The original Chiang Mai is Blue

We talk with Khun Pongsakorn Tantajanya the General Manager of Mahasarakham SBT FC - newly promoted to Thai League 2. This is a club that is doing everything well - organising early for the new season; recruiting quality players; seeking out new sponsors; understanding their budget; and engaging with the local community. Compare and contrast to CMFC. The search continues for Big Sand - as potentia...

This week's podcast spans the world of CMFC with help from Rob Lewis the 87th in Canada and Dennis Kiselev from Russia, via Mae Hia, We have a series of awards for our 2023-2024 season that may in years to come be coveted by the winners and nominees. We also try to update where we are now on the future of CMFC - sadly with no good news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An update, as best we can, on the status of CMFC's 2024-2025 license applications; and the possible outcomes. It is complicated and reliable information is at a premium. Simon goes to Rayong - and eventually comes home. Part 2 of our whistlestop review of the 2023-2024 season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While we wait for news on whether we still have a football club next season, and of which league we will play in, here is part one of our three part review of the 2023/24 season. A quick update on the T2 playoffs with the last game of the season tomorrow - Rayong entertain Nakhon Si United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Thai League 2 CMFC fell at the last - an entertaining 2-2 draw at home to Nakhon Si United sending the visitors to the T2 playoff final against Rayong. Our Rayong correspondent adds his thoughts on a memorable night as Chulapa-infused Rayong beat Ayutthaya 4-1 after extra time. Behind the scenes CMFC is the one club in T2 that saw its application for a 2024/2025 T2 license rejected. The club ha...

"It's not how you start the season, it's how you finish. If you wind up helping the team make the playoffs, that's what you play for." After the first leg games Ayutthaya travel to Rayong defending a 2-1 lead and NakhonSi United will defend a 1-0 lead at Chiang Mai FC. It really could not be closer - there will be heroes and villains by 8pm on Saturday evening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

A 1-1 draw at Kasetsart in our final game of the regular season. Happy to see Yoo ByungSoo back, leading the line and scoring our only goal. Kasetsart were already relegated but played with big hearts. I will miss their away zone - the best view for away fans in T2. CMFC go onto the playoffs. The last four clubs battling it out in the summer heat for the last ticket to T1. CMFC embark on a long di...

With a hot-weathered and hot-tempered win over Chainat, Chiang Mai FC confirmed a play off spot alongside Nakhon Si United, Rayong and one of Ayutthaya, Lampang or Rayong. It's complicated.... The Thai FA have given Stenio Jnr a four match ban after incidents at the end of the game. Rayong and Samut Prakan share twelve goals including a Galhardo special. Congrats to Nakhon Ratchasima confirmed as...

Simon and I interview Clyde O'Connell from Chainat Hornbill FC. I really enjoyed this interview. Clyde joined Chainat in the mid season transfer window - and has played a big part in turning around the form of the club. We discuss his journey from Limerick (in Ireland) to Cambodia and Laos and then onto Thailand. A reward for ambition, hard work and living his dream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

A shorter than usual podcast as there were no games over the Songkran weekend. We preview this weekend's fixtures including the visit of Chainat Hornbill to Chiang Mai and look at the playoff contenders from T2 with just two games to play in the regular season. Our interview with Clyde O'Connell will be posted separately. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A long long trip to Chanthaburi for a 1-1 draw. An adventure in T3 in Bankhai. Updates on the weekend's results from T2, the Chang FA Cup quarter finals, Shirtgate, and on T2 and T3 playoff contenders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayutthaya came to Chiang Mai FC and won 4-0 helping their own playoff chances; CMFC are basically there already and played like a team that has bigger games ahead. Some promotion and relegation news from T2. Chiang Mai United temporarily hold up the Swatcat celebrations. More financial issues reported at T2 clubs. There are a few sound issues with this episode - should Simon be banned from future...

Reports of financial problems at a number of clubs in T2. Players are starting to speak out. Feels like this is happening at too many clubs and to too many people prompting the question is T2 sustainable in its current form. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chiang Mai derby is on Saturday - here's hoping for a classic. Kanchanaburi were plucky but well beaten in the heat and dust. What was Ramon thinking ? And did anyone see an iceberg..... Results, fixtures and the play-off runners and riders! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our 100% Thai starting XI lights up Suphanburi. The elusive search for the club's 25th anniversary shirts continues. CMFC blocks Simon on facebook despite him being at every game home or away this, and previous, seasons. A round up of T2 and a short dip into the T3 Champions Leagues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will CMFC appoint a new coach? And if so - when? Phrae beaten by a Stenio penalty and some sound goalkeeping from Itthipon on his debut. Simon went to Bangkok Glass for the final of the BGC-Muang Thai Cup - the only goal coming from Jhonathan Bernardo. A great day out for both clubs. And our usual round up of T2 results and fixtures. Thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Simon doubles up this week on writing and podcast duties - is it too much - listen and find out after his trip to see CMFC at Customs. The T3 championship starts up in just over a week and the FA Cup is down to the last 8. Nongbua score 10 and the Swatcats once again snatch victory from the jaws of extra time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMFC lose to an injury time goal in an enthralling game with the Swatcats, spoiled by poor officiating and madness from the head coach and the new centre half. Head Coach Patipat (Khun "Boss") leaves the club. Big Golf takes charge - an appointment that feels long overdue. In T2 Nongbua go five points clear at the top and are 11 points ahead of CMFC in 4th place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Defeat at Krabi - redeemed by a memorable win at Nakhon Si Thammarat. Mae Jo are cup finalists. Simon really does not like sharks. A preview of the Swatcats' visit to Chiang Mai. Can Chiang Mai hold back the tangerine tide? Thanks, as always, for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CMFC beat Rayong to stay in touch with the top 3. Chainat's remarkable change of form. 6 for Nakhon Si; 5 for Nakhon Ratchasima. Previews of our trip down south for games at Krabi and against Nakhon Si United. And seven baseball films for every sports fan (except Simon). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A 1-0 defeat at Pattaya to a hard working and battling Pattaya side - all within earshot of funeral prayers in the adjacent temple. A round up of results and fixtures in T2. And a preview of the visit of Rayong on Friday evening as 4th takes on 5th in the T2 table. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not much to say by way of a summary - it has been an undramatic week which makes a nice change - and a fine win for the new coach in his first game in Chiang Mai. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another quiet week at CMFC. We say a sad adios to David. A late defeat and crowd trouble in Lampang; Bem-vindo e vá bem to Alef Santos; Simon goes to Uttaradit and looks for his phone in the Uttaradit team's ice bath and we preview the visit of Nongbua Pitchaya.  Never a dull moment, At 50 minutes this is rather longer than usual but there was a lot to get through! "A podcast worth listening...

CMFC has a new head coach; a good win at home to Samut Prakan and a preview of our visit to Lampang this Friday evening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We embark on the good ship Chiang Mai is Blue for a new year and the second leg of the 2023/2024 season. Teams are now deciding just how ambitious they want to be...or can afford to be. The transfer window is open and players are being shuffled around T2 like pieces on a drafts board. We look back on some highlights from the first half of the season; we look at the few squad changes that have take...