PHUKET: FC Phuket's Hulks face one of their toughest tests tomorrow night as they take on key rivals amid a strange off-field dispute that has left the squad of players unpaid and out-of-pocket.
For reasons that have not been made public, the Sports Association of Phuket has not paid the players or the football club's full-time officials for November.
In retribution, FC Phuket officials today stripped the association's large sponsorship signage banner from the boundary fence at the Surakul Stadium home ground in Phuket City.
While a big crowd is expected to turn out on Sunday night at 6pm to cheer on their Phuket Hulk favorites, the pay dispute is unlikely to leave the Phuket team taking the field feeling like winners.
More than a million baht a month usually flows from the Sports Association of Phuket each month to FC Phuket once Director Chetawit Tantipanwadee signs the cheque.
However,. that hasn't happened this time, so Phuket players and officials are already feeling the pinch for monthly rent and other outgoings.
Sovanan Snea, the Secretary of FC Phuket, is anxious to see the money and disturbed that the cheque should be overdue at this stage of the FC Phuket team's first season in Division One.
''This is a game,'' he said. ''They are trying to play games with us.'' Plainly, whatever the game is, it clearly isn't cricket, or for that matter, football.
''It's unfair,'' said Khun Sovanan. ''We have to pay our players and staff.''
The ball, it appears, it definitely at the feet of the sports association, who have yet to publicly explain themselves.
And if the Phuket team loses on Sunday night, it's highly likely that the demoralising lack of a pay check could be highlighted as an issue.
Much of the funding to support the Phuket club comes via a national government subsidy and through the support of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation.
Sunday's outing is a must-win game for FC Phuket against Chantaburi with coach Sompong Wattana returning after missing last weekend's match because his Bangkok home had flooded.
Bangkok home flooded . . . no pay. The coach will have a tough job on Sunday.
Phuket's Hulks drew with Chantaburi 1-1 away earlier in the season and go in on Sunday in Phuket City as favorites, sitting in fifth position while Chantaburi lies much further back in 13th spot.
The equation is that Phuket has four home matches and three away games remaining, and they have to gain 13 points on third-placed BB Chula United to win promotion.
With two games in hand over BB Chula, they have a chance - but no pay cheque.
For reasons that have not been made public, the Sports Association of Phuket has not paid the players or the football club's full-time officials for November.
In retribution, FC Phuket officials today stripped the association's large sponsorship signage banner from the boundary fence at the Surakul Stadium home ground in Phuket City.
While a big crowd is expected to turn out on Sunday night at 6pm to cheer on their Phuket Hulk favorites, the pay dispute is unlikely to leave the Phuket team taking the field feeling like winners.
More than a million baht a month usually flows from the Sports Association of Phuket each month to FC Phuket once Director Chetawit Tantipanwadee signs the cheque.
However,. that hasn't happened this time, so Phuket players and officials are already feeling the pinch for monthly rent and other outgoings.
Sovanan Snea, the Secretary of FC Phuket, is anxious to see the money and disturbed that the cheque should be overdue at this stage of the FC Phuket team's first season in Division One.
''This is a game,'' he said. ''They are trying to play games with us.'' Plainly, whatever the game is, it clearly isn't cricket, or for that matter, football.
''It's unfair,'' said Khun Sovanan. ''We have to pay our players and staff.''
The ball, it appears, it definitely at the feet of the sports association, who have yet to publicly explain themselves.
And if the Phuket team loses on Sunday night, it's highly likely that the demoralising lack of a pay check could be highlighted as an issue.
Much of the funding to support the Phuket club comes via a national government subsidy and through the support of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation.
Sunday's outing is a must-win game for FC Phuket against Chantaburi with coach Sompong Wattana returning after missing last weekend's match because his Bangkok home had flooded.
Bangkok home flooded . . . no pay. The coach will have a tough job on Sunday.
Phuket's Hulks drew with Chantaburi 1-1 away earlier in the season and go in on Sunday in Phuket City as favorites, sitting in fifth position while Chantaburi lies much further back in 13th spot.
The equation is that Phuket has four home matches and three away games remaining, and they have to gain 13 points on third-placed BB Chula United to win promotion.
With two games in hand over BB Chula, they have a chance - but no pay cheque.
is it possible for a rich foreign investor to come in and buy fc phuket??
there seems to be enough of them living over here, nudge nudge wink wink!!
Posted by Hulkster on December 3, 2011 21:03