Football In Chiang Rai: Chiangrai United FC

[Limbo]

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The match will NOT be on NBT television and thus NOT start at 16.00, as rumours went round.

Weahradio will have its camera team in the stadium though and enable worldwide access by internet.

Tickets will be sold at the stadium from 1 pm on (20 Baht and 60 Baht for the grandstand).

The maximum number will be 5.500, roughly corresponding with the number of 'seats'.

Another two thousand or more visitors will be able to see the game for free from behind the fences.

The municipality Tessaban Chiang Rai has so far been overtaken by the events and has not been able

to anticipate on the enormous succes of Chiangrai United.

One hour before Chiangrai United hosts Samut Prakarn the game between Raj Pracha Nontaburi and Loei City

will probably decide which of these teams is going to be the runner-up in the after-competition.

The situation is now as follows:

1. Chiangrai United . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . 11

2. Kingdom People - Nonthaburi . 6 . . 8

3. Loei City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . 7

4. Narathiwat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 . . 6

5. Samut Prakarn . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . 5

Will the match of today in Chiang Rai be the final nail in the coffin of Samut Prakarn?

One thing is for sure though:

If we win today we will be ahead 9 points of Samut Prakarn

and 8 points of Narathiwat with only two more games to go.

Then even statistically, theoretically or even hypothetically it is 100 percent sure that we will be playing in

the First Division of the TFA next season !

Yes, we probably are going to celebrate the promotion of our team tonight!

If we wouldn't come further than a draw, we would be ahead 6 points of both both teams and we theoretically still could

fail the promotion. But for that we would have to loose the two remaining games and Narathiwat and Samut Prakarn would have to win theirs.

Including the matches in the after-competition for promotion to the First Division Chiangrai United has this year been playing 25 games so far.

It won 20 games and drew 5 times (at home against Chainat, Sukhothai and Narathiwat and away against Kamphaeng Phet and Narathiwat).

Will Chiangrai United write history with the first season of its existence and register itself as unbeaten in the eternal books?

Three games to go: Today at home against Samut Prakarn, next week also at home against Raj Pracha Nontaburi and in two weeks away against Loei City!

Limbo

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The ball with the signatures of the players was auctioned for 35.000 Baht. The rumour that after the game of today a ball will be auctioned with the names and telephone numbers of the cheerleaders could not be confirmed.

[Limbo]

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"Will the match of today in Chiang Rai be the final nail in the coffin of Samut Prakarn?"

No, it wasn't.

"Yes, we probably are going to celebrate the promotion of our team tonight!"

No, we weren't.

"Will Chiangrai United write history with the first season of its existence and register itself as unbeaten in the eternal books?"

No, it didn't.

Chiangrai United lost at home of Samut Prakarn: 0 - 1

Limbo

Report will follow ...

[Limbo]

The results of the games in this Second Division After-Competition For Promotion To The First Division (three of the five champions of the respective regions will have the honour next year to play in the highest division in Thaiand but one; only the superleague is superior) have so far been completely unpredictable. I finally realised this ...

In three of the five regional arenas the decision fell after four months finally in the last game: Narathiwat, Loei City and Samut Prakarn became last-minute champions of their respective regions! Gigantic drama's for their runner-ups and this very understandable of course.

And now, in the after-competition, the history repeats itself!

Here we had two teams, each played 5 games and one, our own CRUTD, scrambled 11 points together and its opponent only 5.

And, like Narathiwat last week, now Samut Prakarn didn't want to settle for the red lantern.

Thanks Samut Prakarn, for the football lesson! It's learned by now!

I seriously underestimated the extra power a team gets once its back is against the wall: Nothing to loose, a concept of freedom and power often preached by those who don't own anything and this often in combination with the offer to ease the burden of those with earthy wealth by taking over at least a part of it. It worked also now!

They really pulled out all the stops and this with a dedication that gave them wings of power of which they refused to have the flaps smothered by the heavy blanket Chiangrai United intended to throw over them.

I feel completely humbled by the chauvinistic arrogance, that brought me to the horrible mistake to predict victory and if not at least a draw for Chiangrai Uniteds game against Samut Prakarn.

It took a 26 games to finally experience a defeat with Chiangrai United. It was a shock, yes, it was. I didn't want it to happen, it brought tears to my eyes, but I am happy it happened after all.

Chiangrai United was like a sailor that never passed the equator, that never was confronted with the hidden sadism of his sailor-mates, carefully hidden in and ritualised by the sharpness of the trident fork of God Neptune.

It caused blisters, yes it did, but we are not going to sit on them, no we won't!

Sorry Raj Pracha Nontaburi for what is going to happen to you coming Sunday in Chiang Rai, but please send the bill to Samut Prakarn!

The good thing was that the shock was delivered in a dosed way.

The first twenty minutes the ball caramboled mainly on the Samut Prakarn side of the field and bathing in selfconfidence and, admitted, self satisfiedness players and Chiangrai fans seemed to lean backwards waiting for the gnomes to do the wheel-barrel work of bringing the ball into the box of Samut Prakarn.

But the gnomes were clearly elsewhere, possibly partying with the same guardian angels that usually flock on CRUTD's shoulders.

Samut Prakarn took over the initiative, kept pressure on our good old Chiang Rai and didn't enable the team to play their game: Chiang Rai was running behind the facts and it was getting worse and worse.

After tea the Chiang Rai forwards had to relay on 'dying swans' for creating opportunities. Strikers Watcharakorn and Chanchai would have put Anna Pavlova into the second hand car business if she still would have been around. But the referees weren't stupid. They did a very good job!

It was painfull to see. Samut Prakarn simply owned the field and there was nothing that Chiangrai United seemed to be able to do about it.

'IT' happened in the 41st minute: For the third time in its existence of 26 games Chiangrai United got behind, but this time we waited in vain for the equalizer...

Once that moment had to come.

Limbo

The first two pictures were taken about 40 minutes before kick-off, thus underlining the need of early arrival at the stadium:

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The teams lining up before the game:

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Not less than 850 kms the supporters of Samut Prakarn travelled to cheer their club!

The lady won the "Most Charming Supporter from Elsewhere Price". She doesn't know yet. Please tell her to contact me by PM, thank you .

[Limbo]

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. . . .Sunday November 22 at 16.00 at the Stadium of Chiang Rai:

.. . . Chiangrai United - Raj Pracha Nontaburi . .

This Sunday Chiangrai United will play its last home match of the season. One week later against Loei City the last away game.

There are some rumours that CRUTD will play its first match abroad this winter as well (against a prominent Russian team that just

parted from its Dutch coach), but these can't be confirmed yet.

Raj Pracha is historically seen one of Thailands most prominent teams. Since 1970 it took home almost ten

National Thai Cups and in 1996 it represented Thailand in the Asian Cup Winners Cup. After a several years

lasting dip the club is rising to prominence again and coming Sunday we will wittness what level they reached

in the mean time.

The club has made big progress under its present coach Brasilian Jose Alves Borges and has at the moment

several foreigners enlisted.

The goalkeeper, Richard Nguiamba is from Cameroon, defender Dawuda Wulampah is from Ghana, midfielder

Marcio da Silva from Brasil and forward Kone Francis from Cote d'Ivoire.

The club is among others affiliated with Muang Thong and Everton.

The situation in the after competition is as follows (games/points):

. . . . . . 1. Chiangrai United . . . . . .6 . 11

. . . . . . 2. Raj Pracha Nonthaburi. . 7 . 11

. . . . . . 3. Samut Prakarn. . . . . . . .7 . . 8

. . . . . . 4. Loei City. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . 7

. . . . . . 5. Narathiwat . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . 6

This Saturday Narathiwat will host Loei City, supposedly the 'make or break' match for these clubs.

If Loei takes the full three points the chances are getting bigger that CRUTD's last game in Loei

turns into a friendly one. The supporters ticket for the trip to Loei costs 1700 Baht (bus, meals, hotel

and excursions during two days, among which, of course a visit to the winery).

You leave at 8 pm and arrive in Loei at 6 am.

Limbo

The highlights of Chiangrai United against Samut Prakarn last week (Notice the great saves of our goaly,

Chanatip Jarernsattrarak!):

[Limbo]

Narathiwat. - Loei 3 - 1

CRUTD - Raj Pracha Nontaburi 0 - 1

The situation is now as follows:

. . . . . . 1. Raj Pracha Nonthaburi. . 8 . .14

. . . . . . 2. Chiangrai United . . . . . . 7 . .11

. . . . . . 5. Narathiwat . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . 9

. . . . . . 3. Samut Prakarn. . . . . . . .7 . . 8

. . . . . . 5. Loei City. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . 7

Kone Francis of Ivory Coast was the match winner for Raj Pracha.

A first class header specialist, who got the ball in the 40th minute while he was standing between

the goaly of CRUTD and the goal line. He looked very surprised, seemed to hesitate for a second

and put the ball then with a simple little touch of his right shoe over the line.

Don't ask me how it could happen. I am still waiting for the replay ...

Richard Nguiamba, the Cameroon goaly of Raj Pracha kept his box, sometimes very spectacularly, clean.

The fans of Chiang Rai stayed foot! For the third time more than 7000 people were there and cheered our team!

With kind regards

Limbo

More info tomorrow.

Edited November 22, 2009 by Limbo

[Limbo]

Please forgive me for my presumptuous analysis of the game.

When I was nine years old I got my first football shoes (Quickly's!).

It was a special offer, they were three sizes to big ("you wear thick socks in it and you still grow, I don't want to buy new ones every year", my mother said) and they had hard round noses. So the specialists among you will know how difficult it was for me to get the ball in the

intended direction.

The two clubs I played for (RK Swift and RFC), don't exist anymore, but that is actually not really my fault because it happened long after

my active career.

So please ...

Chakarin Nakkasan was our boy in the box this time. A nice, gentle young man, always friendly, never raising his voice.

Really the man you want to be your neighbour, yes, if you have a daughter even your son in law.

It was this personal setting that made him different from Pansa Meesatham, who with hard voice and necessary iron fist commanded the defence

and as last man in the field kept controle and conducted the defence into an impregnable fortress.

Chakarin didn't shout when one of the defenders played the ball back to him, missed him by meters and dropped it thus in the feeth

of Kone Francis, who probably thinking that he was standing off side as off side can be almost hesitated to give the ball this little push it needed to cross the goalline behind Chakarin.

Yes yes, it was the goal that made us loose the game.

And what about our forwards, about our men at the front?

Why did they choose to go through the middle all the time, ending up with three players falling into a trap of five defenders?

Why didn't they create space, win time to get the troops in place by playing wide and advancing over the wings?

Why did they wait untill they could see the white of the eyes of Richard Yen, the goaly of Cameroon, before they dared to shoot?

Why didn't they take shots from bigger distances and went in for rebounds?

They, no WE (!) created many chances and we played a great game! Our men can be proud of this game.

It was difficult. Raj Pracha had Kone in the front, two meters high, a header by nature, not as good by his feeth, who came back when CRUTD got a corner, forcing our man to play the ball back towards the middle and meeting the wall, they had Richard in the goal, leaving only the sixty centimeter high next to the poles to score, what a disaster to play against!

Our team did good! From the ball hitting the crossbar in the 8th minute to the spectaculair saves of Raj Pracha's Richard in the last quarter of the match we were there and played the stars from heaven.

The first 30 minutes everybody thought we would put this game in our pocket.

It wasn't that way.

But the certainly more than seven thousand thousand spectators were offered a game they appreciated.

And the great thing is, that the supporters of Chiang Rai United proved that they stay with their team even if the weather gets cold.

And this I don't mean only in the literal way of speaking.

Limbo

Look at his face! He gave everything he had, yes he lost as we all did, but with pride! Chiangrai United Susu, Susu, Susu!

And look at the faces of this supporters couple. They loved, suffered, were there and will be back!

[Limbo]

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We made it!

Chiangrai United will play in the Thai First Division next year!

Last games played today:

Loei City - Chiangrai United 3 - 3

Samut Prakarn - Narathiwat 0 - 0

Final result 2009 Division 2 of the Thai Football Association:

1. Raj Pracha Nonthaburi. 8. . 4. 2. 2. (10-7). . . 14

2. Chiangrai United. . . . 8. . 3. 3. 2. (12-11). .12

3. Narathiwat . . . . . . . . . 8. . 2. 4. 2. .(9-9). . . 10

4. Samutprakarn. . . . . . . 8. . 2. 3. 3. .(6-7). . . . 9

5. Loei City. . . . . . . . . . . 8. . 2. 2. 4. (12-15) . . 8

More information follows...

Limbo

[Limbo]

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In the Thai football season 2009 the teams of the five regions of the Second Division of the Thai Football Association (alltogether 52 clubs) competed not only for their regional championship, but also for promotion to the First Division and of course, though with the lowest priority, for the financial rewards for the winners.

The five teams that finally became champion of their respective region, among which Chiangrai United, contested in after-series three places in the First Division.

After playing both series, all together 28 games, CRUTD ended in second position of Division 2:

Chiangrai United became champion of the North, was promoted to the First Division and got a financial reward.

It got 200.000 Baht on its account. Even more important might be that our club starts to be very interesting for sponsors.

Chiangrai United managed in the first season of its existence to collect 54 + 12 = 66 points out of 28 games,

Raj Pracha 43 + 14 = 57 out of 26 games (region Bangkok had only 10 teams lined up and North 11, so they played two games less).

Raj Pracha lost at home of Chiangrai United (1 - 2) and won in Chiang Rai (0 - 1).

Looking back at this last home-match of CRUTD against Raj Pracha we can't say that our players were tired, had lost their motivation or whatever.

CRUTD was the hardworking team that created most chances of the game, it was just that itsy pitsy teeny weeny little luck that didn't want to come in our direction.

Of course, the Africans of Raj Pracha Nonthaburi, the impressive goalkeeper Emile Yen from Cameroon and the winner of the match, striker Kone Francis from Ivory Coast, seemed to play the best game of their season.

Thanks to Thai TV Channel 11 that filmed the match we got some nice moments illustrating the spectacular form these players were in and even worse, demonstarted it on the green carpet that day, which more than anything else cost us the first place and some 300.000 Baht. Even a draw would have been enough for us to be champion, but no, it was written in the stars: We had to loose this game. Hold a tissue prepared and look at this video and notice that it was the difference of one single hair on a bold one: The goal of Raj Pracha was what one might call an unintended present from our defense ...

The three clubs that finally made it into the first division are:

1. Raj Pracha Nonthaburi. 8. . 4. 2. 2. (10-7). . . 14

2. Chiangrai United .. . . . 8. . 3. 3. 2. (12-11) . . 12

3. Narathiwat . . . . . . . . . 8. . 2. 4. 2. . (9-9). . . 10

Of course the average level was higher in the play-offs as all of the participating teams had to defeat another ten teams to take part in it.

Just compare Chiangrai United with a sailor befriending natives from many countries in evenso many harbours but never have been crossing the equator yet. Never feeling the sharpness of the teeth of Neptunes trident .

Now they felt! It had to happen! Hardened they will enter Division One coming year.

The first match of next season will probably be played in the second or third weekend of March.

Untill then a lot of training will be done, but also a lot of fun will be on the program, like the match last Saturday against the stars of the Thai TV Channel 3 that gave us good coverage in the past as well.

Chiangrai United, susu, susu, susu!

Limbo

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[Limbo]

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2009: The Year that Chiangrai United FC put Chiang Rai on the Map of Thailand

Last Monday the presentation of the new selection of Chiangrai United (CRUTD) for the football season of 2010 took place.

Many prominent members of the Chiang Rai community gave 'acte de presence'.

Even our new mayor showed up. Of the 32 top clubs of Thailand 16 will play in the Premier League and the other

16, among which Chiangrai United in the First Division.

More and more people start to realize the enormous impact Chiangrai United FC had during the first year of its existence.

Here we are not only talking about the gigantic popularity CRUTD gained among the members of the younger generations

in our province (average number of visitors between 7 and 8 thousand!), the enormous promotion of sports in general and

football in particular, but also about for instance the public relations concerning our town:

Finally Chiang Rai managed to conquer a place on the map of Thailand!

And nobody less than Chiangrai United did it!

Thanks to the founder of CRUTD, Khun Mitti Tiyapairat!

Though a seemingly rather helpless local office of the Tourist Authority of Thailand already for years has been spending

probably three quarters of its budget on the production of posters showing the White Temple and since recently the new

clock tower (both creations of Chalermchai Kositpipat, one of the most prominent artists of Chiang Rai), it never managed

to develop itself into a motor for the promotion of Chiang Rai.

The Cultural Council of Chiang Rai limits its activity to the organization of a couple of parades each year, that how sad it may

sound, are best known for the traffic jams they cause. It seems as if they see culture as something solemnly from the past,

provoking remarks as 'I saw it already' (after noticing that everything is the same every year). As they don't see culture as

a living thing of all times, they slowly but sure are digging a grave, not realizing that it will remain empty as cultural life goes on.

First the TAT tried to promote the province as a place where one would be able to visit people in the hills that supposedly still were

living in their old ways, than they embraced Chalermchai and further they jumped on every bandwagon that was passing by

like for instance the yearly Flower Festival. A festival that by all means seems to be privatized by Khun Chanchai, our former

mayor and his wife, the former topsport woman and very energetic Khun Rattana, still in charge of the Provincial AO.

On the billboards that promote the event their portraits are at least much more prominently present than the flowers themselves

(absolutely worth a visit, see the thread concerned).

The TAT however only reacts, it doesn't act!

Let's see if the local authorities show the wisdom next year to understand the importance of having a good football team for

the promotion of a town, an insight that is widely spread elsewhere ...

Let's see if they understand the importance of sports for the young generation in town, for which so little, if anything, is done.

I guess that the number of times Chiang Rai has been mentioned on national television this year exceeds the total of the

last ten years. The same is the case concerning the world-wide-web, that gained great importance for Chiang Rai as local

newspapers and radio stations only give news that was interesting yesterday as they necessarily have to reserve most of

their space to confirm of the position of the so called 'pu yai' of this town.

Chiangrai United created something for Chiang Rai people to be proud of.

Many, at first hesitating foreign local residents, used to look at football from a television screen, learned to appreciate the team

and the great atmosphere around the pitch.

Also they joined the chorus "Chiang Rai Susu, Susu, Susu!" I think that sports are a vehicle for integration. We have seen it

in the mountain biking and now it manifests itself in one of the noblest sports ever: Football!

I suggest therefore that an important part of the budget of the local office of Tourist Authority of Thailand, of the public relations

office of the Tessaban Chiang Rai, of the Cultural Council and, yes yes yes Khun Rattana I absolutely wouldn't forget you, also

of the PAO, could be transferred to the coffers of Chiangrai United.

See it as a joke, dear friends, because my suggestion might neglect other relevant budget allocations (anyhow good to hear that

the museum project is back on the agenda again) ...

Thanks Chiangrai United for what you gave us in 2009!

Also in 2010 you will never walk alone!

Limbo

On the pictures you see the two most important 'happenings' of Chiang Rai in 2009:

The building of the white temple of Rong Khun, a creation of respected artist Khun Chalermchai Kositpipat

and the foundation of Chiangrai United, a creation of the evenso respected Khun Mitti Tiyapairat.

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[mcgriffith]

Great news for Chiang Rai, and for all who support the club.

I'm not a big sports fan...I played tennis, did field archery in secondary school, and have been a scuba diver and motorcycle tourer for decades. None of the team sports for me.

But I can't help but be infected (in the good sense of the word) by Limbo's fervor, passion, whatever you want to call it....for this football club.

At one point I PM'd him suggesting that the thread be moved to the sports sub-forum. He correctly pointed out that it was CR-specific.

Great to see they are doing so well, and if this can be a focal point for some community spirit- well all the better.

[Limbo]

It's great to see that Chiang Rai football gets attention nationwide.

In one of the last postings it was mentioned that Chiangrai United

became the engine of the public relations for Chiang Rai this year,

not only in the writing press, but also on radio and television.

Also the world-wide-web was mentioned.

An example is the latest news on http://www.thaileaguefootball.com/ ,

the most prominent English language national football forum of Thailand.

Not only the game of the national team of Thailand against Jordan is put

under the loupe, but also our own good old Chiangrai United.

Limbo

Some pictures of the festive presentation of our 2010 team:

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[skybluestu]

Anyone know when the first game of the new season is and when the full fixture list will be out?

When and where was the festive presentation those pics were taken at?

[Limbo]

Anyone know when the first game of the new season is and when the full fixture list will be out?

When and where was the festive presentation those pics were taken at?

As far as I know the Premier League starts the first weekend of March.

I heard rumours that the First Division begins at the same time or one week later.

The presentation of the new team took place Monday 28 December at the OTOP building.

The OTOP building is the building you see at your left about three hundred meters before

you arrive at the new airport (coming from the superhighway).

In front of it is a training field and the building also serves as accommodation for the players.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

An interesting moment occured when the President of Chiangrai United, invited the

President of the Chao Pya Abhai Raja Siammanakulkij Foundation to take the stage

together with the Super Intendent of the Royal Thai Police in Mae Sai.

Both gentlemen had been brainstorming a lot about a way to keep youngsters away from drugs and crime

and thus out of jail. As has been mentioned before in this thread, the Chiang Rai Hills FC, an all-hilltribe

team in Maechan, is also one of the projects of the foundation that is named after the Belgian-Thai Prince

Gustave Rolin Jaquemijns.

In the mean time it will be almost ten years ago that the German international Stefan Effenberg tried

to set up a football academy in the Wawi valley, inspired by similar ideas as those that are now behind the

projects of the Chao Pya Abhai Raja Foundation.

He was at that time playing in Quatar, but was very aware about the problems of the youngsters of the

ethnic minorities in Northern Thailand. He wanted to make a difference. Sadly enough the 'political' situation

(he wanted to spend two million dollars on the project) didn't support his noble plans and the project died a

silent death.

This time the 'joint venture' between Chiangrai United and the Chiang Rai Hills FC (read the Chao Pya Abhai

Raja Siammanakulkij Foundation), with support of prominent members of the Royal Thai Police, will make it

easier to turn old dreams finally into reality.

The president of the foundation announced a donation of not less than One Million Baht to the project!

That the president of the foundation exactly knows what he is doing and why, becomes clear reading his

statement, from which here a fragment:

"It is especially in areas prone to juvenile delinquency and other evils where sport, not only

by educationalists and social psychologists but also by law enforcement officials is considered to be of the greatest

importance not only for the prevention of crime, but even more so for creating conditions in which the youngsters

at risk can develop personal skills that will enable them to develop their personality in a direction that helps them

not only to improve their lives but at the same time also to become contributive members of society.

If we look at the elements of most team sports we clearly recognize several aspects of daily life. We see the need to

co-operate, the ability of winning in an honorable way as well as to accept defeat or to cope with losses, to develop

friendships and partnerships, to give and take within reasonable proportions, to rely on others, to trust, to respect

opponents, to accept rules and authority, to control and canalize emotions, to foster perseverance and team spirit,

with other words an endless list of psycho-social abilities needed for personal development and a well adjusted and

respected membership of society"

As the president, although foreign resident of Chiang Rai, held his speech in the Thai language, I must ask you for

a certain tolerance on my behalve. It's very well possible that I didn't get some details right.

Limbo

The pictures show the President of the Chao Pya Abhai Raja Siammanakulkij Foundation during his speech,

flanked by the Super Intendent of Mae Sai and the President of Chiangrai United and the team that will

defend our colours during the season to come.

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Reason for editing: a handfull of typo's (the rest you can correct by yourself)

Edited January 7, 2010 by Limbo

[dindong]

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCrutd#p/u/1/eoVE28I6UbE Edited January 15, 2010 by dindong

[Limbo]

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCrutd#p/u/1/eoVE28I6UbE

Thanks Dindong! Super!

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Chiangrai United and Chiang Rai Hills FC finally found each other!

The co-operation and the mutual support of the Chiangrai United and Chiang Rai Hills FC,

to a certain extent under the umbrella of Weah Radio, will have enormous impact and will

undoubtedly contribute greatly to the promotion of football in Chiang Rai province.

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The new shirts of Chiangrai United with the logo of Weah Radio.

Limbo

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. . . . . . . Thank you too Weah Radio!

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[Limbo]

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What about Watcharakorn 'Bird' Klaiting?

Being a real Chiang Rai-er, born here 23 years ago, he is the local favorite.

At 17 he became on of the youngest professional football players in this country, serving in

one of the most legendary and succesful clubs through Thai football history: BEC Terro!

A year later, at 18, he played with his team in the tournament of the Asian Football Cup.

He stayed three years with BEC Terro, after that he played two years for Lopburi FC and

in 2009 Chiang Rai welcomed him back.

We all remember the sad moment that our most brilliant striker (with the number 7 on his shirt) made

this disastrous misstep during the friendly away against Phrae.

Recently also the doctors finally joint him in thinking that he might be ready for training again.

Sadly enough his pulled tendon proved this enthousiasm to be somewhat premature and there Bird went

again: Back to his hospital bed in the Kasemrad Sriburin!

At the moment the doctors still don't know when he will be able to play again.

We have about two months to go before the league starts, so there is still hope.

I think I speak on behalf of most of us, when I say that we miss him dearly.

He was not only an always sharp attacking midfielder, but he seemed to be in control of the whole right

of the field as well, often coming up along the line and then suddenly breaking in to the center, sometimes

launched after a delicate one/two with the right-winger.

Many of the attacks went over right and it was always great to see how he, perfectly timing,

cut through the defence with a speed from 0 to 10 in a split second.

He plays the kind of game that is really nice to look at, intelligent, tactically and technically superb and

all of it covered with a shining and delightful elegance.

Best wishes Bird! Hope to see you in orange soon again!

Limbo

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[Limbo]

September 27 2009: Thoeng FC - Chiang Rai Hills 3 - 4

The match was played at the home field of Thoeng FC, about 70 kms from Chiang Rai town.

A great pitch, located in a breathtaking beautiful natural environment behind the local hospital.

Thoeng FC started with Thoeng students at the Rajabhat University of Chiang Rai that at the same time proved themselves to be the stars of its football team.

Those gentlemen are not the only talents of this charming little town and some of the local opinion leaders, among which politicians, civil servants and last but certainly not least some doctors of the hospital joined forces and created a sportsfield and a real club for their own local football players, soon to be joined by talents from elsewhere.

Tawid Klaitin, a former player of the national team of Thailand, had been approached to shoulder the task of coach with the idea to strive for participation in the Thai Football Association 2nd Division Region North.

The formula showed to be succesfull and within a short time football intelligence and team spirit were added to the natural talents of the individual players.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In the meantime the return against 'The Hills' resulted in a 8 - 1 (!) win for Thoeng FC,

though a friendly match against Chiangrai United ended 6 - 0 to the advantage of CRUTD.

.

The 31st of this month the Hills and and 'Thoeng' will meet again at the stadium of Chiang Rai.

This time the players of FC Thoeng will not enter the pitch in green outfits but in royal purple ones,

thus flying the colours of a brandnew club: Chiangrai FC.

This Chiangrai FC, the 'scorpions', will play coming season in the stadium of Chiang Rai.

FC Thoeng evolved into Chiangrai FC .

The 14th of this month the gentlemen in charge of the Thai Football Association

decided to welcome Chiangrai FC in the Second Division Region North.

The chairman of this new and promising club is the inspiring initiator behind good old Thoeng FC,

Dr. Ekkapob Pienpiset, one of the well respected doctors of Thoeng Hospital.

Thanks to his vision, his dedication and his perseverance (and a lot, even more than that, of effort and time)

football conquered the hearts of young Thoeng and surroundings.

Dr. Ekkapob is one of these doctors that don't limit their health care work to the hospital itself. They think in

wider concepts. They think about physical health in general; information, prevention, a healthy life style and

community engagement.

He hopes to be able to manage a team with mainly local players, thus maintaining a strong alliance with

the population of Chiang Rai (and Thoeng in particular).

So from now on Chiang Rai will have two semi-professional football teams playing in TFA leagues:

Chiangrai United FC will play this year in the First Division.

Chiangrai FC will play (as Chiangrai United did last season) in the Second Division Northern Region.

The big question is now if the local civil servants in charge of the municipal football stadium wil be capable

enough to organize things in a way that both clubs don't have to play at the same time (....).

Finally they have to host football and the initiatives came from Maechan and Thoeng, not from Chiang Rai itself.

Let's hope the best of it!

Limbo

Pictures taken when Thoeng FC played against Chiang Rai Hills FC. Suddenly they have a historical dimension.

Players and coach:

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[Limbo]

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Saturday, March 6, 2010 Chiangrai United will play its first game

in the First Division of the Thai Football Association, a historical moment

that will take place at 16.00 at the Stadium of the Mae Fah Luang University.

It will be the Beetles against the Hornbills, or:

Chiangrai United versus ‘Chevrolet’ Prachinburi

Prachinburi played last year for the first time in the first division and managed to end

in a for a newcomer very respectable fifth position.

But Chiangrai United will be ready for it!

The training was resumed just a few days after New Year against the acoustical background

of big machines clearing the ground for the foundation of the new stadium of the club to be

erected opposite the new airport in front of the ‘OTOP building’.

The stadium will accommodate 9000 visitors and will be constructed in a way that in calculates

a future extension to 20.000.

Last weekend Chiangrai United played two games at the 700 Year Anniversary Stadium of

Chiang Mai within the framework of the Super Champions Cup (the winners and runners up

in 2009 of the TFA divisions).

Saturday it showed itself with 2 – 0 superior to Saraburi FC and if that wouldn’t be convincing

enough it showed itself one day later even stronger than Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) by giving

them a football lesson that brought a stately 3 – 0 on the score board.

Against Saraburi FC one of our new acquisitions made his debut: Ghana’s Adu Gyamfi, last season

still playing in the colours of Samut Prakan, the first club to beat CRUTD.

The two goals came on his account. A great start!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Welcome to Chiang Rai Adu!

Limbo

Adu Gyamfi changed shirt:

The training goes on:

[dindong]

It's a pity that the stadium isn't a suitable venue for Chiang Rai united.

I know the new location is not far for some but it isn't Chiang Rai city and it's out of the way for some punters.

Edited January 28, 2010 by dindong

[Limbo]

It's a pity that the stadium isn't a suitable venue for Chiang Rai united.

I know the new location is not far for some but it isn't Chiang Rai city and it's out of the way for some punters.

Yes, it is in a way...

De first half of the (div 2 region north league) games of 2009 was played in the stadium of the Mae Fah Luang University.

In the five games played there the crowd grew from approximately 300 to about 1000.

Then the five games of the second half, played in Chiang Rai city saw the crowd grow from 1200 to almost 8000.

The last three games the 5500 tickets were sold out and more than 2000, mostly youngsters, could enjoy the game for free

from behind the fences of the corner areas. 80 % of the supporters of Chiangrai United is between 15 and 30 years old

(70 % are men and 30 % women).

The atmosphere behind the fences was great: these 'folks' are real supporters!

The Chiang Rai Stadium is more than forty years old. It was built for the Thailand Games that never came to Chiang Rai (....).

Don't forget that it a municipal stadium; it is run by civil servants, a great handicap for sportloving Chiang Rai.

Any proposal for building more stands and adjust the stadium to a more intensive (and save!!!) use fell on deaf ears.

Under these circumstances a choice had to be made and I am sure it will turn out to be the right one.

The new stadium is expected to be ready for the 2011 league and I am also sure that the chairman of Chiangrai

United will find a solution for the youngsters that can enjoy the game for free now.

But untill then? Yes, a great pity for a lot of young people!

Though the supporter groups of Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Maesai and the rest of the north will be happy.

When CRUTD moved to the town it lost a lot of its followers from Mae Chan.

In the future the new airport and the stadium will be in the middle of 'the city'. Just look what is happening from Bandu up north.

Around the Mae Fah Luang University and the Rajabhat whole new towns arise.

Limbo

Chiangrai United susu, susu, susu! We have supporters from everywhere!

Like for instance Klaartje from Haarlem!

[sceadugenga]

Susu susu...

If you have spent much time in the Philippines you would know what susu meant in Tagalog, and Klaartje from Haarlem has a splendid pair.

[Limbo]

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Chiangrai United FC: the engine behind the development of regional football

in Chiang Rai Province!

In Gerry1011's thread about the new stadium of the Chiang Rai Hills FC in Maechan the 7 to 7 CRUTD Cup

of the 24th of last month was mentioned, as 'The Hills' took this cup home.

This event was, as its name already suggests, organized and sponsored by Chiangrai United FC.

It has been made clear before that Khun Mitti, the chairman of CRUTD, has a vision about football that reaches far

behind his management of the Chiangrai United alone. He is a 'pur sang' football manager in the broadest

sense of the word and blessed with excellent organisatorial skills and also, certainly not in the least, with a fine nose

for public relations.

The supportergroups of CRUTD, the Orange Power became a mighty weapon and they have always found Khun Mitti

on their side, who helped them in all ways possible to develop into fully-fledged supportership,

thus contributing greatly to the fantastic crowd they are today.

Their colorfull and very prominent accoustic presence in the stadium has been an example to many other clubs.

Their marvellous spirit gives the players wings and creates at the same time a vehicle for the crowd to 'unite' behind

their team and engage in a fantastic football atmosphere.

. . . . . . . . . . . ..

Indeed, they are the 12th player at the field!

As Chiangrai United FC has its home base in the middle of Chiang Rai province, it has developed into a provincial club

with supporters coming from everywhere. Not in the least by organising shared transport to the games of CRUTD the regional

supporterclubs turned into groups of close friends by also sharing pride and, so far hardly necessary, suffering.

It wouldn't take long before they started to meet each other in their home towns to discuss the successes of their great team

and soon they were kicking balls together.

The CRUTD Supporter Football Teams have the great advantage of guidance and indirect leadership by men like Khun Mitti.

They will be part of the pond in which CRUTD will fish for talents, but more important: They will enable hundreds of youngsters

to engage in a healthy way to spend their free time, to develop friendships, to develop community spirit and maybe even help

to keep the one or the other away from less innocent ways to 'kill free time'.

The CRUTD tournament brought the teams together. They came from Chiang Saen, Wiang Chai, Phan, Maechan, Maesai and Chiang Rai.

The first team ever that to a certain extend could be called an offspring of CRUTD, the all-hilltribe Chiang Rai Hills FC from Maechan

won the tournament in a very convincing way. It was beautifull to see how these young gentlemen in a little bit more than half

a year developed from 'street football' players into a well-oiled, elegant and efficient playing team.

Without trying to diminish the great and sportive endeavours of the other teams, I honestly must say that there was

none that could 'match' them.

Very interesting (...) was the participation of the foreigners football team of Chiang Rai, this time re-inforced with the

chairman of CRUTD, Khun Mitti himself: Legion Etrangere, mostly referred to as

'The Foreign Legion" as 'etrangere' is a very difficult word and this not only for Thai people.

The semi-international team, under the inspiring leadership of its founding chairman Khun Dave, is entering its second lustrum.

Many successes were booked and it looks as if we look at a bright future!

If you want to be part of it, please contact Dave!

The team comes together almost every day at the Sanaam Kila.

Dave provides the ball, but any medical devices, like oxygen tanks you will have to bring yourself.

Good Luck! It is nice bunch of gentlemen!

Limbo

[Limbo]

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Tomorrow February 14 at 17.00 at the stadium of Nakhon Sawan

our new club Chiangrai FC will play its first game in the Second

Division of the Thai Football Association.

The Second Division Region North includes five more teams than it did

last year. The total number of clubs is now 16, so we will be able to

see the team at home 15 times this season, playing at the stadium of

Chiang Rai town.

Chiang Rai FC is replacing Chiangrai United in the 2nd Division, which

promoted to the First Division FAT and will play this year at the stadium

of Mae Fah Luang University (their new stadium is under construction).

The first (home) game of Chiangrai United FC will be

Sunday March 7 against Prachinburi Tessaban.

Like last year Phrae, Chainat, Phichit, Pit'lok, Uttaradit, Chiangmai, Tak,

Petchabun, Kamphaeng Phet and Sukothai are playing in the region north.

The nescomers are Chiangrai FC, Lampang, Singburi, Nakon Sawan,

Uthaitani and Payao.

Though coach Tawid Klaitin has been working with FC Toeng (the craddle

of Chiangrai FC) already for more than half a year, a lot of new players

have recently been added to the ranks.

Most of them were selected among those who participated in the talent

identification days that were organized last month.

Nakhon Sawan away is not the easiest way to start this league. It is an old

club with a long history (founded 1999), even in the First Division, with several

little bit older and very experienced players.

They play in their own stadium that offers space to 15.000 visitors.

Nakhon Sawan participated in the Champions Cup, the same where Chiangrai

United reached the final and subsequently lost it. Against who?

Yes, against 'Angstgegner' Narathiwat again ...

The average age of the players is a couple of years higher than the average

age of the players of Chiang Rai FC (about 22 - 23) and during the cup

they didn't seem to be topfit.

Anyhow, it will be an exciting game.

Chiangrai FC susu!

Limbo

talent identification by Khun Tawid

Reason for editing: Mentioning the distance for those who might consider to cheer

the team in Nakhon Sawan. It's about 550 km, but a bus will be arranged.

Edited February 13, 2010 by Limbo

[Limbo]

Result of the match Nakhorn Sawan vs Chiangrai FC 1 - 1 !

Both goals during the first half.

Very promising!

Strange enough also Chiangrai United scored better in away games than at home.

It is the psychological effect of sitting together in a buss and 'pepping up' during

a ride of more than fivehundred kilometers?

Is it that less pressure from the stands enables the players to move more freely?

Who knows.

Next week Chiangrai FC plays at home against Pit'lok at Chiang Rai Municipal Stadium.

Limbo

Anyhow, a great start!

[alfieconn]

Result of the match Nakhorn Sawan vs Chiangrai FC 1 - 1 !

Both goals during the first half.

Very promising!

Strange enough also Chiangrai United scored better in away games than at home.

It is the psychological effect of sitting together in a buss and 'pepping up' during

a ride of more than fivehundred kilometers?

Is it that less pressure from the stands enables the players to move more freely?

Who knows.

Next week Chiangrai FC plays at home against Pit'lok at Chiang Rai Municipal Stadium.

Limbo

Anyhow, a great start!

What team will you supporting Limbo ? and isn't 2 teams in a smallish city going to split the city and thus both teams attendances and income will be somewhat smaller !

[Limbo]

What team will you supporting Limbo ? and isn't 2 teams in a smallish city going to split the city and thus

both teams attendances and income will be somewhat smaller !

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dear Alfieconn,

Chiangrai United is and will remain my first team, though closely followed by Chiang Rai Hills

and, with the advantage of the doubt Chiang Rai FC.

A couple of months ago Chiang Rai Hills FC played a friendly against Thoeng on its beautiful

playground behind the local hospital where Dr Jakkapob is one of the doctors (and won 4 - 3;

the return was lost with bigger numbers).

He was then chairman of Thoeng FC and told me about his efforts to get his team playing in

the second division region north (in which Chiangrai United FC played last year).

I thought it was a great idea that a small town like Thoeng would set up a semi-professional team

around its own football playing Rajabhat students. It was also Dr. Ekkapobs aim to use the club

as a vehicle to promote football among local youngsters.

Therefore I hold Dr. Ekkapob in high esteem and have no doubts about his integrity.

At that time he was worrying about the high costs of running a football team and wasn't sure if

he would manage to 'balance the books'.

I think that these problems will have contributed to the fact that he had to intermingle with the

political 'canaille' of Chiang Rai and that one of the prices he had to pay might have been to change

the name Thoeng FC into Chiang Rai FC. This probably to use the stadium and to get further support.

The 'royal purple' of the 'new' club is the color of the sports department in charge of the stadium.

Honestly said I would have preferred Thoeng FC above Chiang Rai FC and I hope not that football

is going to be subordinated to local politics. Though as long as Dr. Jakkapob is in charge I'm sure

he will be able to neutralize possible excesses.

So yes, to return to your question, I still don't really know what to think about it.

One thing is for sure: Chiangrai United will remain the club for the real football supporters as they

hold a position now among the 32 best teams of Thailand (premier league and First Divison together)

and simply play the best football.

Don't underestimate the Thai football supporter and his (and even her) knowledge and insight!

Chiangrai United Susu Susu Susu!

...and best wishes to the players of the other clubs.

Limbo

Some pics taken April and May last year (against Uttaradit and Chainat) in the MFL University

stadium where Chiangrai United will play against Prachinburi on March 7. The stadium is

ready now, the mud is gone.

Edited February 18, 2010 by Limbo

[gerry1011]

Limbo said: "Chiangrai United is and will remain my first team, though closely followed by Chiang Rai Hills

and, with the advantage of the doubt Chiang Rai FC".

What we can say now is that the relationship between Chiangrai United and Chiangrai Hills is better than ever.

Khun Miti really involves himself in the "all hill tribe" Chiangrai Hills team.

For example, a Chiangrai United coach will be dispatched to Chiangrai Hills on a full time basis (except on the days when Chiangrai United plays in other provinces). Khun Miti and his coach also made a traning planning for the hill tribe team for 2010.

The two teams will also share and coordinate efforts in constructing their stadiums (Chiangrai United at the airport, and Chiangrai Hills in Maechan).

On its side, Chiangrai Hills, and the other projects of the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij Foundation (such as Weah Radio), will do everything to support Chiangrai United in its ambitous goal.

While we can say that the hill tribe team already has a "certain" level (some Chiangrai Hills players were approached by another team trying to lure them away), the focus of Chiangrai Hills is to improve the skills of its players and focus on the construction of the football stadium in Maechan.

The collaboration between the two teams shows how things can turn out really nicely when working together, rather than competing with eachother.

This great collaboration and positive athmosphere between the teams happended thanks to Limbo, who has been the first link between the two teams' chairman.

Thank you Limbo for putting Chiangrai Hills second on your list of favorite teams

Attached is an already old picture of where will be the Chiangrai Hills stadium. Work is underway...

[Limbo]

Chiangrai United won yesterday its first home game in the second division ever.

The victim was Pitsanulok.

After a promising draw last week away in Nakhon Sawan the expectations were high

and CRFC was satisfactory: the game ended 2 -1 advantage Chiangrai.

It took until the 31st minute after tea that a long distance shot through the middle surprised

the goaly of Pit'lok and another ten minutes later somebody woke up the official who manned

the very impressive and state of the art scoreboard and it was noted it down: 1 - 0.

In the 87nd minute one of the royal purple's was succesfully torpedoed on the left corner

of the 11 meter area and the free kick he was rewarded with went effectfully, thus

unharmed, into the long corner: 2 - 0. Nice gaol!

In the last thirty seconds of the 4 minutes extra time Pit'lok saved its honor.

CRFC played motivated and effective. It made clear that coach Tawid keeps a tight rein

on his players. They have to compensate their football virginity with hard work, discipline

and undauntendness. They played by the book that the coach had given them to read and

proved that they had learned it by heart. Praise!

For a coach in this situation it is the right thing to do. Keep the door closed and if the

opportunity offers itself: bang! It worked and it is without doubt at this stage very important for

the necessary selfconfidence of the players and their respect for the coach. And, of course, for

the statistics. Valid for women but for football as well: there are more virtues than beauty alone!

Summarizing:

It was a little bit dull 'working-football' with few moments of excitement, as if a heavy blanket

of fear and tension withheld the players from showing individual brilliance: no risks were taken,

so one wouldn't be able to call the performance spectacular.

But one thing is for sure: Coach and players gained respect last night!

In general the team played rather defensive and wasn't able to create chances. Both goals were

delivered from outside the penalty area. Pit'lok had three good shots of which one especially was

defused superbly by the excellent goaly of the 'purples' and the other kissed the crossbar in the

middle of its flight.

Sometimes the players of CRFC showed even a little bit too much 'professionalism': it seemed

sometimes as if absent winds blew them down when a player of Pit'lok came too close.

Also to make a good 'swan' has to be learned ...

If the club will be able to create a supporter base is too early to say, but I would guess that around

two thousand football fans found their way to the stadium last night. Many cars had Chiangrai United

stickers, thereby proving their owners to be real football fans.

Like the Chiang Rai Hills FC also Chiang Rai FC has the great luck to be able to lay its eggs in a nest,

tried already by the one and only Chiangrai United FC, the team that conquered the hearts of young

Chiang Rai. Welcome on stage CRFC!

And good luck next week in the away game against Chiang Mai FC (Sunday February 28 at 17.00 in

the Chiang Mai's 700 Years Anniversary Celebration Stadium)!

Limbo

Photo: The main stand of the stadium in Chiang Rai last night.

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[Limbo]

Spread over the country Thailand has eleven sport schools where students follow the standard

Matayom curriculum (high school) but on top of that undergo intensive sports training.

The Sport School of Lampang teaches for instance athletics, football, taekwondo, archery, bicycle,

futsal, volleyball, swimming and boxing.

After the Sport School the students can choose to continue at one of the six Sport Institutes of

Thailand and become professional in their sport or sports teacher (PE), coach or seek for any

other sport related occupation.

Chiang Rai Hills Fc visiting Lampang Sport School

The football trainer of the Lampang Sport School is also coach of the new Second Division club Lampang FC,

that sadly returned home empty handed after a loss away against Pitsanulok FC (1 – 0) this weekend.

So it were the assistant coaches, among which the immensely popular Albert Kodjo that were standing along

the line when the teams of the Lampang Sport School played against our own good old Chiang Rai Hills FC.

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Lampang Sport School and Chiang Rai Hills before the game.

The same Albert Kodjo from Togo (once playing in the same team as famous Emmanuel Adebayor now

Manchester United), who was the former physical coach of Chiangrai United and later, for a month or so,

even assistant-coach of Chiang Rai Hills FC.

Saturday evening Chiang Rai Hills played against the team of older than 18 and Sunday morning at 8 o’clock

they presented themselves again on the same green carpet for a game against the under 18 team of the school.

Of course, we talk about friendly training games and this became clearly visible at the side of Chiang Rai Hills FC.

The players and their coach seemed to have the greatest fun, but they scored as well! The game against 18+ was

won by 2 -1 and next morning the young power machines of 18- were tamed by not less than 3 – 1.

Having the privilege of standing along the line myself I noticed the happiness of the players, their playfulness,

their eagerness and joy. I am absolutely sure that this trip not only contributed to their football skills but also,

and this is of great importance as well, to their team spirit.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The absolute star in Lampang, our number 13, the indefatigable striker Kanasin!

The club has an enormous potential. I would roughly say that four to five players easily could play Second Division

(at least one for sure is a top talent, who could go very far). But as a team of friends they also bring players into the

game that any professional coach only would put in the field for the last five minutes and even then only on the condition

that the team is already leading with at least 3 – 0. In a professional context it would be comparable with getting a red

card or worse.

So far the team is building up, experimenting, creating conditions for future developments. That’s why it is such a good

thing that the initiator of this fantastic hill tribe project, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanakulkij Foundation (named

after the Belgian nobleman who played such an important if not decisive role in the preservation of the Siamese

independence) has delegated all management functions to the players as well. It is their team and if they want help,

they will ask for it (and the foundation will assist them finding it).

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Talking about pride and happiness: the former assistant-coach re-united with his former team.

So far the foundation has been able to achieve its goals: To create a vehicle for happiness and pride for an underprivileged

group in Thai society. The fact that individual players loud and clearly said ‘no’ when they were approached by a new

semi-professional Chiang Rai club to join them, speaks volumes! We can be proud having this team in our midst!

Chiang Rai Hills Susu, Susu, Susu!

Limbo

PS: Chiangrai United played a friendly against Police United yesterday and will stay in Bangkok for a couple of days to meet

BEC Tero Sasana and Osotspa Saraburi. All three are Premier League clubs (Police United became champion of the First

Division last year and was promoted). It looks as if the first game in the First Division this season is going to be a home game

after all (March 13) against Surarakorn Petchaburi. Wow, the town will color orange again!

In the Second Division Chiangrai FC played away against Chiang Mai FC yesterday and lost honourably with 1 - 0, to be considered

a good result if realising that Chiang Mai has the former goaly of Chiangrai United, Pansa Meesatam (24 caps), between the posts.

Edited March 1, 2010 by Limbo

[Limbo]

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . Next weekend!

. . . To be more precise Saturday March 13 at 17.00

at the local stadium of Chiang Rai our good old Chiangrai United will play its first,

thus historical game in the First Division of the TFA (Thai Football Association).

The opponent will be 'Customs' Petchaburi.

Please tell your football interested friends, because it is going to be a happening of the

first order!

This week Chiangrai United played three friendly training games against the same number

of Thai Premier League clubs.

Police United FC, the champion of the First Division last year, managed to tame our great

team by 2 - 0, but against BEC Tero Sasana, one of the most legendary clubs in Thai football

history our lads controled the situation again and kept them on the carpet with a draw: 3 - 3.

Today it is Osotspa Saraburi FC that will feel the orange pressure.

I think we are awaiting an exciting season! The top three teams will be promoted to the Thai

Premier League and Chiangrai United goes for it! For sure it will be great to experience that

fantastic atmosphere again. Chiangrai United Susu, Susu, Susu!

Just to get you in the mood again a picture of some members of our legion during the game

against Sukothai last year (taken today exactly six months ago, Sept 5 2009).

I am sure you will recognize many prominent foreign Chiang Rai CRUTD fans on this pic.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Concerning the other two prominent football clubs in our province:

Chiang Rai FC, now in 10th position of the Second Division Region North with 4 points out of 3

games, will host Payao FC tomorrow at the municipal stadium at 17.00.

Payao FC is also a new club, that managed to get 3 points out of the same number of games and

occupies the 12th position now. It lost heavily in both away games and has a goal difference of minus

eight. So it should be an easy cake for a club that only as late as in the 91st minute finally got defeated

away in Chiang Mai last week. Good luck gentlemen!

Chiang Rai Hills FC has a free weekend.

Limbo

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