Ayutthaya
United FC is a professional football club from the city of Ayutthaya, the
former capital of Thailand located around fifty miles north of central Bangkok.
The club was formed in 2007 as Sena Municipality FC.
The
major football club in the city for a couple of years was Provincial Electric
Authority; better known as PEA FC, who had relocated to Ayutthaya from the
Chonburi region in 2008. Businessman Newin Chidchob bought PEA and relocated
them to Buriram and changed their name to Buriram United FC.
This
left a void for the football fans of Ayutthaya. Another club, Ayutthaya FC, was
formed in 2009 to vie for support with Sena
Municipality, who played in amateur football. The club took part in the Khor
Royal Cup in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.
Both
campaigns ended in the Round of 16, with Sena going out to Assumption Sriracha
School and then to Hua Hin Municipality FC. The semi-final was reached in 2013
before being defeated by Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality Sport School FC.
The
club was elevated to the higher level Khǒr Royal Cup for 2014, reaching the
Round of 16 with their run being ended by Institute of Physical Education
Bangkok FC. In 2015 Sena got as far as the semi-final stage.
The
winners would gain promotion to the Regional League; which was the third tier
of Thai football at the time. Institute of Physical Education Samut Sakhon FC
defeated Sena, but both sides were promoted owing to issues with the other
semi-finalists.
Sena
Municipality changed their name to Ayutthaya United FC and were placed in Regional
League Division 2 Central Region for the 2016 season alongside Ayutthaya FC,
where top scorer Tomohiro Onodera helped the team to a fourth place finish,
playing home games at Senabodee Stadium.
Another
local side; Ayutthaya Warrior FC won the Regional League Division 2 Central
Region title in 2016 from their home base at Ayutthaya Province Stadium. In the
Champions League play-offs for promotion the club were defeated in the Round of
16 by Kamphaengphet FC.
Warrior
were dissolved into United remaining in the same venue for the 2017 season,
with the team ending in fourth once again; this time in the retitled Thai
League 3 Upper Region. Trinidad and Tobago international forward, Kendall Jagdeosingh
ended the season as top scorer.
In
2018 United finished as runners-up in the third level Upper Region as Nascimento
Dos Santos banged in the goals. This set up a two legged play-off against Nara
United for promotion. Ayutthaya went through 2-1 on aggregate as an Arnon
Buspha goal sealed the win in front of 2,850 fans.
Ayutthaya
United FC will play in Thai League 2 in the 2019 season.
My
visit
Thursday
22nd November 2018
I’d
been packed off to Ayutthaya by my host Steve Walker in either 2004 or 2005
while he was teaching being told it had a lively nightlife. Being only used to
the bright lights of Bangkok and Phuket I was a little underwhelmed. However, an
incident while there cemented my affinity with the wonderful people of the
country.
I’d
enjoyed my full quota of beers for the evening and headed to my digs in good
form, singing along, but totally unaware of my surroundings. I smacked my
forehead against the edge of a metal lean to. Cue plenty of bleeding. I’d never
cut my head before and was terrified.
Some
locals in an open fronted garage opposite saw my predicament and came rushing
to my assistance. I was cleansed and bandaged before being sent home. I’ll
never forget that kind act until the day I die.
Anyway,
fast forward over a decade and I’d returned by train the previous day and had a
long hot walk taking in the majestic temples before a lovely local evening of
chat, massage, beers, food and watching live music.
I’d
stayed at the Ayutthaya Grand Hotel, which was far from grand, but it did the
job in a fine location. Ideally, it meant that the Provincial, or Krungsri Stadium as it also known, was
between there and the railway station and ideal for a whistle stop visit.
Again,
the heat was searing, so a stop for water and Gatorade was a must at a 7/11 as
I walked along the dual carriageway as far as Tambon Phai Ling where I followed
the signs and took a left turn. The entrance to the stadium complex was a couple
of hundred metres along the road.
An
old temple and statue stood in the park behind one of the ends of the
multi-purpose arena that had a running track around the football pitch as well
as other facilities accommodating other sports. A school party were behind the
stand awaiting their sports day.
Access
was easy to take my photos. The stadium consisted of a raised area on either
side. The main side had a long section of proper seating and a roof over most
of it, while the area on the other side looked a little bit more makeshift as
it stood open on frames.
Neither
end beyond the curves had any spectator areas, but the city end had banners
over the fencing giving it a bit of identity and affinity towards the anchor
tenants. The goals were still in for the schools despite it being close season
in the Thai leagues.
Once
done I flagged down a tuk tuk next to some friendly locals who shouted, smiled
and waved me off. I think they were shocked and mildly amused that I fitted
inside. My driver dropped me off at the station where I snacked at the
excellent but pricey Station bar and restaurant.
I
headed back to the capital to grab some last minute gifts before taking the Sky
Train and a taxi to Minburi to meet with Steve, Fah, Tracey and Sean to
celebrate a local Loi Krathong and then have a last supper before my flight
back to the cold weather and atmosphere of Blighty.
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