Pattaya United

[thai in notts]

I went to the Pattaya v Army game on 7th Aug. I was told by Pattaya fans he was their best player but was not being played. This was due to him complaining to the Coach the night prevoius to the Si Saket game, that the players had gone out for a few beers!

[glenn_pattaya]

Hi guys all the stories about Richard Langley are true - he was shabbily treated by our management. We've lost one of our best players to political BS. Never mind.

I've seen that the Pattaya site had only 450 posts but 22,000 views. Anyone have anything to say about the mighty dolphins post it up here!!!

Let's get the page going. I'll post match reports for those Pattaya fans who are overseas and I know there are many of them. Hope to hear from you soon.

[druryfire]

Ok, how to kick start this thread again?

Who owns the club??? Why did they buy Coke-Bangpra, why didn't they buy for example Bangkok Bank when they demised?

[glenn_pattaya]

The club is owned by the  Bang Phra original owners ( horrible family who strut around and treat everyone, particularly the farang players like dogs- they are truly awful) and Ittipol(Tik)  the mayor of Pattaya, youngest son of famed gangster Kamnan Poh (currently in jail - ?) whose elder brother owns Chonburi FC. Ittipol is a nice guy though he knows the main family resources will go to Chonburi. I think he made the old owners an offer they couldn't refuse - stories  of horses heads being left on pillows cannot be confirmed. The club is used to further Ittipol's political hold on Pattaya and to give the old family some respect their behaviour /demeanour scarcely deserves.

[druryfire]

thanks for your answer glen, although i did think they had some german backers onboard?

They do seem to be punching above there weight this year. How do you see the club progressing in the future? What are the clubs goals and your goals?

[glenn_pattaya]

Yeah we keep hearing that some German's are looking to invest but I've never seen them.

Our goals are to keep around the top 6 and build a fan base, maybe a cup run every now and again would help. Many of the people who attend our games also follow Chonburi and choose their games. I think over the next five years we will see the Pattaya fan base grow - hopefully to around regular 6-8,000 or so and provided we get some professional backers/marketeers in then I see a bright future. The catchment area around Pattaya is big enough to support this.

[Vinnie]

Yeah we keep hearing that some German's are looking to invest but I've never seen them.

Our goals are to keep around the top 6 and build a fan base, maybe a cup run every now and again would help. Many of the people who attend our games also follow Chonburi and choose their games. I think over the next five years we will see the Pattaya fan base grow - hopefully to around regular 6-8,000 or so and provided we get some professional backers/marketeers in then I see a bright future. The catchment area around Pattaya is big enough to support this.

What's happening with the new stadium?

[lokomotive]

Yeah we keep hearing that some German's are looking to invest but I've never seen them.

Our goals are to keep around the top 6 and build a fan base, maybe a cup run every now and again would help. Many of the people who attend our games also follow Chonburi and choose their games. I think over the next five years we will see the Pattaya fan base grow - hopefully to around regular 6-8,000 or so and provided we get some professional backers/marketeers in then I see a bright future. The catchment area around Pattaya is big enough to support this.

What's happening with the new stadium?

Will be finished in 2014!!

[glenn_pattaya]

I think they were trying to get a free stadium on the back of a university Olympics or junior Olympics or something - same as Man City did. However there has been no work on the thing for months - they are now redeveloping the stands in the Nong Prue ground - they look ok. So this makes me think that the new stadium idea has been shelved, I think they don't have much money to be honest hence the dramatic cuts to the playing strength and lack of replacement for injured players and with our home support of around 2,500-ish I suppose its a good thing we would have been lost in a bigger stadium.

[lokomotive]

Just checked it again. 1st phase to be finsihed... no clue. 2nd Phase (10.000) in 2012 and 3rd phase in 2014 after the Olympic games. However that gives them plenty of room to finish the 1st and second phase later than scheduled.

[glenn_pattaya]

Just returned from Saraburi after the Osotsapa M-150 v Pattaya game. Finished goalless but with the side that Pattaya were forced to put out most Pattaya fans were quite happy with the result. We were missing ; Arlindo, Thana, Ricardinho, Novero injured; Key players Athanase and Santi were suspended. Langley of course has been sent home for a hissy fit. During the game we also lost Somphop taken to hospital after a  series of heavy challenges from M150 players. He has a nasty ceye/cheek bone injury from an elbow. Ludo was also injured with elbow ligament damage after taking a real pasting from their giant No30 (he played in real pain and was nothing like his usual self) - he was clearly  a marked man and Narit is playing but still not fit - he was not very mobile and couldn't take goal kicks second half. Our bench consisted of five players; three no hopers includign Premwut and two goalkeepers. It is getting ridiculous now _ I'm half expecting a call-up for the Chonburi game in midweek. Dev our American No 3 goalkeeper was almost roped in as an outfield player.

Despite the make shift side including having to play Attipol as a make shift centre half - I thought although Saraburi had most of the possession the better chances were created by the dolphins. All in all it was a poor quality game though - as we were there for the taking I am happy to come away with 0-0 as it keeps us on track for a top 6 finish. MOM was Attipol just shading Anucha - he had a geat game as a makeshift centre half. Weather was sunny and the Saraburi fans were very friendly - it was a relaxed atmosphere throughout. Pattaya fans will be far more wound up for the FA Cup derby match on Wednesday. If Bangkok Utd can hammer Chonburi maybe our reserve side will have a chance? Cheers all.

[druryfire]

Great report Glenn. You've done the team credit just by going upto Saraburi, even when severely depleted and knowing that the likely hood of a win is distant, but still to make the journy.

Osotspa in my opinion is never an easy place to go to. Pattaya a couple of years ago would have crumbled. Surely they are the most improved team this season?

[lokomotive]

@ Dru, Glenn is not the only guy from PU making such trips. The guy which is writing the PU reports for my site usually also is going to see every match. He even was at the League Cup match in Utthai Thani during mid week.

[glenn_pattaya]

Agreed that last year we would have crumbled - bit more steel under the new coach. Around 30 farangs made the trip out of around 250 travelling supporters so I'm far from alone. It's no hardship for me travelling to watch football. Some of the games lately have been pretty uninspiring though.

[the_englishman]

Good report Glenn.

[BKK_Mackem]

Glenn, bearing in mind what has been said about the owners of Pattaya United, are the foreign supporters strongly welcomed by the hierarchy of the club or just an inconvenient group that they think they have to put up with? Also, I've never been down to watch a Pattaya game, so curious to know how many foreigners (of all nationalities) regularly go and watch?

It was good to see a lot more people down at Thai Port on Saturday. An increase in local support, as well as well in excess of 40 foreigners who contributed to the beer running out much earlier than usual ... as BKK73 will testify.

 

[thai in notts]

I've been to a few Pattaya games, having friends living in the area. I think over 100 farangs regulary attend home games. My son is a Pattaya fan. He made a post in the Thai supporters website about Richard Langley being forced out of the club. He got several replies basically telling him it was not up to the supporters to get involved in how the club was run but to just cheer on the team.

[BKK_Mackem]

I've been to a few Pattaya games, having friends living in the area. I think over 100 farangs regulary attend home games. My son is a Pattaya fan. He made a post in the Thai supporters website about Richard Langley being forced out of the club. He got several replies basically telling him it was not up to the supporters to get involved in how the club was run but to just cheer on the team.

That's a shame. The diplomatic response would have been to thank your son for his opinion and state that everyone was working in the same direction to try and improve the club as a whole, blah blah blah, etc. However, telling someone to basically mind their own business and just keep paying their money clearly shows the top to bottom attitude of those in higher positions. Sadly, that will probably stop them from making much progress in the future if they are too narrow minded and oblivious to different opinions.

[jakartacasual]

The club is owned by the  Bang Phra original owners ( horrible family who strut around and treat everyone, particularly the farang players like dogs- they are truly awful) and Ittipol(Tik)  the mayor of Pattaya, youngest son of famed gangster Kamnan Poh (currently in jail - ?) whose elder brother owns Chonburi FC. Ittipol is a nice guy though he knows the main family resources will go to Chonburi. I think he made the old owners an offer they couldn't refuse - stories  of horses heads being left on pillows cannot be confirmed. The club is used to further Ittipol's political hold on Pattaya and to give the old family some respect their behaviour /demeanour scarcely deserves.

many rich families in the west have just as many if not more skeletons in their cupboards

this mob have owned chonburi province for decades and old man poh has a delightful past.

knew itti back in my thai days a bit, would like to touch base with him again some time

[lokomotive]

The club is owned by the  Bang Phra original owners ( horrible family who strut around and treat everyone, particularly the farang players like dogs- they are truly awful) and Ittipol(Tik)  the mayor of Pattaya, youngest son of famed gangster Kamnan Poh (currently in jail - ?) whose elder brother owns Chonburi FC. Ittipol is a nice guy though he knows the main family resources will go to Chonburi. I think he made the old owners an offer they couldn't refuse - stories  of horses heads being left on pillows cannot be confirmed. The club is used to further Ittipol's political hold on Pattaya and to give the old family some respect their behaviour /demeanour scarcely deserves.

many rich families in the west have just as many if not more skeletons in their cupboards

this mob have owned chonburi province for decades and old man poh has a delightful past.

knew itti back in my thai days a bit, would like to touch base with him again some time

for what? to find out where his dad is?

[thai in notts]

I've been to a few Pattaya games, having friends living in the area. I think over 100 farangs regulary attend home games. My son is a Pattaya fan. He made a post in the Thai supporters website about Richard Langley being forced out of the club. He got several replies basically telling him it was not up to the supporters to get involved in how the club was run but to just cheer on the team.

The replies came from the Thai supporters of Pattaya United and not the club.  They are happy to have a club to support and dont want to rock the boat. They stay clear of anything controversial trusting their betters to run the club.

[glenn_pattaya]

I don't think the farang support is made welcome at all at Pattaya by the club but I think we are very much appreciated by the fans as we tend to be more vocal when we see things we don't like.  The Thai supporters feel they have to  bow and scrape to the owners but this isn't the farang way and the fans quite enjoy the edgier comments from the farangs in the crowd. I was making some rude comments from the sidelines about Premwut being selected ahead of Langley one night in Thai and was asked to make my comments in English as I might upset the owners!!!

[glenn_pattaya]

Pattaya 0 Chonburi 2 Fa Cup Qtr Finals - A decent crowd at Nong Prue stadium and a good atmosphere before the match raised expectations of a classic. Pattaya had Athanase and Santi back from suspension but news filtered through that Somphop will be about for 3/4 weeks with the broken nose/cheek bone from Saraburi. Arlindo was due to start but then injured himself again in the warm up and had to withdraw. Attipol stepped into the breach again as makeshift centre half. Chonburi started the game strongly and their passing and movement was excellent. Pattaya were chasing shadows for the first fifteen minutes. However the sharks' final ball was lacking and Pattaya survived and fought their way back into the game with some quick break away play. I thought that the dolphins had survived the worst but then on 38 minutes Chonburi broke down the right and with Narit went looking for a high ball but the ball came in low and was slid in on the near post. 1-0 Chonburi. One feature of Pattaya's play has been the never say die attitude so a good second half looked likely. How wrong we were. Pattaya completely folded, stopped running and competing and just looked a beaten team. Chonburi were able to contain things easily with some possession play, time wasting (particularly the goalkeeper who never had a shot to save but still rolled around for one particularly memorable six minute spell). Chonburi continued to make chances - mainly from distance but their shooting was awful. There must have six or seven occasions when a shooting chance occurred and the ball boomed harmlessly into the night sky or grazed the corner flag. Pattaya stopped competing, the fans were deathly quiet and the whole thing petered out. Chonburi scored an easy second goal in stoppage time. All in all a well deserved win for Chonburi against a woeful Pattaya side. I think the wheels have truly come off our season now - the squad is just not able to absorb the injuries and suspensions we've had. They looked listless and jaded. None of the brave effort from the Saraburi game was in evidence - ok we were beaten by a much better team but we still expect them to battle. Onto league action  and away at Samut Songkram before four successive home games. Can we hang on for sixth place???

[the_englishman]

The problem with you writing stuff like this Glenn is that it actually makes me have affection for Pattaya :-)

[glenn_pattaya]

The problem with you writing stuff like this Glenn is that it actually makes me have affection for Pattaya :-)

I am the board's Sith Lord - my mission is to bring you over to the darkside!

[glenn_pattaya]

SCG Samut Songkram 2 Pattaya Utd 0 - Another disappointing but expected defeat for the dolphins - Pattaya fans were moved to the stand opposite the main stand to accommodate a lot of SCG staff who were bussed up from Bangkok - this left us in the glaring sun - which was too much for many who relocated under trees. It was boiling hot. Despite that the pitch was a quagmire and SCG had done their homework and kept pinging balls over the full backs which then their forwards were able to collect. They had it down to a fine art while Pattaya floundered away like fish out of water ( before anyone says that it is a pun - remember dolphins are mammals) The rampaging SCG side scored after 8 mins (Panuwat with a shot from outside the box following a corner) and 17 mins (Patcharin) - in all honesty it could have been six or seven as Pattaya failed to get to grips with the conditions against the SCG speedy forwards and combative midfield. Pattaya made more of a game of it towards half time but it was yet another woeful first half effort from the dolphins - no commitment at all, no plan B, no tackling, harrying - no interest basically. In the second half and an almost certain slating from the coach Pattaya improved and created a few half chances and two very good penalty shouts. SCG remained dangerous on the break though. The game ended with both sets of players exhausted and Pattaya left with another defeat to reflect upon.  SCG fans were great and had the usual handshakes and photo shoots both before and after the game.

The recent results bring the old Man City song to mind - "we never win at home and we never win away - we lost last week and we're gonna lose today" - it's going to be a long old run in for the dolphins and there is no sign to the injury crisis coming to and end as all now seem to be confirmed as long term injuries. Oh well - muggins here will still visit every game to regale you of the sorry story. Never mind at least we're not in the relegation battle I suppose. Cheers All.

[the_englishman]

Never mind at least we're not in the relegation battle I suppose. Cheers All.

I'll be there on Sunday.

[glenn_pattaya]

Looking forward to receiving you and the Muang Thong hordes - hope your lot have space to practice the dance routines in cramped little Nong Prue. Hope we can give you a game like we did last season - I have my doubts though.

[the_englishman]

Come on Glenn I'm waiting for a report!

[glenn_pattaya]

I give up with this bastard site - I have spent a long time writing two long match reports but both times it has timed me out - said I am not authorised to post - then gone back to the log in screen - when I log in AGAIN all my prose have disappeared - sorry Englishman I'm not writing it all again.
Short story is. Allegedly Chonburi again put up player bonuses - reported 300K for a win. Pattaya played out of their skins. Great match and packed crowd. Fair result. Question is : why haven't we been putting this level of effort into other games!! Our Thai players need to have a long hard look at themselves - Ludo and Athanse work their socks of so no blame can be attached their. Afterwards Rene the MT coach said he has been instructed by the MT owners to WIN everything. he was willing to forgo the Toyota cup but the owner wants the lot.

[the_englishman]

Sorry your report got lost Glenn.
What happens with most of these sites is that for security, if you do nothing for fifteen minutes plus, you are logged out.
The way around it - and this is always a useful tip - is to write the report in word processor like MS Word and then simply copy and paste it. That way you don't lose anything if it does not post correctly.
A quicker but slightly less safe way is to make sure you select and 'copy' everything (right mouse click) before you click 'post'. Then if you have problems you should be able to right click again and select 'paste' to get it back.

[glenn_pattaya]

Thanks for the advice - when I look back I was being stupid and to fall for it twice is double-stupid!!!

[the_englishman]

. Afterwards Rene the MT coach said he has been instructed by the MT owners to WIN everything. he was willing to forgo the Toyota cup but the owner wants the lot.

Yes I heard about this. That's why we are so lucky to have a good reserve side. With players like Phanphiphat (GK), Nattaporn (CB), Ammorn (MD), Zaizen (MD) and Rungsiyo (ST) we have quality in depth and these players deserve to get a chance. The TLC gives them that chance. Other clubs may not be so fortunate with human resources.

[glenn_pattaya]

Your ever Friendly Police 2 Pattaya Utd 2- A second successive 2-2 draw and a continuation of the Pattaya winless streak to six TPL games, one FA Cup and Two league cup games (nine in total) – the only victories since the break have been against Pichit and U-Thai Thani which occurred right after the break. This is relegation form really.

A low quality game played in front of around 300 people on a pitch that may have been prepared by Farmer Brown the local potato farmer. The game started with an almighty thunderstorm and both sides tried to get to grips with the conditions. The pitch made any sort of passing a lottery and both sides really struggled – it was a truly awful opening. Police adapted the quicker and began playing a longer game, Pattaya despite looking a much more skilful side than police still tried to play it short and really found the going tough. Ludo instead of playing on the shoulder of the last defender where he is so effective kept dropping deeper and deeper in search of the ball so even if Pattaya did manage to get forward their play just petered out. At times it was like watching two Under 8 teams playing as passes went astray and shots flew miles wide. Then in the 32nd minute Police got their break through, the play broke down in midfield and the Pattaya defence for some reason were left stranded upfield – Police were left with a two against one and Chayanan Pombupha was left with the simplest of chances 1-0 Police. The Pattaya fans were screaming for offside but it looked a good goal to me.
Police continued to look the more likely side despite Pattaya looking better on the ball. Their more direct style of play was definitely giving them an advantage – however their finishing was very poor and Pattaya were able to hold them at bay. Then right on the stroke of half-time Pattaya were back level. The ball was played into Ludo who for once had positioned himself right up against the Police centre back – he turned the centre half and sent a firm shot into the bottom corner. 1-1 and surely the goal had demonstrated the way for Pattaya to win the game – play the ball early into Ludo’s feet – he is so strong he can either have go himself or act as a pivot striker to get the midfield runners in on goal. This is what Pattaya did so well early in the season.

Second half began and Pattaya came out lethargic and slow. Police carved out a few chances though weren’t able to convert any – however a second goal for them was looking more and more likely and it came on 64 minutes when Jakkrapan hit a firm shot past Narit low to his right. Although the police looked a poor side they deserved the lead simply for their effort. Pattaya were in cruise mode again. Our coach who never once left the dugout, never once tried to lift the players (how different he is to Rene from MT who acts as a 12th man on the sideline always coaching and shouting) sent on Thana to replace Patthipol who had a poor game. Thana was livelier and was able to use his pace down the right hand side. Slowly he allowed Pattaya to work their way back into things. After a couple of good chances had gone begging finally in the 85th minute little Thana rose at the far post to send a looping header past the Police custodian (sorry I had to get one Police pun in there) and Pattaya had earned a late draw.

Talking points – we are still not playing at all well, apart from the Muang Thong game- we have been under performing terribly. Our level since the mid season break has been similar to last year when we were almost relegated– the players have ability and we have pushed Muang Thong and Chonburi very close in the league both home and away– however the level of effort is just not there for the majority of games, tactically we are poor and cannot change a game. Thank goodness for Ludo – he has single handedly carried the team. Despite all this we are still in the shake up for 4th and 5th. We have Thai Port at home and then all the remaining games are at home ( Bangkok Utd, Tero and Srisaket) –

Glass     P 26 Pts 40
Port      P 25 Pts 40
Pattaya P 26 Pts 39

[glenn_pattaya]

Pattaya United 0 Thai Port 1 – the Dolphins winless streak now stretches back ten games but we can have no complaints about the result or the effort today as the players gave their all against an accomplished Port side. They were just a better side than us.

The game was played under a prolonged downpour i.e 90 minutes! but the pitch held up very well and the game was mainly unaffected,
Port started brightly and after just 5 minutes Sarayoot was put through one on one with Narit but the ball just wouldn't sit for him and his shot squirmed wide of the post. The first half hour was pretty even although the Pattaya defence continued to look a bit suspect, a couple of times they were caught very square and the movement of the Port strikers was good. But on the half hour, Pattaya created a really good opening – a cross from the left from Anucha evaded the Port defenders and Somchai was left unmarked, his shot beat the Port keeper all ends up but hit the inside of the post and bounced back into play. Pattaya's bad luck was compounded shortly afterwards when Jacob Aikhionbare hit a long ball into Sarayoot. He drew Athanase and then slipped the ball through the Dolphin midfielder's legs to Kiatjareon who had made a great run from midfield. He beat Narit on his near post. Arlindo decided to step up and try and catch Kiatjaroen offside but this just left the Port man clear on goal. 1-0 Port.

In the second half Pattaya came out fired up and put together some good moves though Port always looked dangerous on the break. Both sides were putting in some crunching tackles and sre enough on 55 minutes Port full back Rangsan received his marching orders for a second yellow card. Port responded really well to going a man down and for the next 15 minutes they looked the more likely to score and a couple of good chances went begging. But as the game reached the later stages  Pattaya began to assert themselves and pushing the full backs forward they began to create chances. The best chance of all fell to Anucha late on – he was clean through but with the ball on his right foot he had to take the time to switch it to his left and his effort was blocked by the Port defence. Port players were falling down like flies after a protracted spraying session, seven stretchers were bought on including one double (two Port players were seriously injured in different parts of the field) – I don't think a single player consented to leaving the field on the stretcher though. The two stretcher incident was interesting as I didn't know Pattaya could even afford two stretchers and I had only ever seen one.

All in all another good entertaining game though the Pattaya winless streak is now stretching to ridiculous proportions. Well done Port – you deserved the win.

Note to the owners – you say you want to rely on  the Thai players and you generally treat the foreigners like dirt. Just remember these same Thai players almost got you relegated last year. With Langley sent home and Jeremy/Ricardinho finished because of injury – they are again unable to win games. Prior to the injuries to Jeremy and Langley-gate we were looking like a top four side – now we are relegation fodder.  Does this tell you something???

1.Take care of your foreign players – they have saved you this year.
2.Keep Arlindo, Athanase and Ludo at all costs.
3.We need to strengthen the defence Somphop (when he's fit) and Niweat don't carry it anymore.
4.Buy a right back.
5.Look at the training – all the foreign players say it is a joke. Listen to them without getting all racist and “row Khon Thai” about things. You Thai may be good at some things but unfortunately football coaching isn't one of them. 

Grow up and lose the rampant xenophobia that pervades the club - other clubs manage it.

[BangkokGlassBunny]

Interesting read Glenn.

With such a big foreign contingent following the club (probably the biggest in the league), it doesn't make sense to alienate the foreign players or fans.. but they do...

I admit to not knowing a great deal about Pattaya Utd, but there really appears to be a big internal problem, which is holding the club back from being a very big club.

And with regards to the training etc. not being up to scratch, do you know why it is like that?

Michael Byrne told me that BG's training methods and facilities are far superior to anything he ever experienced at any club in England.

Have you thought about doing a Pattaya blog or website similar to some of us on here?

[BKK73]

5.Look at the training – all the foreign players say it is a joke. Listen to them without getting all racist and “row Khon Thai” about things. You Thai may be good at some things but unfortunately football coaching isn't one of them. 

Grow up and lose the rampant xenophobia that pervades the club - other clubs manage it.

This seems to be a common problem amongst Thai society. Any negative criticism results in them sulking and informing you that "you no understand Thailand." But that's a story for another day.

As for Pattaya Utd, the alarm bells must be ringing with the poor current form. Something needs to be done during the end of season break or Pattaya could be involved in a relegation scrap next year.

Next up is Bangkok United at home. Surely 3 points for the Dolphins. 

[Vinnie]

Interesting read Glenn.

With such a big foreign contingent following the club (probably the biggest in the league), it doesn't make sense to alienate the foreign players or fans.. but they do...

I admit to not knowing a great deal about Pattaya Utd, but there really appears to be a big internal problem, which is holding the club back from being a very big club.

And with regards to the training etc. not being up to scratch, do you know why it is like that?

Michael Byrne told me that BG's training methods and facilities are far superior to anything he ever experienced at any club in England.

Have you thought about doing a Pattaya blog or website similar to some of us on here?

I've heard quite a lot of criticism from both Thai and foreign players about training standards in the country.
It was cited as a reason for Phuket's poor season last year. Apparently they just did constant physical exercise - laps round the pitch etc - and almost no actual football training.

For better or worse, Pattaya (the city) wouldn't exist without foreigners so the xenophobic attitude there is particularly strange.

[lokomotive]

I just can confirm what glen was saying. I also think that all those injuries are a result of mssing of physical training. Considering that Narit one was a national GK, and looking at his upper body leaves me shaking my head. Kawin has a sixpack, Narit has a family pack.

If I would be the coach, and I may would not consider Ongtrakul as a coach, I would kick out those 2-3 thai players bringing in these xenophobia. Just in order to keep my best players like Ludo and Arlindo. Looks like everybody know who are those Thais in the squad, so get rid of them. But as said, a good coach would see it and act accordingly....

If Thailand ever want to make it big, they have to think about sticking with " You don't understand Thailand" or put it aside. Having sucess like other countries, means you have to learn and develope.

[glenn_pattaya]

The main problem with Pattaya lies with the original owning family (by this I don't mean Ittipol - I'm sure you know who I mean). They are the old style owner with no business sense at all who own the club only for the reason of self-promotion. They are arrogant to the extreme and show open distaste for the farang fans and treat the overseas players very poorly, particularly the Africans. We've had to fight to get payments for the players, promised wages have been hard to come by, we've had cases of passports being withheld -the foreign players are treated shabbily.

 I am certain that before long Pattaya will be bought up by someone as the opportunity is just too good to miss. The club has huge potential and a unique fan base - we are playing football in a temple grounds in the worst stadium in the league with no shelter but still crowds are good and there is a lot of interest in the side. It could be that we will need a big sponsor who will also take some seats on the board to raise the level of professionalism and realize the potential the club has.

On the training front, they really are clueless - many of the foreign players are baffled by what is happening. I know the work at Muang Thong and Glass is good but at many Thai clubs are the same and the coaching is the same as was done in Europe in the sixties. How many formal coaching badges are in evidence here??  This is something Robson and Steve Darby should be looking at - the raw material is here but the coaches aren't.

Overall it's been a  good season thanks to the brilliant Ludovick who I've been informed wishes to stay next year despite the Glass sniffing around. He needs help though and as I outlined earlier there is some work to be done before we can face next season with any confidence.

[lokomotive]

The city and the club really could benefit from each other if things would be done more professional. Years ago, when PU wasn't even on the paper, I thought about that synergy and the massive potential.

[jakartacasual]

For better or worse, Pattaya (the city) wouldn't exist without foreigners so the xenophobic attitude there is particularly strange.

given some of the pond life pattaya attracts i think its perfectly understandable

re training pipat was surprised when he came to indo at the training here. said it was all physical, hardly any ball work unlike thailand...

[SriRachaShark]

Interesting read Glenn.

With such a big foreign contingent following the club (probably the biggest in the league), it doesn't make sense to alienate the foreign players or fans.. but they do...

I admit to not knowing a great deal about Pattaya Utd, but there really appears to be a big internal problem, which is holding the club back from being a very big club.

And with regards to the training etc. not being up to scratch, do you know why it is like that?

Michael Byrne told me that BG's training methods and facilities are far superior to anything he ever experienced at any club in England.

Have you thought about doing a Pattaya blog or website similar to some of us on here?

I've heard quite a lot of criticism from both Thai and foreign players about training standards in the country.
It was cited as a reason for Phuket's poor season last year. Apparently they just did constant physical exercise - laps round the pitch etc - and almost no actual football training.

For better or worse, Pattaya (the city) wouldn't exist without foreigners so the xenophobic attitude there is particularly strange.

I guess that the 11th song on Hefner's "We Love The City" lp would also work for you, Vinnie.

[Vinnie]

Make the dream real, SRS, make it real.

[glenn_pattaya]

Yes Vinnie - we're all Pond Life in Pattaya - blah blah blah blah. I have a house in Bangkok and a condo in Jomtien - I know where I prefer and it ain't Bangkok. But yes we are all pond life and scum. Keep the BS going. Oh that we could aspire to being high and mighty like you - no doubt you are a citizen of the highest calibre - living the high life in Nakorn nowhere. Good luck to you my friend.

By the way good luck cheering for TOT next year!!!!!

[Vinnie]

Yes Vinnie - we're all Pond Life in Pattaya - blah blah blah blah. I have a house in Bangkok and a condo in Jomtien - I know where I prefer and it ain't Bangkok. But yes we are all pond life and scum. Keep the BS going. Oh that we could aspire to being high and mighty like you - no doubt you are a citizen of the highest calibre - living the high life in Nakorn nowhere. Good luck to you my friend.

By the way good luck cheering for TOT next year!!!!!

Thanks for the insults, glenn but I didn't say 'pond life', it was 'jakartacasual'. Please read the posts again. An apology would be nice, too.

[SriRachaShark]

Yes Vinnie - we're all Pond Life in Pattaya - blah blah blah blah. I have a house in Bangkok and a condo in Jomtien - I know where I prefer and it ain't Bangkok. But yes we are all pond life and scum. Keep the BS going. Oh that we could aspire to being high and mighty like you - no doubt you are a citizen of the highest calibre - living the high life in Nakorn nowhere. Good luck to you my friend.

By the way good luck cheering for TOT next year!!!!!

I know a lot of people who live in Pattaya and they certainly aren't "pond life". I'm with you, Glenn, Pattaya gets a bad rap because it's an easy target. It is actually quite a cosmopolitan city these days.

However, I think you'll find it wasn't Vinnie who made that remark.

[glenn_pattaya]

Vinnie - very sorry I thought it was you - you have your apology. Most deepest apology in fact. I get a bit upset about the Pattaya thing as you've probably realized.

Jakarta Casual - see you behind the bike sheds at lunch time.

[the_englishman]

Vinnie - very sorry I thought it was you - you have your apology. Most deepest apology in fact. I get a bit upset about the Pattaya thing as you've probably realized.

Jakarta Casual - see you behind the bike sheds at lunch time.

Get your plasters ready, JC is a big guy!

[glenn_pattaya]

Ah but my Dad is bigger than his Dad. Actually maybe not.