Local Thai League Football

If you fancy a bit of fresh air before being glued to the wealth of FA Cup football, you might want to ‘Support Your Local Team’.
I noticed the Thai League Football kicks off again this weekend and Udon entertain Nongbualamphu (a local derby!) at the PE College this SUNDAY, ko 1800 hrs – IF the website is to be trusted. www.thaileaguefootball.com. Udon is in the 2nd Division, North-East group.
The Thai Premier League is often on Thai tv, but I’ve no idea of the standard/interest in this lower division. I was in Phuket for a while and note the fairly new Club there is taking off, supporters club, travelling fans etc. Maybe not your thing, but I do enjoy watching a game, at any level, close up.
Might be difficult to match the entertainment generated at the Seniors World Cup, on/off the pitch, but might be nice to show your support for the locals – and be home for the next live FA Cup game, I think.
You could take the wife as her Valentine’s Day present – or perhaps not.

Anyone know or heard of a football league for kids?

My wife says no such thing, but thought I'd throw out there.

Hi Brian
Did you go to the match and could you tell me the result please, even though my wife and I live on the out skirts of the ring road (Ban Mo Mon) the TW is from Nongbualamphu and we have a small bet on who won the match. Im at work just now but when I return I will come and see Udon Thani playing.

Cheers

Bill

Billg wrote:Hi Brian
Did you go to the match and could you tell me the result please, even though my wife and I live on the out skirts of the ring road (Ban Mo Mon) the TW is from Nongbualamphu and we have a small bet on who won the match. Im at work just now but when I return I will come and see Udon Thani playing.

Cheers

Bill

So, I take it you're in UK?
Only 0700 hrs here, but I do plan to drive into Udon this evening to see the game - back home well in time to see Palace v Villa.
I was five years in Nongbua with my ex-wife. Whilst attempting teaching, I went to the quite nice Nongbua stadium to support the school team. New stadium, actually fairly good pitch - except for an enormous boulder in one half, which they hadn't bothered to remove. Amazing Thaland!

Excuse my waffle - but yes I'll let you know the score, although guess it might be on the website quoted earlier too.
Hope it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg!

Sorry Brian, I thought it was a Saturday night kick off, but after checking again realise my mistake, looking forward to a great Udon win....

Cheers
Bill

Billg wrote:Sorry Brian, I thought it was a Saturday night kick off, but after checking again realise my mistake, looking forward to a great Udon win....

Cheers
Bill

Um, no. Get that cheque book out. Udon 0 - Nongbua 1.
Hard fought game on difficult, bumpy pitch. Nongbua scored 2nd half when Udon keeper couldn't hold lofted free kick and following-up player ran in the rebound. Not too much goalmouth action, although more interesting towards end as Udon pushed for something from the game - which, IMO, they deserved. I think about 1,000 there( 40 baht entrance) so some atmosphere. Bunch with drums, horns etc -well, you wouldn't expect the Thai to be quiet in going anything, would you?
Stretcher on the pitch a dozen times or more, it seemed. Feeling that some players watching tv too much - one second they're candidates for an ICU, the next belting about spring lamb!
Not everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it and will go again.
Pay up!

Thanks for the match update Brian, Are you really sure of the final score before I have to pay up, maybe you left at half time and Udon came back to WIN???
I will have to pay dearly for this as the TW is so full of herself now
At least it sounds like it was a fun evening. Was there many Farangs there.

Cheers

Bill

I can be persuaded to lie,to wholely lie and speak nothing but lies - but you'll have to compensate ME instead of the wife.
I would have thought she'd already rushed you off to the gold shop?
I'm not sure how many farangs would see it as a fun evening. As I said, I enjoy seeing a football kicked about, the competitive edge and the local interest adds something. I also see it a little as trying to mix in, rather than a 'detached' farang. This is, after all, my adopted home. It's an interest from the usual routine.
The only other farang I saw were - on the pitch! Well, my understanding of farang is actually 'westerner' (guess Aussies would be included) and I think that would also 'translate' to most Thai as white-skinned. There were two tall black players for Udon, but I had, of course, no idea of their background. Their stature alone caused some amusement, good-natured, with the Thai.
Home to Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) next Saturday, it seems, so I'll probably look in again.

You may want to know that the Seniors World Cup Football took place in Udon last year. Now that really was great fun on/off the pitch, with many farang playing and watching.