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Ratchaburi F.C.

Ratchaburi
ราชบุรี เอฟซี
Full nameRatchaburi Football Club
สโมสรฟุตบอลจังหวัดราชบุรี
Nickname(s)The Dragons
(ราชันมังกร)
Short nameRAT
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
GroundDragon Solar Park
Ratchaburi, Thailand
Capacity10,000
ChairmanTanawat Nitikarnchana
Head coachWorrawoot Srimaka
LeagueThai League 1
2023–24Thai League 1, 6th of 16
Current season

Ratchaburi Football Club (Thai: สโมสรฟุตบอลจังหวัดราชบุรี) (also known as Ratchaburi Mitr Phol due to sponsorship reasons), is a Thai professional football club based in Ratchaburi province that currently plays in Thai League 1. Ratchaburi has the nickname The Dragons which can be seen in the club official crest.

History

Establishment and early years

Ratchaburi Football Club was founded in 2004 and then joined 2006 Thailand Division 2 League. Ratchaburi able to win the Thailand Division 2 League title, get the right to compete in the 2007 Thailand League Division 1.

The 2007 League Division 1 season has a total of 24 teams participating in the competition, divided into 2 groups, 12 teams each and at the end of the competition, the top five of each group will be relegated to the competition. Thai League Division 2, the club did not perform very well, finished the season with the last place in the group A table.[1]

In 2008, Ratchaburi finished in seventh place out of the 11 participating teams, causing the team to relegate, but due to the Football Association of Thailand reshaping the competition in the season 2009 makes Ratchaburi continue to compete in the Thai League Division 2

2009 Regional League Division 2 is the first season to compete in a 5-region zone system, Ratchaburi Football Club is organized in the Central and Eastern region. The club finished the season with 9th place out of 12 participating teams.[1]

Dragon's breath

In 2010, the Nitikarnchana family decided to take over Ratchaburi Football Club, which was then in the Regional League Division 2. In 201, the club won the Central-East Division before earning promotion to Division 1 after winning Group A of the Division 2 playoffs.

Prior to the 2012 season, Ratchaburi was sponsored by the Mitr Phol Group and announced the change of the club's name to Ratchaburi Mitr Phol, with Sorraaut Klinprathum as the club's president, Boonying Nitikarnchana as the club's vice president and Thanawat Nitikarnchana is the team manager and Somchai Maiwilai is a head coach.[2]

2011 Division 2 (Tier 3)
2012 Division 1 (Tier 2)
2013 Thai Premier League (Tier 1)

Whilst in Division 1, Ratchaburi made it to the 2012 Thai League Cup final where they lost 4–1 to Buriram United. The final was most remembered for the farcical circumstances that Ratchaburi faced as they didn't have any substitutes on the bench due to having several ineligible loanees from opponents Buriram United. Ratchaburi never stood a chance as Buriram won the final at a canter.[3]

Promotion to the top flight

In the following season, Ratchaburi flew through the 2012 Thai Division 1 League winning the title on their way to the top flight league.

In the first season of the Ratchaburi in top-tier league is considered unsuccessful, ranked 15th out of the total of 18 teams, but due to the problem of scrambling for the rights of the team between Sisaket and Esan United escalate,[4] The Thai League company decided to increase the top 20 teams in TPL, resulting in the Thai Premier League competition in 2013 season, there was only one relegation team, Pattaya United (17th place).

In 2014 season, Ratchaburi reacted by appointing former Girona manager Ricardo Rodríguez as their new manager for the new 2014 Thai Premier League season. The Dragons finished comfortably in 4th place.[5]

Move to Mitr Phol Stadium and recent years

Robert Procureur, first technical director of club

After participating in the top league for 3 years, Ratchaburi Mitr Phol has a project to build its own football stadium. The stadium started construction in 2015 and opened for the first time in mid-2016. In 2016 the club moved to new ground, Mitr Phol Stadium and the club appointed Robert Procureur as the club technical director.[6]

In 2016, Following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Football Association of Thailand cancelled the remaining league and cup season on 14 October 2016, with three rounds remaining. Ratchaburi then was announced as the 2016 Thai FA Cup champions where the title was shared among Chainat Hornbill, Chonburi and Sukhothai who was then in the semi-finals. Ratchaburi then finished the league in 6th place.

Philip Roller, captain of the team from 2019 to 2021

In the 2017 season, Ratchaburi continued to progress under Pacheta's stewardship, and with a team containing half blood players Philip Roller and Kevin Deeromram reached league finish as 6th place as well as reaching the semi-final of the League Cup losing 0–1 to Chiangrai United at Supachalasai Stadium.[7]

In 2018 season, a dismal run of form saw the team slip to the bottom of the league table. Ratchaburi finished the season in 12th place with 43 points, they were one point adrift from safety.

In 2019, after beating Buriram United in the semi-final, Ratchaburi reached the 2019 Thai FA Cup Final for the first time in their history. In the final, played at Leo Stadium, Ratchaburi lost to Port 1–0, with a goal by Sergio Suárez scored in second half. Ratchaburi made it becoming the runner-up of the competition.[8][9]

AFC Champions League debut

In 2021, Ratchaburi qualified to 2021 AFC Champions League for the first time in club history after finishing the position in top four in the 2020–21 season. Ratchaburi was then placed in group G alongside South Korean Pohang Steelers, Japanese club Nagoya Grampus and Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim.[10][11] On 4 July 2021, the club then registered their first ever points in the tournament after a goalless draw against Pohang Steelers.

In 2022, Ratchaburi ended their 10-years sponsorship with Mitr Phol where the club name was shorten back to Ratchaburi. The club stadium has also renamed to Dragon Solar Park after the solar panel manufacturing company Dragon Solar.

Academy

Ratchaburi opened its first youth academies in 2016 under the name The Dragons Academy.[12] In 2017, Ratchaburi Mitr Phol have appointed Douglas Cardozo as Head of Youth Development.[13]

Stadium

Dragon Solar Park

From 2007 to 2016, the club used Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium owned by the city council as their home ground. In June 2016, the club built Dragon Solar Park in the town of Huai Phai, Ratchaburi Province to be its new home ground and is directly owned by the club. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 seats.[14]

Coordinates Location Stadium Year
13°31′55″N 99°48′50″E / 13.531817°N 99.813832°E / 13.531817; 99.813832 Ratchaburi Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium 2007–2016
13°31′18″N 99°46′11″E / 13.521677°N 99.769588°E / 13.521677; 99.769588 Ratchaburi Dragon Solar Park 2016–present

Players

First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF France FRA Gabriel Mutombo
4 DF Thailand THA Jonathan Khemdee
5 DF Thailand THA Apisit Sorada (on loan from BG Pathum United)
6 MF Spain ESP Tana
7 MF Japan JPN Tatsuya Tanaka
8 MF Thailand THA Thanawat Suengchitthawon
9 FW South Korea KOR Kim Ji-min
10 MF Thailand THA Jakkaphan Kaewprom (Captain)
11 FW Guinea GUI Mohamed Mara
15 DF Thailand THA Adisorn Promrak
16 MF Thailand THA Siwakorn Jakkuprasat (Vice-captain)
17 MF Thailand THA Sirawit Kasonsumol
19 DF Thailand THA Suporn Peenagatapho (on loan from Buriram United)
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 DF Thailand THA Jirawat Thongsaengphrao
23 MF Thailand THA Pongsathon Sangkasopha
24 DF Thailand THA Worawut Namvech
25 FW France FRA Clément Depres
27 MF Philippines PHI Jesse Curran
29 DF Thailand THA Kiatisak Jiamudom
37 MF Thailand THA Kritsananon Srisuwan
39 GK Thailand THA Chutideth Maunchaingam
69 GK Thailand THA Kritsanucha Mueansen
77 MF Brunei BRU Faiq Bolkiah
88 MF Thailand THA Chotipat Poomkaew
99 GK Thailand THA Kampol Pathomakkakul (Vice-captain)

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Thailand THA Montree Promsawat (at Chiangrai United)
— MF Thailand THA Narakorn Noomchansakul (at Customs United)
— DF Thailand THA Thanaset Sujarit (at PT Prachuap)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF Thailand THA Supravee Miprathang (at Sukhothai)
— MF Thailand THA Thanatorn Chanphet (at Dragon Kanchanaburi)
— DF Thailand THA Tony Laurent-Gonnet (at Uthai Thani)

Managerial history

Season-by-season record

Season League[15] FA Cup League Cup AFC Champions
League 		Top scorer
Division P W D L F A Pts Pos Name Goals
2007 DIV 1 22 5 4 13 31 40 19 12th  –
2008 DIV 2 20 7 9 4 32 26 30 7th  –
2009 DIV 2 Central-East 22 4 9 9 31 33 21 9th  –
2010 DIV 2 Central-East 30 12 9 9 45 39 45 9th  –
2011 DIV 2 Central-East 30 20 8 2 67 19 68 1st R2 R1  – Pornchai Ardjinda 18+(5)
2012 DIV 1 34 24 6 4 85 31 78 1st R4 RU  – Douglas 19
2013 TPL 32 6 12 14 31 39 30 15th R3 RU  – Douglas 10
2014 TPL 38 17 14 7 62 42 65 4th R4 SF  – Heberty 26
2015 TPL 34 17 4 13 48 50 55 7th QF R3  – Heberty 19
2016 T1 30 14 7 9 52 35 49 6th W R1  – Heberty 20
2017 T1 34 16 7 11 63 49 55 6th R1 SF  – Marcel Essombé 20
2018 T1 34 12 7 15 50 53 43 12th SF R1  – Kang Soo-il 13
2019 T1 30 10 8 12 48 48 38 8th RU R1  – Yannick Boli 14
2020–21 T1 30 13 7 10 48 41 46 8th QF  –  – Philip Roller 14
2021–22 T1 30 9 9 12 32 36 36 12th R2 R3 GS Derley 13
2022–23 T1 30 10 11 9 32 29 41 8th R3 SF  – Derley 8
2023–24 T1 30 11 6 13 39 35 39 6th R2 QF  – Njiva Rakotoharimalala 9
Champions Runners-up Third place Promoted Relegated In Progress

Continental record

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2021 AFC Champions League Group G South Korea Pohang Steelers 0–0 0–2 4th
Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim 0–1 0–0
Japan Nagoya Grampus 0–4 0–3

Honours

League

Cups

References

  1. ^ a b "บันทึก ทำความรู้จัก 4 ทีม ภูธรสู้ไม่ถอย ไทยลีก 2017: สุโขทัย, สุพรรณบุรี, ราชบุรี, เชียงราย". Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  2. ^ "ธนวัชร นิติกาญจนา ต้องเรียนรู้จากความผิดพลาด อ่านแนวคิดผู้นำราชันมังกร". Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  3. ^ "รีแมตช์ "บุรีรัมย์-ราชบุรี" คู่ชิงลีกคัพ". Archived from the original on 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  4. ^ "Decision of the Member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to discuss the case of: Club Esan United (Sisaket FC), Thailand by FIFA" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  5. ^ ""บีจี" ตั้ง "โรดริเกวซ" คุมทัพลุย ACL". 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  6. ^ "ราชบุรี ตั้ง โรเบิร์ต โปรคูเรอร์ นั่งแท่น ผอ.สโมสรคนแรก".
  7. ^ "Kirins, Chiang Rai in League Cup final". Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  8. ^ "ท่าเรือแชมป์เอฟเอคัพ "ซัวเรซ"ฮีโร่ซัดดับราชบุรี-VARริบ2ประตูแจก1แดง". Siamsport.co.th. 2 November 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  9. ^ "สิงห์เจ้าท่า เฉือนราชบุรีหืด หวนครองถ้วยเอฟเอคัพในรอบ 10 ปี - ข่าวสด". Khaosod.co.th. 2 November 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  10. ^ "เสี่ยฟลุ๊คโพสต์แล้วหลังราชบุรีฯได้ตั๋วลุยศึกเอซีแอล". Siamsport.co.th. 12 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  11. ^ "TOYOTA THAI LEAGUE PREVIEW : การท่าเรือ เอฟซี - ราชบุรี มิตรผล เอฟซี | Goal.com". Archived 2020-12-12 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "ราชบุรีเปิดสอนเยาวชนหลักสูตรบาร์ซ่า". Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  13. ^ "บทบาทใหม่!ราชบุรีดึง 'ดักลาส' คืนถิ่นร่วมเปิดอคาเดมี่". Archived from the original on 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  14. ^ "แจ่มได้อีก! "มิตรผล สเตเดี้ยม" วางเก้าอี้สนามแบบนี้เป็นที่แรกของประเทศ!". Archived from the original on 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  15. ^ King, Ian; Schöggl, Hans & Stokkermans, Karel (20 March 2014). "Thailand – List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014. Select link to season required from chronological list.
Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratchaburi_Mitr_Phol_F.C.