It has been three months since the end of the season and now we can look forward to sitting in the grandstand and watching live football again.

This week Pattaya Dolphins United paraded their full squad and sponsors for the 2022/23 season to great fanfare and noise at Central Festival on Pattaya’s beach road.

Through several major sponsors and the pockets of the clubs’ owners, this year’s team includes several Brazilian players and even an English player too.

Last season the team missed out in the national playoffs in gaining a place in the Thai League division 2.

This season with the new signings and a new coach everyone is confident of moving up a league.

 

Sell Off

A few years back the local supporters were welcoming the mighty Buriram FC with over 7,000 attending.

Then much to the surprise of the local fans, the previous owner of the club then called Pattaya United decided to sell the team which was playing in the prestigious Thai Premiere league to another city.

So eventually a new owner came in and Pattaya Dolphins United was born.

The Thai’s love their football and the Pattaya Dolphins even have a very noisy group of supporters and drummers aptly named The Dangerous Family. 

 

They can make more noise than the cop!

It is surprising to also see a large number of expat supporters turn up to every match.

Many who still support Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Southampton, and Chelsea still like to enjoy a 90-minute match here in Pattaya.

Although not up to the standards of Gabriel Jesus or Karim Benzema, some of last season’s matches had as much passion and drama on and off the field.

At one match the police even had to escort the ref off the field at the final whistle.

The banter in the stands is fantastic, with one German fan often seen waving his own red card at players or the referee.

The first home game for the 2022 season is at the club’s Nong Prue stadium is on Sunday 18th September at 18.00hrs against Marines FC. 

Just THB80 to get into the main grandstand, and even the beer is cool!

For more information check out the Pattaya United International Fan Club on Facebook page. It already has 2,400 members.

 

 

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Best of luck to all for the new season - from a former UK football (soccer) referee.