INTERVIEW WITH MARC STEVENSON [13 Feb @ 11:30am]

Q - Please can you start by introducing yourself.
A – My name is Marc Stevenson. I’m  27 years old and I come from Manchester in England.

Q - What is the name of your team?
A - We are called Lees Park Rangers.

Q - Where are you based?
A – We are based in Tameside.

Q - How long have you been together?
A – We have been together for 3 years.

Q - Which league do you play in?
A – We play in the Ashton under Lyne 6 a side Division 1.

Q - What is the standard like?
A - The league is of a very high standard, with good players and some very well drilled teams.

Q - What sort of season are you having?
A - We’ve got off to a good start. We finished 4th last season and after one game of our new season, we are currently joint 2nd.

Q - Which has been your best performance this season?
A - We’ve only played one game so far this season but our best result last season was when we beat the team who were top of the league.

Q - Who is your best player and why?
A - Ooohh, thats a tough one! I'm going to be diplomatic and say we all bring something different to the team. Glyn Rolfe gets our goals, Adam Hatton is our work horse, Jamie Ainscow has safe hands in nets, Rob Cunliffe and myself play at the back and try to give Jamie an easy game, Rob Royal and Rob Clarke make the most of the plays going forward.

Q - How did you happen to start wearing the Chonburi kit?
A - We started wearing the Chonburi kit because, Rob knew a lad at university from Thailand, called Pong Cherisuriwankit. He started playing for us and was our top scorer for a few seasons. Pong used to turn up to training in his Chonburi shirt and we all agreed it looked amazing. So when Pong went back to Thailand he brought us some shirts back for the team.

Q - What was the reaction from your team mates when you first introduced the Chonburi shirts?
A - They loved them.

Q - Do you have names and numbers on the back?
A – Yes, we have nicknames on our shirts and numbers too.

Q - What sort of reaction does the kit get from other teams?
A – It always gets positive comments and we get asked "what teams that?" When we explain to them we get a thumbs up and a "nice kit" comment.

Q - Which kit did you play in before?
A – A Donnay yellow and black striped long sleeved top. Which was a bit boring.

Q - How closely do you follow Chonburi FC?
A – I always keep an eye on the league table but there's a lack of TV coverage of the TPL in the UK.

Q - Does anyone else in your team follow Chonburi?
A - We are all football fans at heart and have an interest in pretty much all leagues.

Q - Would you like to visit Chonburi for a match?
A – Yes we would love to see Chonburi in action if the opportunity came around.

With thanks to Marc 

 

INTERVIEW WITH RAY HALL [29 Jan @ 8:10am]

Q – Please can you introduce yourself.
A - I am Ray Hall and I am the Academy Ambassador responsible for International Player and Coach Development

Q – What was the reason for your visit to Chonburi?
A - To facilitate a course that is an integral part of our Everton FC / Chang Partnership

Q – Who organised the course?
A - I did, in conjunction with the Thai Talent team at Chang

Q – What aspects of coaching did the course cover?
A - Grass roots, Elite player development , Coach Education for the AFC ”C” Licence Course and the Chang / Everton Junior Cup

Q – Who were the main facilitators on the course?
A - Chang and Coach Daeng from the Chonburi F.A.

Q – Where did the course take place?
A - The course for players was held at  the ThaiBev / Chang Academy in Bangkok  and we were based at Chonburi F.C. for the coaches course.

Q – What was your schedule like?
A - Busy, as always

Q – Did you think this schedule was beneficial to learning?
A - Yes. Absolutely.

Q – Which aspects of the course did you feel worked well?
A - I felt that all aspects of the course worked well.

Q – Were there any aspects that you felt didn’t work so well? If so, how would you have improved them?
A - No. There were no problems at all

Q – How did the course compare to others of a similar nature you have been on?
A - In my opinion, this was the best yet !!!

Q – How important are courses like these for coaches, local FAs, local football as a whole?
A - I believe that our knowledge and expertise is invaluable in improving standards in all these areas.

Q – What was your involvement with local children?
A - We hosted more than 500 Children for “Children’s Day” at Thai Bev/Chang Academy

Q – What were your impressions on the coaching methods employed with local children?
A - This was my twelfth visit and I’ve seen an improvement every time.

Q – Did any of the local youngsters impress you?
A - There were several technically talented local youngsters who impressed me.

Q – Did you have any involvement with the Chonburi FC squad?
A - No. I worked with 14 year old elite squad all week

Q – What were your overall impressions of the Chonburi FA?
A - I thought they were very good

Q – How does it compare to other local FAs you have experienced?
A - It was better than others because it is led by Coach Daeng

Q – How were you treated by the Chonburi FA?
A - Their treatment of us was first Class

Q – Would you like to come back to work with the Chonburi FA on similar courses?
A - Yes I would.

With thanks to Ray 

INTERVIEW WITH INDONESIAN JOURNALIST BANI MARYANTO [27 Jan @ 8:03am]

Q - Please can you introduce yourself
A - I'm Bani Maryanto, 35, a football journalist for binasepakbola.com. I live in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Q - When did you first become aware of Irfan Bachdim?
A - When he first came from Holland with an Indonesian passport, to play for the National Team. It was around the middle of 2010. The news that he was willing to play only for Indonesia was the thing attracted me to him and he became my favorite player. 

Q - What is it you like about his style of play?
A - He is very good when the coach gives him a free role up front. His agility as a forward is very high. He shows tireless movement through the game, even coming back to take the ball from the defence to create attacks.

Q - What do you think his strengths are?
A - On the field he has good fundamental, basic skills, which he got from his early days playing football in the Netherlands. Off the field I get the impression that he is very motivated to be successful.

Q - And his weaknesses?
A - On the field, it looks like he lacks a finishing touch. Off the field I've noticed that he needs to control his emotions a bit more.

Q - Which of his performances for club or country have impressed you the most and why?
A - One of them was when he played for the national team against The Azkals in a friendly match in June, 2012. He got the through ball after an opposition corner kick, than took the ball from the centre of the field on his own. He passed three defenders then scored through the legs of the goalkeeper. 

Q - What sort of reputation does he have with fans of Indonesian football?
A - The fans see him as a flamboyant athlete. Besides his football skills, he has also featured in TV commercials.

Q - What sort of reputation does he have with the local media?
A - I am sure what Irfan does in football is always newsworthy for the local media.

Q - How much interest has there been in Indonesia over his transfer to Chonburi?
A - It has now become a trending topic on social media all around the country. Even his recent Tweets have already been written as headlines on one national newspaper website. And I'm also sure that many travelling fans would have to add a special visit to Thailand to catch a match to see Irfan with Chonburi FC, to their agenda.

Q - What is the general feeling about Thai football in Indonesia?
A - We are currently in a reformed federation and the Indonesian League could follow the success of TPL in terms of clubs professionalism and what that brings to the pride of the Thai National Team.

Q - Do you regard this move as a step up for him or a step down?
A - Surely this will be good for his career and help to improve his overall performance.

Q - How do you think he will adapt to playing in Thailand?
A - As I said earlier, it is my belief that his basic knowledge of football will help him adjust to a new football environment.

Q - How do you think he will adapt to the Thai lifestyle?
A - Where he is resident now in Indonesia, is the small city of Malang. Moving to Chonburi will be a good change for Irfan and his small family. 

Q - What can we expect to see from him in a Chonburi shirt?
A - He will help to get more goals for the team and score a few of his own. Irfan has a will to give his best for the team with his assists or by only a small contribution.

Q - What did you think of his two performances for Chonburi in the Chang Chonburi Invitation Cup?
A - First of all, in Chonburi he has played in a different position to what he plays in Indonesia. He was playing in a right flank role, which is the original position he played in for FC Utrecth. He showed up well in the first match against Suphanburi. He made a good cross from a free kick, that went in the goal. But, unfortunately, it was ruled out for a foul on the goalie. He also showed that he can pass for the team and overall he played well with the team plan.

In the second match, again he was more of a team player He was taking free kicks and corners, and crossing a good ball in front of goal. He did this until he was taken off after seventy minutes, which I saw as the coach wanting to change the game plan, which maybe did not suit Irfan's style of play.

Q - And how have they been reported in the Indonesian press?
A - The news is concentrating mainly on Irfan's move to a TPL club, and is  taken and translated from your local Thai media. There has also been a bit of criticism of him for not showing up for the national team, which is now preparing for the Asian Cup qualifiers. I, myself do hope that he will join your club soon and get a settled contract with Chonburi.

Q - Thank you.
A - Cheers. 


 

A TALE OF TWO CLUBS : PART ONE [13 Jan @ 11:43am]

INTRODUCTION
Please can you start by introducing yourselves
Tim Banks (Chonburi FC) : I’m Tim Banks age 60. I live in Bangsaen and I am a retired Aviation Consultant.

Brian Millington (Oldham Athletic) : I’m Brian Millington, 57, resident of Royton, a small village just in Oldham. I am a Self Employed Accountant, married to a nurse with 4 children 25,23,20 and 16.

How long have you been a fan of your club?
TB : 3 years.

BM : I have been following Oldham Athletic for over 50 years.

Why did you become a fan of your club?
TB : After moving full time to Bangsaen I was eager to get involved with a football club and living in the midst of “Sharks” territory there was only going to be one club to support.

BM : I started by going with friends and their parents whilst at Hathershaw Junior School in Oldham.

How many home and away games do you attend each season?
TB : As a season ticket holder, I go to all the home games. I also attend 50% of away matches, mainly most of the Bangkok and Chonburi regional games

BM : I attend every home game and almost all away games with number two daughter Sarah age 23.

SEASON TICKETS
How long have you been a season ticket holder?
TB : This will be my third season.

BM : I have been a season ticket holder for over ten years -

Why did you become a season ticket holder?
TB : Ease of booking, obtaining a regular seat with an excellent position in the main double-decker grandstand and being amongst a group of like minded Sharks fans.

BM : When I became able to attend every game again - the joys of kids preventing this prior to then!!

How much does your season ticket cost and how much does this work out at per match?
TB : With no AFC Cup Group stage involvement this season, it is reduced from the previous two seasons to 3,500 Thai baht. With 17 home league games and no AFC involvement it works out to be 205 Thai baht per match, although replica shirts have been included in season ticket prices previously so the per match price will definitely reduce, although we are unaware of the final inclusive package for the forthcoming season, i. e are there replica shirts/leisure shirts, books etc? However, the 10% discount in the club shops remains. Are the club going to also include FA Cup and League Cup home matches within the package, which were excluded previously?

BM : My season ticket costs £ 328.00 (B16,000), which is about £ 14.00 (B685) per game.

What is the regular admission price?
TB : 200 Thai baht in the main grandstand. It varies between B80-B150 elsewhere in the stadium.

BM : The normal match day price is £19.00 (B930) pre paid or £ 20.00 (B978) on the day.

What benefits do you get as a season ticket holder?
TB : Priority booking for all matches including AFC Knock out stage matches and both domestic Cup competitions, (although I believe these should be in the overall package) Season ticket renewal gifts and importantly choice of seat and the facility to renew the same seat thereafter. Plus 10% discount on Chonburi F.C merchandise in the club shop and various other marketing incentives throughout the season.

BM : Benefits of a season ticket are many: You look forward to Saturday (it all goes to pot at 4.45p.m.). You have your own seat along with friends, you are assured of FA Cup tickets - I have mine for Liverpool (Oldham have drawn the Merseyside club at home in the 4^th Round of the FA Cup). You get discount in the club shop and you have the chance to bring a friend for a fiver (B240)!!!!

What would you say to fellow fans to encourage them to become season ticket holders?
TB : All clubs need the bulk of their monies up front to be able to administer a budget and plan accordingly and Chonburi is no different in that respect. I believe that fans want to sit with their friends on a regular basis and if you do not utilise the season ticket facility this becomes less likely as our stadium is one of only a few in Thailand that has individual and numbered seats. We also have an electronic booking facility, whereas many clubs still have stadiums with “slab concrete terraces” that whilst enabling many more fans to be accommodated, without specific individual seating and just tickets for zones, this does cause serious issues regarding unsafe overcrowding at various big matches throughout the season, especially for visiting fans.

BM : I would tell my mates that a season ticket is good value and that every match watching Oldham is a rollercoaster  ride - the problem is ALL my friends are closet United and City fans and spend their money on Sky T V and a slab of Lager!!

To be continued... 

A TALE OF TWO CLUBS : PART TWO [14 Jan @ 10:48am]

MATCHDAY ROUTINE (HOME)
Who do you usually travel to the match with?
Tim Banks (Chonburi FC) : I travel to home games alone - as I live only a very short distance from the stadium - prior to meeting with a regular group of ex-pat fans.

Brian Millington (Oldham Athletic) : We live in Royton about 1.5 miles away from the ground. Sarah and I walk to home games with a stop at the bookies to give them my hard earned cash with a bet on Oldham and a five fold bet on 5 league one games. (the first week of this season we won £ 510 for £ 5!!!) We tend to stop outside the ground for a chat with other friends who sit in different stands to us.

What is your usual matchday routine for a home game?
TB : Our group of ex pats meets at a Sala in the park behind the away end, about two hours before kick-off, where we have access to all the usual food and drink. Whereas all these are currently banned in the stadium itself, which continues to be a “huge bone of contention”

BM : We use the same turnstile each week buying a programme and "strike it lucky" ticket from the same vendors.

Do you buy a programme at the match and how much does it cost?
TB : All season ticket holders are given their “free” programme as they enter into the stadium via their designated gateways. They cost 20 Thai baht for non season ticket holders.

BM : The programme is £ 3 (B146) and Sarah reads it at half time, I take it home to read in bed!!

Do you buy food and drink at the ground?
TB : As mentioned I purchase my food and drinks via the street vendors alongside the entrance to the stadium but not via the club sponsor vendors situated inside the stadium confines.

BM : Being the second highest league ground in the UK and being on the Pennines we tend to buy a pie at 50% of the games and a hot Bovril at 100% of the games.

How much does food and drink at the stadium cost, and how do these prices compare with the same food bought elsewhere?
TB : Via the street vendors 3 cans of beer (primarily Leo & Chang) currently cost 100 Thai baht but at certain times promotions with Chang, a club sponsor, will sometimes price 4 beers for B100. Food wise ten chicken pieces and chips cost 40 Thai baht and various sausages, chicken and typical Thai snacks would cost between 20-40 Thai baht and soft drinks would be priced between B10-20.

The street vendor prices are about the same throughout the city, excluding the Bangsaen beachfront, although certain beers (Singha) are in scarce supply as they cost more for the vendor to obtain so choice is reasonably limited

BM : Pies are £ 2.60 (B127) and hot drinks are £ 1.60 (B78). To me these are very expensive in comparison to outside the ground. (Two pies for £ 1 (B48) at the shop in Royton)

Are you allowed to take food and drink, including alcohol, to your seat?
TB : After a couple of match day incidents in 2011 versus Buriram PEA (which we were correctly sanctioned with having to play 3 games behind closed doors) ALL food and drink is currently banned from inside the stadium. Whereas I would understand perhaps beer being banned from some high profile full house matches, to ban all food and drink is draconian and has led to considerable fall out and various season ticket holders threatening not to renew for the coming season. Not allowing water into the stadium is actually a health hazard, with the temperatures still in the 30’s at kick off.

There is not a standard policy throughout the Thai Premier League and each club dictates what can be allowed inside their grounds. Chonburi undobtedly has the toughest zero tolerance policy, which is completely “ over the top” in my honest opinion and this continues to be hotly debated as we approach the new season

BM : We sit in The Chadderton Road Stand (Chaddy End) although no alcohol is served in our stand it is in the other two. We tend to take the food to our seat to watch the team warm up pre match. After the game we drown our sorrows, or raise a glass to the team in The Railway Hotel in Royton - J W Lees Bitter £ 2.65 (B130) a pint!!

Who do you sit with inside the stadium?
TB : I sit with the webmaster and a regular group of ex-pats, numbering between 6-10. These are primarily Thai based English and German football fans.

BM : We sit with 3 or 4 friends we have made at football,

How do you feel you are treated at the stadium and how does this affect your matchday experience?
TB : Poorly, as stated above, due to this zero tolerance policy and certainly compared to other grounds we visit and with such a tough policy the security staff are therefore particularly offensive in adhering to the rules etc and add nothing but negative vibes to the match day experience

There is a groundswell that the fans enjoy the away games more than the home games, which is surely an indictment of the clubs ill advised policy and their undoubted over reaction to incidents that have been blown out of all proportion. We have already been punished for these incidents. In fact, the season ticket holders came off worst, as we were banned from attending three home matches that we'd already paid for.

The view is excellent from the main double decker stand and the individual seats comfortable, although the lack of exits would cause UK Health and Safety a seizure!

In my opinion, the atmosphere is lacking at the new stadium, and doesn't come close to equalling that generated on the concrete slabs at the old IPE Stadium. However, at the away games, especially the big ones, it is sensational and memories of Muang Thong away at Christmas 2011 remind me of what a fantastic away following the club has. Sadly with the individual seating and therefore a more splintered group of supporters and perhaps a new breed of fans the noise level and commitment at home games, is not as good as it could be.

As regards the overall match day experience, the management have got their match day policies so wrong (compared to the other top sides in the TPL) that it could have major repercussions this season in season ticket renewals and it will be key whether they relax the policy in the advent of such massive criticisms on all fronts.

BM : There is little or no police presence and we know the stewards in our stand (Sarah's future husband is one!!) We enjoy the day, the view is good (there are posts in our stand) but being a small club there is a great friendly atmosphere as we are all behind the team.

How easy is it to mix with rival fans before and after the match?
TB : Pretty easy and enjoyable, especially as we base ourselves at the Sala in the park at the “away” end of the stadium. With the exception of a couple of games where the police cordoned off the whole of the visitors/away end - shades of the UK - but fortunately that has passed and there is a good banter with our rivals and ex-pats supporters are always in demand for photos with the visiting fans.

MB : With crowd segregation and not going to the pub before a home game we don't get to mix with the away fans at home games which is sad really as we are all football fans at heart.

To be continued...

 

A TALE OF TWO CLUBS : PART THREE [15 Jan @ 10:08am]

MATCHDAY ROUTINE (AWAY)
Who do you usually travel to away matches with?
Tim Banks (Chonburi FC) : The webmaster and various members of the group of ex pat fans.

Brian Millington (Oldham Athletic) : Most away game are with Sarah, my daughter, although we sometimes travel with two friends Ian and Kenny. We tend to have one or two away games where we stay away for the weekend and visit the local area - Crawley and Nottingham so far this season.

What is your usual routine for an away match?
TB : I usually travel in private cars to the more local games with the webmaster or various members of the ex pat group and use the official supporters bus on longer trips, when my job is to bring the refreshments/sweets etc.

BM : Most away games are south of us and the deal is I buy the match tickets (in advance as they are cheaper) although some games are pay on the day. Sarah drives and buys the petrol and uses her car. I navigate and as we have been going to games for so long, we don't even take a sat-nav or map!!

Do you ever travel on the club’s official transport?
TB : Yes, the supporters bus that departs from SriRacha actually picks me up at the end of my road, although timing is very much by Thai time and can vary by up to 30-45 minutes from the original pick up time.

BM : Once a season we have a break and use the official coach - it's a chance to chat to some people we only ever see at away games. The club manages to fill one 52 seat coach for each away game. Most people travel by car or train.

How much does it usually cost?
TB : Obviously it varies according to the destination but a mean average would between 250-350 Thai baht.

BM : In my view it's overpriced at £ 25 (B1,210) for games in the London area. Hence the limited use of it!!

How do you rate the experience of travelling on the official transport?
TB : Excellent, as the regular bus is a double decker luxury one with all the facilities and the added advantage of a very good and safe driver.

BM : Travel by coach is slow - 60mph (96kmph) at the most - and with a 30 minute break every 3 hours.

Do you buy a programme at away games?
TB : No, as I do not read Thai and few have any pages with English content.

BM : I don't tend to buy a programme at away grounds.

Do you buy food and drink at away grounds?
TB : Yes, same as at our home matches with prices roughly the same, although perhaps slightly cheaper at the more provincial grounds. We can also buy alcohol and soft drinks inside stadiums - served in plastic glasses or plastic bags - elsewhere throughout the TPL, so I’ll often have a beer.

BM : For most away games we know of a good pub for a pre match drink for me (Sarah drives thus doesn't drink - happy days)  and we visit ones with real ale and food. We quite often bump into fellow Oldham fans in these pubs! It’s funny but I don't tend to drink alcohol at away grounds, just in the pub prior to the game, but I will have a Bovril (a hot beef drink) or a coffee.

Are you allowed to take food and drink to your seat?
TB : Yes, in pretty much all stadiums in the TPL, although it must be in plastic glasses.

BM : Most grounds allow food and drink (but NOT alcohol) to be consumed at your seat.

What is the cheapest and most expensive away ticket you’ve bought this season?
TB : 100 Thai Baht at the League Cup match against Customs Utd was the cheapest, although I understand that they’d put their prices up from 80 baht just for our visit. The most expensive was at Muang Thong, when they were 150 Thai baht for the league match.

BM : Away admission prices this season have been as low as £ 10 (B484) - Nottingham Forest - and as high as £ 25 (B1,210) - MK Dons and Hartlepool (last season) - but they average out at about £ 20.00 (B968)

Generally, how do you feel you are treated at away grounds?
TB : Very well indeed and I thoroughly enjoy all the away games, although the high profile ones at Buriram and Muang Thong United have to be policed slightly differently. I fully understand this, as with 20,000 plus fans filling the grounds to capacity, safety is a concern.

BM : I do like away games better than home games. In League One everyone is friendly, the away fans, the stewards, the police and I find the atmosphere to be better.

How easy is it to mix with rival fans before and after the match?
TB : Excluding the two teams mentioned earlier with their huge attendances, it is very easy to mingle and share a beer and/or food with rival fans. We ex-pats are seen as a bit of a curiosity and I would guess we have our photos taken with the home fans on average about 3 or 4 times each match.

BM : Sarah tends to wear a Latics top to away games and this gets us into conversation with fans from the home club. Most fans are passionate about their club and to me the banter with the opposition fans is a highlight of the day.

Please give one example of a positive experience at an away game and one example of a negative experience?
TB : This was an example of the difference between home and away attitudes and a positive experience occurred at the end of last season in Saraburi, the home of Osotspa. I was mistakenly allowed into the grandstand with some cans of beer, which were then taken from me by a security guard. However, he returned a couple of minutes later with two large plastic glasses, some ice and my “missing” beer. He then proceeded to serve it to me this “brought the house down” especially compared to the treatment we receive at our home stadium. 

An unfortunate negative was at the Leo Stadium, the home of Bangkok Glass. The stewards ignored our initial pleas to open the empty centre section between the rival fans even though it was obvious to everyone that our section was completely oversold and was becoming unsafe. Fortunately, good sense did prevail, as it was opened shortly afterwards.

BM : Positive points to away games are at some smaller grounds (Yeovil and Dagenham), where home and away fans are in the same stand and you can have the banter. A negative experience would be at Sheffield Wednesday a few seasons ago. Quite a nasty game of football and then at the end 18,000 fans - both Oldham & Sheffield - were leaving the ground through the same small opening. Some of the Sheffield fans were not friendly, to say the least!

Which is your favourite away trip and why?
TB : Muang Thong, because the atmosphere at a full SCG Stadium is excellent and the football is always some of the best on show in the TPL. We always seem to take at least 20 buses and overfill our visitors allocation by 50% and until this last season, it was a fairly happy hunting ground for us.

BM : My most enjoyable away trip is Carlisle United . Not for the football, but for the scenery on the trip up there, the Lune Gorge and Shap Fell in the Lake District are awesome; the traffic is very light on the motorway going to Carlisle; we always go into Scotland to Gretna before the match as there is the most fantastic fish and chip shop in the village.

What do you enjoy most about travelling to away games?
TB : The camaraderie and the banter and the ability to visit far flung Provinces throughout the TPL and as I expressed earlier the away support is 100% committed and a credit to the club and I know the players and owner are really thankful for the masses that follow the team.

BM : Visiting different parts of the country, meeting fellow Oldham fans in far flung places  and enjoying the banter with the home supporters.

What don’t you enjoy about travelling to away games?
TB : Losing and the prospect of a four hour plus coach journey through Sunday night traffic.

BM : The only downside to away games, in the UK in winter, is after the game, (more so if we have lost) is travelling home in the cold, dark, over crowded motorway for 4 or 5 hours. Although with Sarah's choice in “yagga gagga ding dong” music, I can hold my own with anyone in conversation about modern pop groups and singers.

To be continued... 

A TALE OF TWO CLUBS : PART FOUR [16 Jan @ 11:01am]

GENERAL
How do ticket prices compare with other forms of entertainment in your area?
Tim Banks (Chonburi FC): Season tickets are slightly more expensive but general ticket prices within the ground compare to other forms of local entertainment.

Brian Millington (Oldham Athletic): I think football is overpriced - although Sarah has just paid £ 80 (B3,828) to watch The Lion King at the theatre.

Roughly, how much do you spend in a season following your club?
TB : 17,000-20,000 Thai baht

BM : With Sarah's tickets, travel, the odd pie and a pint or two, I would say £ 60 (B2,870) per home game and £ 100 (B4,785) per away game. I would hate my wife to work out what I spend following the Super Blues.

How do you feel that your club regards you as a fan and how much of an affinity do you feel with the players, coaches and management?
TB : As I outlined previously I feel that the club in general is unfortunately becoming more distant from the fans, as it grows. This is a worrying trend that has to be arrested. There is certainly a good rapport with the players who really enjoy the away support in particular, with the regulars travelling all over Thailand, although very little with the current coaches who seem very unapproachable. Again the relationships with the management could be so much better, although transparency and communication are areas that need addressing throughout Thai life and not just at football clubs.

BM : There is a family atmosphere at the club. This season whilst buying things in the club shop two players stopped for a chat and whilst collecting some tickets Simon Corney - Club Owner and Chairman also stopped for a chat saying he sees Sarah and me at most away games.

Do you ever attend club organised functions?
TB : I usually go to the start of season party and promotions at Central shopping mall, such as the pre season kit launch.

BM : I tend to stay away from any organised functions as they are in my opinion, overpriced. I did go to a Meet the Players at a dog racing night but there were problems there with a couple of players who, shall we say, "enjoyed a drink".

Do you think your club organise enough of these functions?
TB : No, they need to organise more of these in order to gauge feedback from the backbone of the club and digest what these fans think and want.

BM : No I don't think they do, apart from the end of season awards, that's about it. There are a few meet the player/manager events, but not enough!

What type of functions would you like to see the club organise?
TB : A regular schedule of events throughout the season underwritten partially by club sponsors and published well in advance with some events held to coincide with Youth matches to encourage the fans to support the Chonburi FC of tomorrow.

BM : More social events based around the club to get everyone, players, youth players, backroom staff and management together to communicate how people see the club and what if anything could be done to improve the match day experience etc.

Does your club give you the opportunity to make your feelings known on relevant matters?
TB : I do not believe so as again it is not the “Thai way”. Although I feel that it should start with a comprehensive questionnaire to be completed when you fill in your season ticket application. They could extend this idea to include non season ticket holders and club members. I also think that there should be an end of season questionnaire and much better use of the club’s website for the Thai fans feedback throughout the year. Although I believe the General Manager is a regular online visitor to the English Chonburi F.C. independent website and would be able to gauge feedback accordingly, as the webmaster is very fair and impartial in his coverage, whilst being a true committed Shark.

BM : You can contact the club by e-mail and they do respond, although not always in the way you would anticipate. I think they could do more for the fans including keeping them better informed.

Name one thing, not playing related, your club has done that has given you a nice warm glow?
TB : Travelling to my wife’s province in Phitsanulok and Petchabun to play two games back to back over one weekend to raise money for those suffering from flood damage.

BM : High point of the last few years was last season at Hartlepool, on a wet, cold winter Tuesday night. After the game the manager Paul Dickoff came over to the away stand and shook the hand of each and every travelling supporter - all 79 of us!!

Name one thing your club has done, again not playing related, that has made you go “grrr”?
TB : I repeat my dismay at the banning of all drinks/foodstuffs in the stadium and the negative impact that this has on the fans. Also the need recently to change the club logo, when the old one is seen everywhere throughout the region. This obviously means that all merchandise needs changing and the higher costs associated will impact on the fans.

BM : What don't I like about the club - they should have left the club badge alone - the new design of Owl is awful!!!!!!!!!!!

Anything else you’d like to add?
TB : The club has made huge strides since its formation, especially in the last couple of years as a visit to the ground would testify and they should be rightly congratulated. However, I would caution it against continued growth and expansion if this alienates the fans, and the club in general loses touch with its supporters which, in my honest opinion, is beginning to be the case.

All the froth and marketing is very well but the club's heart is its supporters and there is a great deal of discontent which is illustrated by the fact that regulars of 5/6 years ago, when the club had very little compared to the present day, no longer attend. And those reasons why are paramount in ensuring that the club does go forward but with their fan base in tact and 100% on side.

BM : I love my football and my club and you can't beat the match day atmosphere. I am off to the pub for my Sunday afternoon pint and today I will have to put up with "Armchair" City and United fans as they are both on TV. My mate Gary "supports" United, he will have the shirt on but has never been to Old Trafford - it's only 8 miles (13kms) away for goodness sake. If I can make Crawley - 225 miles (362kms) -  why can't he do 8?!!

I rest my case.

Many thanks to both Tim and Brian for taking the time to answer my questions and give their honest and interesting opinions. I owe you both a drink! 

INTERVIEW WITH JOHN WILKINSON [21 Dec @ 2:08pm]

Q – Please can you start by introducing yourself
A – My name is John Wilkinson. I’m 33, and a professional footballer.

Q – How did you get the job as ESPN/Star Sports summariser/co-commentator for the AFF Cup?
A –I have known various people at ESPN for a number of years -- Paul ‘fat Sampras’ Masefield, DezCorkhil, Dave Roberts, to name a few. I have been doing some TV work sporadically the last few years when I was based in Singapore.

Q – Are you enjoying the role?
A –It’s enjoyable talking about something I love, and I believe I have good knowledge of.

Q – Do you think that the fact you are still playing helps you in your commentaries/summaries?
A –I think it helps when commenting on a team or player that I have played against or with, as I can give more of a personal insight. It can also be difficult to stay neutral at times.

Q – How much preparation do you do before the games?
A –I really should do more, I usually have a cup of tea and process some of the information I’ve got infront of me, a lot of the more experienced guys do hours in the build up to a game and have huge pads of notes. I mostly steal their first few pages...I'm only kidding! 

Q – What does this preparation involve?
A –Trawling through the internet, looking for players’ habits, team patterns and styles, geeky info that might compliment the match, and being a footballer myself helps.

Q – DezCorkhil is a very knowledgeable, well liked and respected expert on football in the region, what is he like to work with?
A –Well, it’s never easy working with “Scousers” as you really have to be mindful of your personal belongings when stuck in a room with them. Haha, jokes aside.Dez is extremely good at what he does and has been great in guiding and showing me the ropes, if you will…absolute gent.

Q – What sort of feedback have you had to your commentaries?
A –The feedback has been really encouraging so far. I think a lot of the viewers appreciate my passion for the game and the fact that I don’t try to water down my views.

Q – To people sitting at home, commentating seems to be an easy job, is this true?
A –Yeah I always felt the same way and still shout abuses at the TV if Paul Masefield or PJ Roberts are on. It is in fact easy to do but to enhance a game and to do it well is very difficult.

Q – What has been the funniest thing that has happened to you during a commentary?
A –All I can say is that if there’s a lull in commentary that usually means that we have just heard something hilarious from the producer and we are breaking ourselves laughing…happens every 15 minutes or so. It’s always funnier when you’re not supposed to laugh, isn’t it? Like at school.

Q – Will you be commentating on the second leg?
A –I will, and I’ll be nervous like I was for all the Singapore matches.

Q – Would you like a career in the media when you retire from playing?
A –I really don’t know. I’ve been guilty in the past of having my head turned by other things and losing focus on my first love…I’d also like to be better at it before considering it as a viable career option.

Q – How are you enjoying the AFF Cup tournament?
A –I’m enjoying it this year as Singapore have gone so deep into it. Still sad to see empty seats at certain matches though. I still think more could be done to put bums on them.

Q – What have been your highlights of the tournament?
A –Amri’sfreekick was a cracker.Raddy used to try to tell him what part of the foot to strike the ball with.Haha, always makes me chuckle. I’ve really been impressed by Myanmar’s striker Kyi Lin, he initially went into the tournament as a midfielder but got moved upfront and was a revelation - very direct and exciting.

Q – Do you think that Thailand and Singapore are worthy finalists?
A –Their styles are so different that I think it makes the final so interesting.It’s fun to watch Thailand try to pick apart Singapore and equally it’s enjoyable to try to guess how Singapore are going to nullify Thailand’s dangerous midfield. Singapore are such a good team without the ball, similar to South Korea or the Scandinavian sides.They’ve also been more productive with the ball in this tournament. Thailand on the other hand are all about possession in midfield and have shown more imagination and flair than any other side in this competition.

Q – What were your impressions of the first leg?
A –I was nervous.The pitch is a big advantage but I thought the Thais would cope better than what they did, especially in the first half. Singapore did exactly what they had to do, which was to start at a frantic pace and not let the Elephants settle. This meant that Datsakorn had to move deeper to receive the ball in any kind of space. Having him with the ball in deep areas near his own defenders was comfortable for Singapore.

Q – Do you think that Thailand can overcome the deficit?
A – Thailand are more than capable of overcoming the deficit.It will be a completely different match. I’m sure Thailand will keep the ball better and will open the pitch better.  It will be an exhausting game to watch and play in for Singapore. But I still think they will come through.

Q – You have played with or against a lot of the players who are featuring in the final, who do you rate most highly and why?
A – I’ve played with or against nearly all the players playing in the final but for me the player that stands out is Adul. I’ve played against him many times and I’m a big fan of his economical style and controlled aggression. He’s a very complete midfielder, probably the most complete in the tournament. He can shoot, pass long or short, has good vision, understands the game really well, loves a tackle….above all that, always comes across as a nice chap.

Q – What are you expecting from the second leg?
A –Blood, guts and glory!

Q – What would a win for Singapore do for the country’s domestic game?
A – I don’t think a win in this competition would change much at all on the domestic front. It might paper over a few cracks for a while and a few fellows in suits might pat each other on the back but there will still be lots to do after this tournament is put to bed.

Q – Finally, how did you enjoy your time in Thailand and are you looking forward to your new challenge in India?
A – It was enjoyable for the first couple of months but it soon became apparent that the powers that be at the club weren’t really interested in getting better and were struggling to come to terms with the newly available money. I really can’t wait to get started over in India as the team really needs a win. I go there with my eyes open after my time spent in Thailand and am going to enjoying every minute of it.

Q – Anything else you like to add?
A –I love and miss my midfield partner Therdsak terribly -- the only player with longer teeth than legs. Please pass on my regards.

Q – Good luck and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
A – You’re welcome….Cheers


 

INTERVIEW WITH TRUE SPORT'S NUTLADA KORSUWAN [7 Dec @ 9:34am]

Q - Please can you start by introducing yourself.
A - My full name is Nut-lada and my family name is Korsuwan. In Thailand people usually have nicknames, and mine is Nan. Now I am 29, working as an MC for TV cable company called True Visions. I am also an outdoor sports reporter for the True Sport channel.

Q - How long have been interested in football?
A - I did not pay much attention to football in the first place for I thought it was for the guys. My dad watches English and Thai matches, so I knew a bit about football but did not follow it regularly until I got a job at True Sport.

Q - What first got you interested in football?
A - Actually, as I said, my interest in football first came with the job. Since I have worked for the sports channel, I‘ve had to learn about many sports seriously, and one of them is football, which is considered the world’s most famous sport. But, if you ask me as a girl, I would say that my first interest in football comes from the players, both their appearance and talent.

Q - How long have you been doing your current job?
A - It has been 2 years since I started my current position as an outdoor reporter for Thai Premier League. Previously, I worked in this field for some other sports on the True Sport channel and as an MC for True Visions. So, in total, I have 6 years’ experience in sport news.

Q - How did you get your current job?
A – A few years ago, a senior at True Visions asked me if I wanted to be a presenter for a sports channel. I did not understand clearly about the definition of “presenter”. I thought it was about a TV advertisement or a photo-shooting for sports products, so I was glad that he saw me as pretty and presentable. I found out what it really was on the day I started working. He meant that the presenter is the reporter. So, I took my first step in this field as a sport reporter covering “U League, U Gen”, the variety show about the university football competitions. 

As for the Thai Premier League, I actually started with just a short talk in the show’s opening and closing, but with more opportunities given by the seniors here, I have a bigger role and I have become more serious about the show and football since then.

Q - What jobs have you done before?
A - I had nothing to do with football at all and I never expected to be in this field. When I was young I dreamed to be a singer or an actress because my parents led me to these kinds of activities. My dad taught me to sing while my mom took me to Thai classical dance and contemporary dance classes, as well as gymnastics practice for many years to keep me healthy (I am not quite strong, physically). I had been a national gymnast until 18, and become a dancer at Grammy Entertainment for many artists. What made me proud the most was the opportunity to dance for Thongchai McIntyre for 3 years (Thailand’s number one singer, well know as Bird Thongchai). 

One big change in my life came in 2004, when I applied for a reality show called “Academy Fantasia”, the first reality show for people who are interested in singing, dancing and acting. I did not win in the end, but it did not matter at all because at least I was chosen to be 1 of the final 12 ‘dream chasers’. I had memorable experiences, I had challenged myself, and made my family proud and that was it. Moreover, I have met good friends, and received warm support from my fans, which made me feel blessed enough. Anyway, being one of the dream chasers led me to the job opportunity in entertainment industry as I dreamed. I am what I am today from that big step.  

Q - How many matches do you cover in a season?
A - Since True Visions has the authority to broadcast live Thai Premier League for the whole season, I have to go for a live report in every match. I think there are around 68 matches in total.

Q - How many different grounds have you visited?
A - I think I have been to almost every ground. Actually it depends on the schedule of the matches broadcasted on the channel True Sport 2. If you follow the match, you will find me there.

Q - How much preparation do you have to do before each match?
A - A lot, because I am not that knowledgeable about  football so I have to work harder. I follow the news about the players, movements in each team, players trading and game results.

Q - Which is your favorite ground to visit and why?
A - For me I personally like the ground of SCG Muangthong United because it really gives me the atmosphere of football game there.

Q - Which are your favourite Thai teams?
A - Well, I have to say that I love every team because they are all Thai. I admire all of their efforts and hard work.

Q - Who are your favourite Thai players?
A - This is a really difficult question! I have a long favourite list! I like Gawin Tammasajjanun (Goalie – Muang Thong Utd), Sintavechai Hathairattanakul (Goalie), Teerasil Dangda (forward – Muang Thong Utd), Pipob Onmo (forward),Terdsak Jaiman (Attacking Midfield), and … Oh that should be enough already hahaha.

Q - Who is the best person you've interviewed? And why?
A - I love them all! They are all nice and very cooperative.

Q - Who would you most like to interview? And why?
A - Now I would like to interview Teerasil Dangda very much, for he is the joint top goal scorer in Thai League 2012 and his work in AFF Suzuki Cup is impressive. For me, he is considered the player with the top form.

Q - Which is the best Thai league match you've ever seen and why?
A - The match between Chonburi and SCG Muangthong United because the players in both teams brought out their best with high spirits.

Q - What is the best thing about your job?
A - The opportunity to learn new things and gain new experiences from meeting a lot of people in football society from management level to the audiences.

Q - What is the worst thing about your job?
A - Pressure! Because the live broadcast is what we call a ‘Real Time production’ which has high possibility to have errors or technical problems. I have to be very careful and try to control the imperfections and keep them at the minimum level.

Q - Do you ever get the chance to go and watch a match when you're not working?
A - Yes, I watched the Toyota League Cup  match between Bangkok Glass and Chonburi FC at Leo Stadium, and the AFC Cup tie between Chonburi FC and Al-Zawra’a at Chonburi Stadium. But for Thai Leagues I am always on duty.

Q - What is the funniest thing that has happened to you whilst covering a Thai league match?
A - It happened in my first live report while I was leading the show to the live broadcast. I said “Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I, Nut-lada Korsuwan, will take you to the universities football championship which will be broadcast live from the stadium of Bangkok Metropolitan University.” Actually, the name is just Bangkok University! I was so embarrassed and afraid that things would turn out messy and unprofessional. But the show must go on, right?!? So I just continued like nothing happened. I still laugh at myself every time I think about it.

Q - Will you be covering the AFF Suzuki Cup?
A - Probably not, but I will follow the news and I believe that the Thai team will do a great job.

Q - Which AFF Suzuki Cup match are you most looking forward to and why?
A - The final match with the Thai team, of course. We have not seen the Thai team in an international match for a  while.

Q - How do you think Thailand will do in the AFF Suzuki Cup?
A - With the potential and talent of each player, plus the skills and experience gained from Thai League matches in the previous season, I believe that, in the name of Thailand, they will have their best presence in the AFF Suzuki Cup for all Thai fans.

Q - If you could ask Worawi Makudi one question, what would it be?
A - How do you feel about the criticism of your work all the time? 

Q – Anything else you’d like to add?
A - Last but not least, I would like to thank Mr. Dale Farrington for the opportunity to have this interview, everyone in my life who has helped me get this far and make me who I am today, all support and feedback, and above all, my beloved family who is everything to me, who supports, understands and guides me when I find difficulties in both my career or my life. Thank you all so much. 

Photo credit: Akadech Repaichit

Nutlada Korsuwan Photo Gallery 

INTERVIEW WITH THE WEBMASTER (PART ONE) [6 Nov @ 10:47am]

How long have you been a fan of Chonburi FC?
I first started going in 2002 – the year in which the club was formed. I managed to get to a few matches in 2002 and 2003 but became a regular in 2004. In fact, I have only missed one home match since 2004. I also go to most of the away games as well.

What attracted/inspired you to become a fan in the first place?
I have always been a football fan and am a lifelong supporter of my hometown team Oldham Athletic. When I first moved to Thailand in 1997 I looked around for a local team to support. However, most of the clubs were based in Bangkok and affiliated to companies or branches of the armed forces. This didn’t particularly appeal to me so I started following the Thailand national team instead. I attended all the home games at the national stadium(s) in Bangkok. In 2002 I became aware of Chonburi Code Red FC when I read an article in the Football Siam magazine. I set off to find more about the club and went to my first match in May of that year – a 3-1 home win against Nakhon Pathom at the old Municiapl Stadium.

As a supporter, what do you personally associate with when it comes to Chonburi FC? 
As someone who has been following the club since the beginning, it has been a great honour to have been involved in some way and watched as the club has grown and influenced the local football scene. There’s no doubt in my mind that the current domestic game owes a great deal to Chonburi FC and all the hard work that has been done by the management, the staff, the players and the fans. The club is definitely a huge part of the local community and plays an important part in many people’s lives – including my own.

How would you describe yourself as a fan?
I am very loyal and I certainly care a great deal about the club. I am also very passionate – not just about Chonburi FC but about Thai football as a whole. I often get frustrated at the amateurish way the game is run in this country and would love to see the FAT, SAT and TPL get a big shake up and people who actually know what they’re doing put in positions where they can influence things to benefit everyone. I am also not afraid to criticize the way certain things are done at our club. Over the years I truly believe that the management has got most things right and we are a model for others to follow. However, there have been a few decisions made lately that I felt shouldn’t go unquestioned; the rise in price of the season tickets, the food and drink ban at the stadium (ludicrous and totally unnecessary), the cost of the shirts. I will challenge these things – via my website – not because I’m awkward but because I care and I know that others do to.

What comes to mind when you think of the 'identity' of Chonburi FC fans?
This is an interesting question because the identity of the Chonburi FC fans has really changed over the past couple of seasons. In the early days, there was a small group of fans who would travel everywhere to support the team. We were passionate and we all knew each other and formed a tight-knit little group. These people became my friends away from football and we would often socialize together. There was a strong bond due to the Chonburi FC connection. However, for one reason or another, a lot of these people no longer go to the match or will attend only occasionally. They have been replaced by a new breed of supporter who doesn’t have an understanding of the history of the fan club. This is not a criticism but it is interesting for me to see a completely different group of fans who now lead the cheering at matches. Having said that, I still feel that we are a family (cliché, I know!) and it is always nice when I do bump into somebody from the “old days” at a match. But overall, I feel that the atmosphere is now very different at games and we have lost a bit of that special “something” that set us apart from fans of other clubs.

I am also aware that there is is quite a bit of disillusionment amongst the more long standing fans at the moment and I often hear the criticism that “it’s not as much fun as it used to be”. It will be interesting to see what happens to our attendances should we have a bad run of results or fail to win anything in the next couple of years.

What activities (during matchdays or in everyday life) do you do which relate to the Club?
Well, obviously there’s my website. I spend an awful lot of time on this. Probably more than is healthy!! It is totally unofficial but I know that certain people at the club read it. I genuinely enjoy doing it and I have made a lot of new friends from all over the world as a result of my posts. It gives me a lot of pleasure to be able to promote the club in this way and it is certainly interesting for me now there are a lot more English speaking fans following Chonburi FC. I also have a Twitter account and have recently started a Facebook page. Other than this, I will also try and encourage friends and colleagues to go to the match. I have had varying degrees of success with this over the years but currently there is a small group of people from work who go regularly thanks to my constant badgering. I have also spent a small fortune at the club shop on replica shirts, t-shirts, scarves, cuddly toys etc Naturally, on matchdays I am usually travelling to the game or, on the very rare occasion I can’t make it, sitting in front of the TV with a couple of bottles of beer.

In which ways do you think Chonburi FC has succeeded in creating a 'sense of belonging' for its fans? 
As I mentioned earlier, we created our own sense of belonging at the beginning. It was so easy to have access to the players and the management – just walk on to the pitch after the final whistle! - that it felt as if we were all a part of the club. In recent times, as the club has grown, the management have had to “create” a  sense of belonging through the official website, Sharks TV, Shark Radio, the Shark Café and the club shops etc. There are also the fan club parties and the fan club football team. All these things continue to be very successful and the club should take a lot of the credit for this. The club also taps into the local pride of the fans. Chonburi FC isn’t just a football club but the flagship for the city and, in some cases, the whole province. Just count the number of car stickers you see on an average day driving around the province.

What makes Chonburi different to other provincial-based clubs in Thailand? (i.e. Buriram United, Chiang Rai United, Samutsongkram, etc)
I think our history sets us apart from most of the clubs in the Thai leagues. We are certainly responsible for the surge of provincial clubs that have appeared in recent years. We were the trail blazers in so many ways – including attracting a local fan base – and it is satisfying to now that whatever happens in the future, no-one can ever take this away from us. We are also very loyal. A lot of the current first team squad and coaching staff have an association with Assumption College in SriRacha and have been with Chonburi FC for a very long time. We are still bringing youth players up through the ranks and it looks like we have some promising talent emerging.

To what extent do you think local politics (i.e. Provincial Administration Organization, MPs, Palangchon Party, etc) plays a role in Chonburi FC?
To a very large extent. Our chairman is the governor of the province and his family are very influential politically in this regional. The players’ images have been used on election material for the Palangchon Party and many fans display car stickers promoting the party. I am also aware that fan club members go out campaigning during the run up to elections. However, for the most part the chairman keeps a low profile and lets the coaches, players and club management get on with it. I think that this is a very sensible approach and certain other politicians who are now involved at other clubs should take note!

Do you support the use of sports a tool for maintaining political popularity and legitimacy? 
No. I believe that sport and politics should be kept separate whenever possible. There are obviously times when it may be justified for sport to be used as a tool to instigate political change or exert pressure on certain regimes – ie Apartheid in South Africa – but, by and large, I’d like to the two things to be kept apart. However, I do understand why Thai football and politics are so closely linked. Football is also a great leveler and brings people from all different backgrounds together. There are fans of Chonburi who hold differing political views and come from different income brackets but, on a Saturday or Sunday evening are all united in thir support for their team.

Finally, what are your views on football and the involvement of local politicians in Thailand? 
How long have you got?! Seriously, this is a very thorny issue. A lot of politicians have jumped on the football bandwagon in order to increase their popularity and raise their profiles. What they have failed to realize is that there are only a few clubs who can actually win things. If you are a local politician attached to the club near the bottom of the Regional League it doesn’t really do your image much good. There have already been a number of instances when clubs have “run out of money” or not paid players’ salaries, as the local politicians have lost interest or discovered things aren’t going entirely to plan, and this is not healthy for Thai football. When things go right – ie Buriram – it will do your standing within the community a lot of good. And for all the criticism Kn Newin and Kn Karuna get, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that they have achieved something quite remarkable in such a small province and should be applauded for trying to raise the bar.

I understand that they don’t have to jump the hurdles that others might have to but it is still admirable. However, I still wish that they’d wind their necks in a bit and stay in the background. “We all know what you’ve done you don’t have to be centre of attention all the time!” For me there should be a “Fit and Proper” test for people wanting to own football clubs, like they have in England. It’s not perfect by any means but it might just sort out the truly serious from those who just want to boost their popularity with the voters.

To be continued... 

INTERVIEW WITH THE WEBMASTER (PART TWO) [7 Nov @ 11:01am]

In which ways do you think Chonburi FC has created or ignited a sense of ‘local pride’?
I think the fact that we were the first to do a lot of the things that many other clubs are now doing is one of the reasons we feel proud to be Chonburi fans. We were certainly the first fans to attach ourselves to our local provincial side with such enthusiasm. I think it helps that Chonburi is also the name of the province. We get fans from all over the region and that certainly helps our local identity. There is also the fact that many of our current squad are home grown. This has always been the case at Chonburi – due to our links with Assumption College in SriRacha – and this looks like continuing now we have our own youth academy. Fans always like to see local lads doing well.

How are you different from the rest of Thai football fans?
If you mean personally, I don’t think that I am. We all follow the game because we love the sport and want our teams to do well, the same as football fans the world over. However, if you want me to highlight a couple of differences, the obvious ones are:

I grew up watching football in England and I have been going to the match all my life. My parents met at Boundary Park (home of Oldham Athletic) so I have known nothing else. Fan culture in England is very different to what it is in Thailand – some things I prefer, some I don’t. This background means I react in certain ways to incidents on and off the pitch that the majority of Thai fans probably find strange. I remember taking my wife to her first game in England. She thought that everyone was mad but it did help her understand the way I behave when I’m at the football. 

The second one is probably the fact that when I first started going to Thai football league matches, I would rarely see any other non-Thais. And if I did, it was usually a coach or a scout. It’s very different nowadays because a lot more foreigners are interested in the domestic leagues and many more are going to games. So I’m no longer different in that sense, other than the fact that I’ve witnessed the growth of the local game first hand and have experienced going to matches when the stadiums have been virtually empty.

How would you describe the importance of technology in developing or maintaining the identity of a Chonburi FC fan?
The internet, TV, mobile phones etc have all made a huge difference for fans of all Thai clubs. Not just Chonburi. Information is so freely available these days (although it’s not always correct!) and websites like Facebook and the official club messageboard make it so much easier for fans to keep in touch. This means that supporters can exchange views 24/7 with people who they probably don’t even meet on matchdays because they sit in different parts of the stadium or have a different group of friends. I personally have met a lot of fellow Chonburi fans via the internet – and my website - and I’m still to meet them in person!

With technology changing rapidly, do you see an impact it could have on the identity of fans in the near future?
I think that the biggest impact might be on attendances. Games now are widely covered on TV and on the internet so some people might choose to follow the matches this way rather than go to the stadium, especially as prices are going up. In England we have an expression: Armchair Fan. This basically means someone who claims to support a club but only ever watches them on TV. I’m not aware of any here in Thailand but one day it could become as common as it is in my home country. On the plus side, the information superhighway means that Chonburi have “fans” all over the world. And I’m often contacted by people in such places as Holland, Australia, USA etc, who have never seen the Sharks play “live”, asking for information about the team.

In the past, football fans used to mainly identify themselves as a fan simply because they are from that particular place. In the present day, we see ChonburiFC fans in Bangkok (e.g. Bangkok Sharks), so what are you views on how these forms of attachment or identities are created?
I think in Chonburi’s case, we initially attracted a lot of fans from elsewhere because we were the first provincial club to break the monopoly of the company and force’s teams who were mainly based in Bangkok. We also started the fan culture in Thailand and this also drew people from other towns and cities, who couldn’t experience anything similar in their home provinces. I remember when we played our AFC Champions League fixtures at Supachalasai in 2008,there were fans from all over Thailand in Chonburicolours. I guess the Bangkok Sharks, and a few others, are a legacy of this. Also, people do tend to be attracted by success. Things have changed in recent years as more provincial clubs have sprung up. However, I still see former Chonburi fans who now go and cheer for Muang Thong Utd, Bangkok Glass, Rayong because they live locally to those clubs.

Fans come from all over the country, some from outside of Thailand, so what are your views on the identities of ChonburiFC fans that live elsewhere? Are their identities different to the ones living in the geographic space of Chonburi?
I don’t really have a problem with it if they’ve been supporting us for a few years (see question 5) but I find it strange that someone in KhonKaen – for example – would choose to support Chonburi over his or her local team, unless they have a family connection. As I said earlier, my local team is Oldham Athletic and I couldn’t imagine supporting anybody else. I was born about a mile from the ground and, although I haven’t actually lived in the town for 37 years, they are still my team. Unfortunately, a lot of my fellow Oldhamers have taken the easy option and “support” either Manchester United or Manchester City – Manchester is about 5 miles from Oldham.

I know that a lot of our overseas fans – certainly the ones who have contacted me via the website – have reasons for being Chonburi fans: they saw us playing while they in Thailand on holiday; they are fans of Therdsak or Sinthaweechai from their spells abroad or appearances for the national team; they started following us when we had a good run in the 2008 AFC Champions League; they saw us featured on ESPN during our Singapore Cup run or during the 2007 season. I believe that these people can still be passionate about the club regardless of where they live. I guess the true test of their loyalty will come if ever we are in a position when we are no longer challenging for honours on a regular basis. This is also true of our local fans.

Lastly, can you describe how ChonburiFC has impacted your everyday life? Are there any socio-cultural- recreational activities alongside going to the games you take part in?
The most obvious way is my website. I spend far too much time adding articles and photos on there!! Otherwise, a lot of my friends are people I’ve met through the football. There was a small group of us who used to go to all the games before the recent boom and we forged friendships then that are still strong today. I’ve been invited to weddings, birthdays and other get togethers. We used to have regular fan club parties until it all got too big. I’ve also been involved in numerous football matches with mates who are fellow Chonburi supporters. My wife too has made lots of friends from going to the match. We usually travel to away games on the Fan Club bus so we see many of the same faces each time. The social side is a huge part of the Chonburi experience and one of the reasons I’m unhappy with the club for banning drinks & food inside the stadium. Sharing our provisions used to be such fun and engendered a real sense of togetherness. It’s a shame that it all had to change.

INTERVIEW WITH THIAGO CUNHA [23 Oct @ 3:29am]

How did your transfer to Chonburi come about?
I sent a dvd with my video highlights. Then I came to Thailand for a trial. I didn’t know at the time that I would sign for Chonburi. I was here for seven days and, thank God, everything worked out alright. Chonbnuri believed in my work, and today I'm sure they are happy that they made the decision to sign me.

You seemed to take a while settling in at Chonburi before you hit your stride, why was this?
I think the coach was just evaluating me. That’s why it took so long.

How does the training at Chonburi compare with what you are used to?
In Brazil teams train in the morning and in the afternoon, here we train only once. I miss the extra training.

Which is your favourite goal for Chonburi and why?
The goal that saw us go through in Jordan. Without a doubt. It was great to be a part of history and take the club so far in the AFC Cup.

Would you like to stay with Chonburi?
I love the city and even more so the people! They treat me with much respect.

Have you been offered a contract for next season?
Yes. I have already signed for next season.

Where do you think we need to improve in order to challenge for the TPL title next season?
We need to have good players and work hard! Work is the secret!

What sort of reaction do you get from fans when you see them in the town?
Everyone has a lot of affection for me! I'm impressed! I am treated well by everyone!

How did the coaching staff react after your yellow card against Al shorta for removing your shirt? Did you realise at the time that the booking would rule you out of the next match?
I didn’t know that two yellow cards meant a suspension in the AFC Cup. If I had have known, I wouldn’t have done it! The coach didn’t say anything to me because he was happy with my overall performance. I was very sad not to be able to help Chonburi in Iraq but I believe I can make the difference in the second leg.

How confident are the players and coaching staff that we can still qualify for the AFC Cup final?
It will not be easy, but I believe in our team. Chonburi are very strong!

Do you think we can win the tie?
I think if we can play with a great desire to win, we will take it right to the end. I watched the game that we lost and it will not be easy to turn things around. But we must believe that we can make history for the club and go through.

How much will it help the players to have the fans behind them on Tuesday?
The fans of Chonburi are awesome. They encourage us all the time and they’re passionate about the club.

You had a brief spell at Wigan, in the north west of England, please can you tell me a bit about your time there?
I was only 16 years old and I played for the B team. I didn’t stay very long because it was hard being away from my family and friends.

Who is the most famous person you've played with and against?
It was a friendly game in my home town and I was invited to participate in the same match as Neymar. I believe that he is currently the best Brazilian player playing.

What is the biggest match you've ever played in?
It was in Brazil! Santa Cruz PE v PE Sport. It was at the end of the season and there were more than eighty thousand people in the stadium. We won and were crowned champions!

What are your hopes for the future?
To be champions of the TPL in 2013.

With thanks to Matt Riley and Daniel Cortez. 

INTERVIEW WITH SENIOR AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL REPORTER SCOTT McINTYRE [22 Oct @ 5:00am]

Please can you introduce yourself.
I'm Scott McIntyre - Senior football reporter/presenter at SBS Television (and online) Australia. Also currently writing a book on Asian football.

How did your trip to Arbil come about?
I'm currently writing a book about Asian football - part history, part social study, part contemporary trends and as part of that the story of Erbil, the club and the Kurdish region is a fascinating story. 

How easy was it to arrange?
Straightforward in terms of logistics but difficult in that there is very limited information (in English, at least) on-line regarding accommodation, eating etc. 

Why did you want to visit Iraq/Arbil?
As above, to see the 'other' Iraq and to look and learn at football within the region. 

What did you hope to learn on your trip?
Why the club, Erbil FC, has been so successful in recent years, the structure of youth development within Iraq and the divide between Kurdish and Iraq-Arab football/footballers.

How were you treated by the club?
Very well - not just by the club but by everybody! The club allowed me to speak with their management team, to view inside the stadium, and the players also were very welcoming,even inviting me to their apartments. 

What were your first impressions of Arbil?
The city itself is remarkable; they have a lot of oil revenue and construction is happening all over the city. It is a thriving place but the security is still, obviously, very easy to notice. There are people with guns on every corner and shopping centre. 

How did these impressions change during the course of your visit?
It remained positive - and with the warmth of the people it grew. Everybody was very hospitable. 

What impressed you most about the set up at Arbil?
The fact that because Erbil is the 'safest' region of Iraq it means that the club is able to attract the best local talent. It's a far easier place to live for most than say, Baghdad, Kirkuk or Mosul. 

They also (in Kurdistan) have a very good local league and youth leagues in place and these are ensuring that the region (and club) are continuing to produce technically good players.

What were your impressions of the stadium and the facilities?
The playing surface is very good but standard elsewhere in the region and the facilities for fans are as you find at most reasonable stadiums throughout the Gulf/Middle East (UAE and Qatar aside).

The training facilities are also very good - they have 2 artificial pitches next to the main stadium with floodlights that are used by both the youth and senior sides.

What are the average ticket prices at Arbil/Iraqi matches?
Usually, it's free but for the AFC tournaments (with the push towards professionalism) there is a nominal charge.

Is this affordable to most locals?
Free-  yes! Otherwise, less than 1USD. Football is cheap and well supported. 

Which players impressed you and why?
The right-sided central defender Ahmed Ibrahim is a very promising player. He's vey young but plays with patience and has a good sense of timing when both defending and starting play from the back. He's also now first-choice for the national team. 

The central striker Amjed Radhi is also a very good finisher; very clinical although tends to 'drift' out of games on occasion. 

How would you judge the standard of football in Iraq compared to other Asian nations?
Technically the players are very good, many can play with both feet, are willing to dribble and attack opposition players and have good vision and 'game-awareness.' The problem remains that because it is very difficult to attract to high-quality foreign coaches that the standard tactically is still very poor.

Talking in terms of pure technique though, they are certainly one of the better Middle Eastern nations, though behind the big powers in the East.

I was expecting the atmosphere at the first leg to be very intimidating. However, it looked fairly relaxed. Do I have a true impression?
It's not like Indonesia or Jordan, that's for sure! However, the stadium was close to full by kickoff and there were certain sections making 'noise' but it wasn't especially intimidating. 

What sort of coverage did the first leg get in the local media?
Extensive. There are so many TV channels and newspapers and radio stations in the region - and they all covered it very well. At the final press conference there were maybe 35 reporters. 

What was the local reaction to the victory and how confident are Arbil ahead of the return fixture?
To be honest, with the fact they have 7 current Iraq internationals in the squad they expect to win. In fact, they feel they should be in the ACL rather than AFC Cup. 

What are Arbil expecting the atmosphere to be like in Thailand?
They know it will be difficult but I think the players are far more worried about having to travel to play in Baghdad or Kirkuk in the local league (where their lives are in danger) rather than Thailand. There's 'football atmosphere' and then there's real danger - I don't think a football crowd will bother them.

What would it mean to Iraqi football if Arbil were to win the AFC Cup?
Of course it would be massive, not just for Iraq but specifically for Kurdistan - the people and the region see themselves as distinct from the rest of the country.

The strange thing is that even with a strong Kurdish identity there are only 3 regular starters of Kurdish origin. The club made it clear that they want to do well in AFC competitions to further the Kurdish 'cause.'

Who was the most inspirational person you met during your trip and why?
Probably a player called Ivan Khaled, who goes by the nickname Shwan Mamo. He was a long-time player for Erbil who this year decided to step down and play for the reserve side - despite still being good enough for the first team. He was a very good youth player and the national team wanted him to play but as a proud Kurd he refused and chose instead to play for the Kurdistan national side (not recognised by FIFA)

What was the funniest thing that happened to you during your trip?
Maybe my attempt to pronounce some local Kurdish expressions! That and finding a football shirt in the local market from an Australian club, Adelaide United, with Number 10 on the front - which is the number of Dario Vidosic - and then looking on the back and finding the name 'Podolski'

Did you have any awkward moments whilst visiting Arbil?
Once I got lost late at night and ended up on the road to Kirkuk (which is perhaps one of the most dangerous cities on earth). Luckily we didn't get too far down the road!

Would you like to go back?
Absolutely. Northern Iraq is generally peaceful, scenically very beautiful and the people warm and genuine. Their football team is also good!

Anything else you’d like to add?
Good luck to both sides for the second leg, and hopefully we can see both more Thai and Iraq representatives in the Champions League in the future, rather than just the AFC Cup. 

Thank you, Scott.
You're welcome.

You can read Scott's original article - Football's Challenge in Iraq - here 

INTERVIEW WITH IRAQI SPORTS JOURNALIST HASSANIN MUBARAK [30 Sep @ 5:47am]

Q - Please can you begin by introducing yourself
A - My name is Hassanin Mubarak and I am 31 years of age. I live in London, United Kingdom and I am a sports writer. You can catch my blog at iraqsport.wordpress.com. 

Q - How long have you been following Iraqi football?
A - I have been following Iraqi football since the days of Ahmed Radhi, Radhi Shanaishel and Laith Hussein when they were donning the Iraqi jersey. That national team was formed by Adnan Dirjal after the 1991 Gulf War before he was ousted by Saddam’s son Uday for the legendary coach the late Ammo Baba after an opening match 3-2 defeat to North Korea, having led 2-0. The team went undefeated under him in the remaining matches but failed to qualify for the finals in the United States. They did however manage to score a last minute equaliser against Japan and prevent them from reaching the finals with South Korea qualifying ahead of them. 

Q - Can you give us a brief overview of the state of Iraqi football at present
A - Last season a league format was re-introduced for the first time since 2003, and was won by high-flyers Arbil.  The season before the outbreak of the 2003 war was one of the strongest for many a season in Iraq, with four or five clubs vying for the league title and currently there are not many teams able to compete with Arbil and challenge for the title. Arbil steam-rolled their opponents and went virtually unchallenged throughout last season.

The standard of football is improving, as is every other aspects of football in the country, there are new stadia being built in the city of Basra and Najaf and a few more around the country being planned. The crowds have been returning every season and stadiums such as Arbil’s Martyr Franso Hariri and the Duhok Stadium some of the best stadiums in the country are at full capacity for the big matches as is the Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad.

Arbil is the best run club in the country however rivals fans and some officials from other clubs have long suggested that Arbil get favourable decisions from the Iraq FA, on match schedules or postponements of key matches, due to the fact that a key official on the board of the club is the vice president of the Iraq FA. His name is “Mullah” Abdul-Khaliq Masoud and if you want to know how the local game is managed in Iraq, the current administration of the FA is currently taking part in a court case at the CAS/TAS tribunal on allegations of infringements associated with Iraq FA’s electoral process last year. The less said about that the better, the country is littered with corruption and political rivalry and football is no different.

TV Coverage is not up to standard that fans expect for the Iraqi league but key matches are beamed live on Iraqi TV every week though Spanish La Liga football is still the most watched in the country which it has been since the ban on satellite dishes under Saddam regimes was lifted. In Iraq, you are either for Barça or Real Madrid, the last time I was there, there were all kinds of Barça and Real Madrid related merchandise being sold in the shops or local markets, you can even buy Barça or Real Madrid crisps. 

Q - Please can you describe the typical matchday experience at an Iraqi league game
A - Matchdays in the Iraqi league are like anywhere else in the world, Iraqi fans are passionate about their clubs and extremely devoted. It is tribal. I remember that even at matches involving the national team at the Al-Shaab, Iraqi fans would boo or whistle when a player from a rival club was on the ball. There would be fans flying flags, banners and banging drums and chanting and singing their clubs to victory. 

Q - What sort of coverage does the AFC Cup get in the local media?
A - The AFC Cup is given a lot of media attention in Iraq, it is considered an important international competition and matches are broadcast live on Iraqi TV, while the local press analysis every aspect of the performances of Iraqi teams in the competition. 

Q - How much public interest is there in the AFC Cup in Iraq?
A - There is public interest in AFC competitions, though for many years Iraqi teams have had little to shout about playing in Asian competitions, maybe if Arbil lift the AFC Cup this year, more Iraqi clubs will believe that they can do it as well. 

Q - What would it mean for Iraqi football as a whole if a local side were to win the AFC Cup?
A - It would send a message to the Asian Football Confederation that Iraqi clubs should be playing in the AFC Champions League but current results of late do not suggest that. Iraqi football has some way to go but I believe Iraqi clubs can compete with AFC Champions League teams, and champions Arbil are one of them. For Arbil it will give them some recognition on the continental stage. 

Q - What can you tell us about Arbil FC?
A - From the end of the 2003 War, their wealthy president Dr. Abdullah Majid Dazabi who is managing director of the Falcon Group, has spent millions of dollars over the past few years turning a mid-table side into league champions and he continues to bankroll the club. After winning their fourth league title, the club have let several top players leave during the pre-season such as Ahmed Ayad, Saad Attiya, Muslim Mubarak, Hussein Abdul-Wahid, Mustafa Ahmed, Aws Ibrahim and the Syrian import Abdul-Razzaq Al-Hussein, one of the club’s and the Iraqi leagues best performers last season along with another Syrian Nadim Sabagh, who is still at the club. 

However they have spent big once again re-signing Iraq international Mustafa Karim, and three up-and coming players from the Olympic team, goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, right back Walid Salim and a forward Ammar Abdul-Hussein. Ammar Abdul-Hussein was signed from Al-Minaa, and has just been selected for the national team by Zico for the matches against Brazil and Australia.  Walid Salim has been signed to play in the AFC Cup on-loan from Al-Kahraba, as has two-goal hero against Kelantan Salih Sadir, who has been signed on-loan from northern rivals Duhok. They also signed the talented Iraqi winger Hawar Mulla Mohammed, the elder brother of Hulgard however he was not given international clearance in time to play in the AFC Cup.

With the success of Ugandan defender Ivan Bukenya last season, the club have signed his fellow countryman Sula Matovu, who has yet to settle into the team. The other African signed this season was Senegalese Papa Ablaye Diop. The key men for Arbil will be the usual players, Hulgard Mulla Mohammed, Loay Salah and the club’s top scorer Amjad Radhi. 

Q - What sort of reputation do Arbil have among Iraqi fans and the media?
A - Arbil Sports Club founded in 1968 is a provincial side and spent many years in the lower divisions and their success has only come recently with the millions pumped into the club from their president, much like Abramovich’s Chelsea and the Sheikhs at Man City. So you can understand that they are not the most popular teams in Iraq apart from in the city of Arbil.

The club were promoted to the top division for the first time in 1987 but were relegated in 1990. It was only when they were promoted in 1999 for the third time in their history that the fortunes of the club changed, signing the best players in the country and eventually going onto win three consecutive championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009. After winning a fourth league title and being seen as arguably the best team in the country, the club now want to make their mark on the AFC Cup. 

Q - What sort of crowds do Arbil usually attract for home fixtures?
A - The club has a capacity of 16,000 at their home ground the Shahid (Martyr) Franso Hariri Stadium and is at full capacity for majority of the league matches though for many matches against the smaller clubs, there could be a couple of thousand or a hundred spectators at the ground. 

Q - What sort of crowd are you expecting on Tuesday night?
A - It is a big game in the AFC Cup and the club’s fans will be on a high after the previous home game so the Franso Hariri Stadium should be at full capacity for the match. 

Q - What will the atmosphere be like inside the stadium?
A - It should be a good atmosphere for the match, the local fans will be loud and cheer their players on, but they expect a victory. However if the performance on the night from the players is not up to scratch, the fans may turn on the coach, the team and the players. 

Q - Will all Iraqi fans, regardless of club loyalties, unite behind Arbil on Tuesday night?
A - Rivalry is ingrained into club football so I don’t expect diehard fans of Al-Jawiya, Al-Zawraa, Al-Shurta or Al-Talaba to get behind Arbil, as they would if their teams were taking part in the competition. But Arbil are packed with Iraqi national players, and it is representing Iraq and the Iraqi league and any victory for them will be good for Iraqi football, so I expect there would be more Iraqi fans cheering Arbil on to win, than looking to see them lose. 

Q - What do the fans of Arbil know about Chonburi FC?
A - Other than Chonburi FC’s victory over Al-Zawraa in the last sixteen, I don’t think the fans of Arbil will know much about them but it is the semi-finals of the AFC Cup and they will expect a good game. 

Q - Does Thai football get any coverage in Iraq?
A - Thai football like many other leagues in Asia, is not given much coverage in Iraq. 

Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi FC?
A - To be honest I have not seen much of Chonburi FC but they won their group comfortably and beat Al-Zawraa so it should be a good match. They both have enough in their ranks to progress to the final on November 3rd. 

Q - What sort of build up has there been to the match in Iraq?
A - The match would have been given a lot more attention and build up, had the Iraq FA not organised a glamour friendly with Brazil in Malmö on October 11 and the national team having a crucial World Cup qualifier with Australia only five days later. Because of this, the game between Arbil and Chonburi FC has been shunted into the back row, however if they manage a morale boosting victory, it will have a positive effect on the national team and their push for a place in the World Cup, with seven players from Arbil selected in Zico’s recent squad. 

Q - What are the local expectations for Tuesday night?
A - With a great home record at the Franso Hariri, the home fans that have become accustomed to winning over the years, will expect another victory even more after putting five past Kelantan in the last round. 

Q - Would you care to make a score prediction?
A - I expect Arbil to win this game – however they need a good result because the club has continuously failed to perform away from home in the AFC Cup. 2-0 to Arbil, hopefully it will be good enough to see them through. Their performance in the away game will be key to see if they reach the final. 

Q - Thank you, Hassanin.
A - You're welcome. 

INTERVIEW WITH FORMER BEC TERO COACH PETER BUTLER (PART ONE) [23 Jul @ 10:12am]

Q - Please could you start by introducing yourself.
A - My name is Peter Butler. I was a player from England who played over five hundred first team games in the UK with West Ham Utd and West Brom amongst others. I made the transition to coaching when I was finishing my career off at Halifax Town. I decided to start getting my licenses in my late twenties. I am a UEFA Advanced A license holder and also a UEFA Pro License holder. I have coached in England, Australia, Malaysia numerous times, plus Burma, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand  and now I am back at Terengganu in the MSL, rebuilding and constructing a young team.

Q - How did you get the job at BEC Tero and what was behind your decision to join?
A - Pretty simple, BEC were struggling at the bottom needed a coach. I knew Brian and I was interested in coaching in Thailand as Therdsak Chaiman had told me many good things about the place. Brian Marcar offered me a chance to coach there and I flew out and we agreed a contract.

Q - Were you aware of BEC Tero’s history when you joined the club?
A - I knew they had history but I did not know about Thai football. BEC is a bit different as it does not have a big fan base but it’s a lovely little club and has great potential.

Q - What were your first impressions of the set up at the club?
A - The set up is a bit strange as Nonchok is miles away, and the offices are at the TV 3 building at Malenont. But I thought they were very well marketed and driven by Brian’s passion for the club and his love of football. Nice people, I have to say.

Q - What did the senior management expect you to achieve at BEC Tero?
A – Initially, I think they expected me to restore some pride into the team and I helped them stay up and finish the season. We rebuilt a new team but the local players were just not up to it and the foreign players we brought in were not really up to it either, if I am honest.  I brought in Gilbert Koomson during my time there but the locals were disappointing in comparison to those with other teams. We had First Division players trying to compete in the TPL. It was a no brainer that we were going to struggle big time if we got a batch of injuries.

Q - How much support – financial or otherwise – did they give to help you achieve your aims?
A - Brian was very supportive and I have to say he was a good guy. However he is very impatient. But, in spite of that, I really did enjoy working with him. I rebuilt their youth team and most of the youth players who are coming through now are the product of my hard work in the early stages selecting and developing the youth programme.

Q - How much interference from “above” did you get regarding team selection, tactics etc?
A - Brian Marcar never interfered in team selection. However, he would sometimes come in and have a rant and was always wanting to know what was going on, which I encouraged. He was a good Chairman and I was pleased to say he never interfered with the team. He was excellent on that front.

Q – What were your impressions of the players at the club?
A - We just lacked quality. We were sitting second or third at one stage but had three broken legs: Leesaw, Chris Brandon & Kittipoom. We had an injury crisis and fell down the league. The locals were not good enough if you compared them to the other big clubs. I was disappointed with Payong because he gave his word that these boys were good enough but they were not. They were massively lacking in ability and also work rate. I liked Prat he was a good player and was just misunderstood, Mikka was a top guy who loved training. Ronnachai is a really good talent but he needs to be loved and coached. Leesaw is a good player but not consistent enough to be a top player, that’s maybe why he failed outside of Thailand, but he was a big help to me. Gilbert is a boy I rate but he will lose his way if he is not coached.

Q - How did you overcome the language barrier?
A - I was learning Thai. I was really getting there but I do believe a picture paints a thousand words, show rather than tell, I am a very active coach and demonstrate a great deal.

Q - Was it easy to get your ideas across to the players and the other coaching staff?
A - I am a big believer in coach education, you can’t make players learn or your coaches learn, it has to come from within and I always say when I go into a club I always leave them in a better state than when I entered (as I did at BEC). If players or coaches feel they have not learnt anything that’s their problem. You can take a horse to water but you can’t make him drink it. I know I did a good job at BEC.

Q - One of the biggest irritants for fans is the constant chopping and changing of fixtures. How frustrating is this when you are trying to prepare your team for the season?
A - Changing fixtures is always a nightmare but the TPL is in a league of its own! I have nothing to say about them. They do what they do.

Q - What did enjoy most about working at BEC Tero?
A - I liked working there because it had a great deal of potential and the people were really friendly. I wish them all the very best. They have a good youth policy - which I set up - and I gave them some great links into Africa.

Q - What were your biggest frustrations whilst working at BEC Tero?
A - We had people there who knew nothing about how a professional football club worked, and they were very naïve. But I don’t want to criticize individuals. I recruited people myself, who let me down but you live and learn and I only blame myself because it was me who hired them. I made some mistakes and I am not afraid to admit it, but I hired some people on my coaching staff who were pulling the opposite way to me, with that you have no chance.

Q - Why did you leave BEC Tero?
A - I left BEC because I was fired. Simple as that. No excuses, I took it on the chin. I left them in a better position than when I came in. I had worked tirelessly to develop the youth, but I made mistakes and I paid for it. I was not given time but I am not moaning about it. Brian is a good guy I have a lot of respect for him.

Q - Would you have liked to have stayed longer?
A – Yes, I would have loved to have stayed longer but you can’t look back in football and think “what if?” I have moved onto other clubs and done really well. I’ve won matches and that’s what I am paid to do. Nobody can argue with my won/ lost ratio. I win football matches. End of story.

Q - How would you sum up your time at BEC Tero?
A – I had a great time. It was a good learning curve but I still have some regrets and feel I have unfinished business. However, I loved my time there and everyone within BEC made me feel very welcome, from Brian to the lady who brought me Green Tea every morning. They were a lovely group.

To be continued...

 

INTERVIEW WITH FORMER BEC TERO COACH PETER BUTLER (PART TWO) [24 Jul @ 9:43am]

Q - Which other clubs impressed you, and why, during your time in the TPL?
A - Buriram PEA bought success, Chonburi play good football and Muang Thong United have lots of cash. There were many other teams who I thought tried to play football the right way but you cannot compete with the big boys who spend the money and corner the market in terms of local players. The secret in Thai football is to get the best locals. If you want to compete, get good locals. If you wish to win things, get the best players like Therdsak Chaiman. He is a great professional. I loved him when he played for me at Singapore Armed Forcs and we became good friends.

Q - Which coaches impressed you during your time in the TPL?
A - There are some good young coaches doing some good things there in the TPL. My old club BEC has adopted a very different set up now. They do not have a stand alone coach in place. Robert (Procuruer) runs the show there and it’s run more like a European set up, with a coach in place just to take care of the day to day running and no real responsibility for transfers. Robert is the one who makes the decisions now. It works for so long but it will be interesting to see how long it will last. They will always have a big turnover of players because that’s the way Robert operates, players in and out irrespective of how they play. It’s not the way I operate but it costs a great deal of money to operate like that. BEC have spent big money this season, they have to finish in the top five or it’s a failure.

Q - What were your overall impressions of the TPL?
A - I liked the TPL. I really enjoyed my time there. Many teams try and play good football but it lacks a bit of a competitive edge. It’s not like the ISL. It’s all very, very nice. Too nice, if I am honest.

Q - It’s a question that often gets asked but what level is the TPL compared to the English leagues?
A - English League v TPL?  There’s no comparison. It’s like night and day. It’s not competitive enough to be judged on that level. It’s an emerging league and has a hell of a long way to go. It needs time to develop.

Q - Would you consider moving back to coach in Thailand?
A - Yes I would go back to coach but it would have to be at a club which is chasing honours or matches my ambition. It’s a good place to coach is Thailand and some really talented young players there. Give it a few years and I think it will do very well.

Q - So which clubs would you like to coach?
A - There are some good clubs, like Buriram, Munang Thong and Chonburi. I really would like to coach a top side there but I would not have any hesitation taking a smaller team, which has backing and aspirations to be successful. Just look how far Muang Thong have come.

Q - Do you still follow BEC Tero’s progress?
A - Yes I follow their progress. I have no choice, everyone Tweets me or calls me! I have a lot of respect for Brian Marcar and I really hope he gets some success, as they have spent a lot of money this season and want a return.

Q - Realistically what do you think they can achieve in the short term and the long term?
A - Top five or even top three, with maybe a good run in the Cup. But they are a pretty, pretty team. Thai teams do not pay enough attention to strength and conditioning work. They lack in that department. I know from my own playing days that the strongest teams invariably play the best football and dominate the league. You can’t get by on tip tap pretty football. You need substance and character. BEC have the best conditioner in South East Asia with Mirko Jelecic but he is not used anywhere near enough because the coaches don’t know how to utilize his qualities.

Q - What are your personal ambitions for the future?
A - My personal ambitions are just to stay healthy and keep enjoying my coaching. And as long as I am affecting young players’ careers in a positive manner, and helping them reach their goals, I’ll be happy with that. I don’t chase personal glory, as everyone knows.

Q - Anything else you’d like to add?
A - I hope the Thai league keeps on going from strength to strength and I wish BEC all the best. I must also give a special mention to their small group of supporters, who backed me even when others did not – Thanks.

Q – Thanks, Peter. I really appreciate that.
A – My pleasure.

 

INTERVIEW WITH JOSHUA WARBURTON FROM BRIGHT SHAPES [5 Jun @ 4:18am]

INTERVIEW WITH ESPN'S IAN GRIFFITHS [7 May @ 2:24am]

Q – Please can you introduce yourself.
A - My name is Ian Griffiths and I’m a 44-year-old football journalist who was born in Wales, but then grew up in the north of England.

Q – What is your current job and what does it involve?
A - My current job is Supervising Editor for www.espnstar.com - the official website for ESPN STAR Sports who are based in Singapore.

Q – How long have you been doing your current job?
A - I’ve been here for nearly five years now. I arrived in Singapore immediately after covering the 2007 AFC Asian Cup group stage in Malaysia for PA Sport.

Q – Where have you worked before?
A - For more years than I care to remember, I have split my time between Asia and England. Before joining ESPN STAR Sports I was freelancing for several publications whilst living near Manchester, a great life that allowed me to cover a whole host of Asian footballers who were plying their trade in Europe – Park Ji-sung, Shunsuke Nakamura and so on.  

Q – Why did you choose to work in Singapore?
A - To be honest, I was enjoying life in Europe, but the opportunity arose to run a site that I thought had great potential. The offer was far too tempting to refuse.

Q – How often are you able to get to watch local live games?
A - Thankfully, all the time. Singapore S.League games are staggered over three days, so I can usually watch at least three out of the six weekly games. This season of course, there has also been Home United and Tampines Rovers to follow in the AFC Cup as well as Singapore’s LIONSXII side in the Malaysia Super League. Life is hectic but at least it’s hugely enjoyable.

Q – What are your impressions of Singapore football and the S League?
A - I am a passionate supporter of both. Football here in Singapore has its problems, but there is little doubt in my mind that quality abounds in the S.League.

Q – Do you think enough is done to promote the local game?
A - Things are slowly improving on that front. The Football Association of Singapore recently appointed a new CEO who is steadily ramping up the amount of promotion afforded to the S.League. I think there is plenty more that can be done, but Rome was not built in a day. I am, however, very optimistic about the immediate future despite the omnipresence of the Barclays Premier League and the upsurge in support for the LIONSXII’s Malaysian adventure.

Q – How often have you seen Home United this season?
A - Several times, both in the S.League and the AFC Cup. They are an exceptionally decent outfit who had a slow start to the season, but who have recently found some very good form.

Q – What do you consider their strengths to be?
A - In midfield and attack. Both areas are filled with very talented players. The Protectors have bagged 23 S.League goals so far this season including three in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat of Woodlands Wellington at the Bishan Stadium. Their midfield is equally impressive, full of creativity and steely determination.

Q – And their weaknesses?
A - I have to say their defence worries me somewhat, something Home coach Lee Lim-saeng (a former Korea Republic international defender) has pointed out on numerous occasions. I think the Home defence has quality individuals but sometimes struggles to play well as a unit.

Q – Which Home United players have impressed you this season?
A - There have been a lot. Singapore international midfielder Shi Jiayi, who is Home’s captain and Mr Versatile, has been excellent this season and even played in the centre of defence against Woodlands. In goal, former Singapore international Lionel Lewis has been his usual steady self, while up front, the attacking duo of Frederic Mendy and Shotaro Ihata have been fantastic. As, indeed, has left-back Jeremy Chiang who I believe is one of the S.League’s most improved players this season.

Q – How important is it for Singapore football for Home United to do well in the AFC Cup?
A - Very, not only for Home’s own aspirations, but also to help raise the regional profile of Singaporean clubs. To a certain degree, I think Home have already succeeded in doing the latter this season.

Q – Realistically, how far do you think Home United can go in the AFC Cup?
A - I thought all along that they would get through the group stage. However, to go beyond the last 16 I feel they need home advantage in the next phase. That’s why they desperately need to beat Chonburi (sorry) and finish first in Group G.

Q – Will fans of other S League clubs be supporting Home United on Tuesday night?
A - Very much so. AFC Cup nights are highly enjoyable in Singapore with fans from other clubs often spotted at Home and Tampines’ continental games. The fact that Singapore is relatively small in a geographical sense makes it easy for fans from area to visit another and support what would normally be rival teams. It’s a case of Singaporeans sticking together.

Q – Do you get the opportunity to watch other matches in the region?
A - Yes I do. Mainly in Malaysia, but I intend to spread my wings slightly further afield in the coming months. In the past, I have watched football all over Southeast Asia.

Q – How closely do you follow Thai football?
A - Very – after all it is part of my job.

Q – What are your impressions of Thai football?
A - I have always been impressed ever since I started following Thai football circa 1996. The country has produced some of ASEAN’s greatest ever players, and I still consider an interview I did with Kiatisuk Senamuang as one of my career highlights. I know there has been plenty of bureaucratic nonsense attached to Thai football in the past, but that aside, the quality of the football and the standard of the footballers the country produces on a regular basis is deeply impressive.  

Q – What do you know about Chonburi FC?
A - The same as other Thai football aficionados I presume – Thai Premier League winners in 2007, FA Cup winners in 2010. A team that has plenty of talent and one which is backed by a legion of very passionate fans. It would also be remiss of me not to mention Therdsak Chaiman – a Thai legend and a player who I believe is one of the S.League’s greatest ever imports. I also remember the team getting to the final of the 2006 Singapore Cup – beating Home along the way, before narrowly losing to Tampines in the final. Then there’s the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup experience.

Q – What are you expecting from Tuesday night’s match?
A - Quite a tight affair, but one which should see Home going all out for the win they need to finish top of the group. As I mentioned before, home ground advantage will be crucial in the last 16.

Q – Will you be going to the game?
A - Sadly I won’t as I am heading out of Singapore to follow up on some interviews of my own – all of which will be revealed at a later stage!

Q – Would you care to give a score prediction?
A - All I am going to say is that I believe it will be close. Home are playing well, but must be wary of a talented side like Chonburi who have already made the AFC Cup quarter-final stages on two previous occasions.

Q – Anything else you’d like to add?
A - Thanks for the questions. Here’s hoping I can get to Thailand in the near future and watch Chonburi play at home.

Q -Thanks very much for doing this. I really appreciate it.
A - You're welcome. 

You can follow Ian on Twitter here: @IanGriffiths67 

INTERVIEW WITH SWEDISH REFEREE ROBERT RENSTROM [24 Mar @ 9:44am]

Q - Please could you tell us your name and where you come from?
A – My name is Robert Renstrom and I’m from Sweden.

Q - How long have you been a referee?
A – I have been a referee for four years.

Q - Why did you want to become a referee?
A – For the passion of the game, the exercise and the extra payment.

Q - At what level do you referee?
A – The Swedish fourth division.

Q - What is the biggest match you've refereed?
A – The Gothia Cup play offs. This is a Swedish youth tournament.

Q - What is your refereeing style and what sort of relationship do you have with the players on the field?
A – I’m generally friendly but hard if I need to be. I think that communication with the players is very important. It helps to avoid many problems.

Q - What did you think of the match (Chonburi v Thai Port) on Saturday?
A – I thought it was a good passing game with some nice goals. The crowd was also very friendly.

Q - What were your impressions of your matchday experience at Chonburi Stadium?
A – I enjoyed it. It is a nice stadium. The match was good and there were no hooligans.

Q - How did you think the referee (Suraphol Sawangjit) handled the game?
A – He handled it very well. He kept a low profile and was leading the game in the way that he should.

Q - Do you think it was an easy game to referee?
A – Yes. The Thai players seem very polite.

Q - What do you think the referee did well on Saturday?
A – He was consistent. He had good positioning on the pitch and showed good decision making.

Q - What do you think he did badly?
A – I didn’t see any big mistakes but small mistakes will happen in every game.

Q - Overall how do you think the referee performed on Saturday?
A – I think he performed very professionally.

Q - Were there any decisions you would have made differently?
A – I can’t remember any. It is also hard to comment because I was sitting so far away from the pitch.

Q - Do you think the crowd treated the referee well on Saturday?
A – Yes. They were very fair.

Q - What would you like to say to fans in defence of referees?
A – It’s much easier to sit in the stand and have an opinion rather than actually perform yourself.

Q - What advice would you give someone who wants to become a referee?
A – Learn all the laws and stay fit. Have a good attitude to the game and the players.

With thanks to Hans. 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HOME UNITED GOALKEEPER LIONEL LEWIS [21 Mar @ 4:43am]

Q - Please could you give us a bit of information about your background and how you became a professional footballer?
A - I played for Geylang United youth team in 1997 and after that played in the S-League in 2001. After Geylang, I played for the Young Lions from 2002 until 2004, when  I moved to Home United.

Q - Why did you want to become a goalkeeper?
A - I started playing football in my primary school days as a defender. During my secondary school days, I played as a goalkeeper because one of my coaches, Mr Robert Lim, said I had the physical attributes for the position. From then on, I played as a goalkeeper.

Q - Who were your goalkeeping heroes when you first started?
A - Peter Schmeichel was one of my goalkeeping heroes. I loved the way he commanded his defence and all the saves he produced for Manchester United, although I don't support Manchester United. 

Q - Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
A - The biggest influence in my career has to be my family. They’ve supported me from day one until now. When I was doing well, they were there. And even when I wasn't doing very well they were always there for me.

Q - Which coaches have helped you most over the course of your career?
A - Without my coach Robert Lim, I wouldn’t have had a football career. He was the one who spotted me and gave me a chance. There are a lot of coaches who have helped me along the way like, Jang Jung, Steve Darby, Raddy Avramovic and so many more.

Q - What have been your personal career highlights?
A - Winning the Tiger Cup for my country, Singapore and also being nominated for Asian Footballer of the Year have to be the highlights of my career. 

Q - Who has been the best player you have played with and against?
A - Over the years, I have played with and against so many great players. But I would have to say my former captain Subramani from Home United is the best. His reading of the game helped me a lot during my younger days as a goalkeeper.

Q - Would you like to play outside Singapore and have you ever had offers to move abroad?
A -I would love to ply my trade outside of Singapore but the only offers I've received have been from Indonesia. I will leave the S-League only if the offer is from outside this region. The S-League is where I started to play my football and I hope that more great players will come and play in the league. 

Q - What are your remaining personal ambitions?
A - I want to win more trophies for my club, especially the S-League title, before I call it a day.

Q - How satisfied are you with Home United's start to the 2012 season?
A - Home United had a slow start to the 2012 season, but we are slowing picking up. We had a great start in the AFC Cup and hope to progress to the next round. 

Q - What do you know about Chonburi FC?
A - I know Chonburi have a very good team and I know some of their players. For me every game is a difficult game and I want to do my best and hopefully win the game. 

Q – Thanks Lionel. I really appreciate you taking the time out to answer my questions.
A – No problem at all. Thank you.

With thanks to Steve. 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CHONBURI/EVERTON/CHANG ACADEMY COACH RAY HALL [15 Feb @ 2:38am]

Q - Please could you tell us a bit about your background?
A - I am a Merseysider who has spent my working life in the development of young people, both in sport and in football. I started as the Youth Development Officer at Everton in 1990 and I am currently the club’s Academy Ambassador. In this role I am responsible for player and coach development at an international level.

Q – What were you doing before you entered coaching?
A - I was a teacher and lecturer in Physical Education and then worked for the Football Association as a Football Development Officer.

Q – How did you first get the job at Everton?
A - I was a part time coach at Everton from 1980-1982 during Howard Kendall’s first term as manager. I must have made an impression because he asked me to become full time at the start of his second term in 1990.

Q – How have things changed in coaching during the time you’ve been involved in the profession?
A - The game is now far more technical as well as athletic. Coaching has had to change to adapt to these changes in emphasis.

Q – How have young players’ attitudes changed during the time you’ve been in coaching?
A - The development programme begins at a much earlier age (6 years at Everton) and so player’s attitudes can be guided much easier. Players understand the requirements of being a professional footballer at Everton from a very early age.

Q – How easy is it to spot attributes in a youngster to know he will make it in the professional game?
A - It is not easy. In fact talent identification is the most difficult part of the development process.

Q – Which players did you work with as youngsters who have gone on to play the game professionally?
A – There are too many to mention them all but Wayne Rooney, Richard Dunne, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines Jack Rodwell, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert are some of the players I worked with as youngsters.

Q – Which players who you have worked with are you most proud of?
A - Leon Osman because he has had to do it the hard way. He’s small in stature but big in courage. And of course, Wayne.

Q – Have you ever been wrong about a player ie someone you didn’t think would make it who subsequently went on to play the game professionally?
A – Again, too many to mention but I am honest enough to admit to releasing Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka. It is not the players who are released from the club that makes an Academy successful it is the players who stay with the club and play in the first team.

Q – Which of the managers you have worked under have been most supportive of encouraging young talent?
A - Joe Royle and David Moyes.

Q – How did you get involved with Chonburi FC?
A – Through the sponsors. Both Everton F.C.and Chonburi are sponsored by Chang.

Q – How many other coaches are involved in the Academy?
A - There are 13 full time coaches involved in the Academy and 5 part time.

Q – How much time do you spend in Thailand and Chonburi?
A – I spend about 25 days a year in Thailand and maybe 10 of those days will be in Chonburi.

Q – What do you consider to be the strengths of the young Thai players?
A - Technique and desire with some boys.

Q – And their weaknesses?
A - Physical and physiological. They do tend to lack strength and power.

Q – What is the biggest difference between coaching Thai youngsters and their English counterparts?
A – Culture. Our boys are born into football. Thai boys are not.

Q – Have you spotted any young players at Chonburi who have the potential to go all the way?
A - I have identified some players who could be professional players in some European leagues but none that are good enough for the English Premier League.

Q – A lot of good young Thai players seem to “get lost” or disappear before they can make it in the professional game, what is the club doing to ensure that we keep hold of the most promising youngsters?
A - Chonburi F.C has the best youth development programme in Thailand. However, it needs to find a pathway into Europe, Japan and Korea for the best players.

Q – What are your impressions of the set up at Chonburi FC?
A - Very good. The facilities and coaches are good and, as I said before, the club has the best youth development in the country.

Q – How does it compare to what you’re used to?
A – The development of youth players in Thailand has been operating for maybe 5-10 year, in England it is over 50 years. That is the difference !!!!

Q – What advice, if any, have you given to the coaches at Chonburi?
A - Keep working to improve your ability, without good coaches you will not have good players.

Q – Have you had any input with first team affairs (tactics, training etc) or made any suggestions for behind the scenes improvement whilst you’ve been involved at Chonburi FC?
A – One of our academy coaches, Michael O’Brien, has worked with the Chonburi F.C 1^st team.

Q – Have you seen any current Thai players who you think could perform in England?
A - Not at senior level but many young players could work in our Academies.

Q – When will you next be in Thailand and Chonburi? And what are your plans during the visit?
A – We’ll be there in June and July this year. We would like to continue with the tournament type programme, as the Chang Cadet Cup was a real success.

Q – Are there any plans to bring young Everton players over to Thailand or to Chonburi?
A - I hope we’ll soon be able to bring a team to play in the Chang Cadet Cup tournament.

Q – How do you think young Thai players would cope with training and playing in England?
A - We brought three sixteen year old Thai boys over to Everton in 2007 (Theerathep Winothai, Sompong Solarb and Rattapol Piyawuthikuland), they were excellent but found the climate and culture difficult. Two of them (Theerathep and Sompong) are now regulars in the Thailand national team.

Q – How has Chonburi’s reputation for developing young Thai players helped you with your academy? And did this reputation have any influence on you accepting your current job?
A - It made me consider that we should work with the best players from all of Thailand and perhaps at the best Centre, which is at present is at Chonburi F.C.

Q – How do you see the academy developing in the future?
A - I would like to see all TPL clubs with their own Academies and rewards for clubs who develop their own players. Should a player developed at youth level go on to represent Thailand, that club should be rewarded either through the media or financially. I am not sure that Thai clubs understand that developing their own players has a financial benefit, both in sales (transfers) and in saving revenue.

Q – What advice would you give to young Thai players who want to become professional footballers?
A - Work hard at improving and appreciate that it takes more than talent to be a professional footballer.

Q – How do you recruit youngsters for your academy? Is there a scouting network?
A - We look for the best players at all age ranges. We have a local, regional, national and international network of scouts. There are 5 full time staff and over 200 part time staff.

With thanks to Ray.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CHONBURI TRIALIST ALEKSANDAR RAKIC [8 Feb @ 3:28am]

Q - Please can you tell us a bit about your background?
A- I was born on January 7^th, 1987 in Novi Sad, Serbia and  l have lived there since I was born. I could say that I have played football for my whole life because I started in my early childhood. I play as a forward and in my career I have played for Vojvodina FC, which is one of the top clubs in Serbia. During that time I was chosen to play for the young national selection. For the last few years I played for FC Cement and I had the honour to be a team captain during that time.

Q - How did you hear about Chonburi FC?
A- Since football is the most popular sport in Serbia, we have great football players here, and a lot of them are making their careers outside the country. Some of my friends have played or are still playing in Thailand, so I heard about Chonburi FC from them.

Q - How did you get a trial with Chonburi FC?
A- A Serbian businessman, who eventually became my personal friend, liked my game very much, and he asked me if I would like to play in Thailand. He knew a man who was working as a football manager there and when he also saw me play, he asked me to come for the trial with Chonburi FC.

Q - What did you know about Chonburi FC and Thai football before you came for a trial?
A- To be honest, I did not know that much, I just got some information from my friends and of course I checked on the internet. I was very excited about the trial, because this sounded like a dream. Playing football with one of the best clubs in Thailand, and living in such an amazing country as Thailand! Later on I found out about the Thai football from my roommate in Chonburi, who is working as a team physiotherapist.

Q - What do you think about the set up at Chonburi FC?
A- I think Chonburi is a great club. Very well organized and it seems that everything works perfectly.

Q - What kind of drills did you do in training? How does the coaching at Chonburi compare with what you've experienced before?
A - Personally, I found training quite interesting but also high of a high level and demanding. I put in a lot of effort in training and answered all requests. But I have to emphasize that I am not a “training player”, I give my maximum during matches.

I must admit that in the beginning I had a small problem with my team mates because I had a feeling they did not want to cooperate - for example, they didn’t seem to want to give the ball to me in training, but after some time, when they met me, it was all right. All in all, I was satisfied with training and my play there.

As for the the coaching, the training sessions are similar to those in Europe, even though they last a bit longer in Thailand, but the techniques are  the same .

Q - Which matches did you play in while you were here? How did you think you performed in the games you played?
A - I stayed for two weeks in Chonburi. I played in nine training sessions and two matches. I played 65 minutes in the match with Kitchee from Hong Kong, when we won. I scored the goal to win us the game 1-0.  The second match I played in was against Tampines Rovers from Singapore. I played in the first half and scored the first goal in this match too. I really did my best and I think that my teammates and fans also felt the same.

Q - What did the coach say to you about your performances?
A - Actually, the coach did not talk to me almost at all. He talked only to my manager. Maybe the language barrier was the problem.

Q - Were you offered a contract with Chonburi?
A - Unfortunately, at the end, the contract was not offered to me, even though during the last days of my stay I understood that everything is fine and that I can expect the contract. What actually happened, I still don’t know. I only had one call from my personal manager, when he informed me that we hadn’t got a contract but he did not explain anything. After that I did not hear from him anymore.  I felt so disappointed at that moment. The situation is very complicated. As I already said, I didn’t hear the final decision from the club members, I only spoke to my manager. I am afraid that I did not get an opportunity to play for Chonburi FC, because my manager made requests I did not know about. 

Q - What was said to you before you returned to Serbia?
A- As I already said, I almost got no answer. I am so sad now, because I did not have a chance to speak personally to someone from the club, because I really think they were satisfied with my play. But the thing was that I  had to go back to Serbia, because the same day my ticket and  my visa were expiring, so I didn’t have chance to stay a few days more in Chonburi to get the answers.

Q - How would describe your time at Chonburi?
A- I was happy at Chonburi. I liked the city and I liked the team. I spent my time with friends I had made there. I enjoyed discovering the culture of the Thai people, who were very kind to me. Unfortunately, the end of my stay was not that nice.

Q - If you don't come back to Chonburi, where do you go from here?
A-I have had some offers from Europe and from Serbia also, but I have to think about them carefully. My wish is to play in Thailand now and I would definitely come back to Thailand soon.

Q - Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A - I really hope I will be back in Thailand soon. I fell in love with the country. I am so disappointed with what happened now, but unfortunately, this is a common situation and problem that we football players have! It’s not always just about us, but about someone else. Anyway, I still have faith that I will get the chance to play in the Thai football league. I would still like to play for Chonburi FC. That could be a huge step for me, and also benefit for the club, I think.

Q - Thank you Aleksandar.
A - Thank you so much for the interview.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THAI PORT'S STEVEN ROBB (PART ONE) [6 Dec @ 3:49am]

Q - Please could you tell us a bit about your background?

A - I'm from a small town called Alyth, thirty minutes drive from Dundee in Scotland. I started out getting spotted by local clubs, Dundee, Dundee United and St Johnstone. When I was seventeen I signed as youth trainee and went on to play with Dundee until I was twenty four, then I moved across the road to Dundee United. I had two years there and three years at St Mirren before moving to Thailand.

Q - Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

A - My parents. They took me everywhere when I was younger. Also Kenny Cameron, Ray Farningham and Stevie Campbell, who were my youth coaches at Dundee. They had a great record of bring through young players into the first team and without their help I probably wouldn't have played at a good level.

Q - What has been the biggest game you've played in?

A - The games against Rangers and Celtic were great! And to beat them was always nice. When I was at St Mirren we beat Celtic 4-0. At Dundee United I played against Barcelona in a friendly. It was Thierry Henry’s debut. We lost 1-0 and he scored a penalty in the last minute! We scored a perfectly good goal that was disallowed!

Q - What honours have you won?

A – Unfortunately, I’ve never won any as a pro! But I do have a few runners up medals. I had only just signed for Thai Port when we won the Toyota Premier Cup this year so I can't count that, as I wasn't registered to play! Hopefully we can end this season with a win in Toyota League Cup final against PEA.

Q - Who are the best players you've played with and against outside Thailand?

A - The best player I've played against would either be Iniesta,Xavi or Henrik Larsson. Played with, I'd say either Georgi Nemzadze (ex Georgian captain) or Lee Wilkie (ex Scotland). Lee had to retire at thirty with a knee injury. He is now a FIFA agent and he helps me out if I need anything. His company Riverman is based in Bangkok.

Q - And in Thailand?

A - A few players have stood out in Thailand. In particular the national team players at Chonburi and Teerasil at Muang Thong.

Q - How did you end up at Thai Port?

A - I'd made contact with the then Thai Port coach Nathan Hall (now TTM Phichit) about a possible move. I wanted to move away from Scotland, just to experience something different. When my contract ended in Scotland, I came over for a few days then signed. I'm so glad I did. It has been an amazing experience.

Q - What did you know about Thai football and Thai Port before you made the move?

A - Nathan had told me a bit about what to expect. I also watched a few videos on the computer. I was aware that Thai Port had won something the previous two seasons so I knew I was coming to a well supported and successful club.

Q - What are the biggest differences between Thai Port and your previous clubs?

A - There is a bit of difference in training. In Scotland we do lots more small sided games. It is a lot more intense for a shorter time! Here in Thailand we focus on tactical 11v11 games more and play a lot more friendly matches. I'm not a lover of friendly games. Sometimes rest is more beneficial than being out on the training pitch.

Q - What changes have you had to make to your natural game to adapt to the Thai style of play & refereeing?

A - With the heat it’s obviously a bit different. In Scotland, I played a fair bit as a left back but I've only played midfield here. There is more space to play in Thailand. Players don't press the same as they do in Scotland! You are also not allowed to tackle here haha!! I’ve never been known for my tackling until I came here! 

Q - Please can you give us a brief description of a typical day in the life of Steven Robb?

A - A morning session will be an 8:00am start. I'm up at 6:45am and get a taxi to training! I give the rice at 10:00am a miss! I just stick to the cereal. Afterwards, I go home to chill out for a bit with the family, usually at the swimming pool. The afternoon session starts at 4:00pm. Then its home for dinner with the family. Sometimes we eat in or will go out for food.

Q - What is your match day routine for a home game?

A - I like to have a long lie on a match day but usually get woken up by my son, Owen, jumping about! We report for pre match lunch at the club about 11:00am-12:00pm and then have a video session for 45 minutes before meeting at 2:00pm in the dressing room for 4:00pm kick offs at Thai Port. After the game we usually go to the Robin Hood pub to watch the English or Scottish football on TV.

Q - Which has been your favourite away trip this season and why?

A - I really enjoyed the trip to Sisaket last weekend! We stayed in a nice hotel and it was really chilled out leading up to the game. We travelled to the game on the sleeper train, which I wasn't looking forward to but was really good, as you get a bed and can sleep all night. Better than the bus anyway!

Q - Do you get much opportunity to go sight-seeing on away trips?

A – We’ve not really done much sight-seeing on away trips. The Thai lads like to do a bit of shopping so if we have any spare time we usually go to the markets.

Q - How have the off field problems at Thai Port this year affected the players?

A - I think the off field problems have affected different players in different ways. It’s not ideal not getting salary on time, especially if a foreign player is in a foreign country and has family to provide for. I'm a professional and try to concentrate on my job and once I go on the pitch try to do my best. I just hope everything gets sorted out as soon as possible because the fans we have deserve it. I believe the club has so much potential.

Q - What has been the highlight of your time at Thai Port?

A - The highlight has probably been reaching the Toyota League Cup final. It’s just a shame we went on a poor run in the league at the start of the second leg. We’ve picked up again lately but losing four good players at end of the first leg didn't help us.

To be continued... 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THAI PORT'S STEVEN ROBB (PART TWO)) [7 Dec @ 1:54am]

Q - Do you have much contact with the other British players who play in Thailand?

A - Yes! We are all good friends. We've had a few nights out together. I do miss the banter in the dressing room back home so it’s good to have some British lads here. Michael Byrne must like my company that much that he has moved into the same condo as me! His family and my family are pretty close so we socialise a far bit when he’s home from Chianat. Stuart Kelly at Khon Kaen is coming to Bangkok at Christmas so we have arranged to meet up for Christmas Dinner! I need some more Scottish lads to back me up! 

Q – Are there any funny stories you can tell us from behind the scenes at Thai Port?

A - The manager at Thai Port, Thongchai, is very good at practical jokes when it’s someone’s birthday. Mario de Silva’s face was a picture when he was told, in front of the team, that he had to throw a game by losing a few goals or giving away a penalty and if he didn’t do it, he would be fined! I thought he was going to explode! He only realized it was a joke when everyone started singing Happy Birthday. Very funny!

Q - Which team has impressed you the most this season and why?

A – I’ve been impressed with a few teams. I still think that on their day anyone can beat anyone but PEA have been very consistent so it’s no surprise they’re top of the league.

Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi FC as a club?

A – It’s been such a long time since we played Chonburi, it was only 2nd game of the season. We missed plenty of chances that day and gave away two soft goals! However, the set up looks very professional there and the fans were great! There seems to be a good bond between Thai Port and Chonburi.

Q - Which Chonburi players have impressed you and why?

A - Playing against and watching Thailand a bit, I've been impressed with Suree. He likes to get forward a lot and it'll be a hard shift for me on Wednesday if I'm playing left midfield. Also, Ney Fabiano looks a good striker. He knows where the goal is, which is very important.

Q - What are your hobbies away from football?

A - When we get days off, I like to keep busy spending time with my wife Jacklyn and son Owen. We like to go shopping, MBK etc. I'm also addicted to social network: Facebook, Twitter etc. It’s a good way to keep in touch with all my friends back home.

Q - What is your favourite book, TV and music?

A - I don't really read books. I like to watch TV series: Entourage, Californication, Inbetweeners are three I really recommend. My wife is a book worm. She’s into Twilight right now.

I do like my music. A bit of everything really. However, my favourites are The View. The best band about. And they’re from Dundee.

Q - What is your favourite Thai dish?

A - My favourite Thai dish is krapow gai. I absolutely love it! The Thai boys give me a bit of stick for eating it with a knife and fork though!! 

Q - What do you miss most about Scotland?

A - I miss my family and friends more than anything. Skype is very good so it’s easy to see and talk to them! I'm really settled here and enjoying the football so I’m in no rush to move back home!

Q – And finally, a couple of questions I’ve been dying to ask: Does the "Huddle" annoy you as a player as much as it annoys me as a fan?

A - The huddle is not something that bothers me. It’s a Thai tradition that every team does. I can't say I ever done it when playing in Scotland.

Q - What is actually said in the "Huddle".

A - There are about six different languages being spoken at once! Ha! All meaning the same thing: let's win, three points! Simple.

Q – Thanks, Steven.

A – You’re welcome.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KHON KAEN'S STUART KELLY (PART ONE) [24 Nov @ 10:49am]

Q - Please can you tell us a bit about your background : previous clubs, any honours etc

A - I was born in Glasgow, Scotland. I chose to sign with Glasgow Rangers and played there between the ages of ten and twenty. Rangers had the best squad and players in Britain back then so saying no to Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and French club Strasbourg, who were all interested in me, was easy.

At Rangers I won reserve and youth league cups and lots of international tournaments.

I also played for Scotland U15s and all the way up to the U20s and played at the 1999 European Championships.

After failed moves to L.A Galaxy and St Mirren and with the financial ruin of football in Scotland in 2001, I moved to New Zealand. Between 2003 and 2011, I played for Canterbury United, Otago FC (coached by ex Chelsea and Ireland player Terry Phelan) and then Auckland City FC.

The New Zealand league now suffers from lack of TV money but Auckland FC perform at the FIFA World Club Cup bringing money into the league.

I had a period in Melbourne, Australia in 2008 and 2009, playing for ex Rangers and Scotland player Stuart Munroe at Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne FC. However, a freak leg break at training sent me back to New Zealand.

Before I came to Thailand, Auckland qualified for the FIFA World Club Cup 2011 in Japan. I was meant to go back for it but the season had been extended so I missed out. I was gutted as I had played in all the games to win the Oceania Champions League.

In 2009 a move to the Israeli Premier League fell through as I was on my way there and I rejected terms at a Divsion 1 club which were offered to me as an alternative. In 2010 an Icelandic Premier league team asked me to sign but when I got there, the club fell to pieces and the contract disappeared so I’ve had a fair share of bad luck but I always keep going.

Q - Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

A - My family and my dad especially, who took me to and from all the training sessions over the years; Archie Knox who signed me at Rangers. Great guy!

My coaches. Stuart Munroe, who helped me lots in Melbourne, Danny Halligan for taking me to New Zealand and Terry Phelan.

The Auckland coaches because the philosiphy and the approcah to the playing style at Auckland was great.

Nick Gorman for getting me to Thailand

Q - How did you come to sign for Khon Kaen?

A - I went home for a visit after the Iceland incident for a few weeks and was going round my contacts. I had arranged to go back to Auckland FC but my friend who plays for MK Dons asked if I fancied Thailand. His coach John Gorman (ex England National Team Coach) said his son (Nick Gorman) lived and worked in Khon Kaen.

After 8 months of e mails, I signed the 2 year deal and came after the Oceania Champions League final.

Q - What did you know about Khon Kaen FC before you joined?

A - I followed their promotion from Divison 1. I knew they were a small club with family values and a very passionate fan base who are proud of their team.

Q - How did your friends and family react when you told them you were coming to play in Thailand?

A - I wanted a new challenge and here was a two year contract so I grabbed it.

My family in Scotland are used to me being away, it’s seven years now, but my partner lives in New Zealand and it meant further time apart from her, which I am grateful for her understanding.

Q - What did you know about Thai football before you came to play in the TPL?

A - I had seen ACL games involving Thai and Australian teams.

Q - What have been your impressions of the TPL?

A - Thai football has great fans that are passionate and good TV and media coverage; all good ingredients for a good league.

The Thai players are naturally blessed with good fitness and touch. However, I feel that the coaching can have more detail. Also improved youth coaching for 15-19 year old Thai players will give them better game understanding and prepare local players for overseas and national teams. A population of 65 million people with the natural talent of the Thais should produce more quality players.

Q - Which teams have impressed you the most and why?

A - The set ups of the Big Four, Muang Thong, Chonburi, Bangkok Glass and Buriram PEA are great but the fact all clubs have great fans bases impresses me more.

Playing wise, I think everyone is beatable. Going back to the topic of coaching, apart from Buriram PEA, not many clubs have had a winning consistent playing style.

Q - Which players have impressed you the most and why?

A - The Muang Thong captain (ex Chonburi player Nattaporn Phanrit) is a good defensive midfielder and knows his role in the team.

Steve Robb at Thai Port. When he gets the opportunity to play, he shows the level that he has played at in the past.

Strange things seem to happen in Thailand with teams’ better players not always playing in games. Sometimes the football decisions make no sense.

Q - What has been the personal highlight of your season so far?

A - To be honest, my only full ninety minutes, which came against Muang Thong!

Q - And the low point?

A - Consistently not playing. I am not used to that at all.

Q - Can Khon Kaen avoid the drop this season?

A – It’s going to be tight but the last 6-8 games we have been more consistent and organized and have played well at home. We are obviously favourites being at the bottom for so long but until it is mathematically not possible, we will be positive and fight to survive!

Q - Who do you think will go down?

A - I think it can be any of five to seven teams at this stage. The next five, six weeks there are lots of games for all the clubs so anything can happen with a few bad or good results. After the next five games the league table will tell a clearer story of who is safe. It’s exciting for the fans because the top of the table is more or less decided.

Q - What are your opinions on Chonburi FC?

A - They are a very experienced team with a big support.

In our first meeting this season they exploited us very well and could have won by more than 6-1. We are more organised now so hopefully we can get the 3 points!

To be continued... 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KHON KAEN'S STUART KELLY (PART TWO) [25 Nov @ 7:02am]

Q - Who are your best friends in football?

A - I have moved around so much that they are spread everywhere, so Facebook is great for me. There are guys I grew up with in Scotland and played with at Rangers plus all my New Zealand friends and, of course, my new Thai friends.

I have football related friends in most parts of the world and that’s the great thing about travelling and playing. Not to mention free holiday accommodation!!

Q - What are your personal ambitions for the future? 

A – To play every game like at my past clubs and be part of a successful team. I want to show the Thai League and Thai fans that I can play. If I don’t get the chance, then maybe a move back to Europe. I have agreed with Dr Kasom the Khon Kaen FC president, that I can go on loan or move club and I have agents speaking to clubs now. If nothing comes of it, I will honour my contract to April 2013 at Khon Kaen.

Q - Is there any country you'd particularly like to play in?

A - Japan in 2 weeks time at the FIFA World Club cup! Other than that, Africa then I will have played on all the continents. I like Thiailand for now but would like to play in the USA and Middle East or the Mediterranean countries in Europe towards the end of my career. Also I want to experience the cultures and meet new people in these parts of the world.

Q - Who's the most famous person you've ever swapped shirts with after a match?

A- I have played with Paul Gascoigne, van Bronkhurst, Laudrup and lots of other famous players like Cassius and Joe Cole so I have lots of jerseys. 

Q - What are your hobbies away from football?

A - I am a UEFA qualified coach and have coached for big clubs and the Scottish FA.

Three years ago I created my own coaching company so I am kept busy designing the website and marketing franchises around the world to football friends.

Getting totally away from football, I enjoy a game of golf and generally switching off from the game. I enjoy travelling to new countries and learning about the cultures. This has developed into a hobby for me now.

Q - What is your favourite movie, book and band?

A – I have seen so many movies so I can’t possibly choose. 

I enjoy football autobiographies, like George Best’s and Paul Gascoigne’s. Having played with Gazza the book was interesting and a true reflection on the great man!

As for bands, I’m sorry but there aren’t any Thai bands. I can’t understand the words yet!  I’m into Oasis and Hip Hop and generally any good Dance music. I did see U2 and Bon Jovi in concert, they were great! I would like to see The Killers and Bruce Springsteen live.

Q - What do you miss most about Scotland?

A - I have 3 brothers and a sister who all have families so being the uncle the kids never see is not good. I miss seeing them grow up. Same with old friends. Apart from that I don’t miss much. A footballer has to travel and I enjoy hot weather and playing in new places while I can. Having been apart from my partner, who lives in New Zealand, for over a year is also hard on both of us.

Q - What has been the funniest thing that has happened to you during your time in Thailand?

A – There have been a few crazy football ones but you can’t print them here!

Apart from that, when I arrived Nick Gorman told me to get to near BEC Tero’s home ground as I would meet the team in two days and get a hotel there. I got a taxi and had this 32kg suit case. As I wasn’t aware that the Bangkok streets are no good for suitcase wheels, I was struggling. To make things worse, there was a torrential downpour and I went into the nearest hotel, I think it was Sabay Sabay. There I got conned into the top presidential room, costing me a fortune!

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?

A - Thanks to everyone who has made me welcome in Thailand and to the Khon Kaen FC fans who despite my lack of playing time, have always been great to me in the stadium and around town. Also, thanks for the interview, Dale, and allowing me to give your readers an insight into my playing career

INTERVIEW WITH EAST BENGAL COACH TREVOR MORGAN [21 May @ 10:00pm]

22/5/11
Please could you tell us a bit about yourself.
- I started my professional career at AFC Bournemouth ( two spells) in 1981 and then played for Bristol City, (two spells) Bristol Rovers, Exeter City, (three spells) Clochester United, Mansfield Town and Bolton Wanderers. I also plyed in the old NSL in Australia for St. George Budapest and in Hong Kong for Happy Valley and for South China.

Coaching wise I was Player Coach at Exeter City and at South China and Assistant Manager/Coach at Birmingham City in what is now the Championship and also at Exeter City I had the same position. I became Head Coach at Sorrento FC in the West Australian State League before becoming Head Coach at the West Australian Institute of Sport, from there I went to Marine Castle in the S league Singapore then to Sarawak in the Malaysian Supa Liga, back to Sengkang Punggol in the Singapore S League before going back to Sorrento in WA. I then went as Reserve Team Coach to Hull City in 2008 in the English Premier League before coming to East Bengal in August 2010

How did you get the job with East Bengal?
- I had been in touch with an official of the club for 4-5 years just through the odd e mail now and again, the position became available and I was offered the opportunity to be the Head Coach

What were your first impressions of Indian football?
- I had to come with a completely open mind and accept what was there to work with. If I came and expected the facilities or the infrastructure that is on offer in other countries I would have got on the first plane home....so I work with what is available and am trying to change things so we can become a club that will become the best in India

What do you think the future holds for Indian football?
- There is no reason why with proper planning and all clubs working together for the better of the game why India cannot look forward to a bright future. 15-20 ytears ago no one would have thought that Japan or South Korea would become powerful footballing nations but with the help of sponsorship, good administrators and everyone working for a common goal they are proof that supposed non footballing nations can become successful in major competitions

What did you know about the TPL before your first match against Chonburi?
- I had spoken a bit with Steve Darby and also with a friend who is the Head Coach at BEC Tero, Peter Butler, who both said it was a well run League with good stadiums, good playing surfaces and was well supported by the fans. My general knowledge of it was really that information and I knew little of the players in it apart from a couple of players who had played in Singapore during my time there

What did you know about Chonburi before you played them?
- Very little apart from some youtube videos. I went to watch them play v Thai Port in the TPL before we met them in the AFC Cup and was very impressed with their passing, movement and teamplay, plus of course the facilities that are available to them

What are your impressions of the team?
- I thought they were a very well organised team full of players that can keep the ball and can hurt you with their short passing game and interchanges when going forward

Which players particularly impressed you?
- Therdsak, Pipob and the 2 full backs (Suree Sukha and Anucha Kitpongsri) who join in all the time and are very difficult to pick up as they get into the final third

What are your impressions of the coaching set up?
- It looks a very professional set up, Chonburi have far more staff than we do right through from the Head coach to the Academy squads, this is something we have to try to get going in India.

What were your impressions of the Chonburi stadium and the atmosphere?
- I thought the fans backed their team all the way and it was a good atmosphere. Some of our games here attract over 100,000 but with a completely different feeling around the stadium

How far do you think Chonburi can can go in the competition?
- I dont know the strength of the teams from the middle east but certainly I feel Chonburi are one of the best teams from this way left in the competition, if the draw is kind to them there is no reson why not all the way.

How do you rate the standard in the AFC Cup?
- Coming from playing only in the Indian League I found that any mistake made was more likely to be punished by the opposition in our group. We have conceded the least goals in the I League but let in 17 goals in our 6 games in the AFC Cup. We need to be competing regularly against foreign opposition to improve ourselves

Who is the best team you have seen so far in the competition?
- I have only seen the teams from our group unfortunately so it is a difficult question for me to answer

Finally, I am also an Oldham fan. Do you have any memories of playing at Boundary Park?
- I seem to remember playing there in a pre season friendly for Bolton Wanderers around 1989 on the astroturf surface.....I think....in the heat of a Lancashire summer it was atound 10 degrees and blowing a gale..... but the pies were excellent !

Thank you, Trevor and good luck.
- Thank you.

INTERVIEW WITH BOYD VINCENT FROM RT SPORTSCAST [12 May @ 10:00pm]

13/5/11
RT Sportscast is a company that covers live football matches around the world on the internet. Boyd Vincent is the local area rep and I recently asked him a few questions about his role and his thoughts on the Thai game. Here are the results of our chat.

Q - Please can you tell me a bit about yourself.
A - I’m 39 years old, American, and grew up in the Chicago suburbs. I have two older sisters, six nieces and nephews, and now live in a townhouse in Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkok.

Q- What first brought you to Asia?
A - One of my sisters taught English in Nagoya, Japan in 1989 for one year. She always told me what a wonderful experience it was, and said how much I would love to do something like that. A few years back, I decided “it’s now or never” – so I quit my IT job in Chicago (I was a Network Administrator in the US), and moved to Tokyo.

Q - How long did you live in Japan?
A - I was in Japan for about three years, although a few months out of each year I went back home to visit friends and family in Chicago and Houston.

Q - What did you do there?
A - I taught English, and did some freelance computer work as well.

Q- Where else have you lived?
A - Houston, Texas, New Haven Connecticut, and Ithaca, New York

Q - How did you end up in Thailand?
A - I have a good friend that lives here (he’s also from Chicago) and after being in Japan for a few years, decided to change things up a bit and try living in a new country/culture – I didn’t particularly WANT to leave Japan, but I figured three years was long enough. I was torn between Taipei, Taiwan and Bangkok, and obviously chose the latter!

Q - How long have you followed football (soccer)?
A - I played soccer all my life in the US – it’s actually the most popular sport among adolescents (in terms of kids who play sports) – so, I guess you could say I’ve followed most of my life. In 1994 I made a trip to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas to catch a World Cup match – a great experience – I saw Sweden beat Saudi Arabia.

Q- How does the standard in Thailand compare to the standard in Japan and other countries where you have watched the game?
A - When I first saw a TPL (Thai Premier League) match, I wasn’t so impressed – but the more I watch, the better I think the play is – especially when I see teams like Chonburi FC and Muangthong United play AFC Cup matches and perform so well against teams from other countries.

Q - How does the matchday experience in Thailand compare to Japan?
A - Everything is more expensive in Japan, and way more crowded – I didn’t spend too much time at stadiums there watching anything, mainly because I didn’t feel like being sandwiched between people at a soccer (or baseball) game the same way I was while riding trains to and from work every day! Japanese fans go nuts about everything – I think it’s a way that they can let loose, since they are always under pressure to perform at work and never get to express their opinions about anything.

Q - What has been your best experience of watching football in Thailand?
A - The people I’ve met – both foreigners and Thai.

Q - Please can you tell us about your job and your role?
A - I work for a company that broadcasts real-time sports data on the web – my role is to find individuals in Thailand to cover TPL matches – as of now, I have about 16 of the 18 TPL teams with match reporters attending games (I also go to a fair number of matches) – but I still need a few more, particularly in Chiang Rai and Sisaket.

Q - How did you get your current job?
A - I saw an ad on ajarn.com last year, and just applied to be a match reporter – I did it most of last year, then the guy who hired me decided to leave the head position in Thailand and recommended to the powers that be at the company that I take over. Because I have lived in Japan, they also asked me to cover J1 matches, so I keep pretty busy making sure there are reporters in both countries going to games.

Q - Who subscribes to your updates?
A - I don’t have any! But that’s a good idea – maybe I’ll post a blog.

Q - Please can you give us a brief outline of your usual matchday routine.
A - Wake up - drink coffee, chew nicotine gum, I quit smoking recently. Check to make sure the game is still on and that I'm going to the right stadium. I HAVE gone to the wrong one before! Get on a bus (easy to get to anywhere from Ramkhamhaeng by bus) - usually I will head to Victory Monument and then take another bus or minivan to whatever stadium I happen to be headed to. Get a call from my company an hour before the match confirming the teams I will be covering. Arrive at the match, buy a ticket. Get a seat in the stadium, get a call (again, from company) to describe pitch and weather conditions. Watch match/do commentary (company calls for a third time about 10 minutes before start of the match, and all commentary is done via phone). Head home. That's about it!

Q - Are you able to enjoy the matches, or are you focussed on reporting?
A - The first few matches I did, I was a bit nervous and concentrated more on what I was going to say than actually enjoying the match – now it’s a lot different because I’m much more familiar with the routine, and I am able to really get the most out of the games when I am working – it’s a pretty simple job, actually.

Q - Do you get the chance to go to games when you are "off duty"?
A - I haven’t yet, but that’s been more of my own choice than anything – I figure if I’m going to go to a match, I might as well earn some cash in the process – otherwise, I’d rather stay home and play with the dog or practice my guitar.

Q - What has been your funniest/strangest experience whilst covering Thai football?
A - I like interacting with the crowd – I don’t know if there’s been one most interesting experience, but I can absolutely say that my Thai has improved a lot (especially slang) after listening to what fans scream at players on the opposing team.

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
A - I’m just grateful I have the chance to make a living doing something like this – life could be a lot worse than getting paid to watch football! If anyone reading this is interested in covering matches (especially those of you outside of Bangkok), feel free to contact me at boyd.vincent(at)rtsportscast.com. Thanks a lot for granting me the interview!

Q- You're welcome. Thank you, Boyd.

INTERVIEW WITH DAN BENNETT FROM SAFFC [15 Feb @ 9:05am]

21/1/11
I recently caught up with experienced Singapore Armed Forces defender Dan Bennett and asked him a few questions ahead of Sunday's friendly. You can read the results of our chat below.

Q - Please could you tell us a little about your background and playing career.
A – I was brought up in Singapore so my footballing education was pretty much all here. As a schoolboy, I played semi professional football for Tiong Bahru before going to Loughborough University in England. Not knowing what to do after uni, I was fortunate enough to get a call from my previous coach Sivaji at Balestier. I signed for 5 months, thinking I would soon get a 'proper' job. I never did! Balestier led to Tanjong Pagar, Wrexham, SAFFC, Woodlands and the Singapore national team. Now I am 33! I can't believe it!

Q - What have been the highlights of your career so far?
A - Playing for Wrexham in the English League1 and winning promotion. Also,the Suzuki Cup successes and playing against the best clubs and national teams in Asia.

Q - Who do you consider to be the best players you've played with during your career?
A - Djamel Achouri the former Auxerre player, Essa Basile a Cameroon youth international, Brian Carey, Darren Ferguson, Therdask Chaiman, Lee Trundle and Park Tae Won.

Q - And the best you've played against?
A - Ryan Giggs.

Q – Who do you consider to be the best coach you've played under?
A - Radojko Avramovic, the Singapore national coach.

Q - What are your ambitions for the immediate future? ie the season ahead.
A - To regain the S League championship with SAFFC. The rest is a secret.

Q- Hopefully you still have a few years left as a player but have you given any thought to what you'd like to do when you finally retire?
A - I didn't know eleven years ago and I’m still thinking! But I’m open to suggestions, if anyone has any ideas!

Q - What do you know about the current Chonburi squad?
A – I’m aware of Therdsak Chaiman and the national centre back Chonlatit Jantakam.

Q - Other than Therdsak, which of our players have impressed you the most?
A - Can I tell you after the game? I really am intrigued to know more about the Thai league and teams so I’m really looking forward to the game.

Q - You spent some time with Therdsak at SAFFC, what do you consider his best qualities to be?
A - He has everything, apart from height perhaps! He has the technique, passing, shooting, vision and a competitiveness that has seen him win just about everything he could have done. But his best quality is his good looks!!

Q - What was he like to play alongside?
A - He gave the team confidence and controlled the tempo of games. And you always had belief he would do something special and win games for you.

Q - Sunday's match is only a "friendly" but how seriously will SAFFC be taking things?
A - It's getting closer to the start of the season so it's important the team starts to play well as a unit. And we don't like losing.

Q - What sort of game are you expecting?
A - Thai teams always keep the ball exceptionally well so I expect Chonburi to have more possession. The first half will be tight but I expect the game to open up in the second half and there will be a few goals for sure.

Q - Which of your players should we look out for?
A – Our new striker from Croatia. He played in the European Champions League for Zilina.

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
A - I'm injured so I’ll see you in the stands, mate!!

Q – Thanks Dan.
A - Cheers.

With thanks to Antony.

INTERVIEW WITH ERICK BUI - BTV CUP PREVIEW [24 Nov @ 8:06am]

17/11/10
Earlier today the Chonburi squad flew out to Vietnam to take part in the annual BTV Cup. By way of a preview for the tournament, which starts on Friday, here is an interview I conducted with Erick Bui the webmaster of www.vietfootball.blogspot.com

Q Please can you tell me a bit about yourself. Your name, age and where you come from.
- My name is Erick. I'm 20 and I come from Vietnam.

Q How long have you been following Vietnamese football?
- I have been following Vietnamese football since I was a small kid. In 1997, when the SEA Games were held in Jakarta, it was the first football tournament I watched. I also started following the national football league at that time.

Q Can you give me a bit of history about the BTV Cup?
- The BTV Cup is a pre-season competition held by Binh Duong Television and Becamex Binh Duong FC. It was launched in 1999 and was first won by Cang Sai Gon. Since 2002, it has become an annual tournament and started involving foreign clubs. Vietnamese clubs find the BTV Cup a quality and useful competition in which to warm up before season starts.

Q How are the competing teams chosen?
- There are often 8 teams in the BTV Cup. Hosts Binh Duong and 3 other V-League clubs represent Vietnam. Four foreign clubs are chosen from various continents. Traditionally, one team from Brazil is invited. Three others are Asian sides who are champions or high-ranked club in their respective leagues. For example: Chonburi (2007), Krung Thai Bank (2003), Tampines Rovers (Champions of ASEAN Club Championship in 2003) and Etoile FC (S-League 2010 champions). European and African clubs were also invited in 2009 and 2010.

Q Please tell me a bit about the host club and the stadium.
- Many of Binh Duong players are Vietnam internationals so the club will lose some important players to the national team in this BTV Cup. The club has 4 foreigners Philani, Leandro, Lee Nguyen and Timothy Anjembe who have been stars of the league for a few seasons. Their fans are one of the best in Vietnam and their stadium, Go Dau Stadium, can hold 18,000 supporters.

Q Which has been the most high profile team at the tournament in the past?
- Possibly Brazil Serie B side Duque de Caxias. They won the BTV Cup in 2009 and looked very impressive.

Q What sort of crowds does the tournament attract? Can we expect big crowds this season? Are you expecting Thai ex-pats to watch Chonburi's matches?
- I expect about 10,000 supporters will attend Binh Duong's games. For other games, the crowds can be smaller. Regarding Thai ex-pats, it will be great if they also watch the games.

Q How seriously is the tournament taken in Vietnam?
- The BTV Cup is an important competition for V-League clubs in their preparation for the new season. They often try out new signings, tactics and look for transfer targets as well. It's a great opportunity for Vietnamese sides to test themselves against strong opponents.

Q Will there be any TV coverage?
- Yes, all games will be broadcast live on Binh Duong Television (BTV).

Q What other sort of press coverage does the tournament get?
- Most Vietnamese football media will cover the event.

Q What can you tell me about the other three teams in Chonburi's group?
- Hosts Binh Duong is always one of the strongest clubs in Vietnam. They have just made a few exciting signings and will definitely look to win the cup this year. Vicem Hai Phong were V-League 2010 runners-up and have just drawn 2-2 with the Vietnam national team recently. Express FC is a top Ugandan club, having won their respective league 6 times.

Q What do you know about Chonburi FC and our players?
- I know Chonburi FC is one of the best Thai clubs and I watched some of their games in AFC Champions League 2008 and AFC Cup 2009. Arthit Sunthornpit is the one I'm most impressed with. Suree Sukha and Therdsak Chaiman are great too.

Q What are your predictions for the tournament?
- I expect hosts Binh Duong or Matsubara will win the cup.

Q Anything else you'd like to add?
- It's really good to see Chonburi FC participate in the BTV Cup for the second time. I always expect more competitions involving South East Asian club sides.

Q Thank you.
- Thank you

DEZ CORHILL INTERVIEW [12 Aug @ 10:00pm]

Between 2006 and 2008 I used to supply video footage, information and the occasional interview about, Thai football to the good people over at ESPN/Star Sports. The highlights were mainly featured on two shows : Football Crazy and The Top Corner. The latter was the brainchild of one Dez Corkhill, a British journalist who was responsible for most of the Asian football output on the network. A champion of the local game, Dez has recently moved to a new job in Malaysia but I caught up with him the other day and he was good enough to answer a few questions for this site.

Q - For starters, please can you tell me a bit about your background.
- I was born and bred in Liverpool, and have followed the Reds for as long as I can remember. My first match was Liverpool vs Stoke City, in what proved to be Gordon Banks' last ever match in England. I went to University in Scotland where Dundee United were my adopted second team. I got my first job in South Wales where a then struggling Cardiff City became my new "second" team.

Q - When did you first get into sports journalism and was this always your ambition?
- It was in South Wales that I broke into sports broadcasting. I played football to a decent level, as a goalkeeper, in the League of Wales and the Scottish Junior Leagues, as well as representing British Universities. But I was never disciplined enough, tall enough, fit enough nor good enough to make it as a professional and decided at 21 that if I can't play a sport, I might as well talk about it. I'd written match reports for school magazines as a young lad, and done some "Hospital Radio" in my late teens, so when I gave up playing competitively, I knew that sports journalism was the career I wanted. Getting the first break was tough and numerous knock-backs followed over the next five years. Eventually, a local radio station (Red Dragon Radio) in South Wales gave me some airtime, after which I got freelance work with BBC Wales radio and TV, plus several other regional radio stations and work.

Q - How did you end up in SE Asia?
- The first full-time broadcast journalism job I had was in London working for a company (TWI, now IMG Media) who were commissioned to produce an international version of the famed US SportsCenter. After five years working on this, and on a UK version of the brilliant Futbol Mundial, a chance to move to Singapore to help set up ESPN's SportsCenter regional programming came my way. Having set that up, I added some on-air work to my repertoire (mainly promoting local football Leagues), moved into commentary, and then helped relaunch and revamp the ESPNSTAR.com website.

Q - Why are you so passionate about Asian football?
- My passion is football and how it represents where you are from. Forgive the lecture that's about to follow but, a football club represents you and your community, and should provide a central focal point for that community. Football isn't just about money, it's about belonging and identity and long after the money men disappear from World football, people will remember that football is about belonging and identity. A football club is one of the few ways a place can have "meaning" and be recognised. Mention "Liverpool:, and the chances are that people think of "The Beatles" and "Liverpool Football Club.".

Q - Who is the best South-East Asian player you've ever seen? 
- I loved watching Therdsak Chaiman play at Singapore Armed Forces. Even as a "veteran" he was three moves ahead. He made the players around him better, and the opposition look worse. The most thrilling combination of players I saw was when the Indonesians Bambang Pamungkas and Elie Aboi were together at Selangor in Malaysia. They won a treble in front of packed houses, and persuaded me to make the 4-hour journey to Shah Alam on several occasions.

Q - And the best club side in South-East Asia?
- I'm quite taken by South China. They performed brilliantly in one of the Permier League pre-season challenges a couple of years ago when they played Liverpool and Birmingham. A club with the potential to be big if a South-East Asian league ever becomes a reality. They performed at a higher level than any others I can remember. Saying that, the BEC Tero Sasana side that made it to the AFC Champions League Final (again with Therdsak to the fore) were pretty useful as well.

Q - During your time at ESPN/Star Sports you were always very supportive of Thai football, why was this?
- During a couple of trips to Thailand soon after I moved to South East Asia, I got to watch BEC Tero Sasana and Krung Thai Bank and I enjoyed their style of play. Uninspiring names for football clubs but the football was quick, slick and entertaining. I remember BEC Tero beating the Air Force 4-0 on one visit, with Jatupong scoring two, including one gem after a lovely passing move. Although the crowd was small, I saw that the "product" was actually quite good, and with the right promotion, could be a good sell. I wasn't so supportive of the Thai team in the 2007 ASEAN Cup when they performed that petulant walk-off against Singapore, but generally, Thai's like to play attacking football, pleasing on the eye, and the fans are passionate and appreciative.

Q - Do you still take an interest in Thai football?
- Very much so. A change of work has taken me to Malaysia with a company called Astro Arena (Channel 801). Our brief (and what attracted me) is to cover and promote local sport, and local football is top of the tree in this area. It has made me even more aware of the domestic Leagues in and around South East Asia, and how football really does matter.

Q - What do you think about the changes that have taken place in the TPL over the past five years?
- Getting rid of the company associations and trying to make the clubs represent a community is what football is / should be all about. Chonburi was the original model, but the likes of Bangkok Glass and others have followed suit. Long may it continue. That strange season when there were two competing Leagues seems a long time ago, though it does concern me that there seems to be progress from 4 or 5 teams, but not from all.

Q - Where do you see Thai domestic football in five years time?
- That depends on the administrators and the ability to build on the progress over the past few seasons, and to properly market the clubs, and make the Thai League part of the mainstream sports coverage. Media is important. Without it, football will struggle. With negative media, football will struggle. It needs pro-active and positive media. Good administrators plus positive media equals a good future.

Q - How did you add the commentary to the TPL tapes I used to send you? Was it ad-libbed or scripted? Did you try and avoid hearing the scores beforehand?
- I needed to do some research on the positions of players in the starting line up so I "peeked" at the tape first to ensure I could identify the players. After that, I tried to do an "as live" commentary, but I did know who the scorers were before-hand.

Q - What were your impressions of the quality of Thai league football back in 2006 & 2007?
- The International team was doing OK, but the domestic League seemed to be on the way down. Interest was low and crowds were low.

Q - How long did you work at ESPNSTAR Sports?
- A very enjoyable ten years. They remain, to my mind, the standard bearers of coverage for international sport.

Q - What does your new job involve?
- My work at Astro Arena is to encourage coverage of local sport to the same professionalism, and with the same care and attention to quality as ESPNSTAR cover International sport.

Q - Which has been the best Asian match you've ever covered?
- Undoubtedly: Copa Indonesia Cup Final in 2005. Persipura Jayapura beat Persija Jakarta 4-3 after extra time. A nearly packed Senayan Stadium, my first taste of Jakmania, a cracking game of football, and Boaz Salossa in brilliant form. Running in second was a Singapore Cup Final where Chonburi were denied a win over Tampines by two very, very late goals in regulation time, and a late extra time winner. There have been some excellent Singapore Cup Finals, but that Copa Indonesia game was simply wonderful.

Q - If you could have been at any match in history (anywhere in the world) which one would it have been?
- Istanbul. Champions league Final 2005.

Many thanks to Dez for his time.

ANTONY SUTTON ON CHONBURI v MUANG THONG UNITED [1 Aug @ 10:00pm]

Antony Sutton has been writing about South East Asian football for a number of years. He has travelled the region extensively, watching matches and interviewing many of those who are involved in the sport locally. Apart from maintaining his excellent website - www.jakartacasual.blogspot.com - he is often asked his opinions by various media organisations in the area. His insightful, honest and often witty views, are well respected and much in demand. Here are his thoughts on tomorrow's big match.

Q - You recently watched a Chonburi home match (v Thai Port), what were your overall impressions?
- I didn’t really like the stadium. I hate it when the fans are too far from the pitch and the stand was tiny. The fans were good though and they created a good atmosphere, helped by a reasonable away support. The match itself was so so. But then I think me and you go back to a time when the game itself was just one part of the experience

Q- What was the most enjoyable aspect of the day for you?
- I always enjoying going to new grounds. There’s a kind of buzz when you buy the ticket, a match programme and then go on the terraces for the first time. Also travelling home on public transport! Too often now I either drive or take a taxi but waiting for a bus home was kind of old school for me

Q - And the least enjoyable?
- Nothing really.

Q - How does a trip to the Chonburi Sports College Stadium compare to your experiences of visiting other grounds in the region?
- I don’t like to compare because everything is the same, same but different.

Q - How does a trip to the Chonburi Sports College Stadium compare to your experiences of visiting other Thai league grounds?
- I still think PAT Stadium (Thai Port FC) is the best I’ve been to. Nice and compact, with the fans close to the pitch. That two tier terrace with Bangkok’s skyline behind it could well be the iconic image of football in Bangkok. For me at least. http://asianfootballpix.blogspot.com/2010/06/thai-port-v-pattaya-united-2-0.html

Q - As someone who travels extensively around SE Asia, how do you rate the experience of watching football in Thailand compared to other countries?
- Football in Thailand is about enjoyment, I think. The whole day is fun, along with some food. The fans, based on my observations, look to be very twee, very well mannered. If there was a movie about Thai football, Hugh Grant would be in it. Indonesia on the other hand is much more raffish. Dickensian scamps running bare foot round the place. Everyone is an Artful Dodger.

Q- Chonburi v Muang Thong rates as the biggest domestic match in Thailand, how does it compare to other big games in the region?
- I went to the game last year at an unfinished Thunderdome. I don’t think it can compare with games in Indonesia featuring Arema, Persija, Persib or Persebaya, purely because they’ve been at it a lot longer and there is more of a history surrounding the games. It’s easy to forget that just a couple of years ago excitement in Thai football was Krung Thai Bank v Police.

Q - Which is the biggest game you've been to in SE Asia?
- 85,000 at Persija v Arema, with about 40,000 away fans, many of whom camped overnight outside the stadium

Q- If you could give one piece of advice to the Chonburi FC management, what would it be?
- Find a stadium and stick to it!

Q - And one piece of advice to those who run Thai football?
- Ease up for goodness sake. The last pre season had to be one of the longest on record in any league in the world. I lost track of all the 4 team tournaments being played all over the place. And now they introduce a League Cup!

Q - Finally, Chonburi's walk off in this season's first meeting between the two clubs caused a lot of controversy. What do you think the most controversial thing will be on Sunday?
- Muang Thong fans singing, "Where were you when you were ****?!’

Many thanks to Antony for sharing his thoughts. You can see an interview Antony conducted with me prior to the recent Chonburi v Thai port match here
http://jakartacasualtv.blogspot.com/2010/06/dale-farrington-chonburi-fan-blogger.html

And read some more of his articles on Thai football here
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=8219

HALFWAY POINT INTERVIEWS [14 Jul @ 10:00pm]

With the TPL season at the halfway mark, I asked fans of a few other clubs how they think their teams have performed so far. Here are their replies.
BANGKOK UNITED - Sven
Current league position – 14th
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your teams performance over the first half of the season?
- Very disapointed!

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
- The win against Samut Songkhram.

Q - And the low point?
- When we lost 0-3 at home vs TTM.

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
- Muangthong United

Q - And the worst?
- Pattaya United! They was a disgrace, to put it kindly...

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for
a) your club?
- To stay in TPL and to have a good run in the cups.
b) the league in general?
- For the league to get better and to attract more support, and to avoid postponements like we had the first half of the first leg.

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title.
- Always look at the bright side of life...

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
- Good luck to all, except when you play Bangkok United, but especially when you play Pattaya...

MUANG THONG UNITED – Greg
Current league position – 1st
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your teams performance over the first half of the season?
MTU - Very satisfied!

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
MTU - The win over Chonburi for several reasons - the atmosphere, the win over title rivals, the fact we played great football at times and the fact that I was nervous before the match.

Q - And the low point?
MTU - The Pattaya game. Even though we won, the game was totally ruined by cheating and players throwing themselves on the floor every minute. Losing in the last minute away to Bangkok Glass was not fun, either.

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
MTU - Chonburi or PEA

Q - And the worst?
MTU - Pattaya United. Navy Rayong also looked weak, except for their goalie.

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for
a) your club?
MTU - To retain the title and win one of the domestic cups. I'm not so worried about the AFC Cup because we've already exceeded expectations there.
b) the league in general?
MTU - Everyone to enjoy their games with no crowd trouble. Less rescheduling of fixtures.

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title.
MTU - 'Amazing' by Kayne West

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
MTU - Thanks to everyone who has a website on a team, it always makes good reading.

Greg is the webmaster at
www.muangthongunitedfc.blogspot.com

BANGKOK GLASS – Andy
Current league position – 6th
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your teams performance over the first half of the season?
- If I rate the performances 1-5 (1 being shocking and 5 being superb) I would say : 1 - v Samut Songkhram, TOT, PEA & Osotspa 2 - v Pattaya 3 - v Army, Sisaket, Police, TTM & Thai Port 4 - v Chonburi, Muang Thong United & Bangkok United 5 - v BEC Tero & Navy Rayong That averages out at just under 3, so it's safe to say 'not very satisfied', but we have they have got much better since Carlos took over (barring the 2nd half against Thai Port).

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
- Footballing wise, the 5-0 against Navy Rayong and the first away win against BEC Tero were pretty good, but I think I'd have to say the win over Muang Thong United. It's always good to beat them..... and in stoppage time too made it all the more sweeter. From a personal point of view I'd have to say, playing and scoring in the fan club win over Muang Thong United fan club at the Leo stadium in front of 300/400 people was pretty awesome.

Q - And the low point?
- Hmm.. quite a few. Away to TOT, Samut Songkhram and PEA, we were utterly useless. I think, I'll go with TOT away as the lowest though as no-one should ever lose 2-0 to TOT under any circumstances... period.

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
- In person - Chonburi and Muang Thong didn't perform particularly well against us, so I hate to say it, but PEA.. They tore us apart, although we contributed in making them look good by being defensively inept. But overall, on TV & highlights etc. it has to be Muang Thong.

Q - And the worst?
- In terms of ability, Army, Sisaket, Navy Rayong & Bangkok United, but at least Army & Sisaket had some fighting spirit so I'll think I'll plump with Bangkok United. If I may give a mention to Samut Songkhram for having the worst sportsmanship and bending/breaking the rules as much as they can get away with.

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for
a) your club?
- For BG Man to wipe PEA Man off the face of the planet..... and if we can continue the performances since Carlos took over, I think we can get 3rd, but PEA and Thai Port are both very decent footballing teams, it'll be tough. I think we might win a cup though as we now have 2 to aim for (League Cup & Singapore Cup).
b) the league in general?
- It looks like it's a 2 horse race for the title and Army & Sisaket look like lost causes. Personally I'd like to see Police United & Navy Rayong stay up and Bangkok United go down. The TPL looks a fairly foregone conclusion already.. The lower leagues will be interesting nearer the end of the season. D1 and D2 central are shaping up quiet nicely.

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title.
- Waiting for the beat to kick in - Dan Le Sac v Scroobius Pip

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
- I feel it's an important time for the league. Generally speaking interest and crowds have somewhat levelled out after the boom, it's important the FA build on this in the correct way as things are still heading in the right direction but if they continue making stupid, thoughtless and inconsistent decisions, the league(s) will head back the same way they came. The clubs & players have to play their part too. No more walking off please.... EVER. No more unnecessary relocations. Onwards and upwards.

Andy is the webmaster at www.bangkokglassfc.webs.com

THAI PORT – Marco
Current league position – 4th
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your teams performance over the first half of the season?
A - I'm very satisfied indeed! We started off slowly, but our form has been excellent in the last ten games. We are also doing well in the AFC Cup.


Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
A - In the TPL, probably beating Bangkok Glass at PAT Stadium. They are a good side and team that we hope to be challenging for a top four place, so to beat them was very satisfying. In the AFC Cup, we produced a great performance to beat Sriwijaya 4-1 in Indonesia. Overall, that was probably the highlight of the season for me so far.

Q - And the low point?
A - I would say losing to TOT-CAT at Yamaha Stadium. We were completely abject that day and played like a team of strangers. After that game we had three points from five games and were in the relegation zone. I was beginning to fear the worst. Since then we have only lost once in ten and have climbed to fourth. Getting knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round was a bit of a let down after winning the competition last year.

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
A - To be honest I have seen about six or seven Thai Port games, but I missed the games against the top three teams and Bangkok Glass, so I would have to say the best performance I've seen against us was by TOT-CAT. They ran us ragged and should have scored four or five to be honest.

Q - And the worst?
A - Probably Thai Army. They produced plenty of effort, and had us under pressure in the first twenty minutes, but they just lack quality in all areas really. I can't see them staying up to be honest.

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for a) your club?
A - After our recent financial problems, I hope that things get sorted behind the scenes so that we can continue to progress as a club. On the field, I hope we can maintain our top four position. A few more away wins would be nice as well! As for the AFC Cup, we've done very well to get to the last eight, so anything else is a bonus.
b) the league in general?
A - I think the league is starting to fall into place. The TPL winners will be one of the top two, probably Muang Thong United. PEA will fall away when they start playing some away games (they've got ten out of the last fifteen games away from home). For relegation, pick any three from the bottom five. I think the other teams are just playing for pride.

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title.
A -On the pitch: "Movin on up" - by Primal Scream As a supporter: "The Rollercoaster Ride" - by Belle and Sebastian Top goalscorer - Sarayoot 'Joe' Chaikamdee: "Joe the Lion" - by David Bowie

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
A - Thanks for the questions and good luck for the rest of the season.

Marco is the webmaster at www.thaiportfc.blogspot.com

PEA – Roger
Current league position – 3rd
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your teams performance over the first half of the season?
- If someone had said to me that PEA would be unbeaten in the first half of the season I would have laughed at them.But it is points that win leagues and so far this season PEA have dropped far to many with 9 draws.Some of the draws have been good results, drawing at Muang Thong, but they have dropped points against teams near the bottom of the table.

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
- Beating Chonburi 3-1 at Thunder Castle.This was a good performance from PEA against one of the stronger sides in the division.

Q - And the low point?
- Only beating Sisaket 1-0

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
- Pattaya United

Q - And the worst?
- Sisaket

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for a) your club?
- That they start winning more games as soon as possible as draws are not good enough.
b) the league in general?
- More respect shown to the officials, as without them we would not have any games. And that the best team wins the league, which I think will be Muang Thong

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title
- We Will Rock You--------Queen 

HALFWAY POINT INTERVIEWS - PART TWO [2 Aug @ 5:56am]

Today I take a look outside the TPL, at the first leg fortunes of two teams who play in the second and third tier of Thai league football.

With thanks to Vinnie & Greg.


Division 1
RAJPRACHA FC – Greg
Current league position – 11th
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your teams performance over the first half of the season?
- Not satisfied, we got off to a good start and then the management let us down by getting complacent.

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
- Going one-nil up away to Air Force United early in the season.

Q - And the low point?
- The 1-6 home defeat by Chula United.

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
- Chula United

Q - And the worst?
- Suphanburi

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for a) your club?
- To get back to form and finish mid table, with a good cup run, too.
b) the league in general?
- Everyone to enjoy their games with no crowd trouble. Less rescheduling of fixtures.

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title.
- Falling away from me' by Korn

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
- Thanks to everyone who has a website on a team, it always makes good reading.

Greg is the webmaster at www.rajprachafc.blogspot.com

Division 2 (North East Region)
NAKHON RATCHASIMA FC – Vinnie
Current league position – 3rd
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your teams performance over the first half of the season?
- Very satisfied considering we had an awful start to the season. We've won nine and drawn three of the last twelve games and not lost since late March. We're in with a chance of the play-offs which seemed an impossibility after a quarter of the season.

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
- Probably the 1-0 win away at Chaiyaphum. They were a play-off rival at the time and it was a very important win. The fact it was a local derby and we took a large following up there made it a day to remember.

Q - And the low point?
- Has to be the 3-0 home defeat to Buriram. The whole day was just horrible. Don't want to say anything else about it; it just makes me too angry/sad/sick!

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
- I don't want to mention that team again so I'll go for Nong Khai. They were bottom of the table when we played them - and they still are now - but they put in a fine, spirited and honest performance and were unlucky to be edged out 1-0 by a late goal.

Q – And the worst?
- Mahasarakham. We beat them 2-0 without getting out of first gear at a time when we weren't playing well. Their pass completion rate must have been under 10%. The worst team performance I've seen since being in Thailand.

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for a) your club?
- PLAY-OFFS. Nothing else will do after last year.
b) the league in general?
- It would be nice to see the final Issan province without league representation - Amnat Charoen - join the fold next year. I want to see more stringent ground regulations, too. Nong Khai, for example, don't have floodlights so all their games kick off at 15:00. And Yasothon - a team which could be in Division 1 next year - have the worst pitch I've ever seen in Thailand; and that's saying something.

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title
- Maybe for what's to come, 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart [again]'.

Q – Anything else you’d like to add?
- Yes. The club and supporters' club have been scratching their heads in an attempt to work out why we aren't getting particularly high crowds. So if anyone can shed any light on why a club that plays its home games at a stadium 15km from the city centre, charges as much for admission as some TPL teams and provides no transportation to and from said stadium isn't better supported then please let the club know!

Vinnie is the webmaster at www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

HALFWAY POINT INTERVIEWS - PART THREE [2 Aug @ 5:58am]

More a case of "How Was It For Me?" as I run the rule over Chonburi's first half of the season.
Q - Overall, how satisfied are you with your team’s performance over the first half of the season?
A - Fairly satisfied. We started like a house on fire but have stuttered a little just lately. Also, I thought our performances against Muang Thong and PEA were very disappointing, to say the least, which raises a question mark as to whether we can cope with the big occasion. However, we’re still up there so overall I’ve got to be pleased.

Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
A - We played some breathtaking football during the 5-1 win against TTM, which was a joy to watch. The form of the young midfielder, Purithat Jarigarnon, has been very satisfying. He is definitely one for the future. And Michael Byrne’s hat-trick was a delight, especially coming after he’d missed a few matches through illness and injury.

Q - And the low point?
A - The trip to Buriram. The whole day was extremely strange and one I’d rather forget. The away fans were treated with contempt and the team played poorly. An awful experience.

Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
A - It has to be Muang Thong. When it all clicks in to place they are head and shoulders above anyone else in this league. Praise to for the ten men of Bangkok Glass, who deserved at least a point from the match at our place.

Q - And the worst?
A - I’m bending my own rules a little here but Police United in the Queen’s Cup were a disgrace. I was so happy when we thrashed them in the league a couple of weeks ago.

Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for a) your club?
A - That we can regain some of our early season form and be a bit more consistent. I’m hesitant to say that the title now looks like a two horse race but we need to be at our best if we want to be considered as serious contenders and push Muang Thong all the way.
b) the league in general?
A - I hope that it can be managed properly. We’ve seen something of a leveling off after last season’s boom and the powers that be need to make sure they make some sensible decisions. How about looking at kick off times for a start?

Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title.
A - “Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards” by Billy Bragg.

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
A - Thanks to everyone who reads this website, and thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate your support.

SVEN BEYRICH INTERVIEW - PART ONE [11 Jul @ 10:00pm]

Sven Beyrich is the webmaster at www.thai-fussball.de. He recently came to Thailand to watch a few matches and visit a few stadiums. I interviewed him about his trip, his thoughts on the local game and Chonburi's chances for the rest of the season. You can read the first part of our conversation below.

Q - What is your name and where do you come from?
- My name is Sven and I am from Germany. Originally I come from a small town called Colditz, near Leipzig, but I have lived in Munich for the past ten years.

Q - How long have you been following Thai football?
- I have been following Thai football since the beginning of the 2008 season.

Q - What first got you interested in Thai football?
- At the End of 2007 I started to work for a FIFA-Manager fan website and I did some database work for them. As I used to spend my holidays in Thailand it was logical for me to work on a database patch for Thailand. And it was much more interesting to do that, instead of working on all the countries which are usually providedfor on this particular PC Game.

Q- Which was the first match you saw?
- I was actually aware of Thai football earlier than 2008 because I had been spending my holidays in Thailand since about 2002. But, as you know, information about the local football scene was tough to find in those days. However, the first game I watched in Thailand was the international friendly between Thailand and Germany in 2004. My first league match was in 2008. It was Chonburi vs Samut Songkhram. Thanks to you, by the way.

Q - Please can you tell us a bit about your website and your involvement with the Wikipedia pages.
- Well, I started www.thai-fussball.de (Sven’s website) in October 2009. It was around the time when lots of other sites, like yours, were springing up. As I already had accumulated a deep knowledge about the local game through my work at the Wikipedia, I thought it might be not a bad idea do to a website about Thai football in German. There are a lot of Thais living here in Germany and also in Switzerland and Austria. They might be able to speak Thai, but most of them are not able to read Thai. And of course you have a big German community in Thailand itself. But the basic idea was simply to promote the Football in Thailand. I think this is something we all try to do with our respective websites. Regarding Wikipedia when I started the work for the FIFA-Manager fan website, I needed to do a lot of essential investigation about players and clubs for the database. It was during my search for information that I noticed that Wikipedia contained very little about Thai football. Therefore, I had the idea to share my collected knowledge. I started the English language Wikipedia pages with Adam Drury, an Englishman who is also a keen follower of Thai football. I added the German language version later on.

Q - You recently watched a couple of Chonburi matches. What did you think about (a) The team?
- Chonburi is surely one of the best teams in Thailand. They really have a great quality in the squad, mainly because of their national team players. On the other hand, I like the fact that the team contains young lads as well and they are given a chance to play in TPL, in order to gain experiance and match practice. Chonburi also has one of the best coaches in TPL. They have a solid defence who do a great job, which is not so common in the League. But, as seen during recent games, it looks like they really miss Pipob. I think they are lacking a bit in the strikeforce. And sometimes Sinthaweechai can cause headaches!
(b) The fans?
- Frankly speaking, I don’t think there is much of a difference from fans of other clubs in Thailand. Everywhere you go, you are likely to receive a warm welcome from local fans and you will soon feel a part of them.A part of the family. And that is really a nice feeling. During halftime at the Navy Rayong v Chonburi match (5th June), a young Thai spoke to me. He said that we had met up during the Muang Thong v Chonburi match (28th May) but, unfortunately, I really couldn't remember him. I still feel sorry about that. Nevertheless, I can say that Chonburi fans are really helpful, in every respect. And morons, you can find everywhere.
(c) The matchday experience?
- The matchday experience, like the fans, is nearly the same everywhere you go in Thailand. It's wonderful. I really love it. I watched 6 games during my recent visit, and I couldn't get enough of it. I have seen a lot of matches in my life but the experience in Thailand is really great. It is the kind of mixture you can find there with whole families going out to watch the game together. Nearly everybody is wearing their team colours. It is a very friendly atmosphere, with the fans singing and supporting their club nearly the whole time. One thing that is different about Chonburi are the big fire crackers the lads like to set off in front of the stadium before each match. I've never seen this before. A negative point for me is all that construction waste and mud you can find at some stadiums. You are even able to find construction tools. People could easily grab them, and use them to hurt someone. So, in this case, I think it is maybe better to allow firecrackers inside the stadium, instead of having such kind of tools lying around. I also would like to see a standard regulation for all stadiums in regards to your drinks. You never know in advance whether you can take your beer into the stadium or not. And, if you can, are you allowed bottles, glasses, cans or plastic cups? You never know!

Q - What were the biggest differences you noticed from the last time you watched a Chonburi home match?
- There weren’t many differences. The overall experience was nearly the same, except you now have a few more chants and a big shark flag. The game I watched in 2008 (0-0 v Samut Songkhram on the 4th October) was nearly sold out, and this time it was sold out again. The access to the players has changed, as now you have wait for them behind barriers outside the main entrance. I like this idea. It stops everyone running on to the pitch but it’s still possible to get autographs and take pictures with them. You still have the chance to get close to your lads. The only thing I missed were the firecrackers inside the stadium.

SVEN BEYRICH INTERVIEW - PART TWO [12 Jul @ 10:00pm]

Here is the second, and concluding, part of my interview with Sven Beyrich.

Q - Who is your favourite Chonburi player? And why?
- There are a few. Pipob,Therdsak, Michael and recently the young lad Phuritad Jarikanon. He is really a young promising player. Pipob has always amazed me, right from the first time I saw him play. He is a small guy, but with a huge presence on the field. I like his dynamic. And his fully trained body is simply amazing. Therdsak is an old rascal, always going forward and with great ideas and lots of ability. He really understands the game. Michael is very popular with the fans. Everybody loves him. The kids are crazy about him. He is really smart and a nice guy. He may be a superstar in the league, but he’s still very down to earth. He is very professional but he’s not playing only for the money he gets. He really cares about Chonburi.

Q - Do you think we can win the league this season? If we don't, who will?
- Last week I would have said definitely not. The situation has now changed a bit with Muang Thong surprisingly losing to Police United. I think the championship will be battled out between Muang Thong and Chonburi. There is no doubt about that. However, I don’t think that this is a good thing for the league as a whole. If you have 4 or 5 clubs challenging for the title, it would be better for the whole league. I still think Muang Thong will it again. Compared to the Chonburi strike force, they have more quality in depth, even though Yaya will leave the club. And, as this year goal difference will decide between teams on equal point, Muang Thong have the advantage.

Q - Which other Thai teams and players have impressed you?
- I’ve been impressed by different ones. I’ve seen several of the Army’s games on the internet and I am impressed by their playing style. They also have no foreigners in the squad. And for that I have to give kudos. Valci Junior from Sisaket impressed me during the first few games he played for Sisaket. They can play brilliantly up front, but lack in defence. Somjet Sattabud from Navy Rayong is a great midfielder with a lot of skill. Sutee Suksomkit, even though he hasn't performed well in some games for Bangkok Glass, I rarely missed any games when he was playing for Melbourne Victory. Even though I had to get up early in the morning. And last, but not least, Kawin. I have to admit that I am a big fan of goalkeepers. Kawin is really the future. He will become the best goalie in Asia if he keeps on track. I am really sure. He has everything that a goalie needs nowadays. Same as Hassan Sunny from Singapore. I really would love to see Kawin playing in the German Bundesliga. And I think he really could cope at that level.

Q - What did you enjoy most about your recent trip?
- The thing I enjoyed most was meeting up with old friends like you. But also making new ties and meeting guys like Andy, Tobi and Lulu. Not to mention all the Thai lads I met up with and talked to. However, I was really excited to meet (Chonburi Technical Development Director) Witthaya Hloagune by chance, as he is the only Thai to have played in the Bundesliga so far.

Q - Do you prefer watching football in Germany or in Thailand? Please give your reasons.
- I enjoy both. Of course if you have Bayern Munich and one of the best leagues in the world on your doorstep, like I do, you are spoiled by the high level of football. But I don't really like the Allianz Arena, or all those new stadiums we have in Germany. They all look the same! There is also a big distance between the players and the fans compared to Thailand. So, if you I like to watch high quality football, I’d say I’d prefer Germany. But if you like to have a unique experience, in atmosphere, matchday experience, fun and enjoying a match, I’d go for Thailand. The level of quality on the pitch isn’t always what’s important for me.

Q - German beer or Thai beer?
- Here I have to be 100% German. The varieties of German beer are far superior. But I always love to have my Chang, Leo or Singha.

Q - German food or Thai food?
- I like both. Roots are roots. I couldn't live without the typical German plain fare we are known for. However, if I am in Thailand, sure I always enjoy Thai food.

Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
- Yes, the World Cup 2010 has just ended. We would all love to see Thailand playing in the tournament at sometime in the future.But I think one of the first steps towards achieving this would be to cut down the new foreign player rule in the TPL. There are a lot of young and talented Thai kids out there but if they have 7 foreigners ahead of them, and no chance to play, it doesn't make sense. During my recent stay I saw some foreign players who were really poor quality. It would be better to give the young talented Thais a chance. Look at how England and Italy, two domestic leagues with lots of foreign players, ended up at the World Cup!

JAKARTACASUAL TV INTERVIEW [29 Jun @ 4:47pm]

Prior to yesterday's match against Thai Port, I was interviewed by Antony from www.jakartacasual.blogspot.com

You can watch a video of our ten minute chat here
http://jakartacasualtv.blogspot.com/2010/06/dale-farrington-chonburi-fan-blogger.html

ESPN/STAR SPORTS INTERVIEW [28 Jun @ 10:00pm]

In September 2008 I was interviewed by Andy Penders for the ESPN/Star Sports television show, The Top Corner. The interview came at a time when Chonburi were battling to retain our TPL title. On the weekend prior to the broadcast we travelled to Ayutthya for a top of the table clash with PEA. The match finished 0-0 and that result effectively cost us the championship. Our record for the remaining seven games read : P7 W4 D3 L0, but it wasn't good enough to close the two point gap on PEA and we eventually finished runners-up. You can listen to the whole interview (audio only) here
http://www.youtube.com/user/ChonburiFCTV#;;p/a/u/0/Enb43VKTW5w 2008

Season Archive
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/season_archive.pl?id=25439

2008 Season Photo Gallery
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=44174
PEA v Chonburi - pictures 4 -16

INTERVIEW WITH THE WEBMASTER - MUANG THONG UNITED [30 May @ 10:00pm]

1) You've got a remarkably detailed and updated website on Chonburi FC. What drives you to keep it up over such a long span of time?
A) Thank you for the kind words. I think the main driving force for me is the fact that I genuinely enjoy doing it. Many, many years ago I used to edit music, and then football, fanzines, which was great fun, and websites seem to be the modern equivalent. So it's a natural progression from that. I do try to limit the amount of time I spend working on the site, especially as computers are by and large are a mystery to me and my typing skills would embarrass a five year old.

2) You were quite possibly the first ever farang to get involved with Thai football. Apart from crowd sizes, how has it changed?
A) I could write a book about the number of changes that I've seen during the past 13+ years of watching Thai football (now there's an idea!). However, the biggest change has to be the amount of information that is available. I've gone on record as saying that following the domestic game used to be like belonging to a secret underground movement but that is largely true. Word of mouth seemed to be the preferred method of communication. When I first started going to watch Chonburi on a regular basis I had to call one of the players to get all the information about kick off times and fixtures. Other improvements include a more professional approach by clubs, FAT, SAT etc ; the availability of merchandise; television coverage has increased dramatically; the rise of the provincial clubs; all ticket games etc etc. We used to joke about all this being a reality when we were sitting in crowds of less than 200 not that long ago. I could go on but you'll have to wait for my book to come out. :)

3) I try to get some of my fellow foreigners into the local footie, but often they don't give it a chance. Have you managed to convert any farangs to Thai football?
A) I have. With varying degrees of success. One of my best mates, Ian - a Southampton fan - used to come to all the Chonburi Pro League matches with me, until he moved to Vietnam. My parents, both life long Oldham supporters, go to all the games they can whenever they come to visit. I've also dragged many of my work colleagues along over the years, and one or two are pretty regular attendees these days. However, the biggest convert of all is Thai. My wife. She used to hate football and would look forward to Sunday afternoons when I would be out from under her feet. She started coming towards the end of the 2004 season - I can't remember why - and has hardly missed a game since.

4) OK, so to the big game build up...... Chonburi look to be on fire this season. What's the secret?
A) I believe that there are a few reasons why we've enjoyed such a good start to the campaign. Therdsak has made a big difference. You can tell that the other players respect him and his intelligent approach certainly rubs off on those around him. The return of Jadet Meelarp is also a key factor. He, along with the rest of the coaching staff, has instilled a lot of confidence and belief into the players, and this is evident when you watch them on matchdays.

5) Has any player stood out so far?
A) Therdsak, obviously, but for me Puritat Jarigarnon has been our most outstanding player. This lad has a bright future and I expect that he'll be a fixture in the Thailand national team, and, hopefully, Chonburi team, for many years to come. However, I'd be happy to let him go to one of the big European clubs.

6) We think we've spotted at least one weakness in your team. Do you think you've spotted any with MTU? Don't worry you don't need to be specific! A) You are strong in all departments and have equal strength in cover, so finding a weakness on the field is very difficult. As I've said before, Muang Thong have been the best side in the country for me over the past two years. However, as far as I'm concerned, your Achilles' heel is your coach and his assistant. They do tend to come across as being rather arrogant and are not afraid to make their feelings known. It's quite possible that this approach could backfire on them, and your club. As long as you keep winning, it might not be a problem but if a couple of decisions go against you, and they start to criticise, it will be interesting to see how that goes down in certain quarters.

7) Is it too early to call this a title decider?
A) Yes. In spite of last Sunday's result, Bangkok Glass will still have a big part to play in this season's title race.

8) Finally, what do you think will be the score on Friday?
A) 1-1. The same as last October.

9) Anything you want to add?
A) I'm really looking forward to my trip to the Thunderdome/Yamaha Stadium. When I came up for the TOT match a couple of weeks ago I was mightily impressed with all the improvements you've made since my last visit. As you know, I had a few issues with certain things last year, when the ground clearly wasn't ready to stage such a big game, but I don't envisage any problems on Friday. It'll be a fine sight when it's full and I hope that the game lives up to its billing and everybody enjoys the occasion.

This interview first appeared on www.muangthongunitedfc.blogspot.com

INTERVIEW WITH THE WEBMASTER - BANGKOK GLASS [31 May @ 7:09am]

1. Hello Dale, how long have you been in Thailand?
A : I've been here since February, 1997, so just over thirteen years.

2. How long have you supported Chonburi and why?
A : I've supported Chonburi since 2002, the year they were formed. I support them because they are my local club. Prior to their existence I used to follow Thai football but, as most of the clubs were company or forces teams based in Bangkok, it was difficult to have a real affinity for any of them. However, I did have a brief flirtation with one club (no, I won't tell you which one) and I used to go and watch the national team at every opportunity. And I still do.

3. What was your first game?
A : My first game was a 3-1 win against Nakhon Pathom on May 5th, 2002. I rode around Chonburi for ages looking for the stadium and no-one I asked knew where it was! When I eventually found it, there was hardly anybody there but the football was entertaining and that enticed me to go to a few more games that season and in 2003. I'm quite proud of the fact that I've only missed one home match since 2004. And that wasn't my fault!

4. Who is your favourite Chonburi player and why?
A : Pipob On-Mo. He gives 100% in every single game and, even though he's not the biggest footballer you'll ever see, he is absolutely fearless. I also know a bit about his background and there is a lot to admire about the way he has risen to where he is now. He's Chonburi through and through. Can I also give a quick mention to Puritat Jarigarnon? He joined us from Ban Beung in the close season and has been a revelation. He's only 21 but shows a maturity beyond his years. The fact that he played a full 90 minutes in his international debut against South Africa yesterday gives you an indication as to how good he is. A lad with a bright future.

5. Any one else in the TPL on lower leagues that catches your eye?
A : If I’m allowed to, I’ll pick an ex-Chonburi man, Nattaporn Phanrit at Muang Thong. I was genuinely sorry to see him go. I think he’s a classy centre half and very rarely puts a foot wrong. Good in the air, strong in the tackle and an accurate passer of the ball. He’s the kind of player that you build a team around.

6. Chonburi didn't make loads of signings during off season, do you think a settled squad is behind the great start to the season for you?
A : Partly but I think that Jadet’s return can’t be underestimated. He is Mr Chonburi (he’s actually Kn Jadet Meelarp but you know what I mean) and the players love and respect him. A lot of the lads at the club have grown up with him and know exactly what he expects of them. He’s also improved as a coach since he was awarded his AFC coaching badge and uses his new found knowledge to great effect.

7. BG have a 100% record over Chonburi with 4 wins from 4 games, so you think this will play a part in the players thinking during the game?
A : No, I don’t think so but the fans certainly want to win this game to put an end to that unwanted record. Next to Muang Thong, this is undoubtedly our biggest fixture of the season.

8. Anything at Chonburi either on or off the pitch which you or not happy with or think can be improved?
A : Other than selling pies and Bovril in the snack bars, no. Over the years our management has been fantastic and got most things right. I can honestly say that there’s nothing that I’m unhappy with. There was a bit of a mix up with ticketing arrangements before the opening game of this season but that was sorted out before the second match.

9. Do you have any opinions on Bangkok Glass FC?
A : Well, Andy, as you know, I was very unhappy at the way they were allowed to buy a place in the TPL. This goes against the grain for me and represents everything that is wrong with football. However, now you’re here, and not looking like you’ll go away, there is a lot I admire about the way your club is run. There seems to be a genuinely positive relationship between the management and the fans. And the team’s not bad, either. I was also very impressed with the way we were treated at the Leo Stadium last season. Everybody was very helpful and courteous. It’s just a shame you weren’t as accommodating on the pitch.

10. Finally, an outcome of the game please...
A : I think we’ll shade it by one goal. So it will be either 2-1 or 3-2.

This interview first appeared on
http://www.bangkokglassfc.webs.com

SUREE SUKHA INTERVIEW WITH ESPN/STAR SPORTS - 7th OCTOBER, 2007 [27 Apr @ 10:00pm]

On Sunday 7th October, 2007, I arranged for a film crew from ESPN/Star Sports to interview Suree Sukha about his experiences on trial at Manchester City and the possibility of him signing for the English Premier League club. Here is a transcript of the interview, which was conducted by Jien and translated by Harry.

Q - What is the status of your transfer to Manchester City?
A - It's all in the hands of the Thai FA, Manchester City and the owners of Chonburi. But I'm hopeful that it will be able to go through.

Q - You are no longer registered as Chonburi player, which means that you are free to move outside the transfer window. What is holding up the transfer?
A - The main problem is that Thailand are outside the top 70 in the FIFA rankings. This means that is hard for an English club to sign me even though I've played over 75% of recent internationals for my country.

Q - Please tell me about your experiences when you went on trial at Manchester City. What was it like?
A - The training helped me to improve my strength, fitness and my skills. It also helped me to become more professional in my approach.

Q - What did you miss the most when you were in England?
A - I didn't really miss anything. I spent all my time playing football and that is what I enjoy.

Q - Did the English weather affect your performance? Did you get used to the cold?
A - Adapting to the weather was very hard, especially in the first week. It was freezing!

Q - If the move to Man City doesn't happen, what will be your next step? Which club would you sign for?
A - If I'm not able to sign for Manchester City, or play elsewhere in Europe, I'd like to come back to Chonburi. As for the future, I-d very much like to play in Japan at some point.

You can read more articles related to this story here
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=6171

INTERVIEW WITH DOUGLAS COBO - BEC TERO [21 Apr @ 10:00pm]

Can you please tell me about your career before you came to Thailand?
- When I was 15 years old I started to play for Sao Paulo in Brazil. Then, when I was 17, I moved to Club Athletico Taboao de Serra. I was there for 4 years before I came to Thailand.

How did your move to Thailand come about?
- Coach Jaded came over to Brazil on the invitation of my agent. Whilst he was there he saw many games and picked a number of players to come to Thailand. I was lucky enough to be selected, although initially he was only looking for forwards. However, he said he wanted me, so I was very happy.

You were only at Chonburi for a short while but what is your best memory of your time at the club?
- My best memory was playing in the AFC Cup. This was a new adventure for me because in Brazil I only played against local teams and never teams from outside the country. Also during my time with Chonburi I got the chance to play with international players and I think they taught me a lot. They all helped me to settle and adapt to the Thai way of life.

From Chonburi you spent a spell on loan at SriRacha. How did you enjoy your time there?
- I really enjoyed my time there because SriRacha gave me the chance to play many games in the Thai league. They also gave me many responsibilities on the field. where I had to be a leader. And this helped me to mature as a player so I am very grateful for this.

How did you find out that BEC Tero wanted to sign you?
- The BEC Tero management contacted my agent.

Were any other clubs interested in signing you? If so, why did you choose BEC Tero?
- The Chonburi manager said he wanted to sign me but first he had to clear this with his boss. However, BEC Tero offered me a concrete 2 year deal. I would have liked to stay at Chonburi but I am a professional and sometimes it is better to move on when new opportunities arise. SriRacha wanted me to stay but they knew if a Premier League team came in for me, I would go.

How have you settled in at BEC Tero?
- I’ve settled in very well. Everybody is so friendly. I didn’t expect to get such a warm reception but I was really pleased to be made so welcome.

What do you enjoy most about being at BEC Tero?
- I enjoy the whole aspect of being here. I love training and I love the other players. The fans are very good and have welcomed me so I could not be happier

How do you think that BEC Tero will do this season?
- I think we will do very well. We have very good players and a good coach. So everything is geared for us to be pushing for the title.

On to Saturday’s game, do you have any special tactics planned to stop Michael Byrne?
- Yes, I have a very good tactic to use against him. I am going to put the ball through his legs so he will lose his mind. Seriously, everybody knows he is a good player so we need to keep a close eye on him. He will punish any mistake and he is a great passer of the ball. His shooting from distance is also very good so we need to be careful.

What do you think the score will be?
- It is hard to say but I think it will be a very good game. Obviously I want us to win and I believe we have the players to do so.

Who are the best Thai players you have played with and against in the TPL?
- Surat Sukha impressed me when I played with him at Chonburi. His organisation in the midfield was very good. The best Thai player I’ve played against is probably Leesaw. He is very talented but Muang Thong have a number of good players

Who are the best foreign players you have played with and against in the TPL?
- Kone Mohamed. I played with him at Chonburi. The best I’ve played against is Dagno from Muang Thong.

What do you enjoy most about playing football in Thailand?
- Meeting new people. I have made many good friends in Thailand. When I first came here I couldn’t speak any English but now I am doing interviews and many other things. I also have to thank my very best friend Michael Byrne for helping me though.

Thank you.
- You’re welcome.

Thanks to Douglas for his time and to Michael for all his help.

WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM SPIRIT : MICHAEL BYRNE [27 Apr @ 10:23am]

21/4/10
Michael Byrne believes that a good team spirit is behind Chonburi's 100% start to the season. Speaking exclusively to this site, the amiable midfielder revealed that the players have bonded really well away from the pitch and this is one of the main reasons we have performed so well in the opening weeks of the campaign.

"The lads like socialising together and we all make a point of going out for a meal with our families after matches. I think this is crucial for morale and team bonding. Everyone gets along really well and we enjoy each others company."

The Welsh Under 23 international added, " We have a good laugh in training and there is a lot of mickey taking but we take things very seriously when we have to. There is a real sense that everyone is pulling together and there is a great atmosphere in the camp."

Byrne is looking forward to the weekend's match against BEC Tero and is especially relishing the challenge of playing against his good friend, Douglas. "Saturday will be a good test for us as Tero are an excellent side and I expect them to be competing for honours this time around. However, I'd like to let the fans know that we are confident and will give everything we've got to get another three points."

MICHAEL BYRNE ON CHONBURI'S 100% START TO THE SEASON [27 Apr @ 10:19am]

8/4/10
Our preparations in the past few weeks have been spot on and the boys have been very professional. It's been a difficult time with all the uncertainty and the stop/start nature to the beginning of the season, due to the political protests in Bangkok. It's not easy to get yourself prepared physically and mentally for a game only to have it postponed at the last minute. However, the coaching staff has done an excellent job in keeping us focussed.

Our opening match, against the Army, was a great platform for us to show our fans and all the other teams what we are capable of. I felt that we had a disappointing pre-season but we took the opportunity to shut a few of our critics up and put on a show for those watching on TV. I believe we did this in some style, dominating from start to finish. In all honesty the Army were a fit and strong side but we outplayed them in every department. It was satisfying to get a good win for the fans and it did a lot for the team's confidence.

The following week the mood in training was very positive and we were looking forward to the next scheduled game against Muang Thong. We all felt that it would be a good time to play them and the ideal chance to get revenge for dropping points against them last season. Unfortunately, we suffered another setback as the match was called off.

After a two week wait we were glad to get into action again, against Pattaya. On paper, and with respect to Pattaya United, this looked like it would be a comfortable win for Chonburi. But we all know that derby's can be unpredictable. However, we were all ready and concentrating on winning all three points. As for the match itself, the first half was very frustrating. We created a lot of chances but weren't able to put the ball in the net. It was also a very hot day but we had to put this out of our minds and stick to the task at hand.

At half time Witthaya, who has a lot of input into the team, and Jadet gave us a joint team talk. They focussed on the positives and inspired us to come out for the second period feeling a lot hungrier. We knew that we were more than capable of winning the game but we had to prove it on the field. In the end I thought we were worthy winners and there was some great link up play from all the team. It's pleasing to see that things we work on in training are paying off in match situations.

The two opening games have been a real succes but there are still twenty eight to go so we're not getting too carried away. We'll keep working hard in training and listening to the coaches. There is a great spirit at the club and we are all pulling in the same direction. Finally, I'd like to say a few words about the Chonburi fans. They've turned up in huge numbers once again this season and this really inspires the players. So, "THANK YOU" on behalf of everyone at the club. See you on Saturday.

MELBOURNE VICTORY COACH, ERNIE MERRICK, ON SURAT SUKHA [4 Dec @ 12:00am]

I recently had the opportunity to interview the Melbourne Victory coach, Ernie Merrick, and I was able to ask him about the progress of former Chonburi star, Surat Sukha. Here's what he had to say.

Me - When were you first attracted by Surat?
EM - When we played against Chonburi in the 2008 AFC Champions League we were all really impressed by the technical ability and speed of the Thai players. And Surat caught my eye then but I never thought much of it until we started looking for a defensive midfield type player.

Me - And how did this initial interest develop?
EM - I went with my assistant coach to see New Zealand play against Thailand to watch two other players, who I won't name, but Surat was the one that impressed us with his strategic play, his speed, his technical ability and his passing. He was a real competitor.

Me - How often did you have him watched after that?
EM - I myself watched him play for Chonburi against a team in Hanoi, Vietnam. I happened to be there on holiday and I went over to the game and again Surat was the one that stood out so he became our target.

Me - How has he settled into your team?
EM - He's settled in really well. He's got that very pleasant Asian, Thai in particular, attitude where he's just very friendly, easy going and very sociable. He's become quite a favourite with his sense of humour and he's always smiling when he's playing so I think he's adapted well. He took his opportunity very well and he's a regular first eleven player on the basis of his ability.

Me - What qualities does he bring to your team?
EM - He's a very competitive ball winning type player. He's very tough in winning the ball and he can play either in central or wide midfield, almost like a full back coming forward. His forward passing and vision are outstanding. He has the ability to keep possession and play the ball into the feet of strikers. So he's a huge asset in terms of winning the ball, keeping the ball and passing to the strikers in order to give them goal scoring opportunities.

Me - How has he adapted to the style of play in the Australian league?
EM - As I was saying earlier we chose the kind of player we wanted, a defensive ball winning midfielder who is very competitive. Someone who can keep possession of the ball because they have very good technical skills, left foot, right foot, and the ability to use their speed and vision and passing ability in order to create forward movement. After his first game he was a regular. So that's how quickly he's adapted. He's been out injured a couple of times but he's starting back again in this game against Wellington. I think that he'll become a regular first eleven player again, not only in the A-League, but in the AFC Champions League, where he'll be a huge asset to us. I also think that he'll be a major player in the Thai national team for a long time. The Chonburi coaches have done a good job with him.

Me - How does he get along with the other players?
EM - Very well. He's very popular with the other players because of his tremendous skills and his happy outgoing demeanour.

Me - Has the language barrier been a problem?
EM - Well football and playing football is fairly international and he understands the role that he has been given. Its helped recently with Sutee, who is also another Thai international player, doing some of the interpreting. We always have an interpreter at the games but he seems to understand really well what the expectations are because he's such a well prepared, well trained player.

Me - How is he regarded by the fans?
EM - Because of his happy go lucky attitude, and the fact that he's always smiling, he's been well accepted. We have a large fan base of over 20,000 and he's really popular with them.

Me - How has he settled into Australian life and culture?
EM - I'm sure that he enjoys life in Thailand, and he's missing it. But I'm sure that he enjoys life in Australia also.

Me - What has the club done in order to help him settle?
EM - The club has helped him out with an apartment and by bringing over his wife. We've had interpreters on hand and he's learning English so it's been a very smooth transition off the field.

Me - Would you consider signing any more Thai players?
EM - I think, that with the huge success that Melbourne Victory has had with Surat that we'd be keen to sign another Thai player in the near future. Maybe even a Chonburi player. It's also possible that at some stage we might have an exchange where we give Chonburi a loan player, or something like that. I would certainly like to go over and spend a few days at Chonburi myself just to see the set up and get a feel for the place.

Me - Finally, would you like to send a message to Chonburi fans about Surat?
EM - Surat is a fine ambassador, not only for Thailand and Thai football but for Chonburi especially. He's been well drilled and well prepared. He is a very good full time professional footballer who's very popular with the players, the coaching staff and is a huge favourite with the fans. I hope that he stays a long time at the club. The Chonburi fans should be very proud of him.

Thanks to Ernie for his time and to Damien at Melbourne Victory for all his help.

A POSTCARD FROM MICHAEL BYRNE [26 Apr @ 10:00pm]

12/11/09
Michael is currently spending time with family and friends in England and enjoying the weather. However, he took a bit of time out to drop me a line with a few updates from behind the scenes. Here's what he had to say.

"I was really looking forward to coming home but I made a bit of a schoolboy error in my planning. I was wearing shorts on my return and, as you know, it's really not the time of year to be doing that! It was freezing! Everyone was telling me not be so soft because they thought it was quite mild but I was so cold. Since I've been here I've spoken on the phone to Douglas and Sinthaweechai. I think that Douglas will be with us next year. Jadet wants him but nothing is definite yet. Sinthaweechai is really enjoying himself over in Indonesia. However, most of our conversations haven't been serious ones but he did tell me that he'll be back in March.

Unfortunately, I haven't spoken with Kone yet but I believe that he's scored 3 goals in 4 games so he's obviously enjoying a good run of form. Hopefully he can continue scoring when he's back with us next year. On a personal note, I'm really optimistic about working with Jaded. Everything I've heard about him is positive. I've already spoken with him and he's told me how much he likes my style of play. So I'm really looking forward to getting back in training and preparing for next season.

I feel that we have got a lot to prove this time around. It's alright being there or thereabouts every year but, at some point, we have got to buckle down and really show what we are capable of."

INTERVIEW WITH DARREN ALLDIS - PONG FC [27 Oct @ 12:00am]

Pong FC are a newly formed local club. Here is an interview I conducted with their main sponsor and coach, Darren Alldis.

Me - What is your name?
DA - DARREN ALLDIS

Me - How long have you been in Thailand?
DA - I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT 11 YEARS, OFF AND ON.

Me - What brought you to Thailand?
DA - ONE OF MY FRIENDS MOVED TO KOH SAMUI AND I FOLLOWED.

Me - Can you please tell me a little bit about your background.
DA - I COME FROM WEST LONDON. I STARTED PLAYING FOOTBALL WHEN I WAS 6 OR 7 AND GOT THE BUG. I STARTED PLAYING FOR THE SCHOOL, THEN THE DISTRICT AND FINALLY THE BOROUGH. WE HAD A LOCAL YOUTH CLUB, CALLED MAVERICKS, WHICH HAD ABOUT 6 TEAMS REPRESENTING ALL DIFFERENT AGES. IT WAS VERY WELL RUN AND DID VERY WELL. WE ALSO HAD THE OPPRTUNITY TO VISIT MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

Me - Can you tell me about your playing career?
DA - WHEN I WAS 15 I WAS SCOUTED BY BRENTFORD AND PLAYED FOR THEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. FROM THERE I WENT TO WIMBLEDON BUT THINGS DIDNT WORK OUT SO I DRIFTED AWAY FROM FOOTBALL FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS. AFTER THIS BREAK I STARTED PLAYING SUNDAY FOOTBALL AGAIN IN A VERY GOOD TEAM AND GOT ASKED TO PLAY FOR PENN FC, A SEMI PRO CLUB. HOWEVER, I DAMAGED TWO BOTTOM DISCS IN MY BACK AND THAT WAS THAT. I HAD TWO OPERATIONS AND REALLY THOUGHT THAT MY PLAYING DAYS WERE OVER.

Me - Please can you give me a bit of background about Pong FC. When you were formed? Who was instrumental in getting things started? Where you are based? etc
DA - ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I WANTED TO GET FIT AGAIN AND THERE IS A PITCH NEAR MY HOUSE. WHEN I WENT THERE I WAS ASKED TO PLAY FOR A LOCAL THAI TEAM, VIP PONG. THAT IS WHEN I FIRST MET MR WEECHAI, WHO HAS BEEN A SCHOOL TEACHER AT WAT PONG SCHOOL FOR 20 YEARS. HE TAKES CARE OF ALL THE FOOTALL AT THE SCHOOL AND HE INVITED ME ALONG TO DO SOME COACHING WITH THE STUDENTS.

MY INVOLVEMENT LED TO MEETINGS WITH MR WEECHAI'S SON, BALL, WHO IS A LOCAL REFEREE, AND ALSO MR KNOW, THE VILLAGE HEADMAN, WHO ALL PUT TIME IN WITH THE KIDS.

Me - Where is your home ground?
DA - IT IS NEAR TO MAPRACHAN LAKE, ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PATTAYA.

Me - Who is coaching your team?
DA - KN WEECHAI, BALL, MR KNOW AND ME.

Me - Where do your players come from and how did you recruit them?
DA - MOST OF THEM COME FROM PONG VILLAGE BUT WE ARE WIDENING OUR NET. HOWEVER, WATPONG SCHOOL WILL REMAIN THE BASE FOR OUR ACADEMY.

Me - If you don't play in a league what sort of fixtures will you be playing?
DA - WE WILL PLAY AS MANY FRIENDLY GAMES AS WE CAN AND JUST ENJOY OUR FOOTBALL. AND THEN NEXT YEAR MAYBE MOVE UP A LEVEL OR ENTER THE FA CUP.

Me -Do you have any aspirations to become a league club?
DA - NO, NOT YET. WE WILL NEED MORE SPONSORS BEFORE WE CAN EVEN BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

Me - Who is currently financing your club?
DA - IT'S JUST ME AT THE MOMENT. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT TWO SETS OF NEW KIT, HOME AND AWAY, BUT I REALLY COULD DO WITH SOME MORE FINANCIAL HELP PLEASE. SO IF ANYONE OUT THERE IS INTERESTED...

Me - What experience do you have of running a football club?
DA - I DON'T HAVE ANY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE ATTEMPTED ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

Me - Do you have sponsorship?
DA - ASTRAL UNIVERSAL HOLDINGS, MY SMALL COMPANY, ARE CURRENTLY THE ONLY SPONSORS.

Me - Do you follow local football? ie The TPL
DA - YES. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING PATTAYA UNITED THIS SEASON BUT, AND YOU WILL LIKE THIS, THE REASON I GOT INTO THAI FOOTBALL INITIALLY WAS BECAUSE OF CHONBURI FC. I THINK THAT THEY ARE STILL THE BENCHMARK OF HOW A CLUB SHOULD BE RUN.

Me - Which was your first Thai league match?
DA - IT WAS IN 2007, THE YEAR CHONBURI WON THE LEAGUE. I THINK THE FIRST MATCH I WENT TO WAS AGAINST BEC TERO.

Me - Why do you think that there is now so much interest in local football?
DA - IT'S GETTING BETTER IN EVERY ASPECT.

Me - Do you support the Thailand national team?
DA - YES.

Me - Do you think that Bryan Robson is the right man for the job?
DA - I'M GLAD THAT HE HAS KEPT STEVE DARBY.

Me - What did you think of Peter Reid's time in charge?
DA - I THOUGHT HE DID OK.

Me - Is there anything else you'd like to add?
DA - IF WE CAN GET SOME OF THE LADS TO MOVE UP A LEVEL, I WILL BE VERY HAPPY. ALL OUR PLAYERS ARE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 18 SO IF THERE ARE ANY PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED ON THE PLAYING SIDE, OR HELP TO SPONSOR PONG FC, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT darrenalldis(at)yahoo.com

Me - Thanks, Darren, and good luck.
DA - THANK YOU.

INTERVIEW WITH THE WEBMASTER No2 [1 Oct @ 10:00pm]

I was recently interviewed by Stephen Ackroyd for an article about ex-pat Oldham Athletic fans for the club's official website. Even though the bulk of the article is about Oldham, I do manage to squeeze in a few mentions of Chonburi FC, the Thai league and the national team. Here is the interview in its entirety.

Q - How long have you been an Oldham Athletic (Latics) fan?
A - I've been a Latics fan my whole life, 46 years and 2 days! My parents met at Boundary Park (Oldham's home ground) and I used to get taken to games in my carry cot as a baby.

Q - Where did you used to stand or sit to watch home games?
A - As a youngster, I'd sit on the wall at the front of the Broadway Paddock, level with the halfway line. I spent a couple of years standing at the Chaddy End corner of the Broadway Paddock before making the leap into the Chaddy End (the popular terracing behind the goals) itself. I always stood at the back in the top right hand corner, nearest the Main Stand. That way if the match was boring I could switch my attention to what was happening on Clayton Playing Fields! (local football pitches where there would be a dozen or so amateur games being played every Saturday afternoon)

Q - How often did you used to go to games before you moved to Thailand?
A - Even though we moved away from Oldham in 1975 I still used to go to all the home games and most of the away fixtures right up until I emigrated. Living in the Midlands it was easy to get to most places by train, armed with a Young Persons Railcard, but when I lived in Kendal (in the north-west corner of England) in the late 80's and early 90's it required a lot more effort. Fortunately these were our glory years (Oldham reached the League Cup Final, The FA Cup Semi Finals and played in the top division for the first time in 68 years)so it didn't seem so much of a chore like it often did at the start of the decade.

Q - What brought about your move away from the UK? And was having to give up The Latics a factor in your decision?
A - Work. I was becoming bored with my old job and a very good friend of mine had been working out here for a number of years. On a holiday trip to see him, in February 1997, I was offered a job on the spot. It was very much a case of right place, right time. The Latics and my family were about the only two things that I considered before accepting. I returned to England at the end of the 96/97 season still undecided whether or not I'd make the move a long term one. However, we lost at Reading and were relegated to the third division so that sealed it. I was on the next plane to Bangkok. Therefore you could say that Oldham Athletic actually drove me out of the country!!

Q - Do you miss it?
A - I do miss it. Especially when the big games come around, which I know is not that often! I would love to have been at the Man City cup tie (Oldham beat our local Premier League neighbours 1-0). But watching it on tele out here was probably just as exciting.

Q - How do you keep up with Latics in Thailand?
A - Via the official site, of course. Plus the OWTB messageboard and frequent phone calls to my dad. Although I usually have to hold the phone at arms length these days!

Q - Do you make it back to many games?
A - I haven't been back to the UK since the summer of 2003. The last Latics match I saw was the League Cup tie at Scunthorpe. We lost and ended up with nine men! This had been the Summer of Uncertainty (Oldham very nearly went out of existence when a former owner mis-managed the club's finances) so I made a special effort to go back that year. Prior to getting married, I used to go back each July so I'd get to see a couple of games right at the start of the season. I've still got money stashed away for when we reach the play off final. I'm sure that my great grandchildren will be able to put it to good use!

Q - Have you converted any friends or family to Latics where you are now?
A - The wife is now a Latics fan and I make sure that most Chonburi fans are aware of our existence. I've also been able to indoctrinate a fair few of my students down the years but once I can no longer threaten them with detention if they can't name the current starting eleven I don't know how much interest they take in The Blues.

Q - Generally what you do on a match day?
A - On match days at the beginning and end of the English season I'm usually travelling back from watching Chonburi. It's not too bad if we have played at home - I only live two minutes away from the ground - but if we've played away I'm usually sitting on a bus somewhere in the greater Bangkok area at kick off time. When I'm at home, I usually watch one of the EPL matches on the TV whist following the Latics on the internet. Occasionally I'll get a text from my mum. More often than not I'll have a cold Beer Chang in my hand whilst I'm doing this.

Q - What local football do you watch? What's the standard like?
A - I go and watch my local team, Chonburi, every week and have been doing so since our formation in 2002. We have been promoted once (2005), reached the final of the Singapore Cup once (2006), won the Thailand Premier League (2007), finished runners-up last season, qualified for the AFC Champions League (2008) and this season we are in the quarter finals of the AFC Cup and currently sit second in the league. We have also won the Thai equivalent of the Community Shield (Kor Royal Cup) on two occasions (2008 & 2009). So it's more than made up for all those lean years following my home town club.

I've recently started my own website dedicated to The Sharks and I usually manage to shoehorn references to Oldham Athletic into most of the items I post. I also contribute to a general Thai football messageboard and all the regular posters know I'm a Latics fan. I'll also go and watch other games if they are being played reasonably locally. The standard in the TPL is about Conference level.

Thai players are extremely skillful but they do lack a bit of nous and they are prone to losing the plot when things are going against them. Thai domestic football is enjoying a huge surge in popularity this season. Crowds are up and the locals are going out to support the game like never before. The press coverage has also been increased. This is all so different to my first experiences here. There were only a few dozen people in the stadiums and the atmosphere was akin to an English County Championship match played on a wet Wednesday. I also go and watch the Thai national team as often as I can. I've had some great nights at the National Stadium(s). When it's full, or at least two thirds full, there is a cracking atmosphere generated.

Q - What are Thai football fans like?
A - In spite of the huge increase in numbers, crowds at Thai football matches are very well behaved and fans can mix freely before, during and after matches without any fear of trouble. There have been one or two very isolated incidents this season (inevitable whenever you get a large group of people together) but these sort of things are extremely rare and are usually stopped by other fans before they escalate. You can also enjoy a beer or two during the match.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRUCE CAMPBELL - PART ONE [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Bruce Campbell has been instrumental in nurturing a lot of the current Chonburi squad. He has a wealth of coaching experience and many interesting tales to tell about his long association with The Sharks. Here is the first part of a fascinating two part interview.

Me - Hello Bruce. Please can you tell me about your background.
BC - I grew up in the San Francisco area. I didn't play soccer, I now call it football, until I was 15 when a soccer boom started to hit California in the 70's. I had been a good basketball player in school but I knew had no future at 5'10"!

Me - At which levels have you played the game?
BC - I played college soccer up in the state of Washington for 4 years. After that I trained briefly with Queen's Park, of the Scottish 2nd Division, before having a couple of unsuccessful tryouts in the old North American Soccer League in 1978. At that time the league was dominated by foreigners and, with no reserve teams, it was very hard for young Americans to get in.

Me - How did you get into coaching?
BC - I started coaching during my senior year of high school after I broke my leg playing in goal, in the very first game! Our head coach went away on a sabbatical and I helped the assistant. Later, in 1978, a couple of knee injuries led me to take a coaching course and I became head coach for my old university team, Western Washington, when I was only 22.

Me - What brought you to Thailand?
BC - I went to the '82 and '86 World Cups which resulted in my desire to live abroad. In '87 I earned the qualifications to teach English as a foreign language and moved to Amsterdam. I stayed there for just a few months. However, during that time, I watched Cruyff coach at Ajax and observed their fantastic youth programme almost daily. From Holland I moved to Morocco, after watching the African Nations Cup there in '88. I stayed there for over 2 years, teaching English, and also did a little youth coaching. I became interested in Buddhism and this is what brought about my move to Thailand back in 1990.

Me - What was your first coaching job in the Kingdom?
BC - Initially I lived in the Hua Mark area of Bangkok and would watch school football games at the nearby fields. I met Rit Chomnoy, the coach of Samutpittaykom School, and he invited me to help do some training for them on weekends in Samu Prakan. The team was organised and sponsored by Khun Thanasak. Eventually I decided to leave my teaching job and I moved down to Samut Prakan, where I enjoyed great success with a no-name team against the big Bangkok powers. The current Sriracha FC coach Krongpol was on this team.

Me - How did you end up at ACS?
BC - In '92, most of the team moved to Assumption College in Sriracha. The school had just started a football programme which offered scholarships for the top players. Srindhorn Stadium had just opened at that time. I moved down the next year with another group of players from my school. I ended up coaching there from '93 until 2001.

Me - Which age groups did you coach?
BC - I usually coached the U16 or U14 teams and also helped supervise the athletes' dormitory.

Me - Who else was involved at this time?
BC - Jadet Meelarp (former Chonburi and current Pattaya Utd coach) came in '95 and was instrumental in the success of the programme. He is a fine coach with a good eye for reading the game. Perhaps, more importantly he is an excellent motivator and the players really want to play for him. He is also a really good friend.

Me - At what level were the teams competing?
BC - During this time, the school teams would usually also play in the men's lower divisions of Thai football. Back then the Third division was a group format followed by a knockout competition. During this period we replaced Bangkok Christian as the best football school in Thailand. I have lots of good memories of my time there.

Me - Why do think that ACS produces so many talented footballers?
BC - I think ACS attracted many players because of our spacious campus with a fantastic stadium and many practice fields. Most Bangkok schools had just one, usually small, field to share with their teams. And after we became famous and many of our players made the Thai student or youth national teams- good players would come to us.

Me - What were the highlights of your time at ACS?
BC - My highlight was my last year in 2001. My U15 team won the Nike Manchester United Premier Cup in both Thailand and SE Asia region. We went on to the Nike World Finals in Berlin where we were more than competitive. In first round we beat a French team, drew 1-1 with Roma and lost narrowly to Nigeria and River Plate, both by 1-0 scorelines. Then we beat a German team and Tokyo Verdy in the consolation competition. Arthit, Kraison and Supasek (Bangkok Utd) were all on this team.

This experience confirmed my belief that Thai players are still competitive at this age when their natural talent can match most other countries. It is after that, when in order to develop, you need good discipline, a strong mentality as well as a good football structure for regular competition and quality coaching, that Thai players fall behind. Too often the argument is the small physical stature of the Thais -but I don't believe that. It's just a convenient excuse. Messi isn't very big!

Me - When and why did you move on?
BC - I eventually left in 2001. I would often get frustrated with the lack of progress in Thai football and the lack of planning and organization, particularly the reluctance to organise leagues for youth players. There were far too many short group knockout competitions. Which were often held simultaneously.

Me - Where are you now, and what are you doing?
BC - I briefly considered a return to the US but moved to Surat Thani where I taught in an English Programme for 3 years. Then I had a great offer to teach in Japan where I stayed for just a year. Unfortunately my school closed and I decided to move back to Thailand. I am very impressed with how Japanese football has improved. Especially the organisation, at all levels. And the discipline of the players. I recall the early 90's when Thai national team was better than Japan. Not anymore! Anyway, I moved back to Krabi where I'm now in my 4th year. I enjoy kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving when I can find the time. I am also coaching young players, U14, and have recently sent four of them up to Chonburi- three to ACS and one to Chonburi Sports School.

To be continued.......

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRUCE CAMPBELL - PART TWO [24 Sep @ 4:22am]

Me - What can you remember about the formation of Chonburi FC and what was your role?
BC - In '97 I was the coach for the Chonburi Santibat team in the first division. We had a very young group of players and we finished 4th. Pipop Onmo, Jakkapan Panpee, Chavalit and several others were drafted in for the second half of the season. We were all looking forward to the next season but the team was taken over by the Thai national U17 team. The Thai FA were still using overage players at the time and they entered them in 1st division for preparation! This prompted me to return to youth coaching at ACS.

Me - Which current Chonburi players have you worked with?
BC - The ones that stand out in my mind are Kosin, Ekaphan and Pipop. None of them were considered top stars in their high school careers. But all of them clearly had the discipline and mentality to keep improving. Kosin has been very consistent and I think was the main reason for Chonburi winning the league 2 years ago. Ekaphan and Pipop are part of a long tradition at ACS of talented, clever small players. Quick and skilful. Panuwat is another. Both Panuwat and Ekaphan are from Surat Thani- a hotbed of talent that from where we used to recruit.

Me - Who have been the best players you have worked with?
BC - The best player was undoubtedly Apichat Yongtayson. He played the same year as Pipop and was the star of the team. Unfortunately, his careeer was cut short by injury. Coach Vittaya Laokul called him up for the full national team at 18 but he wasn't ready mentally. Arthit also stands out but he could be a much more effective player. His mentality doesn't match his talent. Natthapong Samana deserves a mention as one of my favourite players- both then and now. He's very steady and reliable. He was away from the game a few years ago but has come back to do really well. Also, I am not surprised by the success of Suree and Surat. Although I think that Suree hasn't reproduced the form he had before going to Man City. He was brilliant in the AFC Asian Cup in 2007.

Me - Have you been surprised by Chonburi's recent success?
BC - I haven't been at all surprised by Chonburi's success, as these players were used to winning whilst at ACS. The squad also contains many experienced national team players. But clearly the team will need some new quality foreign players to keep up with the other top clubs. They rely far too much on Kone or Arthit at set-pieces. They need more attacking weapons!

Me - How do you feel when you see Chonburi competeing at the highest level?
BC - Although I was pleased when Chonburi FC got great results in the AFC Champions League last year- it was clear that a wide gulf still exists between club football in Japan, South Korea and Thailand. I went with Chonburi to their away game in South Korea and was fascinated watching the Korean team U 18 team train. The players were all very focused and competitive. A different mentality. Thais are not naturally competitive. They still like to play around too much while training. They don't take things seriously enough. This leads to poor fitness and costly defensive lapses in games. It is this mentality that I think will be the hardest thing to change. The facilities and budgets can improve for the clubs but most players still are not "professional" in their behavior- both on and off the field.

Me - How closely do you follow Thai football & Chonburi these days? And how often do you go to games?
BC - I do try and catch the games when I'm in Bangkok or Sriracha. I indeed feel pride and satisfaction seeing the success of the club and the individual players that I helped develop.

Me - Where do Chonburi go from here?
BC - The standard of the Thai League is improving and Chonburi will have to improve to keep up with MTUFC and Bangkok Glass. I was disappointed in the replacement of a proven coach, Jadet, with a big name, Zico, who hasn't proven himself as a coach yet.

Me - Why do you think Thai league football has suddenly become so popular?
BC - I think the Thai League is moving in the right direction with clubs being community-based. Chonburi FC has set a good example and football fever seems to have started there. Although I think that Muang Thong have now surpassed Chonburi in terms of PR and their new football-only stadium. They also have better quality foreign players. I am very pleasantly surprised to see the Thai League improving, particularly the quality of the pitches, growing crowds and general public and media interest.

I still think the coaches and players can be very petulant to the officials and the FA must impose harsher punishments. And too many fans get away with disgraceful behavior. Fan clubs need to be more proactive in preventing this. I thought the league was fairly poor 3 years ago, when an average Bangkok University team won the title, with no foreigners and a poor goal-scoring record. I was happy because several of my old ACS players were there but I didn't think they were a quality team. Good fighting spirit, though. Even 2 years ago, when Chonburi were champions, I didn't think that the league was particularly strong. Only Krung Thai Bank were of a decent standard.

Me - What do you think that the Thai leagues, and clubs, need to do to improve further?
BC - I think the clubs need to start youth programmes where the emphasis is on developing pro players for the future and not just about winning glory for the team. This approach is the priority for the top football schools and too many players are playing whilst injured or playing too many games. This means that they are not working on developing as players. My year in Japan watching the youth teams of Shonan Bellmare, (JLeague - Division 2) made me think that Thai football needs to follow this route in player development.

Me - Thanks so much, Bruce.
BC - You're welcome.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH FRANZ SCHWARZWAELDER - CHONBURI GOALKEEPING COACH [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

I have known Franz for a number of years so he was more than happy to spend some time answering questions about his playing and coaching careers plus his time at Chonburi and whether he preferred the local brew to any that his home country (Germany) produces. Here is the result of our chat. Many, many thanks to Sophie for her help with translation and typing the whole thing up.

INTERVIEW WITH FRANZ SCHWARZWAELDER
Me - Please can you tell me a about your background. Where you come from etc.
FS - I `m from the South-West of Germany. A place called Hambach near Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, which is a very large wine growing area. My parents were winegrowers and I grew up on this little family run farm.

Me - Who were your heroes and favourite teams when you were growing up?
FS - Petar Radenkovic from 1860 Munich and Norbert Nigbur at Schalke 04 were my favourite players. My favourite teams were 1. FC Nuernberg, with Max Morlock, and Burnley. I'm pleased to see them in the English Premier League.

Me - In your opinion, who was the better keeper, Sepp Maier or Oliver Kahn?
FS - Sepp Maier was slightly better.

Me - Before you became a coach you played at a reasonable level. Please can you give me some details.
FS - At the age of 8, I started playing with 1. FC 23 Hambach. I became a goalkeeper by chance and I ran through all the youth levels up to A. Being a representative youth player, clubs became aware of me and Fritz Walter, the manager of SV Alsenborn at that time, gave me the opportunity to play in the 2nd Bundes League. I was there from 1968 until 1974. During this time, in 1971, I also represented the German U21 national team. Between 1974 and 1977 I was at 1. FC Nuernberg and then played for Hassia Bingen in the 1978-79 season.From there I moved to Mainz 05, where I stayed unti 1982.

Me - What was the biggest game that you played in?
FS - In 1976 for 1. FC Nuernberg against VFB Stuttgart. We won 1 : 0.

Me - How did you get into coaching?
FS - I have always been happy to work with people and that`s why I chose and finished an educational training course. I also have a Sports A-License.

Me - Where have you coached in the past?
FS - In 1982/83 season I was at Mainz 05 coaching the under 18s. I moved from there to coach FK Clausen, in 3. Liga, until 1986. Between 1987 and 1989 I was training to become a trainer. From 1990 to 1992 I worked with the under 14s at 1. FC Kaiserslautern and then onto SV Niederkirchen in 4. Liga for one year. For the next four years , 1993 to 1997, I coached at ASV Winnweiler and was also employed in Senegal (Kaolak), Tunesia (Nabeul), Kreta (Keraklion) and Turkey (Antalya).

Me - Other than Zico, who is the best coach you have ever worked with?
FS - Alexander Ristic , from HSV, with whom I did my Bundes League license.

Me - What brought you to Thailand?
FS - I came on holiday to the north of Thailand. During that time I visited schools in Chiang Mai and Kanchanburi. I've been here ever since.

Me - Which head coaches did you work with when you were employed by the Thailand national team?
FS - From 2001 to 2004 it was Chanvit Polchevijn.

Me - And which Thai international players have you worked with?
FS - Lots. Datsakon, Winothai and almost all the current national players.

Me - How, and when, did you get the job at Chonburi?
FS - Initially through Nigon Chumnakul, a sports reporter, in 1998. And then again through Jadet Melap in 2006.

Me - How long have you been with Chonburi?
FS - Five years altogether.

Me - What do you consider to be our club's biggest achievement?
FS - Winning the TPL Championship in 2007.

Me - Do you think that Chonburi can win all three trophies this season (TPL, AFC Cup & FA Cup)?
FS - I would be happy with two.

Me - Michael Byrne has told me that he is very impressed with the training at Chonburi. What is Zico like to work with?
FS - He is a good coach.

Me - Kosin, with whom you work very closely and have known for a long time, is an extremely talented keeper. Do you think that he could play in Europe?
FS - Yes, he has everything a first-class-goalkeeper needs and he is very ambitious.

Me - His form has been really impressive this season. He has improved every aspect of his game. Why do you think this is?
FS - By methodic training and sheer hard work.

Me - Which other current Thai goalkeepers do you rate?
FS - Toey from Pattya United and, for the future, Bas from Assumption College SriRacha U18s.

Me - You also work as a coach at Assumption College in SriRacha. What has been your biggest achievement with your team?
FS - We won the Thailand Cup and The Air-Force Tournament with our U14s in the same year.

Me - Are there any good young players coming through the system at ACS?
FS - This question is very hard to answer because you have to wait for their development. However, during my time with ACS I have trained, amongst others, Arthit, Suree and Kosin from Chonburi, Dai from Chonburi FC, Art and Beckham from Chula and Aek from Samut Songgram. There were also some very talented boys from whom I haven't heard again.

Me - Finally, Thai food or German food?
FS - German food.

Me - Really? Thai beer or German beer?
FS - Beer Chang.

Me - Thank you, Franz.
FS - You're welcome.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TONY JUSTICE - MAGNA PATTAYA FC (aka Pattaya No8 School) [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

THERE'S ONLY ONE TEAM IN PATTAYA
Prior to last Wednesday's FA Cup 3rd Round tie, Pattaya No8 School FC had been a bit of a mystery to us all. How had a school team managed to beat two league sides to earn the right to mix it with the most successful Thai club of recent years? I had been quite harsh to them in my pre match preview and, with ten minutes of the game left, I was in danger of looking extremely foolish, as they had matched us blow for blow. Luckily, as the amateurs tired, we managed to grab a couple of late goals and my blushes were spared. After the final whistle, I managed to grab a few words with Tony Justice, one of the driving forces behind our mysterious opponents. During the course of the interview Tony revealed a sensational piece of information!!

Me - Please can you give me a bit of background about your club. When you were formed? Who was instrumental in getting things started? Where you are based?
TJ - We formed the club approximately 4 months ago with the sole intention of entering the FA cup. We are an established law firm in Pattaya called Magna Carta Law Office. The owner of the law firm, a barrister called Pico, and his friend Tee, decided it would be fun to try to win the cup.

Me - So you're not Pattaya No8 School?!
TJ - We joined with Pattaya School No8 as we did not have the facilities at short notice. The players are all ours. However we gave the recognition to the school in the Thai press by way of a thank you. Our official name is MAGNA PATTAYA FC.

Me - Your manager, Tee, looks familiar. Can you tell me a little bit more about him?
TJ - He is a former Thai international called Tiwakorn Suksod. He has been a good friend of our company for a long time and I believe he went to school with Pico. He actually holds the record for the number of red and yellow cards for a Thai national player!

Me - Where do your players come from and how did you recruit them?
TJ - A lot of the players come from Tee's contacts in the sport.

Me - Your number 7 and number 9 really impressed me. Has there been any interest from any other clubs? Was Zico waving contracts at them after the game?
TJ - The number 7 is called Wanchai Harvor and our number 9's name is Prasopchoke Reanmai. Zico was asking about our No 9. It seems that he was impressed and was very interested in him. (Sign him up,Zico. The lad is class)

Me - You don't yet play in a league so how have you been preparing for your cup games?
TJ - Just training and a few friendlies. We played Sattahip on the Friday before our match with you and we won 8-0.

Me - Do you have any aspirations to become a league club?
TJ - It takes a lot of money to form a league club so we are just thinking what to do next. But we will certainly enter the FA Cup again next year.

Me - If you were to enter the Thai pyramid system, you would be competing with Pattaya United for support. Do you think that you'd be able to attract the crowds to watch Division 2 football when they could easily go and watch a higher league?
TJ - I'm not sure but I'm pretty confident that if we concentrated on this we would not be playing in the second division for too long.

Me - What are your feelings about tonight's game? I thought that you more than matched us. Admittedly it was a second string Chonburi team but they are still Premier League players.
TJ - I think we played very well, especially considering that we conceded a soft goal in the opening 5 minutes. There was a period in the second half between the 50th-65th minute when I think that anyone new watching the game would not be able to tell which team was the Premier League team. If we would have scored a 2nd goal (to equalise) it might have been closer. But when you scored the 3rd, I think our fatigue began to show and we just ran out of steam. Also going down to 10 men didn't help.

Me - How do the players, fans and management feel after your showing tonight?
TJ - The management are very happy that we gave a good account of ourselves. The players feel a bit deflated as they genuinely believed that they had a chance to go further in the tournament.

Me - Can you please tell me a little bit about your background. Where you come from, how you got involved in local football etc?
TJ - I come from London in the UK and played Sunday league football on Hackney Marshes. I have lived in Thailand now for 13 years and this is my home. I'm married to a Thai national and we have three children. I joined the Magna Carta Law Office 5 years ago. Tee joined us 1 year ago and it was at that stage we decided to get involved in football.

Me - It's been a wonderful occasion, is there Anything else you'd like to add before you disappear for a well earned drink?
TJ - I was impressed with your supporters. The game was played in a very friendly spirit and the atmosphere was great. I was pleased when we drew Chonburi in the draw. Having lived here for 13 years I've followed Thai football a lot. Especially Chonburi's exploits in the Asian Champions League. I thought your team was very professional and, even though the side was made up of mainly 2nd team players, you could see that everyone on that pitch, ourselves included, had a desire to win. I've really enjoyed myself.

Thanks to Tony for giving up his time to answer my questions. I hope that Magna Pattaya FC can make a go of it. They really impressed me, and many others, last Wednesday night. Good luck for the future MPFC.

Magna Pattaya FC is owned by Magna Carta law office, which is situated at 193/126-8 South Pattaya Road.

INTERVIEW WITH THE WEBMASTER - PART ONE [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

In September, 2007 I was interviewed by a Thai football fan who lives in Australia. At the time, we were sitting second in the table, one point behind BEC Tero, with 15 games left to play. We were to go on and win the league. Here's the interview.

Q1: Could you please introduce yourself. Name, where you are from and how long you have been in Thailand.
A My name is Dale. I come from Oldham in England and I have been living in Thailand since February 1997.

Q2: Why do you support Chonburi FC? How did you know about the club?
A I support them because they are my local team. I first found out about them when I read a story in the old Thai football magazine, "Football Siam".

Q3: How long have you supported Chonburi FC?
A 5 years.

Q4: What do you think about FAT, SAT and Thai Government? Do you think they should support Thai football more? And what do you expect from them?
A I think that they all could do a lot more to support Thai football. They seem very disorganised and are all pulling in different directions. Even simple things like organising and publishing a fixture list seem beyond them! There were signs that things were improving earlier in the season, a new matchday magazine and an up to date website, but they still have a long way to go. I'm not the only one with these views. Lots of Thai football fans are very frustrated by these organisations and even people from overseas who take an interest in Thai football are very critical.

Q5: what do you think about the Thailand Premier League and Thai Pro League? Which one is better? Why?
A From a footballing perspective, the standard of football is better in the Premier League. However, it would be nice to see Thailand's top domestic competition include more clubs representing towns and cities from all over the kingdom and not just company and forces teams from Bangkok.

Q6: Do you have any ideas which can bring success to the Thailand Premier League?
A See above. I'd also like to see more coverage on Thai TV; currently we have a two minute highlight show which is broadcast at 7:30 on Sunday morning and one live match per week on Truesport. There may be more programmes but I haven't seen them! The newspaper coverage in Siam Gila is probably the best and is read by a lot of Thai football fans. I don't think it will ever happen but I'd like to see FAT maybe bring in someone from abroad to act as a consultant to show how a proper league should be run. Someone from Europe or maybe even Singapore or Vietnam whose domestic leagues seem a lot better run than ours.

Q7: What has been your most memorable experience since you started supporting Chonburi FC? Could you please tell me about this?
A Travelling up to Korat a couple of years ago to watch us clinch the Provincial League title in the last match of the season was particularly memorable. Also, the two trips to Singapore for the semi final second leg and then the final last year were great occasions.

Q8: What do you think about the Chonburi FC fans?
A They are loyal, passionate and they love their club. They are also the friendliest people I have ever met. They really enjoy themselves wherever and whenever they go to watch the team and, in spite of our reputation, are always well behaved. The biggest compliment I can give them is that they are like English football supporters but without any of the nastiness that sometimes creeps into English fan culture.

Q9: Chonburi FC are currently second in the league table after the first leg, are you satisfied with the team's performance? And what do you expect for the rest of this season?
A I am more than satisfied with this season's performances. The team has a great spirit and a belief in its abilities. I expect us to carry on in much the same way in the second half of the season. A lot will depend on whether or not 2 of our back 4 return from their "holiday" in England and other key players stay free from injury and suspension. I will be very disappointed if we don't win the league this season. I haven't seen any team who I consider to be better than us. And that includes BEC Tero!

Q10: What is the biggest difference between Chonburi FC and other clubs in the Thailand Premier League?
A Our fan base and off field organisation. We get the biggest crowds in the league. And, as I said before, the fact that we represent a city (or even a province) means that the club has its own identity.

Q11: What do you think about Suree Sukha? Is he good enough to play in the EPL? And what about Kiatprawut?
A Popular opinion among our supporters seems to be that Suree plays better for Thailand than he does for Chonburi. He's not a bad player but, in my opinion, he's not even the best at our club. His passing is suspect and I think he won't be physically strong enough for the English game. But, I wish him well. Kiatprawut is a very capable player. He can play either centre half or in midfield. He reads the game well and is strong in the tackle. His height is a definite advantage if he wants to play in Europe.

Q12: Who, in your opinion, is the better coach, Wittaya Laohakul or Jaded Meelarb? Why?
A They are both very good coaches. Last season, under Wittaya, we played some lovely passing football but lacked a cutting edge; our record P22 W5 D12 L5 tells its own story. And this season, with Jaded in charge, the football hasn't been as good, we are more direct, but there seems to be more grit in the team.

Q13: Who is your favorite Chonburi player? Why?
A Phaisan Pona. I think he is a very talented player. He plays in the middle of our defence. He is big and strong, a great passer of the ball, has a good brain and rarely loses a tackle. Some of the other Chonburi fans think he is too slow but I don't agree. If any of our current squad could carve out a career in England/Europe it would be Phaisan. It's a mystery to me why he's not a regular in the Thai national team. Special mention must also go to our star striker and captain, Pipob On-mo. He works tirelessly every week and is very brave. He is only a small man but he works hard, never shirks a challenge and always bounces back after every tackle and foul against him. He is also our leading scorer this season.

Q14: Could you give me your opinion about the work permit rules and regulations in England? Do you think these rules are fair?
A This is a tricky one. If a special talent from outside FIFA's top 70 wants to pursue a career in England why should he be denied the opportunity because of his nation's poor showing the rankings. If you're good enough then it shouldn't matter. On the other hand a lot of English clubs choose to buy cheaply from abroad and pay the players less, but more than they would be earning in their own countries. This means that good locally born English players get overlooked and that doesn't bode well for the future.

Q15: What would you do if you were Chonburi FC's owner?
A Our owner does a great job. He works very hard to promote the team, is always available to talk with the fans (he comes and joins us on the terraces before every match for a chat and to canvass our opinions), never misses a match and lays on free transport for the fans to travel to away games. Apart from signing Chris Taylor from Oldham Athletic and maybe selling pies at the stadium, I wouldn't do anything differently!

Q16: Do you think Chonburi FC are good enough to play in the AFCCL or AFC Cup next year?
A Yes. Absolutely. We are well equipped to play in either of these competitions. It would be great to get the opportunity to play against some of the really big clubs in Asia. I can't wait!!

Q17: Could you tell me about the Singapore Cup last year?
A It was a great experience. I went to the second leg of the semi final, which we won after a penalty shootout, and the final. Obviously losing the final after being 2-0 up with ten minutes to go was very disappointing but I have some very happy memories of the trips. Sitting with a few thousand ex-pat Thai workers, who were all supporting my team, in the Singapore National Stadium was a truly moving experience.

Q18: Chonburi FC have a lot of plans for the future. They are trying to develop the club into becoming the first real professional football club in Thailand. Do you believe they can reach their goal?
A I do believe that we can achieve this. We have a very ambitious owner who cares about the club, and a large fan base. There are also a lot of big companies who are involved in sponsorship deals and I'm sure that a lot of players would love to play for Chonburi. I'm not sure when this will happen but I expect it to be sooner rather than later. However, winning the league and qualifying for the AFC Champions League will be a big step towards it.

Q19: What do you think about BEC Tero? Are they good enough to win the league this season?
A When they came to Chonburi earlier in the season they played a very effective counter attacking game and were well worth their victory. I haven't really seen much of them since but their results (especially the 7-0 win against the Police last week) speak for themselves. It will be a huge match when we go there in the middle of next month. Can I just add that a lot of their success this year is probably down to couple of ex-Chonburi players who are now in their team!!

Q20: If Suree and Kiatprawut do move to play in Europe, do you think it will affect Chonburi FC? Why? Which players would you like to sign in their place?
A Well, we missed them last Saturday at BKK University!! But, Phaisan was also out, suspended. I don't think that it will affect us too much as we have enough cover and have recently made a couple of signings. As regards new players.....I'd like to sign Chris Taylor from Oldham Athletic. He is a very exciting young winger. Do you think he'd come?!!! More realistically, I'd like to see Daniel Nascimento and Ney Farbiano de Oliveira (if he cuts out some the histrionics) from Tobacco Monopoly join us. Two very good players who would bring a lot of skill and experience to the team.

INTERVIEW WITH THE WEBMASTER - PART TWO [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Here is the second part of the interview I gave to an Australian based Thai football fan in September, 2007.

Q21: What do you feel about the performances of the Thai national team in the Asian Cup 2007?
A I thought that they did very well. They drew against the eventual champions, Iraq, and were the better side for large parts of the match against Australia. Unfortunately, the same old problems of not being decisive enough in front of goal was Thailand's undoing. If Mark Viduka had been playing for Thailand, we would have won the match against Australia. On the whole, though, I think that the team can be very proud of it's performances.

Q22: Do you think that a successful domestic football league can lead to success for the national team?
A Yes. The lack of organisation in the domestic game certainly affects the national team. I like Charnwit very much but I think that he needs to get out and see more matches and therefore more players. If the league was more competitive standards would be raised and the national team would benefit. At the moment the Thai team seems like a 'closed shop' where players are picked on reputation and not performance. It will be a long process but FAT need to start doing something now. I remember when Peter Withe was the Thai coach. This was one of the first things that he recognised.

Q23: Could you tell me what you think are the strength and weakness of Thai football players.
A Strengths : Very skillful and comfortable on the ball. Usually Thai players are very fit and also very strong. I like to see Thai teams passing the ball around and the players demonstrating their skills. It always impresses me.

Weaknesses : Suspect temperament. I've noticed that a lot of Thai players give up or lose their cool when things aren't going their way. They also lack a killer instinct. They aren't decisive enough, especially in striking situations. I hate to use the word but they can be a little naive at times. And, maybe lack the background in footballing culture that we are raised with in Europe. This seems to be true in most levels of Thai football. As an example. When I play with my colleagues against Thai teams we usually fair quite well; winning more than we lose. Even if we are beaten we are never thrashed. When you consider that my team includes two men in their 60's and a couple more in our 40's this is quite an acheivement. The main reason that we are generally successful is that we allow them to play football in areas that we know won't hurt us but we can close them down in the attacking third. A lot of this comes from our knowledge and experience. There is absolutely no doubt that the Thai teams are far more skillful and a lot quicker than us but they don't seem to have the wherewithall to compete. They need to be more ruthless!

I've just realised that the weaknesses seem to outnumber the positives. I hope that doesn't give the wrong impression. I love Thai football!!

Q24: What do you think the chances are for the Thai national team to qualify for the World Cup in 2010?
A I would love to see it happen. I remember the last time when we got past the first qualifying round. It was a great experience and I would like a repeat. However, as much as I hate to say it, I think that we'll struggle. I hope that I'm wrong!

Q25: What do you think about the standard of Thai referees? Are they good enough?
A I don't like criticising referees. They have a very difficult job. I have refereed matches myself and it is not easy. However, I will say that there is room for improvement and somebody should explain the offside laws to the Thai linesmen!!

Q26: Do you think that it matters if the Thailand coach is a Thai or a foreigner?
A Absolutely not.I think that the best person for the job should get it, regardless of where they come from. However,I know that FAT's budget isn't very big and I don't want them blowing it all by paying some foreign coach's salary. Likewise, I think a deal like the one they had with the English FA over Peter Withe is probably not a good idea. Look what happened there! For the time being, I think we should stick with Charnvit. He has recently spent some time in England and will hopefully have learnt a few things.

Q27: What do you like and dislike about Thai football? (or what do you want to see and not want to see anymore?)
A Likes : I love the skills of the players. I love the atmosphere at the grounds. I love the genuinely friendly rivalry between supporters. I love the fact that at most grounds it's free admission. I love the fact that I can enjoy a beer whilst watching the match. I think it's great that there is a bond between the players and the fans; certainly this is true at Chonburi. All in all, watching football in Thailand is a fun experience. I love it!!

Dislikes : Can I say the lack of organisation and leadership shown by the authorities? This is so frustrating for everyone concerned. I really wish that they'd sort themselves out. On the pitch, I don't like the tactics that certain clubs employ to waste time!! In two matches this season, I have seen teams have at least 8 (EIGHT!!!) players stretchered off for 'so called' injuries only to have them come running straight back on. I have been playing football for nearly 40 years (admittedly not at a particularly high level) but I have played in only one match when someone was stretchered off. And he had a broken leg! It's one thing that I really can't stand and I wish that the referees and the authorities, would do something about it. Very annoying!

Q28: As you know, it is not easy to find football fans in Thailand who are interested in the Thailand Premier League. Why are most Thai football fans not interested in local football? How do we solve this problem?
A I think mainly three reasons. 1. It's a cultural thing. Growing up in England you are taken to football matches at a very young age and a bond with your club (usually the one nearest to where you are born) is formed. This then stays with you for the rest of your life. It is something that you never lose. Because most of the clubs in Thailand are company teams or forces teams it is not possible for anyone to really bond with them. Also a lot of teams come and go and even the ones with a bit of history tend to move around. In most other countries, clubs are linked with their local communities and have often played at the same ground for over a hundred years. My club, Oldham Athletic, have played at Boundary Park for 100 years. It's still the same ground that my great grandparents went to to watch football.

2. There is so much football on TV from other countries. People are more interested in what is happening at Old Trafford or Anfield than what is happening just down the road. Manchester United and Liverpool are far more glamorous than Provincial Electrical Authority or Tobacco Monopoly.

3. Lack of advertising and promotion. The authorities and the clubs should be doing a lot more to attract local people. Ridiculous kick off times don't help. Chonburi's next scheduled away match, against Suphanburi, is due to start at 4:00pm.....On a Wednesday!!! I for one will be at work, as I suspect so will many others. Why not have an evening kick off? 7:30 or 7:45? It really doesn't help one little bit.

As for solutions, I can only talk for my own club but I think we have got it right. 6:00pm kick offs on Saturdays and Wednesdays (although I think Wednesdays should be later!), lots of advertising around the city, banners in the streets and a couple of cars going round on matchdays advertising the match. And we get children from local schools involved. These are all things that other clubs and FAT should be doing around the country.

Q29: Please tell me what you feel about Thai football in the past, present and future.
A The first match I ever went to in Thailand was in March 1997. It was at the National Stadium and we lost 3-1 against South Korea. At the time I thought that Thailand were the better team and were unlucky to lose. Just look at what Korea have acheived over the last 10 years. So, it's not impossible as long as we get the simple things right. So, therefore.... I'd like to see a progress in all areas. A stronger, better supported, better organised league, with relegation, promotion and play offs, which is more representative of the country as a whole, with clubs named after towns and cities. A stronger national team who are able to compete with the likes of Japan, South Korea etc. More coverage of Thai football on Thai TV. A Thai FA Cup competition with the final at Rajamangala Stadium. And, of course, Chonburi FC to win the league and Phaisan to captain Thailand to the next Asian Cup final!!

Q30: Could you please say something to convince Thai football fans to start attending football stadiums and supporting their local football clubs.
A Get along to watch your local team. If you admire the passion and skills of the English Premier League you have a chance to recreate that atmosphere and that experience very close to where you live. You will meet some great people and have a wonderful afternoon's entertainment. Come on Thai football fans. Find a club that is the closest to you, wherever you live, tell a few friends and go along and be a part of it.

STEVE DARBY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - PART ONE [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

I recently had the opportunity to ask Thailand Assistant Coach, Steve Darby, a few questions about his career, the Thai national team and chip butties. In the first part of a three part interview, Steve talks about his playing career, how he got into coaching and his influences.

PART ONE - PLAYING & COACHING CAREER
Me - OK. Let's get the most important question out of the way first. We all know that you are from Liverpool but are you a Red or a Blue?
SD - Red! You can change your wife and your religion but not your team. I spent 1962 standing on a fruit box in the Anfield Road End, graduated to the Boys Pen in the Kop and then eventually to the Kop itself. I only stopped going when I went to University. I was privileged to be there for some great nights, Celtic, Inter Milan, St Etienne, Ajax and Bayern Munich. I loved every minute of it. I went to Anfield Road Primary School so I walked past the ground and touched it every day. If you are not a fan as a kid I don't think you can really make it in the game. It's a tough life and you need to be in love with football.

Me - Please can you tell me about your playing career and why, and when, you got into coaching?
SD - My career was halted by a severe lack of ability! I think I had a career that emulated Wenger, Benitez, Mourhino and Sacchi!! Not Peter Reid. I played for Liverpool and Lancashire schools (same team as Steve Coppell) and was chosen for an England Boys Club team. I was signed by Tranmere as a youth player. But even then I realised I was never going to make it big, so I went to Carnegie College and ended up with a degree in Educational Psychology and qualified as a Physical Education teacher.

Whist there I played semi pro. I actually got great money in the Liverpool Sunday League and it was a hard league! It paid more than my Saturday game in the Northern Premier League. I would have loved to have been a great player, but sadly not to be. I was just happy that people paid me to kick a ball around and travel the world for about 10 years.

Me - Who has been the biggest influence on your career/philosophy?
SD - Bill Shankly, my all time hero. I met him and he never let me down. A magnificent person who still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. However, I learnt how to coach from a university lecturer called Merv Beck. I admire Mourhino, Wenger and Lobanovsky - I would have loved to have met him.

Me - You obtained the UEFA A coaching Licence, long before such qualifications were commonplace in the game. Do you feel that the information you learnt on the course has helped you during your managerial/coaching career?
SD - I did my English Full badge (A Licence) when I was 24 and apparently was the third youngest to achieve it. But I also learnt a great deal on my FA Preliminary Course before that from Howard Wilkinson. I did my FIFA Instructors Course, with Sepp Blatter as one of the theoretical Instructors. Courses taught me how to organise and you also learn a great deal from the discussions that go on. I honestly believe you never stop learning as the game is always evolving, particularly in the physiological area.

For any football students I've just read the Inverted Pyramid, A History of Tactics by Wilson. A great read, highly recommended. Though I undertook a masters degree in Sports Admin I found it of little practical use, especially if the photocopier broke down! Two of the best management texts I have read are the Art of War and The Prince by Machiavelli, they have great relevance in football politics.

Me - How receptive have you found Asian clubs/players towards your coaching methods and ideas? Have you encountered any specific problems that you have had to overcome?
SD - Asian players are far more receptive to coaching than English players. There is less arrogance and a greater desire to improve. Most English lads just want to play a match. A strange factor, and I have no answer, is the loss of form for Malaysian lads after they marry. I thought it was a joke at first but it seems to be true.

Me - Do you feel that it is important for a foreign coach to learn some of the language of the country in which you are working? Does it help you gain the respect of the players?
SD - Learning a language is vital. A lot of football terms are similar, but under pressure a player needs to hear instructions in his first language, and also hearing praise in the players language is far more meaningful. Also trying to translate "bend your run" or "arrive late" are difficult concepts to get through if a player only has basic English. I now write coaching notes for all the Thai national team players and they are translated into Thai. This serves to ensure the players understand you and helps their English; as if they play abroad they will have to learn English.

Surat is an example, he will come back speaking better English, if not, he will struggle. The translator is a key person and has to understand football slang and Thai slang. I had one incident in Vietnam where I shouted get the ball to the far post, the players then started hitting balls at the corner flag! I looked at the translator and she said, "You said the furthest post. That one over there is the furthest post." Also she had great trouble translating an instruction to a defender of "F*&^g welly it!!" I speak Malay and Vietnamese as they are easy to read. I am finding Thai difficult as I cant read it and hence have to go by memory trial and error. And I'm getting older, so at the moment it's "beep" (squeeze), "ying"(shoot), "du bon" (watch the ball).

Me - You've been a coach in many South East Asian Countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. What are the differences in styles of play, and approach to the game in these countries?
SD - The Thais and the Viets are the toughest. I signed 3 Thais when I was at Home Utd where we got the to semi final of the AFC Cup, with a 16 man squad, and won the Singapore double. All three were top class pros and great athletes plus they were hard men and when it was tough they rose to the occasion. J.Surachai was a legend who should have played in Europe and Sutee Suksomkit is still playing for the national team. Sadly Anurak Sitterand had to retire with injury.

I sent Sutee to Chelsea in 2004 and they wanted to keep him and loan him to a Division1 team. Sadly he couldn't get a visa and his wife wouldn't let him marry an English girl! Also in my first game in SE Asia, for Johor FA, I saw this skinny kid on the wing for Perlis and thought who the hell is he?, we must sign him. What a player! It turned out to be Zico. And he was a great player! I also think he will be an excellent coach. There is great talent in the Thai coaching ranks, Tawan, Surachai and Zico all have the ability to go a long way in the game.

Me - Whilst you were manager of Perak, you said that betting on football matches should be legalised in Malaysia, to help combat match fixing. Has anything changed as a result of what you said?
SD - I received a great deal of criticism for that comment from the Islamic press. But the reality is that Muslims as well as Chinese and Indian players were betting on games. Illegal bookies were everywhere and the money was flowing into bookies hands and not back into the game. In the Singapore model the games are legally bet on and a percentage of the profits are ploughed back into the game. Why not do this in Malaysia and Thailand?

Both countries are gambling crazy and some of the profits could go back into the games and another percentage could go to help the poor or hospitals. I think we have to be realistic and not kid ourselves. Nobody should be made to bet, it's an individual choice based on their morals or religion but lets let society benefit rather than organised crime!

Me - Who is the best player you've ever worked with?
SD - Hamood Sultan the Bahrain Keeper in the late 70s was on a different planet. Santos of Brazil wanted him, but he didn't want to go. Another was Ned Zelic of Australia. He was just a 14 year old kid from Canberra when I started coaching him. He eventually went on to play in the Bundesliga, the EPL, the French League and in the Ukraine. He was a great player, a magnificent athlete and, like most great players, a really nice bloke. Others have included Bosnich, Viduka and Neill. I gave Brett Emerton his first pro contract and paid him in a year what he now gets for four days at Blackburn!

But the best two I have seen at close quarters in training and at games are Baresi at Milan, the player's player, and Maradona who doesn't play the same game as me!! Diego was a class apart and a hell of a nice bloke. I spent 2 weeks with the Argentina 1994 World Cup squad. Words cannot describe how good he was.

STEVE DARBY - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW PART TWO [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

THE LAND OF SMILES
Me - Why do you think that Thai league football is enjoying such a boom?
SD - A number of inter related factors Higher standards of administration set by AFC and in turn FAT. This leads to professionalism Some very intelligent people at the clubs who are involved in marketing and behind the scenes. Small stadiums which, when packed, create a great atmosphere. Lots of fans who genuinely love the game and are well organized And finally, and very importantly, a media that supports the local players and doesn't abuse them and leech off the EPL. The press here are excellent in the support of the game and the websites! All these factors can't work in isolation. They must all gel together and at the moment it seems to be working.

Me - What do you think the Thai League needs to do in order to be more competitive, especially with regards to preparing clubs for the AFC Champions League & AFC Cup?
SD - Get quality foreigners. It makes more sense economically to have 2 top class foreigners rather than 5 average players. Also, I don't see the point of having a foreigner and leaving him on the bench. I feel foreign players should fall into one, or hopefully both, of the following categories: 1. A player than brings the crowds in 2. A player who is a good professional role model for young Thais. Ask yourself, are your clubs foreigners meeting this criteria? If not are they blocking the way of a young Thai, particularly strikers? I know the new AFC 3+1 rule is making Thais an exciting prospect for bigger Asian leagues.

Me - What sort of response do you get from fans when you visit the grounds?
SD - So far, a great response. People are generally very friendly. I've not been abused yet. A bit different from Malaysia where I was spat on, had bottles thrown at me and threatened. I was also attacked when I had my daughter in my arms. Some real low life follow football there. This is sad as there are many true genuine people. Maybe it's just a small percentage of huge crowds, but I haven't heard of any such incidents in Thailand.

Me - Do you get recognised when you go out? If so, what sort of reaction do you get?
SD - Not much in Thailand, but a great deal in Hanoi. ESPN helped a great deal. It can have advantages like getting in places, but I always have to be careful what I say or do in public, as I never know if somebody knows me. But certainly not as much as Peter does. He gets recognised everywhere. I just say I'm his translator-into English!

Me - How do the football facilities in Thailand, compare to other Asian Countries you have coached in?
SD - Facilities are my major gripe about SE Asia, including Singapore. You will not get good games on hard bumpy pitches. There is no excuse in SE Asia. You get plenty of rain and sunshine! I just believe its low standards and almost a lazy attitude to the concept of groundsmanship. In fact the only groundsman I have met was at Home Utd and we had a pitch like a bowling green. The fans should look at EPL pitches and see they are like carpets.

Liverpool complained (rightly) about the national Stadium, even that's nowhere near the standard it should or could be. It's even worse at lower levels and how can kids develop a great technique on awful pitches. Trips to Carrington and Melwood would make Thai players cry with the quality of training facilities. When the national team trained at the Aspire Complex in Doha the quality of our sessions rose massively thanks to the pitches.

Me - I'd like to know to what extent you and Peter have discussed discipline with the Thai players. Do you think that indiscipline and gamesmanship are serious problems that need addressing? And are they being addressed?
SD - It all depends on your definition of discipline. We are always trying to stop players fouling, not for any moral reason but set pieces can kill you. Look at the Vietnam Suzuki final and look at the damage Arthtit does for Chonburi. However, for off field discipline we have tried to generate a peer pressure or self discipline. It seems to be working and we've had no problems with national team players doing the wrong thing. If you treat players as men they usually react that way. It's a myth that angers me about indisciplined Thai players. They are better pros than many nations, and I include England in that.

I do agree with you about the time wasting in the TPL. I would just let play on and let the referee decide if a player is injured or not. Why should a team stop because someone has got cramp? I like your stretcher count (an occasional feature of my match reports)and would love to see that at "0" every week. We tell the national players to carry on, other teams will, so we have to get used to it. I'd even be tempted to yellow card players who make miraculous recoveries!

Me - Is it difficult for you and Peter to be responsible for the national team and the U23 team?
SD - No problems, it's just down to time management. We also have an excellent administrator, Thara Plucka-Oom, who organises everything for us. We love working with the players so it's great to have the chance to help their development. We are also trying to integrate the U19s into the SEA games squad so there is some ongoing development. There is so much talent here.

Me - Are you and Peter able to bring your own ideas and concepts in, to help the development of Thai football from the bottom, i.e. youth football? Do the FAT give you an opportunity to have input?
SD - The Thai FA have been great, they don't interfere in selection despite what people think and the President has always backed us to the hilt. He is determined for the national team to do well and knows the structure must be professional.

Me - Do you have ever have meetings for all the club coaches? Are you able to give guidance and advice to them re training methods, discipline, diet etc?
SD - We met all the Thai league coaches at a seminar and I produced a book for them. If this is capable of being produced on your website I would be delighted. Knowledge should be shared not hidden. (All the information that Steve gave me will be posted on the website in due course. It's essential reading).

Me - Whose idea was it to scour the world in search of players with "Thai blood"? And why do you think no-one has thought of this before?
SD - It's just common sense! Terry Butcher could have played for Singapore if they had done their homework in the 70s (he was born there). With inter marriage and mobile transient populations there must be talent in other countries. I am searching for players in USA and Australia with historical migration programs. But the Germans and the French have also done this, so it's common sense to get the best players. Even if it's only 1 player of quality, such as Peter Lange, then all the hard work and time on the computer is worth it.

Me - How good is the current Thai squad and what can it realistically achieve?
SD - Some of the youngsters coming through now will be very good players. There was a golden generation who were great and I believe that some of these new players can reach that level. And, with the better training programs we have now, will be better athletes than previous Thai players. The Thai team is no longer made up of slight young men. There are many great players here and they are improving with maturity. Peter Reid believes a number of them could play in the Championship (second tier of English football) and a couple have a good chance of making it in the EPL. However, the visa problem is always there. The national team needs to have 16 first eleven players if we are to get success, and that means World Cup qualification. It can be done.

I was in Australia when they laughed at the suggestion that an Australian team could qualify for the World Cup, and now it's nearly automatic. It needs long term development and stability off the pitch. Also our leading players have to go and play in the J and K Leagues in order to become mentally tougher.

Me - What has Promphong (Korat) got to do to get someone from the national squad staff up to take a look at him!? (26 goals from 16 starts now).
SD - We have looked at him, and we will look at him again in the Play Offs when the standard should go up a level. It's hard to be everywhere. I've been to over 60 matches this year, 3 games week and a few schools games. This includes mainly TPL, but also Queens Cup, FA Cup, AFC Cup and two division 1 games and a division 2 game. We also go to training sessions at clubs, especially if we know a good young player is only on the bench for a big club. This is understandable, as the coach must pick his best team. But for example going to Chonburi to watch training we spotted Suttinun, and he is going to be a great player. The reality is the best players should be playing in the TPL. If they want to be internationals that should be their goal.

STEVE DARBY - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW PART THREE [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Download (doc): 748 KB

"I WAS THE FIFTH BEATLE".
Me - I know that you are Merseysider, is the Liverpool reserve team player Stephen Darby a relative of yours?
SD - A few people have said he must be a long lost son!! But he's too good a player for that. Sadly he was sick for the Liverpool trip and I didn't get to meet him.

Me - Would you ever consider returning to England if the right job came up? Oldham manager perhaps?
SD - I'd have to consider it. Though Oldham might be the limit, especially having been through the district of Mumps a few times on the bus! I had a year at Sheffield Wednesday as Academy Director and, to be honest, didn't enjoy it. Bad pros (not all), 60-70 hour weeks, cold and paying too much tax! But if Liverpool or Man Utd came knocking!! I honestly would love to work in Italy. I spent a fortnight at AC Milan in the 90s and thought it was outstanding. Capello was the coach and he was magnificent.

Me - You seem to live & breathe football, what other interests do you have?
SD - The first part is right.I also love cricket and track and field, but any spare time I have now is reading, usually football books. You can learn a great deal from other codes; two great books are by basketball coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson, also Clive Woodward's diary of the Rugby World Cup win was a great exercise in coaching and management.

Me - A bowl of Scouse or a bowl of Somtam?
SD - Chip butties with vinegar and tomato sauce. Goes well with ice cold Australian Riesling!

Me - What are your favourite films?
SD - Being There, with Peter Sellers, Casablanca - I enjoy it every time I watch it (get on the plane, Humphrey!), Sophie's Choice - heartbreaking - and Blazing Saddles - I love movies that take the mickey. I also enjoyed a TV series called "Boys from the Blackstuff" by Alan Bleasedale (who was Peter Reid's first coach).

Me - What are your favourite bands and type of music?
SD - I'm Still stuck in the 70s Motown era.

Me - What are your favourite TV shows?
SD - Having a 4 year old daughter it's the Disney channel but if I get a chance to watch anything for myself, CSI and BBC documentaries.

Me - Do you have any Beatles or Jimmy Tarbuck stories that you can share with us?
SD - I knew Pete Best, the Beatles first drummer!! But The Beatles were before my time! Although when I played in the USA I often said I was Paul McCartney's cousin. It had its advantages!

A huge thanks to Steve for giving up his time so freely. Thanks also to Marcus, Paul & Sven for their input, support and encouragement.

THAI FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION - ELITE COACHES HANDBOOK During the course of the interview, Steve Darby very kindly gave me a copy of the Thai Football Association - Elite Coaches Handbook. The book contains biographies of both Steve and Peter Reid along with their coaching philosophies. There are are also training drills, diet tips and useful football phrases in Thai (if you've ever wanted to know the Thai for, "Stick it in the mixer", then this is definitely the place to look. I hope that you enjoy reading the manual, as I did, and maybe even learn something from it. As Steve said in his interview, "Information should be shared not hidden".

EXCLUSIVE - MICHAEL BYRNE INTERVIEW [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Michael Byrne Interview - Part One
I recently met with Chonburi's British born player, Michael Byrne. We chatted for a couple of hours and he very kindly agreed to answer a few questions about his career. Here is the first part of the interview.

Me - OK. Can we start by clearing up something that seems to be causing a bit of confusion? Are you English or Welsh?
MB - I'm half Welsh and half English. My dad is from Wales, which is why I chose to play for the Welsh national team at U21 level when I was given the opportunity. I was actually born in Ashton-Under-Lyne.

Me - That's not far from where I was born. So you must be an Oldham Athletic fan?
MB - No. I support Manchester City.

Me - Moving swiftly on....Can you tell me something about your career?
MB - I started at Bolton Wanderes and then moved to Stockport County. I scored on my debut for Stockport against Notts County. From there I moved to Northwich Victoria and on to Forest Green Rovers.

Me - So how did you end up in Thailand? And at Nakorn Pathom?
MB - I had a friend who was playing in Malaysia who knew an agent based in SE Asia. I contacted the agent and he informed a couple of Thai clubs that I was available and keen to come to Thailand. Nakorn Pathom were one of the clubs and I was impressed by their set up so I joined them.

Me - What did you know about Thai football before you came?
MB - Not a lot but I did some research on the internet so I was aware of how popular the game was becoming and the names of some of the teams.It was quite difficult because, obviously, a lot of the information was in Thai.

Me - How did you end up signing for Chonburi?
MB - I'd been playing well at Nakorn Pathom and was aware that a few teams were interested in signing me. Zico (Chonburi coach) phoned me just before the last round of matches in the First Leg. He spoke of his philosophy and really sold the club to me. I agreed to meet with the Chonburi officials and signed shortly afterwards.

Me - How have you settled in at Chonburi?
MB - Really well. Everyone has been so helpful. Not just with the football side of things but helping me find somewhere to live, buying furniture etc. They've made things so easy for me.

Me - And what about your new team mates?
MB - They've all been great. It was strange at first because so many of them were away with the national team. So I got to meet one group of lads during the trip to the north east and then I felt like the new boy again when all the others came back.

Me - What about the language barrier? Are you able to communicate with the other players?
MB - Kosin speaks very good English and most of the others have some. Kone has been brilliant. He speaks about six different languages, including Thai and some obscure African dialects. (Kone actually phones during our conversation to inform Michael of the time and location of the next training session)

Me - Do you have any plans to learn Thai?
MB - I can understand quite a lot of what is being said and I know a lot of footballing terms. I will try and take some lessons soon.

To be continued...

EXCLUSIVE MICHAEL BYRNE INTERVIEW - PART 2 [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Here is the second part of my exclusive interview with Michael Byrne.
Me - What differences have you found in the rtaining methods at Chonburi to you previous clubs?
MB - Zico is a very forward thinking coach. He obviously learned a lot from his time at Huddersfield and is trying to introduce some of those methods to our training sessions. The coaches have a very professional approach and we work on improving our fitness and ball skills. I've heard that a lot of Thai clubs train for too long. We have got things right at Chonburi, so it's not that different to what I'm used to. We really have quality training sessions.

Me - Do you ever talk to Zico about his time at Huddersfield?
MB - We've had one or two chats about it. He enjoyed his time there but didn't like the cold!

Me - And what about the two lads who went to City?
MB - Again, they said they learned a lot but hated the cold weather.

Me - Which do you think is your best position?
MB - I prefer centre midfield but I'm happy to play on either wing. I started out as a striker at Bolton and Stockport, and was coached by Frank Stapleton (ex-Man Utd) but Mike Marsh (ex-Liverpool) converted me into a central midfielder when he was at Northwich Victoria. I think that it helps my overall game having played in so many positions. For example, I'm able to understand what sort of service the strikers need. I have a particularly good understanding with Kone and seem to know instinctively where he'll be or where he'll be making a run.

Me - Have you had to adapt your style of play for the TPL?
MB - Yes. I've had to cut down on the physical approach. The referees here don't seem to like any sort of physical challenges. Obviously growing up in England this is a huge part of the game. I learned pretty quickly that I couldn't get away with some of my tackles here so have had to adapt accordingly. Otherwise I'd always be suspended (laughs).

Me - How supportive have your family and friends been about your move to Thailand?
MB - Extremely. My parents have been out a few times already and my mum is due out again in a couple of weeks. My girlfriend has also just arrived from England one or two of my mates have been over to watch me play.

Me - Is there much interest in your progress back in England?
MB - Yes. A lot of my former team mates are very keen to hear how I'm getting on. They are all following my career with interest.

Me - So do you think that we'll see more English players playing in Thailand?
MB - It's possible, yes.

Me - When you first signed for Nakorn Pathom there was another English lad, Michael Aspin, who came with you. What happened to him?
MB - Michael was only 19 when he came and he felt a bit homesick. He wasn't playing regularly, which didn't help, so he moved back home. The club were really good to him and fully understood how he was feeling. Michael is a good player and I'm sure he'll do well in England.

MICHAEL BYRNE INTERVIEW - PART THREE [23 Sep @ 10:00pm]

Here is the third and final part of my interview with Michael Byrne.
Me - Realistically which trophies do you think we can win this season?
MB - With the size and quality of squad that we have there is no reason why we can't be challenging for them all. It's certainly our aim to win everything. We know that it won't be easy so we must stay focused and work hard, especially after the last two disappointing results.

Me - What are your personal long term ambitions?
MB - I don't tend to think about the long term. I prefer to concentrate on short term goals and take things as they come. So at the moment, my ambition is to become a permanent member of the first team at Chonburi. I'm here to do a job for the team and I want to help them win things. It's much better for me to stay focused on doing what I'm doing in the present.

Me - What do you think about Thailand?
MB - I love it! The people are so friendly and everyone has been so helpful. I'm very happy at the moment and really enjoying life.

Me - What do you think about the Chonburi fans?
MB - They are brilliant. They have been very welcoming and have made it easy for me to settle in. They are very passionate and supportive. You never hear them getting on player's backs if we make a mistake. It's also great to see large numbers travelling to away games. As a player, it's always a big boost when you have such support.

Me - And what about Thai football fans in general?
MB - I love the way that at the end of the game both teams go and pay their respects to the opposing bench and fans. The fans of the other team will always stay behind to applaud you. That's something that I'd never experienced before. I've always maintained that as a player I have a duty to the people who pay to watch me. I love being able to chat to the fans of both teams after matches and I'm happy to pose for photographs. Football would be nothing without the spectators and I really appreciate the fact that people will turn up in numbers to watch a game of football.

Me - OK, one final question. Have you ever played at Boundary Park (home of Oldham Athletic)?
MB - Yes, I played there for Stockport.

Me - Did you win?
MB - I think we lost 1-0. My dad did used to take me to watch Oldham when Joe Royle was the manager in the early 90's. But I was only young so I don't remember too much about it. (At this point, I went all misty eyed and started to reminisce about the great Oldham team of that period).

Many thanks to Michael for agreeing to answer my questions. He was very hospitable and thoroughly engaging. A genuinely nice bloke and I wish him well for the rest of the season.