UHT Vana Nava Hua Hin City FC 2015

[Geordie Dancer]

A game on Sunday which lived up to what was expected in the circumstances. A team selection that smacked of give the boys a game, very little quality or passion, most players going through the motions and a very limited back up coaching team that was equally devoid of any quality or ideas. To be fair to them all, should we really expect more? the players (and staff?) have not been paid for three month now. Hardly a backdrop for giving their best.

What little happened in the game has already been talked about. A win, two decent goals, thats about it. The only addition I would add was the performance of Michael Byrne. The substition was long overdue but again mystified me. I was delighted to see Michael come on but to replace Choi was crazy. He was probably the only player to put in a performance up to that point and as I have said previously improves game by game, unfortunately his efforts are largely wasted at this stage in the season. From his first touch MB was a breathe of fresh air. His first two touches could and should have resulted in the ball hitting the back of the net but others f**ked up. His vision, touch and execution was brilliant and at least made the last 20 minutes watchable.

Again people talked to me (unprompted) about the players not getting their wages and sponsors not paying up (20m Baht was mentioned) because they don't want to be involved with two teams but probably the most interesting conversation happened after the game had finished. I was beckoned by Marcus, who was on the pitch, to the front of the stand. A few weeks ago following the home defeat by JW Police I confronted him after the game about the TOT situation. I asked him if he was happy now, as that defeat effectively ended any promotion ambitions, and when was the awaited club statement going to be made. He got very angry and had to be dragged away by other club officials. I thought here we go again but no. He shook my hand and face beaming stated "Wait till next season and see what happens I think you will like it", to which I replied "What is going to happen?". He said he could not say anything at the moment but did say we will be playing in the premier league next season (presumably because he thinks TOT will stay up). I think he expected me to get down on my knees, praise Allah and thank him from the bottom of my heart and think he was somewhat taken aback when I told him that would not please me. I said, pointing at the players on the pitch, "This is my team, I have no interest in TOT, don't agree with buying promotion and that has no place in sport. Sport is about your own personal achievement not buying success in this manner". He then said he was sick of what happens in this division with reference to referees inadequacies and the like. He said this does not happen in Germany (presumably that was where he lived) and had had enough of it. I reiterated that despite not disagreeing with what he was saying I did not agree with the clubs actions and it was not what I or many other Hua Hin supporters wanted. He commented that it was what he wanted and the remainder of the conversation was very much about him saying "I want", "I want", "I want" the emphasis being on the "I".

I don't disagree with Marcus's assessment of what the problems are with parcticularly corruption and officiating that we have encountered this season however the solution is to confront it not join the bandwagon and exploit it to your own ends. Unless clubs have the guts to address issues through the proper channels nothing will change but there again this is Thailand and money generally talks louder than morals.

[Davy B]

It is not often that I agree with Geordie Dancer, but we are all entitled to our opinions aren't we, and a large smile appeared on my face when I saw his statement - 'This is my team...'etc. I agree 110% with this. I have been following this team for 2 years now. We have seen improvements over this period but both without the end result of getting promotion. The players gave everything until the wheels started coming off and it seems to have coincided with the fact that they had not been paid. It is ridiculous and the 'management' should have dealt with it. All we have seen is these 'sponsors' getting their mugshots in the media handing over cheques without actually passing over the money, yet we are still advertising their companies. This worries me more than corrupt officials, which I have to say have not been as bad this season as the previous one. At the end of the day the team should rise above it and just get on with winning the games and leave the complaining to the management. At some games last season it was insane as we had 4th officials and 5th officials and the Thai Football League overseeing everything because of the bad publicity our games were attracting. I have the same feeling as GD about TOT and I would much prefer to see our team gain promotion the proper way. If a merger does take place it is likely that both teams will lose their identity and a 'brand new team' will take its place in the TPL, unless they get relegated of course, and the majority of the two teams players will be surplus to requirements. Whatever happens it is not ''our team'' anymore and I, for one, am not happy about that. I would be much happier if these people just went to TOT and take all their problems with them and leave us alone with our dignity intact.

[Big Boy]

I didn't comment on GD's post because I agreed and had nothing to add.

I don't know a single Farang supporter who is happy with us buying promotion. However, I don't know how the Thais feel. i'll get Mrs BB to drop it into a couple of her conversations on the bus (from Hell ) on Saturday. Maybe buying success is the Thai way, and we're the stupid ones for thinking differently about Thai football.

I guess its not really any different to top teams all over the world buying the best squads, but at least they still have to perform on the football pitch.

[Midsman]

What time does the bus leave Saturday please?

And is it likely we will be back in HH around 23.00 hours ?

Regards in advance for any info

[Big Boy]

We haven't been told a time yet.

If it's the same bus we've been having, it only averages between 35 and 40 mph, so 11pm is unlikely when you factor in somtam stops.

[Big Boy]

FINAL MATCH 2015
Sat 26 Sep 2015
THONBURI CITY vs VANA NAVA HUAHIN CITY
@THONBURI STADIUM (Phetkasem 110) 4.00PM

[Big Boy]

What time does the bus leave Saturday please?

Just been told 10:00 from Hua Hin Temple.

[DTHHSA]

Been following the trials and tribulations of HHC and the unpaid wages. Got home from work this evening, around 7.45 and my wife had the Thai news on (guess it was either Channel 3 or Thai PBS). Anyway, they were running a story that TOT players (not sure if it was one or more) were going to refuse to play this weekend as they too were owed money.
Just for your info and sure you can find out more. Whatever the links are to TOT, hope it gets sorted out for HHC as a strong town team breeds wore interest in football in the area to everyone's benefit

[Big Boy]

Interesting post DTHHFA. It got me wondering if Trades Unions exist in Thailand, In particular a players union.

A crazy situation seems to be developing, and I'm at a loss regarding why. If the rumours about us buying promotion are true, neither squad is likely to be good enough. If the current farce is making the National News, how do they think they will be able to get players to play for them next season?

[Sabai Sabai]

Didn't see the news but read an article publishing an interview with the coach. He says he doesn't know what is happening with the players wages. Apparently though, some of them haven't been paid for over 3 months and they have lodged a complaint with the TPL, they are also considering(as mentioned above) refusing to play in the next game.

The coach states he suspects it's likely a problem with the previous board and that he doesn't think there are any problems with regards CGF. He is still working but focusing only on on the field matters.

He expects matters to be sorted out/be much clearer within a couple of days. With regards some of the players considering not playing the next game, he says that is their prerogative but that he'll likely still have a team to field.

Obviously all of this is about TOT and there is no mention of the situation at Hua Hin whatsoever. Certainly sounds familiar though doesn't it?!

I hope the coach is right and things are sorted out in the next couple of days.

[Sabai Sabai]

For anyone interested Hua Hin lost 1 nil today, in what was a good game actually.

The result means Tonburi pip Seemok for the final Champions League place due to their head to head record after the 2 teams finished up level on points. Quite pleased with this as Seemok are a nasty bunch!

[Big Boy]

Thanks SS - couldn't make it due to personal problems, which had to take priority. I'd have rather been with you guys.

[Geordie Dancer]

The final game of the season and the final away trip on the happy bus to Thonburi City stadium for Saturdays game. This could be the end of an era for Hua Hin City because of the goings on but all that is still unknown other than for our speculation.

This was a decent game. For Hua Hin it amounted to nothing more than fullfilling their obligations but for Thonburi it was huge, as a win would see them attain a champions league spot. Much the same as last week Hua Hin turned out a game for the boys side. For the majority of the squad it will almost certainly be the last time we will see them in Hua Hin colours. Two players, goalkeeper Apirak Sriwong (No. 18) and right back ?????? (No. 15) made their seasons starting debuts. There was no place in the starting line up for Choi, Athit Wisetslip, Michael Byrne,and Natthapong Kamaksorn although all were on the bench but Pu, Andre, Watcharapon, Veerayuth Sriwichai and Anaecha Masamak were all in the stand. On Andre, whilst a suspension may have contributed to his recent absence, he informed me he had a knee ligament injury which he picked up in the friendly against Phetaburi a month ago. He can run but not turn or kick so that is the reason he has not been playing.

The referee was as usual totally incompetent and tried his best to ruin a good game of football with his decision makng. As Thonburi had to win they didn't generally resort to the usual theatricals, injury feigning and game spoiling tactics that we have encountered this seasonand and Hua Hin tried to play good football so the game flowed. Both sides created chances throughout the game but generally a final poor pass, poor decisions to make the wrong pass, lack of control and composure at the crucial moment and poor finishing resulted in this being a low scoring game rather than a goal fest. The game was decided by poor defending by Hua Hin. Having two opportunities to clear the ball from inside their own 6 yard box and failing a Thonburi player poked the ball home. A draw would probably have been a fair result but not for the first time this season we simply did not have anyone on the pitch who could stick the ball in the back of the net. As the game ended everyone connected to Thonburi celebrated their champions league achievement. They are not by a long chalk one of the best sides I have seen this season but nevertheless have beaten us twice, the only team to do so, so I congratulate them on getting a champions league spot. Much the same as SS I am please Seemok missed out. The conduct of the players and supporters at Thanarat was a disgrace and we were made far from welcome on our visit to their home venue in Suphanburi.

So what next? If our speculation is correct we will be playing in the first division next season in place of TOT who only drew yesterday with fellow strugglers Saraburi despite 2 good goals from Anucha. They are now 7 points off saftey (effectively 8 because of there poor goal difference) and of their 10 games remaining 2 are against fellow strugglers Port and Navy but their other 8 are against the current top 8 teams in the division. No hope of them staying up in my eyes.

Finally a word of thanks to the Supporters club for all the great away days we have had this season. Your efforts are much appreciated.

[didi]

It was announced today that the new manager will not be Thai, but a foreigner with the experience to lead the team into Div 1 next season.

His name will be announced next year.

Hello Big Boy,


Sorry for the inconvenience and for my bad english.
I'm french player and I would like play for Hua Hin FC but I have any contact, I come in Thailand in december maybe you know the date of tryout or can you have the phone number or the email of the club??

Thank you.

[Big Boy]

I have no idea, sorry. I'd suggest you enquire through their Official Page www.huahincityfc.com .