PHUKET: A local derby worthy of watching came to a climax last night with Phuket FC and Songkhla FC scoreless.
But there were encouraging signs aplenty as the newly constituted Phuket team, under former national team player and Phuket businessman Rong ''Noi'' Ajanyoot, showed every sign that they will be winners soon enough.
Reforms are also underway off the pitch, with fans at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City prohibited for the first time from carrying in drinks in bottles or cans.
This was a contentious policy, given that quite a large proportion of Phuket fans enjoy a beer with their football, or in a few cases some football with their beer.
Quite simply, the Phuket club has had enough of bad behavior. When an irate fan launches a missile at the referee, it's the club that ends up paying the fine.
Phuketwan sought a crackdown on bad behavior - with the risk of death or serious injury - during Phuket's first tempestuous tilt at Division One.
It has been a long time coming, but at least the authorities now recognise that the commentators who pleaded for ''just a little fun'' at the football got it wrong.
''Just a little bit'' of violence is as out of place at the football as it is in the tuk-tuk and taxi queues at Central Festival or Jungceylon.
Sipping beer out of plastic cups was a new experience for some, especially with the entrance for an adult now costing 80 baht.
With 2100 fans turning out and the prospect of the Phuket Islanders actually winning a few games, a night out at the football should become more appealing to Phuket families. We'll drink to that.
But there were encouraging signs aplenty as the newly constituted Phuket team, under former national team player and Phuket businessman Rong ''Noi'' Ajanyoot, showed every sign that they will be winners soon enough.
Reforms are also underway off the pitch, with fans at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City prohibited for the first time from carrying in drinks in bottles or cans.
This was a contentious policy, given that quite a large proportion of Phuket fans enjoy a beer with their football, or in a few cases some football with their beer.
Quite simply, the Phuket club has had enough of bad behavior. When an irate fan launches a missile at the referee, it's the club that ends up paying the fine.
Phuketwan sought a crackdown on bad behavior - with the risk of death or serious injury - during Phuket's first tempestuous tilt at Division One.
It has been a long time coming, but at least the authorities now recognise that the commentators who pleaded for ''just a little fun'' at the football got it wrong.
''Just a little bit'' of violence is as out of place at the football as it is in the tuk-tuk and taxi queues at Central Festival or Jungceylon.
Sipping beer out of plastic cups was a new experience for some, especially with the entrance for an adult now costing 80 baht.
With 2100 fans turning out and the prospect of the Phuket Islanders actually winning a few games, a night out at the football should become more appealing to Phuket families. We'll drink to that.
