Die by the sword
Starting in March, Phuket FC, whose mascot was a Ronin, a Chinese samurai character, were contenders in the 20-team Yamaha League One, the second-tier Thailand national league. Under the administration and finance of the Kata Group for the third straight year, the club’s budget was reported to be about B60 million, and was used mostly to fund a new coach, and lineup of promising players. Few players returned from last year, including Japanese Centerback, Yusuke Sato, Brazilian winger Andres Lopes, as well as Southern Thai midfielder, Alef Poji, and defender Samsen Nima, also from the Southern region of the kingdom. The rest were all fresh blood, brought on mostly by Songyot “Daeng” Klinsrisuk from his old club Pattaya United.
And though The Ronins got off to an impressive start enjoying a brief stint near the top of the table, a lack of points (and fan reinforcement) on the road, coupled with several disappointing losses and draws at home, ensured that Phuket FC would end up being one of six teams to be relegated after finally finishing in lowly 18th of the table come Decmeber. Subsequently, the club’s financial life blood, Kata Group finally threw in the towel, with its President Pamuke Achiriyachai Pisit announcing his decision to step down and hand the reins over.
On December 28, it was announced that Cherngtalay Mayor Ma-ann Samran has been appointed the new President of the club, who will hope to rebuild the support base and utilise talent and players from Phuket’s amatuer football circles.
The Phuket News understands that the operations budget for a team in Division 2 can range between B4mn to B20mn per season.
Phuket un-United
Meanwhile, Phuket’s pro club for five-a-side indoor footy – or as it is formally known internationally, futsal – Phuket United would play their third straight year in the 12-team elite Futsal Thailand Premier League. Returning to the Andaman Pearl from last season were most of its original line-up including Brazilians “Action” Jackson Santos and Eduson “Gugu” Silva, as well as national stars, Kittipan Sonsuwan, Cheamsri Puangsri, Thanakorn Piyaprichayut and Thanakorn Penpakul, with a few new promising players who joined the squad later in the season. Namely, Suttiporn Kladcharoen and Patchaya Srimanta.
Fan support remained strong throughout the season and the Andaman Pearl always maintained a decent ranking, rarely falling out of the top-5. At one point, the Pearl were top of the table after managing a historic draw at home to reining champs Chonburi Blue Wave.
However, by the end of the season, the club were finally unable to outdo their previous season finishes of 5th and 4th place, respectively finishing in 5th place overall.
Despite earning the right to retain their place in the kingdom’s elite futsal league next season, club president Suppachoke La-ongphet sold the club’s elite league competition right in November to former Nonthaburi manager Ton Rangsan, who will rebrand a new club, somewhere Central Thailand.
According to sources inside the club, due to budget and political constraints Phuket will most likely not be able to fund a professional futsal club for at least three more years. “When the finances are in order and the political climate permits, a new provincial futsal club would be able to restart in the second division,” the source said. Until then, or until Phuket FC confirm a Division 2 squad, Phuket footy lovers should check out the local amateur adult league. Otherwise, you can always take a drive to Phang Nga or Krabi for some pro footy competitions.