Players and management from Pattaya United Football Club held their now customary pre-season press conference at the Pattaya Central Beach shopping mall on Friday, Feb. 22.
The 2013 Thai Premier League season gets underway this weekend and United face a testing start with an away trip to Samut Songkhram on Saturday, followed a week later by a home match on March 10 against Osotspa M-150.
Commenting at the press conference on the upcoming season, Pattaya Mayor and ‘Dolphins’ Club President, Ittipol Kunplome, said the team was looking for a much better showing than the 2012 campaign and indicated that a top 5 place was a minimum target for the club.
Club President Ittipol Kunplome (2nd left) and Coach Nui (far right) pose with representatives from club sponsors Pattaya Mail and Siamkomintr.
United’s directors have not been shy to splash the cash and have set aside some 60 million baht to invest in the team in an effort to see it make a sustained challenge for some silverware. Rather than go for expensive big money signings however, the club has concentrated its resources on building a foundation for the future with money spent at the grass roots and junior levels.
Chalermwuthi Sa-ngapol, a.k.a. Coach Nui, said, “Instead of going out and buying some expensive players, that may take time to fit in, we have been concentrating on improving the team work ethic within the club’s existing staff and also made one or two new additions.
Pattaya United’s team squad, officials and sponsors pose at the press conference held at Pattaya Central Beach, Friday, Feb. 22.
“The players have had two months of practice and our team has a better understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. We have a better system and more potential than last year. But we need the continued support of our great fan base to cheer us on to success,” he added.
Keep in touch with Pattaya United’s progress in the new Thai Premier League season, as well as other local teams, by checking the weekly sports pages of Pattaya Mail.
Thumbs up for a successful 2013 campaign.
