Port Football Club (Thai: สโมสรฟุตบอลการท่าเรือ), formerly known as Port Authority of Thailand, is a Thai professional football club based in Khlong Toei district of central Bangkok. They compete in the Thai League 1 and are one of the most successful clubs in Thai football, having won the Kor Royal Cup 8 times and the Queen's Cup 6 times. In 2009 Thai Port added the Thai FA Cup to their list of honours. In 2010, the club was triumphant again as they won the newly introduced Thai League Cup.
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| Full name | Port Football Club สโมสรฟุตบอล การท่าเรือ | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Port Lions (team) Khlong Toei Lions (supporters) | |||
| Founded | 1967 as Port Authority of Thailand Football Club | |||
| Ground | PAT Stadium Klong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand | |||
| Capacity | 6,250 | |||
| Owner | Muang Thai Insurance Port Authority of Thailand | |||
| Chairman | Chalermchoke Lamsam | |||
| Head coach | Rangsan Viwatchaichok | |||
| League | Thai League 1 | |||
| 2023–24 | Thai League 1, 3rd | |||
| Website | http://portfcofficial.com/ | |||
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| Active departments of Port Authority of Thailand | ||
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| Football | Football B | Futsal |
History
1967–1968: Foundation
Founded in 1967 as Port Authority of Thailand Football Club by Major Prachuap Suntranakul, who was the director of Port Authority of Thailand at the time. He took on the role of chairman of Port Authority of Thailand and was instrumental in helping the club during its initial years.
1968–1980: Golden age
In 1968, Port Authority of Thailand were crowned Kor Royal Cup winners, which sparked the most successful era in the club's history as they went on to win six Kor Royal Cup titles between 1968 and 1979. Port also had plenty of success in the Queen's Cup, winning it 4 times in succession from 1977 to 1980. Following the 1980 Queen's Cup win, Port Authority of Thailand won four trophies in 13 years.
2009–2010: Development of club's name and FA Cup Title
At the start of the 2009 Thailand Premier League season, the club changed its name from Port Authority of Thailand to Thai Port Football Club, The name change was introduced to be in line with the new Football Association of Thailand regulations that meant all teams in the top flight must be registered as limited companies.
In the same year, Thai Port F.C. ended a 16-year wait for a trophy when they were victorious in the 2009 Thai FA Cup Final. Thai Port F.C. opponents on the day at Suphachalasai Stadium were BEC Tero. The match finished 1–1 after extra time, with Thai Port F.C. winning the penalty shoot out 5–4. Pipat Thonkanya scored the decisive spot kick after Port keeper Pattarakorn had saved BEC Tero's fifth penalty.[2]
2011–2015: Darkest period
The Port Authority of Thailand has been granted the rights to operate the Thai Port in the Thai Premier League.
The Football Association of Thailand or the FAT and the Thai Premier League ruled on the legal dispute between the Port Authority of Thailand and the Thai Port Company, over the operating rights of the Thai Premier League's Thai Port.
According to the ruling, the Port Authority of Thailand, the club's original owner, has been granted operating rights of the team for the 2011–12 Thai Premier League season.
The FAT claimed its decision is based on the fact that the club's ownership was never officially signed over to the Thai Port FC Company.
Meanwhile, President of Thai Port Company, Pichet Munkong, threatened to file a civil lawsuit in the court of law, citing Thai Premier League regulations which says that a state-enterprise such as the Port Authority of Thailand, is prohibited from operating a football club.
Pichet is planning to sue the FAT, the Thai Premier League, and the Asian Football Confederation.
However, Thai Port will only be permitted to compete in the upcoming season of the country's top flight league, set to begin on February 12, once its operator is registered as a for-profit corporation.
It remains unclear how the Port Authority of Thailand is planning to proceed with this matter.[3]
The ongoing boardroom disputes finally took their toll as Thai Port dropped to Division 1 for the first time in 2012. Investment in the team wasn't forthcoming as several departing players were replaced with lower quality ones. Thai Port failed to find the back of the net in almost half of their league games and were relegated on the penultimate round of fixtures when they lost 2–1 at home to Muang Thong United.
2015–present: Madam Pang's takeover
In 2015, the club was taken over by Nualphan Lamsam, Thai business woman, by signing the Memorandum of Understanding of a 5-year contract with Port Authority of Thailand to control the club's management.[4] Nualphan, commonly known to locals as ‘Madam Pang’ the majority shareholder of Muang Thai Life Insurance and the Assistant Secretary General of the Democratic Party, which has held power over Bangkok for over a decade.[5] Since Port Co took over the management of the club in 2015 by Nualphan, the team's results have improved.
In 2017, Port returned to Thai League 1, Nualphan Lamsam announced the appointment of Kiatisuk Senamuang as the new head coach of the club; Kiatisuk was manager of the Thailand national football team 2014–2017.[6] Kiatisuk resigned as coach of Port after just three months in charge, managing just one win, six losses and three draws during his time with the club.[7]
In 2018, ‘Madam Pang’ loosened the purse-strings significantly in the transfer window, making a clear statement to the rest of the division. Arrivals such as winger Nurul Sriyankem from Chonburi, left-back Kevin Deeromram from Ratchaburi Mitr Phol, and most significantly, forward Dragan Bošković from Bangkok United.[5] The club finished third in the 2018 Thai League 1 season and created history by claiming 61 points – the club's highest points in a single season[8] under Jadet Meelarp manager.
Expected to be one of the contenders for the 2019 Thai League 1 title, Port looked on course for a successful campaign until June, when a poor run of form led to the sacking of Jadet Meelarp.[10] The club subsequently appointed national team assistant Choketawee Promrut as head coach and former Manchester City defender Spencer Prior as technical director, sparking a reversal of the team's form as they won five of their next six games.[11] They also qualified for the 2019 Thai FA Cup Final for the first time in a decade.[12]
Port won the Thai FA Cup 2019 title after defeating Ratchaburi Mitr Phol 1-0 in the final held at the Leo Stadium, Midfielder Sergio Suarez scored the only goal of the game in the third minute of the second half to give Port their second Thai FA Cup title in front of FIFA president Gianni Infantino who was among those in attendance. All eyes were on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology which was employed by the Football Association of Thailand for the cup final.[13]
On 20 June 2024, AFC confirmed Port will participate in the inaugural 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two group stage.
Supporters
Supporters of Thai Port are often referred to as the Khlong Toei Army. The name Khlong Toei Army refers to Khlong Toei District, the location of the club. "Nakrob Sad Nam-ngurn" refers to Orange-red Blue Warrior, the Thai Port's shirt colours.
The supporters of Thai Port and Chonburi have forged a very close friendship. Many supporters of Thai Port went to the FA Cup final in 2010 wearing Thai Port colors to cheer for Chonburi against Muangthong United. Likewise plenty of kitted-out Chonburi fans came to support Thai Port in their 2010 League Cup Final against Buriram PEA
The club also attracts a large number of “Farang” (foreign) supporters, probably the largest foreign matchday following of any club in Thailand. Foreign fans are attracted due to the club's central location and proximity to the MRT rail network.[19]
Academy development
In 2015, Port opened its first youth academies, under a collaboration agreement with Pathum Khongkha school,[20] U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams play in Thailand Youth League.[21] An Under 14 team won 2019 Paris Saint-Germain Cup U-14.[22]
Stadium
Port moved into the PAT Stadium in Khlong Toei district, Bangkok in 2009 which proved to be a very popular move with local supporters. Attendances rose sharply over the year and the club decided to build two new stands to increase the capacity from 6,000 to 7,000.[2] Match tickets cost 100–120 baht and are bought from a small ticket office next to the stadium.
The club has a souvenir shop which is located in the Stadium grounds. The shop stocks replica shirts, scarves and other merchandise.
Stadium and locations by season records
| Coordinates | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13°57′04″N 100°37′28″E | Pathum Thani | Thupatemee Stadium | 25,000 | 2007 |
| 13°46′00″N 100°33′10″E | Bangkok | Thai-Japanese Stadium | 6,600 | 2008 |
| 13°42′54″N 100°33′35″E | Bangkok | PAT Stadium | 12,000 | 2009–present |
Season record
| Season | League[23] | FA Cup | League Cup | Queen's Cup |
Kor Cup / Champions Cup |
ACL | AFC Cup / ACL Two |
Top scorer | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Name | Goals | |||||||
| 1996–97 | TPL | 34 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 44 | 39 | 41 | 11th | — | – | — | – | – | – | — | — |
| 1997 | TPL | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 36 | 35 | 32 | 4th | — | – | — | – | – | – | — | — |
| 1998 | TPL | 22 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 50 | 27 | 37 | 4th | — | – | – | – | – | – | Ronnachai Sayomchai | 23 |
| 1999 | TPL | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 31 | 16 | 39 | 2nd | — | – | — | – | – | – | — | — |
| 2000 | TPL | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 21 | 30 | 5th | — | – | — | – | – | – | — | — |
| 2001–02 | TPL | 22 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 26 | 23 | 28 | 6th | — | – | – | – | – | – | Pitipong Kuldilok | 12 |
| 2002–03 | TPL | 18 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 19 | 33 | 3rd | – | – | — | – | – | – | Sarayuth Chaikamdee | 10 |
| 2003–04 | TPL | 18 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 5th | – | – | — | – | – | – | — | — |
| 2004–05 | TPL | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 4th | – | – | – | – | – | – | Sarayuth Chaikamdee | 10 |
| 2006 | TPL | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 28 | 28 | 7th | – | – | GR | – | – | – | Nirut Kamsawad | 6 |
| 2007 | TPL | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 36 | 43 | 36 | 12th | – | – | – | – | – | – | Pitipong Kuldilok | 7 |
| 2008 | TPL | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 30 | 47 | 30 | 13th | – | – | – | – | – | – | Teerawut Sanphan | 6 |
| 2009 | TPL | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 30 | 44 | 6th | W | – | Not Enter | – | – | – | Pipat Thonkanya | 10 |
| 2010 | TPL | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 29 | 48 | 4th | R3 | W | GR | RU | – | QF | Sarayuth Chaikamdee | 13 |
| 2011 | TPL | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 33 | 38 | 45 | 7th | R3 | RU | – | – | – | – | Ekkachai Sumrei | 4 |
| 2012 | TPL | 34 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 32 | 48 | 33 | 16th | R4 | R3 | – | – | – | – | Olof Hvidén-Watson | 10 |
| 2013 | DIV 1 | 34 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 61 | 40 | 65 | 2nd | QF | R1 | – | – | – | – | Leandro Oliveira | 24 |
| 2014 | TPL | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 44 | 52 | 45 [24] | 13th | R4 | R2 | – | – | – | – | Leandro Oliveira | 10 |
| 2015 | TPL | 34 | 10 | 3 | 21 | 31 | 49 | 33 | 17th | R4 | R2 | – | – | – | – | Wuttichai Tathong | 6 |
| 2016 | DIV 1 | 26 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 55 | 30 | 47 | 3rd | QF | SF | – | – | – | – | Rodrigo Maranhão | 10 |
| 2017 | T1 | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 60 | 63 | 50 | 9th | R3 | R2 | – | – | – | – | Josimar | 13 |
| 2018 | T1 | 34 | 19 | 4 | 11 | 73 | 45 | 61 | 3rd | QF | R2 | – | – | – | – | Dragan Bošković | 21 |
| 2019 | T1 | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 55 | 36 | 53 | 3rd | W | R1 | – | – | – | – | Sergio Suárez | 10 |
| 2020–21 | T1 | 30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 58 | 36 | 56 | 3rd | R3 | – | – | RU | PR2 | – | Sergio Suárez | 14 |
| 2021–22 | T1 | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 41 | 37 | 39 | 8th | R3 | R1 | – | – | GR | – | Sergio Suárez | 9 |
| 2022–23 | T1 | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 52 | 38 | 52 | 3rd | SF | R1 | – | – | PO | – | Hamilton | 15 |
| 2023–24 | T1 | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 72 | 37 | 57 | 3rd | R1 | SF | – | – | PO | – | Teerasak Poeiphimai | 15 |
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Continental record
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Asian Club Championship | Qualifying stage |  Selangor |
0–1 | 0–1 | 0–2 |
| 1991 | Asian Club Championship | Quarter-finals (Group A) |
 Al Rayyan |
1–3 | 3rd out of 4 | |
 Mohammedan SC |
4–1 | |||||
 Al Shabab |
1–3 | |||||
| 2010 | AFC Cup | Group H |  SHB Đà Nẵng |
2–3 | 0–0 | 2nd out of 4 |
 Tai Po |
2–0 | 1–0 | ||||
 Geylang United |
2–2 | 1–0 | ||||
| Round of 16 |  Sriwijaya |
4–1 | ||||
| Quarter-finals |  Al-Qadsia |
0–0 | 0–3 | 0–3 | ||
| 2020 | AFC Champions League | Preliminary round 2 |  Ceres–Negros |
0–1 | ||
| 2021 | AFC Champions League | Group J | Kitchee |
1–1 | 0–2 | 3rd out of 4 |
 Guangzhou |
3–0 | 5–1 | ||||
 Cerezo Osaka |
0–3 | 1–1 | ||||
| 2022 | AFC Champions League | Play-off round |  Ulsan Hyundai |
0–3 | ||
| 2023–24 | AFC Champions League | Play-off round | Zhejiang |
0–1 | ||
| 2024–25 | AFC Champions League Two | Group F | Zhejiang |
1–0 | 2–1 | 2nd out of 4 |
| Lion City Sailors |
1–3 | 2–5 | ||||
| Persib Bandung |
2–2 | 1–0 | ||||
| Round of 16 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
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Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
For details on former players, see Category:Port F.C. players.
Club officials
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| President |  Chalermchoke Lamsam |
| Honorary-President | Sara Lamsam |
| Team Manager | Thannya Wongnak |
| Head Coach | Rangsan Viwatchaichok |
| Assistant Coach | Choketawee Promrut Peeratat Phoruendee |
| Goalkeeping Coach |  Beto Guastel |
| Fitness Coach | Rafael Monteiro Krittaphon Daengkula Itthiphon Rengchaiyaphum |
| Physiotherapist |  Dejan Tosevski |
Managerial history
Managers/head coaches by year (1996–present)
Daoyod Dara 1996–2001- Niwat Srisawat 2002–2007
- Somchart Yimsiri 2008
- Paiboon Lertvimonrut 2009
- Sasom Pobprasert 2009–2011
- Thongchai Sukkoki 2011–2012
- Piyakul Kaewnamkang 2012
- Adul Leukijna 2012
- Worakorn Wichanarong 2012
- Dusit Chalermsan 2012–2014
- Somchai Chuayboonchum 2014–2015
- Paiboon Lertvimonrut 2015
Gary Stevens 2015- Somchai Subpherm 2015
Masahiro Wada 2015–2016- Jadet Meelarp 2016–2017
- Kiatisuk Senamuang 2017
- Jadet Meelarp 2017–2019
- Choketawee Promrut 2019–2020
- Jadet Meelarp 2020
- Sarawut Treephan 2020–2021
- Dusit Chalermsan 2021
- Sarawut Treephan 2021–2022
- Weerayut Binebdullohman (interim) 2022
- Jadet Meelarp 2022
- Scott Cooper 2022
Matthew Holland (interim) 2022–2023- Choketawee Promrut and Surapong Kongthep 2023
- Rangsan Viwatchaichok 2023–
Honours
National
| Team | Winners | Runners-up | Years won | Years runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai League 1 | 0 | 1 | – | 1999 |
| Thai League 2 | 0 | 1 | – | 2013 |
| FA Cup | 3 | 1 | 1982, 2009, 2019 | 1994 |
| League Cup | 1 | 1 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Thailand Champions Cup | 0 | 1 | – | 2020 |
| Kor Royal Cup | 8 | 1 | 1968, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1985, 1990 | 2010 |
| Queen's Cup | 6 | 3 | 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1987, 1993 | 1972, 1983, 1984 |
International
Bordoloi Trophy[25]
- Winners (3): 1979, 1993, 2007
- Runners-up (1): 1978
- ATPA Shield[26]
- Runners-up (1): 1993
References
External links
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