PHUKET: FC Phuket has a new expat coach as the island's iconic team heads towards the start of the Division One season this month.

Serbian Milos Joksic, on loan from Bangkok-based Muangthong United, has been on Phuket for about three weeks. He and the backers of Phuket's private-enterprise club are keen to have a real crack at promotion in their second season.

FC Phuket finished ninth on the Division One table early this year after a turbulent season that brought highs and lows on and off the field.

Several imports were tried when FC Phuket tackled a team from a Phuket resort last weekend at Surakul Stadium, recording a crushing 7-0 victory.

On Friday, when FC Phuket were downed by Phang Nga FC 1-0, a more realistic assessment could be made. Phang Nga is, after all, a Division Two side.

Another try-out is coming up against Krabi.

As a Division One team, FC Phuket will be striving to improve rapidly before confronting JW Rangsit in the first fixture on March 18.

Patching together a winning side will continue right up to the season opener, and probably beyond as well.

Having a couple of last season's imports from Cameroon picked up by police in a drugs-and-visa swoop in Bangkok was just another leftover from a season that FC Phuket will want to forget.

There is no doubting the club's potential to attract a large fan base and do extremely well on Phuket - provided it wins matches.

Last seaon, FC Phuket did not win any of their first 10 away games. In May, coach Surachai Jirasirichote was ousted in an on-field sacking that did the fans no credit.

Blockading a referee on the field at Surakul Stadium until he apologised was another rush of blood that fans will not be wise to repeat in the coming season.

FC Phuket wants the families back. They turned out on June 25 when Phuket played Songhkla FC in a no-score draw at Phuket City's Surakul Stadium watched by 12,420 people.

But to win back the mums, dads and kids this season, the hot-heads will have to cool it.