Phuket FC Wins New Coach, Fresh Players for Big Local Derby

PHUKET: Much-troubled Phuket FC is hoping to make a fresh start on Sunday in an important game against Songkhla with a new coach and up to four or five new players.

''Islanders'' chairman and major sponsor Pamuke Achariyachai plans to anounce the new players in a morale-building drumroll before Sunday's showdown at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City.

The identity of the Phuket team's new coach is known. He is Rong ''Noi'' Ajanyoot, and he replaces Serbian coach Milos Joksic.

Khun Rong, an old friend of Khun Pamuke's, is also a Phuket businessman with an interest in resorts, restaurants and spas. More importantly, he has previously coached the Thai team at national level.

Joksic was on loan from Bangkok powerhouse Muangthong United. Under his stewardship FC Phuket was given its new identity as Phuket FC but could do no better than winning three and losing seven Division One matches, with six draws.

Whether or not the record can be turned around by a first-game coach in an important local derby where Phuket FC, lying in fourteenth positon, comes up against seventh-placed Songkhla, the Islanders remain full of high expectations.

Phuket's second season in Division One has mirrored the first, when a coach was sacked amid attempts to turn a poor season into a serious opportunity for promotion.

For most of that first Division One season, Paiboon Upatising, president of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, was also chairman of FC Phuket and chief cheerleader.

Times appear to have changed.

A letter from Khun Paiboon to Khun Pamuke this week said that his old club did not have permission to test the skills of footballers trialling for Phuket FC at Surakul, which the administrative organisation manages.

A large crowd is expected to turn out at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City from 6pm on Sunday for the local derby, which is bound to produce more surprises.