Udon Thani FC

Post by **Svein66** » April 21, 2012, 7:56 pm

Anyone here following Udon Thani Football Club? I have seen a couple of games this season, but will see most games when I move here in a few months. Tomorrow I will go to see them play away to Nong Bua Lamphu.

Post by **Brian Davis** » April 22, 2012, 7:01 am

In case you didn't spot it, it's 4 pm kick off in Nongbualamphu, in their nearest? local derby.
It's pretty tight at the top of the league, with Udon needing to win to be certain of regaining No. 1 spot, after Loei played/won yesterday(Saturday).

Post by **Prenders88** » April 22, 2012, 2:16 pm

Do they do hot pies and Bovril at half time?

Post by **merchant seaman** » April 22, 2012, 5:08 pm

papaya salad and water

Post by **Svein66** » April 22, 2012, 9:53 pm

Brian Davis wrote:In case you didn't spot it, it's 4 pm kick off in Nongbualamphu, in their nearest? local derby.
It's pretty tight at the top of the league, with Udon needing to win to be certain of regaining No. 1 spot, after Loei played/won yesterday(Saturday).

Yes, I knew it kicked off at 4. Got there 4.15 as it wasn`t too easy to find the ground. UDFC were the better team, but only managed a draw, and a 4th place after today`s games. Top 4 teams on 20 and 19 points, so it`s still very tight.
And yes, I think this was their nearest derby match (50km).

Post by **Brian Davis** » April 23, 2012, 5:41 am

Sorry, I might have told you where the ground was situated, well out of town, but in a rather nice setting with the hills in the distance. Pleased to see they got the stone slab out of the pitch since last occasion I was there.
Quite a crowd Udon brought with them, but agreed whilst Udon had the better of it, particularly second half, couldn't quite get a winner. Referee came in for quite a hammering, but that seems normal. And Nongbua frustrated by having players repeatedly 'injured'.
Prenders88 - it was actually bamboo shoots, eggs and sticky rice, consumed by four trim lovelies at half time. No Pukka pies, I'm afraid.

Post by **Prenders88** » April 23, 2012, 7:49 am

Joking apart, about the pies, I look forward to watching Udon Thani FC at their new home.
I just hope that stand at the new sports centre will be big enough.

Post by **parrot** » April 23, 2012, 10:32 am

The website at http://www.udonthanifootballclub.com/web/ provides latest info (in Thai).....and last night, I came across a udonfc magazine (30 Baht each), but now I can't find the website. When I do, I'll post it here. I'm sure it'll be available at all leading newsstands.

Post by **Brian Davis** » April 23, 2012, 1:43 pm

parrot wrote:....and last night, I came across a udonfc magazine (30 Baht each), but now I can't find the website.

I think I saw fans reading this at the last home game, but not sure of its' origin. Possibly www.cheerudon.com? Much as I'd like to follow the websites, a struggle when most is written in Thai.

Prenders88 wrote:...I just hope that stand at the new sports centre will be big enough.

The same thought has occurred to me. I'm not sure of the numbers involved, but at their present venue, both stands either side are more or less full, allowing some space for visiting fans (and sensible segregation takes place!). Unless the plans have changed, the new stadium has a stand only on one(long) side of the pitch and I don't think there's scope for even temporary seating on the other three sides.
What a pity if all who want to see the game, can't, particularly if the Club is trying to progress. There could be serious organisational problems here e.g. tickets, security, parking, away fans and I hope some fore-thought is happening. Perhaps other facilities will be closed on match days? Is Udon FC actually playing there a done deal? - hopefully a better playing surface, changing rooms etc., but I would have thought actual numbers of paying customers a big factor.

Post by **Prenders88** » April 23, 2012, 2:07 pm

The one stand is all you'll get at the new venue Brian.
The pitch is hemmed in on the other three sides.
I don't think the capacity will be enough, if UTFC makes progress.
No is no scope to improve, a little like Selhurst Park.

Post by **Brian Davis** » April 23, 2012, 2:50 pm

Prenders88 wrote:....No is no scope to improve, a little like Selhurst Park.

Ggggrrrrrrrrr.

I'll remember that, when Palace are Premier League and playing at the revamped Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

Sorry, Mods, drifting off topic.

I doubt the new Udon ground will have enough capacity NOW, never mind if the Club gains promotion.

Post by **parrot** » April 23, 2012, 7:30 pm

Here's a photo of the magazine I mentioned above. Looks like 30 Baht a copy.

Post by **pompui** » May 23, 2012, 11:33 am

Prenders88 wrote:Joking apart, about the pies, I look forward to watching Udon Thani FC at their new home.
I just hope that stand at the new sports centre will be big enough.

I was under the impression that the crowd limit will be 5000 but surely they would have planned for future development to increase not just limiting to the one stand,poor away supporters, no shade, just open to the elements.

Are their football shirts similar in colour to Blackpool

Post by **Brian Davis** » May 23, 2012, 2:06 pm

thaileaguefootball.com, If you prefer information in English. Click on division 2, then north-east division. Home to Amnat Charoen this Sunday 27th, ko 1700 hrs. Udon still remain in No 1 spot.

I had the opportunity to speak to both the owner + assistant and the team manager at a recent game. Whilst it wouldn't be the first time in Thailand that things have about-turned (or I've got the wrong end of the stick!), they gave me to understand that a move to the new stadium would NOT happen. The team manager said the new stadium wasn't 'standard' and I guess he meant pitch size, or possibly the football space/capacity as a whole. The owner seemed to have recognised that there wouldn't be sufficient room for fans at the new place. Even talk of some improvements at the current stadium? - seems they've started, thankfully, with the toilets, but it's slow going. Next task, to put some new bulbs in the floodlights!
Whilst the present ground is the Provincial stadium and presumably under control of the Udon local administration, I'm not sure who has responsibility for the new stadium.