/1/11 Chonburi have been ranked the 132nd best club in Asia during the period 2000-2010, in a table compiled by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. The IFFHS ranking system takes into consideration the results of the past ten years of continental and intercontinental competitions, national league matches and the premier national cup tournament - in Thailand's case, the FA Cup. Other Thai teams to feature prominently on the list include : 68th BEC Tero 74th Bangkok Glass 99th Osotspa 123rd Thai Port 132nd CHONBURI 156th Thailand Tobacco Monopoly 184th Provincial Electric Authority 193rd Bangkok Utd 225th Bangkok Bank 230th Telephone Organisation of Thailand 250th Muang Thong Utd

Two New Recruits [15 Feb @ 8:44am]

13/1/11 Chonburi look set to sign two Japanese players who have been on trial at the club during the past couple of weeks. The pair, Kazuto Kushida, a midfielder, and Daiki Higuchi, a defender, both featured in Chonburi's friendly against SriRacha on Tuesday. The former Sagawa SC Printing stars are expected to sign contracts later this week.

New Kit Teaser [15 Feb @ 8:43am]

12/1/11 The photo above is a preview of the new Chonburi kit. As you can see, it gives very little away but it looks like the stripes, which were first adopted in 2007, have gone.

Japanese Goalkeeping Coach [15 Feb @ 8:39am]

12/1/11 Chonburi have enlisted the help of Japanese goalkeeping coach Yoshi Kato. It is hoped that the experienced former international will help with the development of Sinthaweechai Hathairatanakool and Suchin Naknayom. It is also understood that he will work for the Chonburi FA, establishing coaching clinics for young keepers throughout the province. It is still unclear whether or not the 53 year old will join the club's staff on a permanent basis but negotiations will take place after his arrival in Thailand tomorrow.

Pre Season Friendlies - Updates [15 Feb @ 8:29am]

10/1/11 The latest information I have regarding pre-season friendlies is as follows : TUESDAY 11th JANUARY SriRacha v CHONBURI Laem Chabang Stadium KO 3:00pm SATURDAY 15th JANUARY Songkhla v CHONBURI Songkhla Central Sports Stadium KO 6:00pm SUNDAY 23rd JANUARY CHONBURI v Singapore Armed Forces Chonburi Stadium KO 6:00pm

2011 Season Budget [15 Feb @ 8:28am]

10/1/11 Chonburi will be working to a budget of B60million in the forthcoming season. The amount was agreed following a meeting between Head Coach Witthaya Laohkul and the club's management. Even though this figure is less than many of our rivals, Coach "Heng" is confident that it will be sufficient to mount a serious challenge on four fronts (AFC Cup, TPL, FA Cup and League) in 2011. Witthaya said, "Our wage bill is a lot less than some other clubs but we are very lucky that we have a loyal group of players. There are a lot of them who have long standing connections to the club and it is their second family. We have also discussed our style of play for the new campaign and everyone is hopeful that it will bring us success." He went on to say that the money would be spent wisely, especially when making signings from overseas. The club is currently looking at players from America, France, Japan and Madagascar but a lot of thought would be put in before any decisions are made to add to the squad.

Chonburi FC TV Top Twenty : 20-11 [15 Feb @ 8:26am]

10/1/11 The top twenty videos on my You Tube Channel Chonburi FC TV Part One 20-11 20. 24/12/09 Super Cup : Chonburi 1-2 Bangkok Glass http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/19/mrFZ70cqcbc 19. 1/3/09 Kor Royal Cup 2009 : Chonburi 1-0 PEA http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/18/sDPIVwSnsjA 18. 11/2/10 Queen's Cup : Chonburi 0-3 KTBG Pre Match - Part One http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/17/OaOUSSaRX44 17. 25/12/10 Chonburi FA Cup Celebration Party & Parade - Part Three http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/16/Ki7sj_6R9cw 16. 19/12/09 Chonburi Fan Club Match - Part One http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/15/rR-vLlmV6PA 15. ESPN/Star Sports Interview with the Webmaster http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/14/Enb43VKTW5w 14. 21/11/07 TPL : Chonburi 3-2 Krung Thai Bank http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/13/7a5G1CbbNac 13. 8/5/10 TPL : TOT 0-2 Chonburi http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/12/fwlbmtpcMZw 12. 14/3/10 Friendly Match : Chonburi 1-2 Pattaya Utd http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/11/4nD5FUvCKZU 11. 28/11/10 FA Cup Final : Chonburi 2-1 Muang Thong Utd http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/u/10/qFqnWoXl1zI

SriRacha v Chonburi Friendly [15 Feb @ 8:25am]

10/1/11 Chonburi will play local rivals SriRacha in a friendly at Laem Chabang Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday). The match is expected to be a fairly low key affair and is due to start at 3:00pm.

Kor Royal Cup - Sunday 30th January [16 Jan @ 7:40am]

8/1/11 Muang Thong Utd (TPL Champions) v CHONBURI (FA Cup winners) Sunday 30th January, 2011 Kick Off 4:00pm Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok Tickets B200 Special Offer : Muang Thong United & Chonburi Fan Club members Tickets B100

Daiki Higuchi On Trial [16 Jan @ 7:38am]

8/1/11 Chonburi have taken Japanese defender Daiki Higuchi on trial. The twenty six year old didn't feature in last night's defeat by Hoang Anh Gia Lai but was at the stadium. He was recently released by Sagawa Printing SC and also had a spell at Witthaya Laohkul's former club Gainare Tottori.

Thai Football & Expo Awards [16 Jan @ 7:36am]

6/1/11 Friday 14th and Saturday 15th January at Central World in Bangkok.

Muang Thong After Arthit? [16 Jan @ 7:33am]

6/1/11 Muang Thong United are believed to be interested in signing Chonburi's left sided midfielder Arthit Sunthornphit. Even though it appears no official approach has been made for the player, rumours abound that the TPL champions would be willing to pay a seven figure fee for the Thailand international. Arthit was linked to a move to the Thunderdome during the 2009 mid-season break but, at that time, Chonburi issued a statement that "Bas" was not for sale at any price. More details to follow.

Chonburi v Hoang Anh Gia Lai - Yet Another Change [16 Jan @ 7:32am]

6/1/11 It appears that tomorrow's friendly against Hoang Anh Gia Lai at the Sports College Stadium (IPE) will now kick off at 6:00pm and NOT 4:00pm.

Chonburi Stadium Plan [16 Jan @ 7:31am]

6/1/11 You can find a seating plan of the new Chonburi Stadium here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=52955 Images 21-23 And you can download a season ticket booking form here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/clubdocuments.pl

Another Friendly Pencilled In [16 Jan @ 7:29am]

5/1/11 Chonburi have lined up another possible friendly match against local rivals, and TPL newcomers, SriRacha. The game is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday 11th January. More details to follow.

TPL/FAT Calendar 2011 [16 Jan @ 7:28am]

5/1/11 The 2011 Thai Premier League season is scheduled to start on Saturday 12th February. The mid-season break will take place after the 19th round of fixtures - currently slated for the weekend of June 11th and 12th - and resume on the 9th of July. The final round of games, in an extended 34 match programme, will be played on the 1st or 2nd of October. Other notable dates include: Saturday 17th December - FA Cup final Saturday 24th December - League Cup final

Witthaya To Get A More "Hands ON" Role? [16 Jan @ 7:25am]

5/1/11 It seems likely that Witthaya Laohkul will have a more "hands on" role with the coaching at Chonburi this season. The former head coach - who was in charge when the Sharks were promoted to the TPL in 2005 - oversaw the first official training session yesterday afternoon, and looks set to continue calling the shots. There has been a lot of speculation in recent weeks linking him to a return to the J-League, where he enjoyed a successful spell before he came back to Chonburi in December, 2009, but "Heng" has committed his immediate future to Chonburi. It now appears that being guaranteed more involvement with the first team could have been a factor in his decision to stay. Jaded Meelarp is expected to stay on as his right hand man. Witthaya Laohkul photo gallery http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=79425

Therdsak And Purithat Both Honoured [11 Jan @ 7:22am]

4/1/11 Chonburi stars Purithat Jarigarnon and Therdsak Chaiman have both been honoured in the 2010 TPL awards list. Former Shark Nattaporn Panrit is also featured. The full list Coach of the Year : Rene Desaeyere - Muang Thong Utd Goalkeeper of the Year : Kawin Thamsatchanan - Muang Thong Utd Defender of the Year : Nattaporn Panrit - Muang Thong Utd Midfielder of the Year : THERDSAK CHAIMAN - CHONBURI Forward of the Year : Sarayoot Chaikamdee - Thai Port TPL Top Scorer : Ludovick Takam - Pattaya Utd Newcomer of the Year : PURITHAT JARIGARNON - CHONBURI

Chonburi v Hoang Anh Gia Lai Date And Time Change [11 Jan @ 7:21am]

4/1/11 Chonburi's friendly against Vietnamese side Hoang Anh Gia Lai will now be played on FRIDAY 7th JANUARY and not Thursday 6th as previously reported. The match, at the Sports College(IPE) Stadium, is due to kick off at 4:00pm.

2011 Season Tickets Go On Sale [11 Jan @ 7:19am]

4/1/11 Chonburi FC are now taking bookings for 2011 season tickets. The tickets will cost B3,000 and are for sections D and E (either side of the halfway line) in the upper tier of the main stand only. For B3,000, season ticket holders will get admission to 17 TPL home games plus matchday programmes, seats for the 3 home games in the AFC Cup group stage, a replica home shirt worth B600, a membership card which gives you discount at the club shop, priority booking for away match tickets plus more special offers throughout the season. You can download a booking form here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/clubdocuments.pl

Pre Season Friendlies - Updates [11 Jan @ 7:18am]

3/1/11 Chonburi FC have arranged a couple more friendlies ahead of their Kor Royal Cup date with Muang Thong United on Sunday 30th January. The full list: Thursday 6th January v Hoang Anh Gia Lai @ Chonburi Sports College Stadium KO 6:00pm Saturday 15th January v Songkhla FC @ Songkhla Stadium KO 6:00pm Tuesday 25th January v Singapore Armed Forces FC @ Chonburi Sports College Stadium KO tbc Please note that the two scheduled "home" matches will be played at the Sports College (IPE) Stadium and not the Chonburi Stadium. This is to allow the club to prepare the pitch and the stands at the new ground in readiness for the 2011 TPL season.

Praise For Former Shark Surat Sukha [9 Jan @ 8:10am]

2/1/11 My Thai Tribute by Neil Zimmerman For months now I have had the idea of trying to adapt Mary Wells' song "My Guy" to "My Thai" in homage to my favourite Melbourne Victory player of this season, Surat Sukha but being as musically challenged as I am it has all but come to nothing, so this will be my tribute instead. Whilst he may never come close to the adoration that I have for Carlos Hernandez, the Thai international has certainly grown on me this season. It has not only been his performances on the pitch that have impressed me but also the manner in which he plays his football. I would go as far as to say that he is one of the genuine nice guys of the A-League. In a season where the rest of the team has been far from consistent, Sukha has been one of the standout performers for the Victory. Only one poor match springs to mind, that being the first Melbourne derby where it seems the occasion had got to the former Chonburi FC player. But it was the return match against Heart where Sukha marked himself as one of our players of the seasons. Hoping for the same result via the same means, the Heart bombarded his wing with all their attacking play coming through his side of the pitch and in particular, Rutger Worm. This time however the occasion did not get to the central midfielder/full back as repelled repeat Heart forays. As I alluded to earlier, I also admire the way he conducts himself on the pitch. Fouls are always a part of a football and as a defender you always going to commit a fair few, it's just the nature of the game. The way one reacts after being pulled up for a foul, says much about the player. For Sukha, it's usually an acknowledgment of the foul and then a check of his opponent to see if they are okay. Much like his football, it is done with little fuss. Contrast this to the Kevin Muscat school of "Deny, deny, deny". And yes there will be those that will bring up "that" tackle on Matthew Leckie. Yes, it was a bad tackle. Yes, it was a clumsy tackle. Yes, it was a tackle that unfortunately put a player out for a number of weeks. But it definitely wasn't a malicious one and the persecution that followed was definitely unnecessary and unwarranted. The success of Surat Sukha, so far in the A-League should provide confidence to players from South East Asia that they can indeed make it in the A-League and if they play in his style then I'm all for it. There's nothing you can do . . . You can read the full article, plus comments, here http://au.fourfourtwo.com/blogs.aspx?CIaBEID=2254 See some old photos of Surat here http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=48829 Images 1-3

TPL 2011 [9 Jan @ 8:07am]

1/1/11 Sisaket retained their TPL place by beating Air Force United 2-1 in the final play off match yesterday. Therefore, the full eighteen team line up for next season's TPL reads like this : CHONBURI Muang Thong United PEA Thai Port Bangkok Glass Pattaya United Osotspa Samut Songkhram BEC Tero Navy Rayong Police United TOT TTM Army United Sisaket Sriracha (P) Khon Kaen (P) Chiang Rai United (P) P=Promoted clubs The season is expected to start on Saturday 12th February. END OF SEASON PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS Group A 27/11/10 Air Force Utd 0-0 Sisaket 4/12/10 Sisaket 2-0 Nakhon Pathom 11/12/10 Nakhon Pathom 3-0 Air Force Utd 18/12/10 Air Force Utd 1-2 Nakhon Pathom 25/12/10 Nakhon Pathom 0-0 Sisaket 31/12/10 Sisaket 2-1 Air Force Utd Group A Sisaket...................P4...W2...D2...L0...F4...A1...Pts8 Nakhon Pathom......P4...W2...D1...L1...F5...A3...Pts7 Air Force Utd.........P4...W0...D1...L3...F2...A7...Pts1 Sisaket retain their place in the TPL. Group B 27/11/10 Bangkok Utd 0-2 Army 3/12/10 Army 2-0 Songkhla 9/12/10 Songkhla 0-2 Bangkok Utd 13/12/10 Army 0-0 Bangkok Utd 19/12/10 Songkhla 1-1 Army 25/12/10 Bangkok Utd 1-1 Songkhla Group B Army...............P4...W2...D2...L0...F5...A1...Pts8 Bangkok Utd....P4...W1...D2...L1...F3...A3...Pts5 Songkhla.........P4...W0...D2...L2...F2...A6...Pts2 Army retain their place in the TPL

Happy New Year [9 Jan @ 8:05am]

1/1/11 Happy New Year to everyone. Your continued support and interest is greatly appreciated. Thank you. I hope you all have a very happy and properous 2011.

  • League Table

    View table
    Team P W D L GD Pts
    Buriram Utd 14 11 3 0 25 36
    Muang Thong Utd 15 10 2 3 11 32
    Chonburi FC 14 9 3 2 9 30
    Suphanburi 15 8 5 2 11 29
    BEC Tero 14 7 6 1 10 27
    Bangkok Glass 15 6 4 5 2 22
 
Read more

Win a brand new football kit for your team!

We've teamed up with Direct Teamwear to give one lucky Club Website team a brand new kit for 15 outfield players and one goalkeeper - worth £250!
Read more

Vote now for your grassroots football Photo of the Month!

Your fantastic grassroots football photos continue to brighten up our Facebook page. Vote now for your favourite and email us your own for next month!

Kendal weather forecast

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Clear/Sunny
Moderate rain
Cloudy
Moderate or heavy rain in area with thunder
H: 17°C
L: 7°C
 H: 15°C
L: 9°C
 H: 17°C
L: 10°C
 H: 14°C
L: 10°C
 

© Powered by www.clubwebsite.co.uk. All rights reserved. | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | 1122318 views | Administrator Login

Coming soon!
This feature is currently in development but will be available soon.