To learn how we got to this sad state of affairs we must look back a little. Raj moved to Nonthaburi before the 2009 season to boost support. They adopted the Nonthaburi Provincial Stadium as their home, the ground is known to fans as the "Wat Boat Don Prom" stadium after the large temple next to it. The club won promotion in the 2009 season and as such had to find a new home quickly as Wat Boat was declared sub-standard for D1 and needed renovations. The decision was to share with Muangthong United and their Thunderdome Stadium.
After an exciting 2010 season full of ups and downs, the small but passionate and loyal group of Raj fans pushed the club to return home. The Thunderdome Stadium was simply too large, too expensive and too far from Wat Boat to be any good to fans, potential new fans or the club's bank balance. The management agreed and promised to push for a return.
Alas, at the same time the fallout began. Coach Somchai left the club in unhappy circumstances, several players also left and a dispute amongst the directors became public news.
And yet still it seemed the storm had passed. Good news came in - a new coach, some top players staying put - and a possible return to Wat Boat was on the cards.
When the bomb-shell came, it was exacerbated by the route. It came from Siam Sport without any warning from the management. Fans have understandably felt let down and misrepresented. The report from TLO inferred that fans could not increase their numbers. In fact, the supporters club had many plans in place to boost support but the forced groundshare was a barrier to this. I could expand on those negative feelings but it would seem futile.
Naturally, this is a very sad moment for all fans including myself. In my short time supporting Raj I have enjoyed the exciting football played by a young, attacking team and the hospitality of a genuinely happy and kind group of fans who always made me feel welcome when it would be easy to ignore the farang who doesn't speak Thai so well. Moreover, Rajpracha is my son's team. His first ever match was Raj Vs Loei City and he has happily declared them his favourite club ever since.
There is one silver lining. Immediately after the bad news, "Eka" Nontahburi FC announced that they would move to Wat Boat. As a D2 team they are able to do this and they gain the advantage of being more central in Nontahburi. The club also quickly announced that they would welcome Rajpracha fans with open arms.
It seems hard for Raj fans to turn down the offer and it's a move that shows how efficiently Nonthaburi FC is run. A fan club spokesman has already told me the club have a three year plan to expand the Wat Boat stadium to TPL standards and with the cash and unusually shrewd management behind the club, exciting times may be ahead.
So with hindsight, perhaps Nontahburi is really too small to hold three teams. This is something I speculated on when Nonthaburi FC was formed, my only mistake was in thinking Eka would be the team to fall. Through smart management and influence, they have proven me wrong. This blog already followed Nontahburi FC but with the death of Rajprach-Nonthaburi, is it time for the "Crows" to take the torch? It would be hard work blogging on Nonthaburi FC though, and any support would be welcome.
Goodbye Rajpracha-Nonthaburi FC, thanks for the memories.
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