Pattaya United F.C.
The Pattaya United FC ( Thai: สโมสร ฟุตบอล พัทยา ยูไนเต็ด ) is a football club from Thailand in Chonburi province, which was founded in 1987 under the name FC Coke Bangpra. The club currently playing in the highest Thai football league, the Thailand Premier League.
Club history
FC Coke Bangpra
The name of the association was derived from the sponsor and the municipality Bang Phra ( บาง พระ ) in the district of Si Racha Chonburi province. After the club had spent years in the Provincial League of Thailand, in 2007 reached the summit in the Thai Premier League. With a 11th place at the end of the 2008 season, the league could be maintained without problems.
Almost immediately after the conclusion of the season, there were first rumors that the club would move to Pattaya and would have continued under a new name to.
Pattaya United FC
In mid-December 2008 it was announced that a company bought from shares in FC Coke Bangpra the company Coca -Cola. 10% remained, however, at Coca -Cola, which will continue to be the main sponsor of the club. Pattaya United bought the Erstligalizenz of Coke Bangpra, and virtually the entire club, including management, Board and players have been completely taken over and "transferred" to Pattaya. It was the first time in the history of the Thai football that a club was taken over and is installed to a different location. Within the fan scene Thailand this kind came takeover rejection. New president of the association was Sontaya Khunplome, the eldest brother of Wittaya Khunplome, president of the association Chonburi FC and Itthipol Khunplome, the acting mayor of the city of Pattaya.
The association started with big problems in the 2009 season and was the summer break already the third coach in just one season. The season started with Pansak Ketwattha, the former coach of Coke Bangpra. This was dismissed for lack of success in June and there followed Wisoon Wichaya. However, this was replaced after only a week of Jadet Meelarp. Meelarp was coach of the champion team Chonburi in 2007. The club also made in the media again and again stir because he continuously complained against him on the wrong referee decisions. This went on for example during a game the entire team for five minutes from the field after one of their players received a second yellow card. In the league match against FC Sriracha, coach Jedet Meelarp a a player who was actually locked. Instead of a point penalty for the club, only the coach was fined and had to pay for the next games on the whistle. Pattaya United won the game 1-0. So it was at the end of the season exactly those three points that saved Pattaya United from relegation. The Chonburi FC won after the end of the 2009 season, his old coach Jedet back. His successor was Thawatchai Damrong - Ongtrakul. It is his first coaching position after he ended his active career in 2009.
Fans, rivalries and media
The nearest rivals of the club are Chonburi FC and FC Sriracha, which also come from the province of Chonburi and formerly cultivated a more friendly relationship with FC Coke Bangpra. As a reminder, and to the old fans of Coke Bangpra not to annoy too much, the players wore in the premiere season 2009 away kit in the colors of the old club, red and black.
Formerly rare advertisement for the local football made in Pattaya or reported, are now found everywhere advertising for the club, and all the local newspapers report about the games of the club and the Thai Premier League. The club opened prior to the start of the season an official fan shop in Pattaya, where you can also become a member of the association. Attracted by the presence of the association in the city, the club quickly attracted many fans. Among them especially foreign residents. For this, the club is a replacement for the club in the home.
Stadium
Pattaya United play their home games on the Nongprue Municipality sports field. Originally 3,000 spectators collectively, the capacity was increased by renovations to approximately 5,000.
Since 2009 there is a new stadium under construction next to the indoor sports stadium. The first phase should be completed in summer 2010, but this was not possible due to delays in construction. Until then, the stadium should already be able to hold 5,000 spectators.
After the end of the second phase, in 2013, the stadium will then offer 20,000 spectators. It should be a sports stadium with track and field career. Should be added then a racing -grade swimming pool at 50 meters long and 8 lanes. A tennis center court with seating for 2,000 spectators and 12 training venues as well as volleyball and beach volleyball courts. The total cost for the project is estimated at 744 million baht.
Former coach
- Thailand Pansak Ketwattha - 2009
- Thailand Wisoon Wichaya - June 2009
- Thailand Jadet Meelarp June 2009 - November 2009