Post
by Brian Davis » April 16, 2015, 7:54 pm
Hi Samster
Yes, Udon are, in my view, doing well, 2nd position at the Songkran break and undefeated in the League. If not setting the world alight, the last home game did see a 5-0 thumping of Sakhon Nakhon, but the latter are one of the weaker teams. The next home game is NOT this weekend, but on Sunday 26th April, ko 6 pm. It’s against Khon Kaen Utd., presently 3rd, so an important game against a current frontrunner.
If you’re not already aware, there are various Facebook pages on the Club, where you’ll see comments, photos and videos of matches and ‘get a feel’ of what goes on. Try Udon Thani FC English and Giant Gangster pages.
To answer your specific questions:-
50 baht for a ticket, which are purchased from stalls by the stands. I think your daughter of that age would pay the same. Present your ticket at one of the entrances. Your wrist will be ‘rubber-stamped’, allowing you to come and go should you need refreshments or toilets during the game or at half time. Keep your ticket stub for the H/T draw – you may be lucky!
(Facilities are not brilliant at this level. Lots of food and drink outside and the fans bring quite a lot of it in! -you’re not meant to bring glass bottles into the ground- toilets not that numerous or grand and the mobile toilet units they bring in may be preferable. Seating is usually on concrete steps, but see below)
The only covered area is at the nearside(to the main, highway entrance), central bit i.e where the players emerge. There are a few orange, backless,plastic seats here screwed to the steps, but you’d probably have to be there an hour before ko to secure those. Otherwise, it’s concrete, UNLESS you feel you want to mix with the VIP’s right in the very middle – a plastic chair within that section costs 100 baht, I believe. Whilst it can still be ‘sticky’ under cover, some fans like this section for the shade and, of course, fans try to squash in here if it is raining. To the left and right of this central covered area are open areas – the left is an Udon ‘cheer’ section; the right is intended to be for away fans, but rarely fills.
The other side of the pitch is completely open, concrete steps to sit on only. This is very much where the liveliest fans gather to create noise. About a dozen big,drums going, quite impressive streamer-throwing before the game starts –the place to be if you wish to shout, join in with the support. Udon games tend to be a full or near full house these days, but fans this side tend to actually take their seats quite late to the ko – perhaps because they’re socializing outside, but also it can be hot in the sun, until it drops around ko time. I’d suggest you sit on the upper rows, as there’s a lot of movement lower down and perhaps some fans standing. You really don’t want to look at someone’s back throughout.
Trouble at games is very, very rare – you’re more likely to see it on the pitch than off it, in spite of the Fair Play and ‘respect’ shown at the start! You’d be very unlucky to meet any hooligan problems. That’s really borne out by the fact it is very much a family atmosphere, young and old, male and female and I’ve seen very young children there too. I can assure you the girls/ladies are as enthusiastic, if not more so, than the men.
I don’t know if it would be your daughter’s first football match, but I can’t see a problem in bringing her along and hopefully she’ll enjoy. As the popular song goes, with drums, “Come and Cheer Udon”. Orange is Udon’s colour. If you really wanted to anticipate the game, the new Club shop is close to KFC at UD town to buy shirts.
Incidentally, why Udon’s ‘abbreviation’ isn’t UTFC as you’ve written, I don’t know. I’ve asked the question several times. But everywhere it’s UDFC.
I’ve probably gone way over the top in trying to give you some information. If you’re able to call in at the stadium before Sunday week to have a look, then the setup should be clearer. People exercise around the stadium late afternoon and you might catch the players training at that time too.
Ubon is a fairly large city and some fans may settle for the Club literally 'down the road' rather than the other side of town.
