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Chonburi FC Fan Montage [28 Jun @ 10:00pm]

Biggazjang has posted a photo montage of Chonburi FC fans on You Tube. Most of the images come from the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Please click on the link to view.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl-HhGSP9ls&feature=player_embedded

Fan 12 [1 Aug @ 10:00pm]

Aussie, Peter Dickson, lived in Thailand between 2005 and 2008. During that time he, his wife, son and daughter, became regulars at Chonburi home matces. Here he recalls some of his memories of the time.

CHONBURI - BOM! BOM! BOM!
As an Australian teacher spending three years in Thailand with my family, it was quite a surprise to see how a born and bred rugby man like me could embrace the game of football - soccer in my homeland. We love our sport in Australia and my family not only played but always supported our local team. Whilst living in Pattaya, we were always looking for things we could do together at the weekends and so it was only natural that we jumped at the chance to attend a local soccer match of the closest home team - Chonburi!

What an experience that first game was! On arriving at the ground we found seats in the middle of a large group of passionate supporters. We were blown away by the chanting and the atmosphere created by horns blasting, the rhythmic clapping and group unison of supporters' voices. I can hear it now - "Chonburi FC, Chonburi FC, " bom, bom...., bom,bom,bom...... bom,bom,bom,bom "Chonburi'" and the loyal, loud supporters beating their drums to the tune.

Whilst watching the World Cup the Vuvuzela horns made me laugh, at least at a Chonburi Game our horns were played in tune. Needless to say my family and I became firm soccer fans, and more importantly, Chonburi supporters. We went to home games dressed in light blue and dark blue, we owned the jumpers, the scarves and yep, my son had a horn to blast!

Soccer, the Chonburi team and the friends we shared games with, have all become fond memories of our time spent in Thailand. Even today, at home in Australia, my son proudly wear his Chonburi FC jersey to his soccer training. The Thai people and Australians are really quite alike, we love our sport. Whilst in Thailand I would recommend any visitor to share a game and experience the spirit of a Chonburi match.

Peter Dickson

Fan 11 [13 Mar @ 12:00am]

PRO LEAGUE MEMORIES
by Ian Alexander
It was midway through the 2004 season that I was finally persuaded to visit the Princess Srindhorn Stadium for my first ever Thai League match and an introduction to the mighty Chonburi Sharks. Kick off in those days was always at 4pm on a Sunday and, after a particularly heavy night in town, I nearly managed to talk myself out of the twenty mile bus journey to Sri Racha. I also had to contend with the disdainful comments of my (English) girlfriend of the time, who could not understand why I would want to watch Thai football.

But I put all these doubts aside and took the first step on the road to a beautiful and lasting friendship. On arrival at Robinsons I met Dale and we purchased the necessary supplies of beer and crisps. We made our way to the ground on foot and I was filled in with a few important details such as players to look out for, where we were in the league, who the opponents were and what colour we played in. Inside the stadium we found two seats, without too much trouble, and settled down for a fantastic afternoon’s entertainment.

I remember the football to be exciting, if a little naïve, and the result of the first match I saw was a comfortable 3-2 victory over Suphanburi. Being a life time Southampton supporter, this was a new and happy experience for me. The bug was caught and I became a Srindhorn regular. In those days, the average crowd must have been about 80-100 people, mostly students and teachers from the college, with the odd member of the public thrown in for good measure.

One of my abiding memories of those early days is of the old lady who used to sit behind us shouting 'bang born' throughout the match - the only person who was at all vocal in their support, the rest just sat around applauding politely at various intervals. I saw three or four more games that season and thoroughly enjoyed them all. The following season was my first full season as a bona fide Sharks fan and it was also the year that Chonburi won the Thai Provincial League.

We won most of our matches that season, as we vied for the top spot with the reigning champions, Suphanburi, right up until the last game, when we were sitting in second place. Dale and I were among the twenty or so Chonburi fans who made the long journey to Nakorn Rachisima for the deciding match of the season. Although this was more in hope than expectation until we found out that Suphnaburi had had points deducted during the preceding week. Neither of us were really sure why but we now knew that a win would guarantee us the title.

The team duly obliged and we celebrated with a very swift pint before starting out on the long trek home. Another lasting memory from the 2005 season was when we turned up at the usual time on the Sunday, only to find an empty stadium. The match had been played the day before, seemingly without telling anyone about this change of date. Following Thai football was never dull. I now live and work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, but still consider myself a supporter of Chonburi and usually make it to 2 or 3 matches a season whenever I am able to get back to Thailand.

The difference in the crowd, size, atmosphere and the much more professional approach is a world away from those early days when we would joke about such things, whilst sitting on the terraces with a few enthusiastic Thais, a few Chang's and many opinions. Oh, and I still have my original red Chonburi home shirt from the championship winning season.

Fans 10 [3 Jan @ 12:00am]

Klaus, or Lulu as he is better known, is a very popular figure on the terraces at Chonburi FC. Here, along with his friend Juergen, he gives a brief introduction to the fans group, 4SupsChon.

THE BLUE STATEMENT : 4SUPSCHON
We are a group of foreign people who support. Chonburi FC. The name of our group is 4 SUPSCHON. We were formed about 18 months ago. The founding members were Tobi, Till, Lulu and Andy, who has gone back to Germany. We are always looking for new friends to join us. If you would like more information, or want to come with us to any away match, do not hesitate to contact Lulu, in German or English, at the following e mail address : chonburifc(at)live.de

Fan 9 [8 Nov @ 12:00am]

Full Name : Chatchai Rakmanee
Nickname : Bu
Nationality : Thai

Q : Where do you live?
Sriracha.

Q : Which was your 1st Chonburi match?
Chonburi v TOT at the Seaside Stadium in 2007.

Q : Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
They are my local team and I believe that people should support their local team.

Q : Which other team(s) -Thai or foreign- do you support?
In Thailand it's Sriracha FC and in England, Man United.

Q : Who is your favourite current Chonburi player? Sintahweechai (Kosin) our goalkeeper.

Q : Who is your favourite Chonburi player of all time? Chonburi's Captain, Pipop On-mo.

Q : Which has been your most memorable Chonburi match? Chonburi v Melbourne Victory in the 2008 AFC Champions League.

Q : Which trophies do you think we will win next season?
I would like us to win the TPL and the FA Cup.

Q : What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club?
Well, Chonburi fans are very good team supporters.

Q : Why do you think that Chonburi have been so successful?
I think we've been successful because the Chonburi management has good vision.

Q : Is there anything you'd like to say to the other Chonburi fans?
Keep going forward together and always do today better than you did yesterday.

Fan 8 [4 Nov @ 12:00am]

Khun Watin is a leading figure in the Pattaya branch of the Chonburi FC Fan Club. He helps to arrange travel to all away matches and has been instrumental in organising trips overseas to our AFC games. Here is his profile.

Full Name : Watin Yaidee
Nickname : Nui
Nationality : Thai

Q : Where do you live?
I live in Pattaya

Q : Which was your 1st Chonburi match?
The first match of the 2007 season at the Seaside Stadium

Q : Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
I like football and I live in Chonburi province.

Q : Which other team(s) -Thai or foreign- do you support?
My favourite other Thai team is Phitsanulok FC

Q : Who is your favourite current Chonburi player?
Number 10, Pipop On-Mo

Q : Who is your favourite Chonburi player of all time?
Ney Fabiano

Q : Which has been your most memorable Chonburi match? Against Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League

Q : Which trophies do you think we will win next season?
The TPL title and the FA Cup

Q : What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club?
They are hard core supporters. I like it!

Q : Why do you think that Chonburi have been so successful? Everyone connected with the club has football in their hearts

Q : Is there anything you'd like to say to the other Chonburi fans?
The show must go on until we reach our goal .

Fan 7 [12 Oct @ 10:00pm]

Name: Philip Alan Larkin
Nationality: I'm English and I come from the People's Republic of Middlesbrough

Q : Where do you live?
Naklua, Pattaya.

Q : Which was you first Chonburi game?
Being someone who promises a lot and rarely delivers, it was never my intention to fall in love with the Sharks. However, on a September evening in 2008, I did fall in love with them. I think Arthit scored early and we passed the opposition to death, but for the life of me I cannot remember who it was against.

Q : Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
Until Pattaya United came around, Chonburi was the closest place to watch top flight football so it was a no-brainer! The atmosphere and generosity of the fans made up for the appalling refereeing! And being a Middlesbrough fan, I will gladly chase any chance to become a "Glory Hunter"!

Q : Which other teams do you support?
Middlesbrough, Grangetown Boys Club and England. From a very early age, all three teams were drummed into me and I am glad they were because it has given me a very good grounding in life. Grangetown Boys Club was the team I played for as a youngster and my Dad managed the Senior team. England, purely because I am from there. And finally, Middlesbrough. Only something pure and totally beautiful, could get away with causing me so much harm.

I did not speak for four days after the League Cup Final defeat against Leicester and got the sack from Mothercare the year when I skipped work to go to the League Cup Final against Chelsea. I did get reinstated, no one else would get dressed up as a giant tree and stand outside to be punched by small children! But I love the Boro with every sinue of my being and I hope and pray that we get some success again soon.

Q : Who is your favourite Chonburi player?
Last year it was Pipob for sure, however I haven't been as impressed this season. Kone is either the best player in the world, or the worst, and Arthit could be a decent player if someone gave him a rocket and he applied himself for ninety minutes. However, this season the three players that have impressed me most have been Ekaphan, Micheal Byrne and Adul. I think these three could actually play at quite a high level.

Q : Which has been your most memorable match?
Seeing as Clint has already taken the Bangkok University game, which was awesome, I shall opt for the 3-2 win over SriRacha. Kosin got sent off and we were pulled back to 2-2. But Zico gambled and went for the win, and Ekaphan squeezed one in at the death.

In addition, I would also like to mention the 3-0 win against PEA Ayutthya. I spent the second half of the game dressed as a giant blue Shark, getting beaten up by small children and sweating profusely. However, I did get a nice round of applause and had a cold Fanta waiting for me when I got back!

Q : Can we win the league in 2010?
Yes! What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club? Truly awesome! Well organised and welcoming. You cannot ask for more. Why do you think Chonburi have been so successful? Well, they haven't won a trophy since I've been going so I am not a glory hunter! However, as with anything worth creating, it takes time. There appears to have been a natural evolution and it is evolving into something pretty big. If the clubs in the TPL can take on "Football in the Community" type projects within their local areas, I can see it only going further.

Muang Thong are getting mega crowds and Chonburi pull in large numbers on a regular basis so the potential is certainly there. Therefore, with the development of other stadia and clubs, the whole of the TPL can become massive, never mind just one or two clubs. In addition, there are a lot of very wealthy people in this country so they should start putting their hands in their pockets. You cannot spend it when you are dead!

Q : Do you have a message for the Chonburi fans?
Yes. I love you all. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.

Fan 6 [5 Oct @ 10:00pm]

Name : Clint Falcus
Nationality : English

Q : Where do you live?
Currently in Bucharest, Romania

Q : Which was your 1st Chonburi match?
Do you know? I can't remember... it would have been a home match in 2008. And it would have been good.

Q : Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
Peer pressure... To be honest I'd been out in Thailand a while and had heard literally nothing of Thai football. A friend of mine is an ardent supporter and I was interested to see what went on. I wasn't expecting much, not much at all but I was blown away by the professionalism, the ambition and potential and mostly the atmosphere; not just from the fans, but the honesty and warmth of the players that comes across, something I don't believe that you get in many leagues anymore these days.

Q : Which other team(s) -Thai or foreign- do you support?Mainly Newcastle, and my interest and enjoyment has recently surged no longer being a part of the nonsensical circus that is the English Premier League. Also, occasionally Reading as it was my home town back in England, convenience supporting...

Q : Who is your favourite current Chonburi player?
I always has a soft spot for Pipob... maybe because I am fairly large and he is so small... Maybe because we play with contrasting styles; me with more than a modicum of physical presence (I was once dubbed 'Ram Raider') and he has an exquisite touch. But also because he works hard and is surprisingly good in the air for one so diminutive. I appreciate that he must work hard on areas of the game which aren't his natural strengths...

Q : Which has been your most memorable Chonburi match so far?
Without doubt it would be the match away against Bangkok University in September 2008. In fact I think it is the most memorable match I've ever been to anywhere. We were losing but came back to win 3-2. Not only a great football match, but at half time we were treated to the greatest display of acrobatics from the cheerleaders. I don't think I'm alone in having etched this into my memory.

Q : Do you think we can still win the league?
It is hard to say having left Thailand back in June... though this website provides me with some idea of form... I think we should win the league... I think that last season a lack of form, particularly scoring goals towards the tail end of the season cost us the title, I don't see a repeat of that happening again and a strong finish will see us be Champions again. If so I'll be celebrating wherever I may be...

Q : What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club?
Most fan clubs probably don't have that much to do with the club other than organising buses. For me Chonburi is all about the fan club and the fans.

Q : Why do you think that Chonburi have been so successful?
I think because they have taken their time and structured the club properly. Starting at the bottom and slowly drawing people in with an improving team and promotion, culminating in winning the league. An organic growth. If they were an American sports team they would have made a film about them.

Q : Finally, is there anything you'd like to say to the other Chonburi fans?
Never have I been anywhere in the world where I have been made to feel more welcome. Except maybe at my Mum's house. Oh, and thanks for sharing all the beer.

Fan 5 [21 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Brett Gardner is an Aussie who has lived in Thailand for nearly three years. He is a keen cricketer and a big fan of AFL. However, his first ever experience of watching live football was at Srindhorn Stadium. Here is his tale.

I have lived in Australia for more than thirty years and have played and watched sport all of my life. But there is one sport that I have never understood or played at any reasonable level. That is Football (Soccer). Watching a game that lasts an hour and a half and the score can still be nil all at the end, isn't my idea of entertainment. So when I was asked to attend a Chonburi FC match for the first time, I was a little sceptical to say the least. But I decided to bite the bullet and give it a go.

Getting to the ground for my first game was an interesting experience. Everyone around the stadium was cheering and clapping and making me feel part of it, even though they had never met me before. Once inside the stadium all I saw was a sea of blue and white. All of these people were looking at me and just waiting to see which team I was going to support. As I walked over to the spectator area where the main body of Chonburi fans had gathered, I was greeted with open arms and I couldn't help but get involved in the festivities. And all of this before a ball had been kicked.

After my first experience, I have returned many times and I have watched some amazing matches. My 8 year old daughter, who usually accompanies me, loves going to the football and we have both been made to feel a part of the whole scene. It is a warm, friendly and humble environment and this is why I take my daughter and her friends to as many games as possible. The actual game itself is still confusing but you really can't beat the atmosphere!! Go the Sharks!

Fan 4 [5 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Klaus, or Lulu as he is more commonly known, is a popular figure on the terraces at Chonburi. Here, he tells us a little bit about himself and his passion for Chonburi FC.

Name : Klaus Liedecke ( Lulu )
Nationality : German

Q - Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
A - I was warmly welcomed from the first day. I have always been interested in football but when I came here it was like I was among friends straightaway.

Q - Who is your favourite current Chonburi player?
A - Kosin

Q - Which has been your most memorable Chonburi match?
A - My first one. 3rd May, 2008 vs BEC Tero (We lost 0-1. This was to be our last match at the old Chonburi Municipal Stadium)

Q - Which trophies do you think we will win this season?
A - The AFC Cup and the Thai Premier League.

Q - Why do you think that Thai football has suddenly become so popular?
A -The local people have realised that they have good players here and the whole family can enjoy going to the match together.

Q - Which other teams (Thai or foreign) do you support?
A - Borussia Dortmund

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
A - Come to see the matches and have fun!

Klaus is a member of the 4SUPSCHON fan club.

Fan 3 [19 Aug @ 10:00pm]

Name : Tobi
Nationality : German

Q : Which was your 1st Chonburi match?
I am not sure, but it was in 2008. I think it was a home match against Chula. At least the Chula match was one of my first.

Q : Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
I have been interested in football for nearly 25 years. Even though I have lived for some time in Thailand, I was still following my "home" team (Borussia Dortmund) via the internet and TV. But after a while I got in touch with the Thai Football. I started to watch the Thai national team and met a lot of guys cheering and loving Thai football. I started to look for the Thai League fixtures and saw that one match was in Chonburi.

At this time I was living near Pattaya, so it was very close to my home. I really liked the people there and the atmosphere and I was sure that I would keep going.

Q : Who is your favourite current Chonburi player?
There is no favourite player for me. The team is my favourite.

Q : What has been your most memorable Chonburi match? There have been a few. The away match in the AFC Cup in Hanoi was a great trip and a lot of fun. Then the away match against Samut Songram this season. There was really heavy rain at the end. Till (my friend) and I were driving back only in underwear. Since that match we keep a bag of dry clothes so we can change in the car.

Q : Which trophies do you think we will win this season?
Kone will get the trophy for the most goals...

Q : What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club?
It's great. It's a really huge family. It's hard to explain... In Europe you often have lots of groups within a team's fan club and every group want to be the best group, or something special. In Chonburi you have also these groups, but they all respect and like each other...

Q : Why do you think that Thai football has suddenly become so popular?
They have started to promote it more professionally. Thai people are interested in football, they just have to get them interested in local football. And actually, I think that this is just the beginning ...

Q : Which other teams (Thai or foreign) do you support? Dortmund. Till I die!

Q : Anything else you'd like to add?
Just a big thank you to all the Chonburi FC Supporters and all the beer I've been given. A big thank you to all the Thai football supporters. A big thank you to all the foreign supporters in Thailand, especially to Nigel who is doing great work helping to promote Thai football (www.thaileaguefootball.com) and of course a big thank you to Mr Dale and Nui.

Fan 2 [17 Aug @ 10:00pm]

As Chonburi's fame spreads we now find ourselves with fans all over the world. One such fan is Cent Wagefeld in Holland. Cent was good enough to answer a few questions about his love for The Sharks.

Name : Cent Wageveld
Nationality : Dutch

Q : Which was your 1st Chonburi match?
Sorry, I've actually never seen The Sharks live!

Q : Why did you start supporting Chonburi?
In 2007 when I visited Thailand

Q : Who is your favourite current Chonburi player?
Arthit Sunthornphit

Q : What has been your most memorable Chonburi match? None so far

Q : Which trophies do you think we will win this season?
The Thai Premier League Championship

Q : What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club?
Great, give the fans a platform an strengthen the support

Q : Why do you think that Thai football has suddenly become so popular?
It has becomes better organised and the external PR has been increased.

Q : Which other teams (Thai or foreign) do you support? Sparta Rotterdam (Eredivisie, The Netherlands)

Q : Anything else you'd like to add?
I hope I will be able one day to visit a home match of Chonburi and wish the team and their fans a lot of succes and good football in the nearby future

Fan 1 [15 Aug @ 10:00pm]

A few of the photos used on this website come courtesty of a very talented photographer called Bob Lee. I recently had the opportunity to ask Bob a few questions about his love of Chonburi FC. Here's what he had to say.

Name : Bob Lee
Nationality : Malaysian

Q : Which was your first Chonburi match?
Queens Cup 2008

Q : When did you start supporting Chonburi?
2008

Q : Which other team(s) -Thai or foreign- do you support? Manchester United

Q : Who is your favourite current Chonburi player?
Suree

Q : What has been your most memorable Chonburi match?
My first one.

Q : Which trophies do you think we will win this season?
The Thai Premier League and the FA Cup

Q : What do you think about the Chonburi Fan Club?
What the fanclub members had given to the Blue Sharks is something I have never seen before - for example the birthday celebration for all the players and staff. They are always there to give their best cheer at the games - this is over 5,000 fan club members at every match. It is known that they came with their heart and not because of being forced by anyone. This really shows that we've got good spirit.

Q : Why do you think that Chonburi have been so successful? For me it's a belief that there is the capacity to surpass anything that their predecessors achieved, ensuring they go down as the finest team ever.

Q : Is there anything you'd like to say to the other Chonburi fans?
Keep on loving - do not lose faith even though at sometimes things might be down. Never let the spirit die.

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