Muang Thong United Thread

[SriRachaShark]

Fair comments, t_e. However, there are a couple of things that I have to comment on myself. The linesman (we still agree on that ) may be incompetent but he's no different to a lot of local officials, coaches, administrators and players who are involved in Thai football. We have to accept that standards may not yet be as high as those we are used to (even in the 3rd Division). For me the two main issues are that we see these mistakes made every week and go unpunished (certainly in public) and that a club have been seen to influence the authorities.



Firstly, there's absolutely no logic in banning one man for this whilst letting others go unpunished. It's clearly a case of a big club putting pressure on to get what they want. It's unlikely that this one incident will cost you the title. Yaya missed an absolute sitter in the same match. Maybe some of the blame should be directed at him.

Secondly, this incident happened in a televised game which was being broadcast by a company which is a major investor in your team. MTUFC put a video on their official website which put undue pressure on the authorities. The authorities did act and handed out a punishment that didn't reflect "the crime"- Adebayor got a three MATCH ban for stamping on an opponent!


The "Glory Hunting" remark was made slightly tongue in cheek. Chonburi experienced this when we first enjoyed some success. In fact there are a lot of people who claim to support MTUFC who used to follow Chonburi. Some of them were on the tele yesterday. I'm like you, I've supported a lousy team for my whole life and nothing will change that. This isn't yet a part of Thai footballing culture. There are a number of fans who think nothing of supporting two or three teams -some Chonburi fans can't understand why I dislike P*ttaya U*d - or changing the team they support. A totally alien concept to us.

Incidentally, my mate who used to accompany me to Chonburi matches a few years ago - when we were a very average Pro League team with crowds that occasionally reached three figures - is a Saints fan, so I know what you're going through.

I'm looking forward to carrying on this debate over a Chang or two in a couple of weeks.

[druryfire]

I know FAT have banned the linesman for his *rude word* up, but FAT shoud ciunt themsleves lucky aswell.

For years, they have *rude word*ed up everythign to do with Thai football, just a pity the AFC didn't ban them!! FAT have learnt, or are learning from letting the league stagnate in the last few years to start to go pro this year, but they still make mistakes along the way.

Have FAT thought about the linesman?? For all i know, he may have run the line all his life and never been rewarded or was probably thrown in at the deep end at the last minute (this wouldn't surprise me).

All in all, mistakes are made, the biggest have been made by FAT themselves, but they don't have to account to anyone. Maybe they should get behind their appointed officials and give them some officiating lessons, which i doubt they get. No doubt its hard being thrust onto the line with a big crowd on your back, whilst FAT can sit back and make bigger mistakes for the whole of thai football - currently chosing a crap coach again.

[SriRachaShark]

I wonder if Robert Procureur will face any sort of punishment for his outburst on Saturday?

[Vinnie]

Part two is your reference on the other forum to the sudden increase of MTU fans. I think you raise a fair point here. I detest bandwagon fans myself so while I cannot speak for anyone else, I wish to explain my own position: When I first discovered that the TPL had evolved into more than Sunday league footie with teams named after businesses, I initially planned to watch Bangkok United as I saw an advert for them in the Bangkok Post. A quick scan on Wikipedia showed there was a team in my province of Nonthaburi, at that time I though "They would be easier to get to". I had no knowledge of them whatsoever except their name and location. If they had been bottom of the league, I would probably still have supported them.

Rajpracha play in Nonthaburi, they're one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Thailand and are not a business-backed team, and they could well be promoted this year, and yet their support is virtually non-existent. As you say t_e, you're new to Thai football and knew nothing of Muang Thong except their name and location - which is fair enough. But what have Thai fans been doing all these years? I would encourage Muang Thong fans to go and watch Rajpracha home games when they don't clash with their games.

[Nigb]

Regarding changing teams, I met one man who changed from Chonburi last year to Bangkok United this year. He said he lives in Bangkok and Chonburi FC is for Chonburi people. My initial reaction is you cant change clubs, but you can't fault this intention. Not for glory, but local loyalty.

[SriRachaShark]

And where was his local loyalty before this change? And how long ago did you meet him? I bet he supports Muang Thong now.

It's a different world, I tell ya. A different world.

[Nigb]

saw him on Friday. correct me if I'm wrong, but last year it looks like the league was held together by a couple of professional clubs, or maybe just one. All the other clubs had no intention of improving. In the end we have to supprt the league, so if a club has no ambition beyond being a company kick around club its difficult to care about it. This year fans have a choice of clubs to support Thai football as the whole league is demanding professionalism. you should never change clubs, but you can forgive fans for making a fresh start this season if their intention is loyalty.

Having said that you shouldn't change clubs, I most probably will if PEA leave Ayutthaya. If they dont try to make some sort of development, that is caring about their fans and professionalism it's tought to care too, this all belongs on another topic.

[SriRachaShark]

"You should never change clubs, but you can forgive fans for making a fresh start this season if their intention is loyalty. "

How can anyone be loyal if they change clubs?

"Having said that you shouldn't change clubs, I most probably will if PEA leave Ayutthaya."

They left before. And then went back.

It's a completely different mindset. I fully appreciate that, but this Year Zero approach doesn't wash with me. A lot of these clubs have been around for a long time and people had the choice to go and watch them or not. By and large they chose not to. Now they've seen the light and go out and support local football. However, clubs will continue to struggle if people are constantly changing who they support depending on who is top of the league. It doesn't work like that. That attitude is totally alien to me. If anything happened to Oldham Athletic, and we nearly went under a few years ago, then I wouldn't (couldn't) support anyone else.

The clubs and FAT too must take some of the blame. PEA and TOT are behaving like idiots. And FAT allowed P*ttaya U*d and BKK Gl*ss to leapfrog teams like Korat and Samut Prakhan because they put their hands in their pockets.What sort of messages are being sent out here?

And, I disagree with your last point. I think it does belong on this thread as MTUFC are a classic example of a community suddenly realising that it has a football club. They've had success over the past two seasons but nobody bothered to go and watch them. (Their flirtation with Nong Jork doesn't count). Now, all of a sudden, the locals are calling themselves Ultras.

[Nigb]

well PEA are my team, but not for the management. They fell flat on their face by not valuing things they have. Fans are trying to supprt the club and make progress happen, but management are trying to take everything they can without giving loyalty and make real progress. I still hold out some hope that they have the ability to learn.
Can anyone blame me for losing some care if PEA decide to leave Ayutthaya?
 

[SriRachaShark]

If they move back to Chonburi they'll probably be closer to your house

[Nigb]

If they move back to Chonburi they'll probably be closer to your house

I guess thats the point, the first time I found Thai football was in Ayutthaya and I won't change loyalty from the city. Every day I face this Bkk traffic I remind myself of this.

[lokomotive]

Regarding your discussion about the MTU Fan base, I would like to throw something in. And that is, that we had seen and still see this in the Bundesliga. There is one Club called TSG Hoffenheim. They managed it in a time from 1990 until 2008 to make it to the Bundesliga. The village or city they are located, does have only about 4.000 citizen. In 2006/07 they had an avg att of 3.000, one year later in the secon Bundesliga 5.000. Last year in their first year at Bundesliga 1, they had 29.000!!!

So the question for me is the same like for MTU. From where all those people coming now? And where they where before? Btw, Hoffenheim is owned by the founder of SAP. He comes from there and put his money into the club, including to build a new 30.000 seater.

[Nigb]

Re. starting a Muang Thong United blog, I know Matt Riley is translating the official website into English. He is struggling with the quantity of info needing to be written so I'm sure he would appreciate any help.

[SriRachaShark]

You lot must have too much time on your hands

[the_englishman]

Yeh a lot of good points there mister Shark. It is a fair comment to question the massive growth of MTU fans. How many of them are due to the growth of Thai football in general and how many will still be there in tougher times? I guess we'll find out in the long run.

With regards to the linesman, I think i need to see a lot more of the Thai game before I can judge just how outrageous his mistake was and how often we see this stuff. Of course, you are right to say we can't expect it to be like the league back home.

How are Oldham doing? I've seen little of them since we played in the EPL many years ago, they always seem to be just one division below us! Thais do seem to have no problem supporting multiple clubs. I've always put this down to the lack of local attachment;they just see the teams on TV and think of the names as just names, rather than locations. It will be interesting to see if the growth of "real" teams with real locations in Thailand will change that.

Although I was very close to Robert during his outburst at the game, it happened quickly and I couldn't be sure what I saw. It didn't seem to be more than just verbal on both sides though (after the initial challenge) so I guess they'll let it blow over. It was cool to have him in the stand anyway!


Look forward to meeting you too mate but I'll have to debate over nothing stronger than caffeine, I'm teetotal! :-)

Drury, what is your overall opinion of the Thai FA? I've seen and heard both good and bad things about them. The reforms they have made seem good but I suspect they were ultimately done to get certain people rich.

[the_englishman]

Ah I wish! You know, most of my replies on here I type at 1 - 4 am while I'm feeding my 3 month old daughter after she wakes me up in the night! 

[druryfire]

Reforms, well, pleasing that they are happening (just need to fine tune basic things really, such as promotion/relegation issues), but I feel that they wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the AFC pushing through their new criteria for the whole of Asian football.

I’ve heard reports of FAT not paying money to league winners in the past, but these stories have always come and run their course within a few days, normally the outcome being miscommunication.

A lot of mumbling in the past about not selling the game enough to the public, but this really is a case for the clubs and media to pursue. FAT can’t control everything.
Obviously, Thailand recently co-hosted the Asian Cup, I’m not sure how it was awarded to come to the region, but from what I remember, out of the four hosts, Thailand was the only nation warned about their lack of progress (falling into FATs hands).

But I guess FAT are in a similar mould to most Asian nations really. One plus point they have on most would be that they have a website which seems to have a lot of information for Thai readers

In the running of the game, they have no doubt improved, but every time you think they have turned a corner, they go and make a childish mistake

[SriRachaShark]

"Look forward to meeting you too mate but I'll have to debate over nothing stronger than caffeine, I'm teetotal! :-)'

That's OK. I'll be able to drink enough for the two of us. 

[lokomotive]

A lot of mumbling in the past about not selling the game enough to the public, but this really is a case for the clubs and media to pursue. FAT can’t control everything.

I totally disagree Dru. look at what the FAT was doing this year? They founded the TPL company similar to what the EPL or England FA did years ago, same what the Bundesliga did years ago. And put the operation tasks in their hands. Why the FAT was not considering this more early? Why they did needed a kick in the ass by the AFC? Thailand and the FAT area always acting like they are so familiar with the english football. So why they did not took them as a role model years ago?

[druryfire]

Ok Loko,

From what your saying, FAT gave over control of the TPL to some TPL company. I don't see whats bad about this, as FAT should not control just one entity, they should oversee everything, but of course that would be one task to much, so they need smaller bodies who should report to them.

In reality, they should maybe even have regional bodies to deal with club issues and only the biggest scandals or problems should be dealt with by FAT themselves.

Of course, thai football got a kick by the AFC like you said, but that wasn't just Thailand, it was practically everyone except Japan.

But with the reforms, as the inital question was asked, seem to be postive. FAT have broken down the feeder leagues (this they didn't have to do, no pushing from AFC, AFC just want at least one level of promotion/relegation). The only problem they have had was the lack of foresight for promotion/relegation.

Vinnie has touched in this before, but i guess as we have seen in some leagues that maybe some teams would be out of their depth if promoted in a big 5.

For all we know, Chiang Rai, who won their regional league at a canter, may well be absolutly pants. If they come bottom of the Regional Championship league then FAT will be applauded for foreseeing an issue like this. If Chiang Rai, on the other hand, miss out, then it will be looked upon differently as they will go back into a league, that lets face it, they could win year after year but never make the step up. So should FAT reform again or stick to what they have?

As for how they have reformed over the past? Well, they were so bad that we had a rival Pro League in the making, but somehow FAT has managed to get everyone back onside to play 'their' game.

'Missing' prize money, no longer goes 'missing'.

I know we all think its a joke sometimes, but i don't think this is FAT itself, it's more the comments from the FAT President that goes a bit crazy.

But reformed regionally, great move, didn't take too much common sense to work it out, but at least they did it, especially when last year there was talk of a 3rd Division which would have combined the best and worst of Group A and B of last years Division 2, making 2 rather rubbish leagues. At least they kept to reasonable levels.

To comment on the Southern league that was creared, it's a kind of godsend really. No longer do you have to travel up and down the country to get stuffed, you can get stuffed just a couple of hours away. In the south, it's created more interest and with it, the more progressive teams can see a way forward. They can have a go in Division 1, maybe find it hard and drop back into the regional league. Previously if they found it hard, they could of found themsleves back in Group B playing in the North and North east every other week.

So reforms, well at least teams know where they are playing to begin with, the trouble is currently the transition form regional league to national league and FAT possibly are doing the right thing in limiting 3 rather than the max 5.

As for more promotion from 1st Division to TPL, don't know what thats about. Maybe have a relagtion/promotion playoff to see just what the gap is. Surely don't promote to many, as the stats show that teams promoted do tend to struggle and come straight back down. And relegated clubs come back up.

Promoting 5 or 6 and relegating 5 or 6 would be madness and TPL and Div 1 would be very unbalanced every season.

[SriRachaShark]

It's all fun and games at the Blunderdome. MTUFC took the lead after 4 minutes when Leesaw scored.

Samut Songkhram equalised from a breakaway.

Yaya was booked for stamping on an opponent and then sustituted for his own good as he threatened to lose the plot completely.

SS were reduced to ten men when one of their forwards toe poked a defender after an aerial collision. The visitors promptly walked off.

It took about seven minutes for the game to restart. The SS fans waving B100 notes at the referee.


We were treated to about fifteen replays of the SS toe-poke from every available angle and in slow forward/reverse motion. The Yaya stamping was afforded a single replay about ninety seconds after it had happened. Hmmmm.

SS had two great chances to go in front right on the stroke of half time.

MTUFC have enjoyed the bulk of possession but have so far failed to make it count.

[the_englishman]

We then scored again, and as the rain began to belt down, the ten men of SS started to lose their shape. MTU surged forward and should have scored four or five more, but had to settle for just one more, finishing with a 3-1 win in an eventful game.
I arrived home, like the rest of the fans, looking like a rat who had drowned to death, but did so with a smile.

The big showdown is next week.

(But I also need to find out how to get to TTM Samut Sakhorn's ground)

[the_englishman]

BTW Mister Shark, Theerathep got the first goal. I'm not even sure Leesaw started the match.

[SriRachaShark]

BTW Mister Shark, Theerathep got the first goal. I'm not even sure Leesaw started the match.

They are one and the same.

[the_englishman]

BTW Mister Shark, Theerathep got the first goal. I'm not even sure Leesaw started the match.

They are one and the same.

 : My bad. I'm still getting to know the team. I try to focus on one player per match to get familiar with them. So far I've watched Kawin, Yaya, Piyachat and Hattaphorn.

Got the match report up on my blog.

[Vinnie]

It's all fun and games at the Blunderdome. MTUFC took the lead after 4 minutes when Leesaw scored.

Samut Songkhram equalised from a breakaway.

Yaya was booked for stamping on an opponent and then sustituted for his own good as he threatened to lose the plot completely.

SS were reduced to ten men when one of their forwards toe poked a defender after an aerial collision. The visitors promptly walked off.

It took about seven minutes for the game to restart. The SS fans waving B100 notes at the referee.


We were treated to about fifteen replays of the SS toe-poke from every available angle and in slow forward/reverse motion. The Yaya stamping was afforded a single replay about ninety seconds after it had happened. Hmmmm.

SS had two great chances to go in front right on the stroke of half time.

MTUFC have enjoyed the bulk of possession but have so far failed to make it count.

I know what you're saying SRS. Yaya should have been sent off but the SS sending-off was the right decision. The SS player was already on a yellow card when, for absolutely no reason, under no provocation, he decides to kick a prone Muang Thong player. The force of the kick is irrelevant as David Beckham found out in 1998. The reaction of the SS coaches was disgraceful but by no means the first time they have behaved that way this season. Their behaviour directly led to the trouble in the stands after the game which saw those same coaches throwing bottles back into the crowd. An SS fan was seen being carried unconscious from the stand after the game, too.
I hope we're talking about football after the big game next weekend.

[SriRachaShark]

I know what you're saying SRS. Yaya should have been sent off but the SS sending-off was the right decision. The SS player was already on a yellow card when, for absolutely no reason, under no provocation, he decides to kick a prone Muang Thong player. The force of the kick is irrelevant as David Beckham found out in 1998.

Yaya was very "lucky" not to get sent off. I agree that the SS player deserved a second yellow card and therefore a red. It was a silly and unnecessary thing to do.
The reaction of the SS coaches was disgraceful but by no means the first time they have behaved that way this season.

I agree. Totally and utterly stupid. I wonder if there'll be any repercussions for their actions. Although I'm not holding my breath.

Their behaviour directly led to the trouble in the stands after the game which saw those same coaches throwing bottles back into the crowd. An SS fan was seen being carried unconscious from the stand after the game, too.
I hope we're talking about football after the big game next weekend.

I must admit that I'm slightly worried about next week. The game has huge potential for something to go horribly wrong. The stadium is still a building site - there were spectators perched on cranes and diggers yesterday - and I think that the MTUFC officials have seriously underestimated the size of crowd that they are likely to get (I never thought I'd be writing that about a Thai league match!!) and there will be lots of people who will turn up without tickets. Neutrals as well as MTU and Chonburi fans. Also, it only needs one incident and real trouble could follow. Common sense says that the fixture should be moved to Supachalasai. More fans could be accomodated, safely, and proper segregation could be put in place.

[Nigb]

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[Vinnie]

I know what you're saying SRS. Yaya should have been sent off but the SS sending-off was the right decision. The SS player was already on a yellow card when, for absolutely no reason, under no provocation, he decides to kick a prone Muang Thong player. The force of the kick is irrelevant as David Beckham found out in 1998.

Yaya was very "lucky" not to get sent off. I agree that the SS player deserved a second yellow card and therefore a red. It was a silly and unnecessary thing to do.

I hope he was just "lucky" because that ref is one of the few decent ones out there and I'd hate to think he'd been 'got at'.

[Vinnie]

What really annoyed me about the SS guy that got sent off was that at first he appeared to take his medicine. You could tell from his body language and reaction that he knew he'd been caught and he started to trudge off without really arguing about it. And then it was as if the devil on his shoulder started whispering in his ear "you could be the victim here; why don't you kick up a fuss?" and so after starting to walk off he storms back to the ref, performs a pathetic sit-down protest (for which I would ban him for the rest of the season) and generally gives the impression to coaches and fans alike that a terrible injustice has occurred when he knows full well that he's kicked him and deserves to walk.
On the other side of the fence, can/should the FAT use video eveidence to give Yaya a retrospective red card?

[SriRachaShark]

This is why it's all so wrong. This kind of behaviour needs to be punished. The SS player, the coaching staff, the people in the crowd who threw bottles, Yaya for his stamp. However, it all seems to be overlooked.

I hesitate to go back to "Linesmangate" but this poor bloke has been hung out to dry while incidents like this go, seemingly, unpunished. There really is no consistency.

[Vinnie]

Well let's wait to see what happens first. The FAT were very prompt in punishing Navy Rayong last week. I'd be interested to see the coaches' comments although I think I could pretty much write them down before I read them!

[the_englishman]

The only real threat to crowd safety yesterday was the behavior of the SS players. If that incident happened at an English ground I am sure the home team would have had many willing volunteers to escort the sulkers off the premises.

Vinnie, I thought the ref was good and reasonably consistent, he tried his best to let the game flow and didn't strike me as biased, so don't worry. I did miss the Yaya incident though.

The big SS sulk took place on the opposite side of the ground so it was hard to make out the details but I did not see any bottles being thrown and I certainly have not heard or seen any evidence of an unconscious fan. I also want to mention that about seven of the SS players did the usual 'thank you' to the home fans at the end and got applauded.

With regards to next week's turnout, please can supporters of other teams give some credit where it is due. They started selling tickets yesterday and have started allocating fans to stands and regulating sales per person. They have also arranged extra staff and big screens outside the ground for those who cannot get in. 

The fans sat on construction machines  were few in number and most of them were clearly builders, as evidenced by their attire.

So far the club has been impressively organised (dare I say, un-Thai?) in their planning and I hope that carries over into next week. So let's try not to worry.

[lokomotive]

Their behaviour directly led to the trouble in the stands after the game which saw those same coaches throwing bottles back into the crowd. An SS fan was seen being carried unconscious from the stand after the game, too.
I hope we're talking about football after the big game next weekend.

I must admit that I'm slightly worried about next week. The game has huge potential for something to go horribly wrong. The stadium is still a building site - there were spectators perched on cranes and diggers yesterday - and I think that the MTUFC officials have seriously underestimated the size of crowd that they are likely to get (I never thought I'd be writing that about a Thai league match!!) and there will be lots of people who will turn up without tickets. Neutrals as well as MTU and Chonburi fans. Also, it only needs one incident and real trouble could follow. Common sense says that the fixture should be moved to Supachalasai. More fans could be accomodated, safely, and proper segregation could be put in place.

I worry about that too. And in favour of the Thaifootball and the security of the people, the TPL and the FAT should strongly talk to MTU to convince them to move to the Supachalasai Stadium.

[Vinnie]

The big SS sulk took place on the opposite side of the ground so it was hard to make out the details but I did not see any bottles being thrown and I certainly have not heard or seen any evidence of an unconscious fan. I also want to mention that about seven of the SS players did the usual 'thank you' to the home fans at the end and got applauded.

It was all being shown live on TV. Bottles were thrown from the Muang Thong section at the SS coaches and one of them threw a bottle back into the crowd. There was then an exchange of missiles between the two sets of fans and some of the SS fans tried to get at the Muang Thong fans. Somehow in the melee an SS fan was knocked out and was carried down to the front of the stand and down the tunnel by four of his fellow fans (where were the stretcher bearers when they were actually needed?!). This was all being shown live as it happened on TV. They even skipped a commercial break to show it.

[the_englishman]

Their behaviour directly led to the trouble in the stands after the game which saw those same coaches throwing bottles back into the crowd. An SS fan was seen being carried unconscious from the stand after the game, too.
I hope we're talking about football after the big game next weekend.

I must admit that I'm slightly worried about next week. The game has huge potential for something to go horribly wrong. The stadium is still a building site - there were spectators perched on cranes and diggers yesterday - and I think that the MTUFC officials have seriously underestimated the size of crowd that they are likely to get (I never thought I'd be writing that about a Thai league match!!) and there will be lots of people who will turn up without tickets. Neutrals as well as MTU and Chonburi fans. Also, it only needs one incident and real trouble could follow. Common sense says that the fixture should be moved to Supachalasai. More fans could be accomodated, safely, and proper segregation could be put in place.

I worry about that too. And in favour of the Thaifootball and the security of the people, the TPL and the FAT should strongly talk to MTU to convince them to move to the Supachalasai Stadium.

You mean for just one game, right? I don't think MTU would want to move permanently. They are expanding the Thunderdome.

[SriRachaShark]

"With regards to next week's turnout, please can supporters of other teams give some credit where it is due. They started selling tickets yesterday and have started allocating fans to stands and regulating sales per person."

We (Chonburi) don't know what our total allocation is. I've ordered three tickets via the supporters coach. Has it been announced anywhere how many tickets have been issued to the visitors?

Most of the Chonburi fans I spoke to on Saturday said they'll be going anyway, even if they don't have a ticket. I also expect that a lot of others will turn up without tickets. I know that MTUFC are doing what they can but I think that they've underestimated the numbers. We could easily bring 5,000 - we've been taking that many to our midweek AFC Cup games in BKK.

And, I guess the usual touts will be out in force. Fair play to MTUFC but I think that they should swallow their pride and switch the match to a stadium that is already built and able to cope.

By the way - I have a letter to post. Do you think that Yaya will give me a stamp?

[the_englishman]

"With regards to next week's turnout, please can supporters of other teams give some credit where it is due. They started selling tickets yesterday and have started allocating fans to stands and regulating sales per person."

We (Chonburi) don't know what our total allocation is. I've ordered three tickets via the supporters coach. Has it been announced anywhere how many tickets have been issued to the visitors?

Most of the Chonburi fans I spoke to on Saturday said they'll be going anyway, even if they don't have a ticket. I also expect that a lot of others will turn up without tickets. I know that MTUFC are doing what they can but I think that they've underestimated the numbers. We could easily bring 5,000 - we've been taking that many to our midweek AFC Cup games in BKK.

And, I guess the usual touts will be out in force. Fair play to MTUFC but I think that they should swallow their pride and switch the match to a stadium that is already built and able to cope.

By the way - I have a letter to post. Do you think that Yaya will give me a stamp?

Hmmmm...a couple of things spring to mind. I don't know the exact allocation but there is a sort of 'overspill' section of the away end that actually runs further than the touchline, so although there is extra space there, it's not a great view. Also, the club are clearly racing to erect the two new stands ASAP. If they can complete them within a week, that will make a difference. Have you considered e-mailing MTU or your own team about this? MTU , amazingly, do seem to listen. Again, it seems such an un-Thai thing to do

[SriRachaShark]

"With regards to next week's turnout, please can supporters of other teams give some credit where it is due. They started selling tickets yesterday and have started allocating fans to stands and regulating sales per person."

We (Chonburi) don't know what our total allocation is. I've ordered three tickets via the supporters coach. Has it been announced anywhere how many tickets have been issued to the visitors?

Most of the Chonburi fans I spoke to on Saturday said they'll be going anyway, even if they don't have a ticket. I also expect that a lot of others will turn up without tickets. I know that MTUFC are doing what they can but I think that they've underestimated the numbers. We could easily bring 5,000 - we've been taking that many to our midweek AFC Cup games in BKK.

And, I guess the usual touts will be out in force. Fair play to MTUFC but I think that they should swallow their pride and switch the match to a stadium that is already built and able to cope.

By the way - I have a letter to post. Do you think that Yaya will give me a stamp?

Hmmmm...a couple of things spring to mind. I don't know the exact allocation but there is a sort of 'overspill' section of the away end that actually runs further than the touchline, so although there is extra space there, it's not a great view. Also, the club are clearly racing to erect the two new stands ASAP. If they can complete them within a week, that will make a difference. Have you considered e-mailing MTU or your own team about this? MTU , amazingly, do seem to listen. Again, it seems such an un-Thai thing to do

Why should I need to e mail? This should be made public knowledge. Or am I missing something?

[Vinnie]

That half-finished stand will probably be done by the weekend at the rate they're going. I have to say (with my stadium-obsessive hat on!) that the redevelopment at the Thunderdome is a bit disappointing. The original plans seemed to indicate that the new stands would be proper concrete affairs with seats as opposed to the over-sized, permanant 'bleachers' they're currently erecting. If Muang Thong do indeed go on to become the major force in Thai football and beyond (Champions League) they may regret such a rush-job which probably doesn't reach the AFC ground grading requirements for Champions League games. I think they've missed an opportunity to build the best football-only ground in Thailand.

[the_englishman]

Vinnie, I must agree, the club has clearly panicked in the face of such demand. However, the stands look remarkably easy to disassemble. Perhaps they are temporary, with bigger things planned for close season?

Shark, I know it's public knowledge that a large crowd is expected but if, as you say, you think the true numbers are dangerously underestimated thanks to your communication with away fans, perhaps it would be worth dropping someone a line? It was just a thought.

[SriRachaShark]

Sorry, t_e, I misunderstood. I thought you were advising me to e mail MTUFC to ask for ticket details rather than me tipping them off. I'll drop them a line.

Check your messages re meeting up on Sunday.

[Vinnie]

Vinnie, I must agree, the club has clearly panicked in the face of such demand. However, the stands look remarkably easy to disassemble. Perhaps they are temporary, with bigger things planned for close season?

No. It's so the stands can be quickly taken down when all your glory fans disappear! 

Couldn't resist! 

[SriRachaShark]

Vinnie, I must agree, the club has clearly panicked in the face of such demand. However, the stands look remarkably easy to disassemble. Perhaps they are temporary, with bigger things planned for close season?

No. It's so the stands can be quickly taken down when all your glory fans disappear! 

Couldn't resist! 

So that's why they're all on wheels

[lokomotive]

Chonburi will have 1500 tickets reserved for their fans in the match against Muang Thong.

http://www.thaileaguefootball.com/

That's a joke? I mean ok, even it would follow the rule 10% of the tickets needs to be allocated to the visiting team. But 1.500? pffff. Wtf MTU is thinking? How many CFC Sups will show up? Ok sure it may nice that the build up a big screen outside. But want imagine, what will happen if there is any serious trouble.

[SriRachaShark]

That clearly won't be enough, although it's 5 times the number they brought to us earlier in the season. I can see Chonburi fans buying tickets for other parts of the ground.

[the_englishman]

Vinnie, I must agree, the club has clearly panicked in the face of such demand. However, the stands look remarkably easy to disassemble. Perhaps they are temporary, with bigger things planned for close season?

No. It's so the stands can be quickly taken down when all your glory fans disappear! 

Couldn't resist! 

Shouldn't you be making the long journey to Klong Toey right now? :-)

It seems MTU are attracting the same sentiments as Man U back home. Love 'em or hate 'em.

[the_englishman]

Mister Shark, given that your boy Byrne comes from the same football culture as us, is it OK for me to give him stick in the traditional British manner? "Get up you big girl's blouse!"  etc.,  etc. ?
;-)

[SriRachaShark]

Mister Shark, given that your boy Byrne comes from the same football culture as us, is it OK for me to give him stick in the traditional British manner? "Get up you big girl's blouse!"  etc.,  etc. ?
;-)

Absolutely. But only if the ref lets him tackle in the proper British manner

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/club_bespoke.pl?page_select=5393

See the sixth one down.

[SriRachaShark]

Images 14 - 18 might be of some interest to MTUFC fans. More to follow.

Other Thai Clubs
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc/photo_gallery.pl?album=46149