Welcome to Volume Two of my blog which covers all clubs and stadiums outside the English League System along with the wonderful people responsible for their maintenance and keeping clubs going.

Since I was a little lad, I've been fascinated in football and more so where games are played. With my love of travel and curiosity of the game I wanted to visit as many grounds as possible and see games where I can. I was fortunate that my dad also loved the game and spent so much of his spare time taking me to matches.

As I got older the boundaries widened owing to my location and increased wages to Europe and indeed the world. The sight of a stand or a floodlight pylon in the distance immediately heightens my senses and eagerness for a closer look. I hope that this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and set you on the road to adventure.

"If you get half as much out of the hobby as I've done, I can guarantee some great memories, good friends, and stories to pass on to future generations. Give your local club a try today. They'll be delighted to see you!

Everlasting thanks primarily to my late and very much missed and dearly loved parents; my dad Bob Bernard and my mum; Ann, who put up with endless years of football chat and my brothers Nick and Paul who gave me the chance and to do what I have. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement along with my wonderful wife Taew who must be confused as to why I go to what she must consider meaningless matches.

Please feel free to post any comments (please use sensible language - I want everyone to be able to enjoy reading) or ask any questions relating to visiting grounds or events. Make sure you keep having a look as the site is continually updated. If you click on a lot of the pictures, you will get a larger version on your screen. I have also added links to video clips on YouTube where appropriate for those of you who are bored of reading or are filling in time at work. I haven't always gone for the most obvious choices, but items that will be in some cases unusual but always historically interesting.

https://worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/ leads to see volume one of HAOTW for everything in the English League System.

Rob Bernard, Sisaket, Thailand, May 2024

Tuesday 12 May 2020

Chiangmai United (Thailand)


Chiangmai United FC is a professional football club from the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai that was originally formed in 2015 as Changphueak Chiangmai.

The club first competed in the 2016 Thai Division 3 Tournament Northern Region, which was the fourth tier of football in the country, but outside the Thai League set up. The team went on to win their group with home games at Chiang Mai University Stadium.

In the knock-out stage Phetchabun, Nakhon Mae Sot United, then Chainat United in the semi-final were defeated before Changphueak beat Institution of Physical Education Chiang Mai Campus at Maejo University Stadium to win the competition.

This led to promotion of sorts to the national league system that had been restructured for 2017, with the club changing its title to JL Chiangmai United to play in Thai League 4 Northern Region.

It proved to be another successful season as ‘The White Elephants’ won the championship as Chatchai Narkwijit topped the scoring charts to qualify for the T4 Champions League play-offs in the quest for promotion.

Samut Prakan were dispatched before the side won the three team Group B to go up to the third tier after a win against Muangkan United and then a scoreless draw away to Marines Eureka sealed the deal.

Home matches in that stage were played at Chiangmai Municipality Stadium with earlier league home games being played at a combination of 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai University Stadium and Maejo University Stadium.

The Thai League 3 Upper Region title was won in 2018 under the stewardship of head coach Somchai Makmool, while Narkwijit carried on banging in the goals with Taku Ito and Anggello Machuca also coming to the party at 700th Anniversary Stadium.

Hiziel Souza Soares scored the goals for the side led by Leones Pereira dos Santos and then Surachai Jirasirichote in the 2019 season, which ended in eleventh place. The club dropped JL from their title for the 2020-21 campaign.

They also changed venue, moved to Rajamangala University of Technology lanna Stadium (DoiSaket) for the 2020-21 campaign. The move of location worked after new coach Carlos Eduardo Parreira resigned in October to be replaced by Dennis Amato.

The German formerly did a fine job at Chainat Hornbill taking them to the T2 title. He found success once again, leading United to runners-up place and promotion as Melvin de Leeuw and Jeong Woo-geun put away the goals.

Chiangmai United will play in Thai League 1 (T1) in the 2021-22 season.




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