Rajpracha - the future

thaileagueonline.com

A huge piece of news for Raj fans today as the silence has finally been broken from the management of the club. Club president Supridee Pravitra answered all the concerns of Rajpracha-Nonthaburi fans and the Thai football community in general.

That's the good news. The "bad" news is that the article is in Thai and very hard to understand, even with Google translate. What follows is my best effort to understand what has been said. If anyone an improve on it for me please do so.

However, as mentioned before. Khun Supridee has kindly agreed to let me interview him when his busy schedule allows, so any unclear areas - such as the first team coach picture - will be cleared up then.


Dissent in the management
Club president Supridee has been away on business. On his return he met with the owner (I think) of the club who is a police colonel. He confirmed he still supports the team in every sense despite the acrimonious departure of coach Somchai.

Promoting the club/working with the local authorities
The club acknowledge that despite the great history of Rajpracha, lack of support is a problem as it is with many clubs. The club also acknowledge that ground sharing with Muangthong United does not help that problem and a move back to more central Nonthaburi is better. Management are planning to work with several local authorities to promote and build support for the side.

"The one week plan"
The issue of returning to Nonthaburi Provincial Stadium is perhaps the most important one for fans. The council have asked Rajpracha to detail their plans for security, maintainance, etc. The club will take one week to produce this plan.

My note: In Thailand, a request to draw up a plan is often a face-saving measure. A way for the higher rank to say: "I can't lose face by saying "yes" straight away, I need to make you do some work first." So I'm optimistic that this request from the council is good news for Raj.

The board
The club board agree they have been a little slow in attracting board members. They now hope to invite high-ranking officials to sit on the board in an advisory role.

Players
This part of the article is difficult to follow. It seems to say there is no full time coach yet. There is a large squad in training that will be weeded-down.

Loss of players
Some players have left and the club acknowledge the fears of supporters. However many top players will stay because they have a long service time with the club, are on long contracts and feel loyal. The club may sign local talent from the Division 2 Bangkok league.

The budget
The budget will be revealed in due course but is not expected to be less than 15-20 million.

Its a relief  to finally understand what is happening with Raj and Supridee and all the management deserve credit for sticking to the task at hand rather than giving up. Next season is bound to be difficult but experience from last season combined with a little luck and smart management may yet see Raj pushing for a play off spot.

What does the future hold for the Raj?

Confusion and rumour continue to rule the roost at Rajpracha-Nonthaburi. Some reports suggest that the very future of the club was in doubt at one point, though this may be nothing but hyperbole.

It now seems almost certain that coach Somchai has left the club, and the way it has been reported suggests that his departure was acrimonious. To my knowledge, no new coach has been appointed yet. 

Further speculation suggests that there may be top players leaving for Muangthong United or other places. One inside report also suggests that Muangthong United forward Ibrahim was 'promised' to Rajpracha, but this has not happened yet.

With so much beffudlement, who better to clear things up than club president Supridee Pravitra? After one online site reported that K. Supridee has lost interest in Raj, he responded in English: "I could give up everything in my life just to see Rajpracha football team successful. This team is my body and soul."

K.Supridee has very kindly agreed to an interview that will appear here soon.

Nonthaburi FC mean business

www.nonthaburifc.com

The owner of Nonthaburi FC has confirmed that promotion to Division One and nothing less is the target for next season.

The club have conjointly confirmed they are signing a new coach with higher league experience but will not reveal the identity until his contract with his current club expires.

The 'Crows' have also signed three foreign players: a twenty five year old Belgian forward, thirty year old midfielder Muhammed Kha signed from a Belgian club and a twenty seven year old midfielder, possibly a Guinean international.

Apparently the club may also launch a new logo and shirt design next season, though sponsorship is not required unless a suitably sized offer is made.

Two pre-season friendlies have been played against Prachinburi FC and PTT respectively.

I'm hopeful of publishing an interview with a very popular Eka player soon.

Dissension at Raj?

A sequence of reports on Siam Sport has suggested serious division in the ranks at Rajpracha-Nonthaburi FC. I'm waiting for a native speaker to clarify the many reports before commenting further but at a glance the reports do not seem to state any sources other than Somchai himself.
There are two sides to every story and the ongoing reports don't seem to help anyone at Rajpracha.

Bye bye Somchai

www.rajprachanonthaburi.com

UPDATE: I understand coach Somchai has not made any certain decisions yet.

If I understand correctly, Somchai Subpaem has left Rajpracha due to internal disagreements. This means Raj are now seeking their fourth coach in two season which is not usually a healthy sign.

Somchai played a key role in lifting Raj's fortunes last season. Good luck to him for the future.

Top duo to return

Heart warming news for Raj fans today as Yen Emile and Dawudah Walumpah both confirm their intention to stay with Rajpracha next season. The duo will return to their respective home nations of Cameroon and Ghana to spend time with family before returning to pre-season training. Emile - who won the foreign player of the season award - told the Raj website: "Rajpracha is my family".

Yen Emile with his family

Raj fans in action

This clip features fans of Raj and CRU cheering Raj against Songkhla. It also features an interview (in Thai) with two of the fan club organisers who are both very friendly people and great fans. Incidentally this is the game Raj lost 1-3 and ended with the mother of all rainstorms.