- Nakhon Ratchasima F.C.
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Nakhon Ratchasima FC
นครราชสีมา เอฟซี
Full name Nakhon Ratchasima Football Club
สโมสรฟุตบอลจังหวัดนครราชสีมาNickname(s) The Swat Cats
KoratFounded 1999 Ground 5th December Stadium
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
(Capacity: 20,141)Chairman 
Phollapee SuwanchaweeManager Thewet KamolsinLeague Regional League Division 2 
Home colours
Away coloursNakhon Ratchasima Football Club (Thai สโมสรฟุตบอลจังหวัดนครราชสีมา), also known as Korat, is a semi-professional football club based in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. They play in the Regional League North-East Division of the Regional League Division 2 along with fifteen other teams from 'Issan'.
Contents
History
Nakhon Ratchasima FC were formed in 1999. They have spent their ten year history playing in provincial leagues and the lower divisions of the Thai Football League. They have yet to achieve promotion from any division they have played in.[1]
In 2007, despite finishing fourth from bottom in a twelve-team division (in Division 1), 'Korat' were relegated to the newly formed third tier of the Thai football pyramid because of league restructuring
In 2008, Korat finished fourth in the now defunct Division 2 Group A. Korat started the season slowly but embarked on a five game winning streak in the middle third of the season which gave them a chance of promotion. However, a disappointing run-in meant that Korat eventually finished fourth.[2]
In 2009, Korat finished second in the inaugural Division 2 Northeast.[3] Despite leading the division for most of the season, they slipped to second on the final day as they drew 1-1 at home with Nakhon Phanom FC whilst title rivals Loei City beat Chaiyaphum United 1-0. They also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup (the only Regional League side to make it to that stage) but lost to TPL side Thai Port FC.[4]
In 2010, the club finished fourth in the expanded 16-team Northeast Division. Another high finish but they were far behind the top two of Loei and Buriram. Head coach Mann Jantanarm resigned after the 4-0 away defeat to Buriram F.C. and was replaced by a member of the backroom staff, Vichan Cha-on Sri. Despite a successful FA Cup run in 2009, the club fell at the first hurdle in the 2010 competition as they lost 2-1 away at F.C. Phuket. They were slightly more successful in the relaunched League Cup. Loei City were beaten 3-1 at the 80th Birthday Stadium in the preliminary round. This set up a first round proper clash with TPL side Samut Songkhram F.C. to be played over two legs. A good first leg performance saw Korat go down just 1-0 to opponents ranked two divisions higher. In the second leg, however, Korat lost 7-0 as the class of the opposition finally told.
Season League Position Notes 99-00 Provincial League 10th Inaugural Provincial League season. 12 teams in the division 2001 Provincial League 10th 12 teams in the division 2002 Provincial League Group 1 4th 6 teams in the division. Provincial League is divided into two groups of six with the top three from each group forming a final group of six. 2003 Provincial League 6th 12 teams in the division 2004 Provincial League 7th 10 teams in the division 2005 Provincial League 6th 12 teams in the division 2006 Professional League 10th 16 teams in the division. A new league set up by the SAT to be in direct competition with the FAT's Premier League 2007 and 2008 seasons are covered in detail below.
Players
Korat's most notable former player is Promphong Kransamrung who scored 26 goals in 23 matches for Korat in 2009. He moved to TPL side BEC Tero Sasana in November 2009[5] but re-signed for Nakhon Ratchasima F.C in June 2011.[6] In December 2009 former Chonburi FC and BEC player David Le Bras signed for Korat.[7]
Stadia
Korat play in the 80th Birthday Stadium which was the main stadium for the 2007 SEA Games. Korat moved to the stadium in the middle of the 2008 season having previously played at the city's Central Stadium. They also played home games in the town of Pak Chong when the Central Stadium was being renovated for the SEA Games during the 2007 season. The club originally played at the Army Stadium close to Nakhon Ratchasima city centre. This was their main home stadium from 1999 to 2006, although they occasionally played at Rajabhat University and Suranaree University of Technology during this period.[8]
Supporters
Fans of Nakhon Ratchasima FC
Despite the city of Korat having a population in excess of 400,000 and Nakhon Ratchasima Province having a population in excess of 2.5 million, Korat struggled to attract more than 400 for most home games throughout their history. This situation was addressed in the 2009 season as Division 2 was relaunched as the Regional League. Korat were now playing in a division composed solely of other clubs from Issan. The club was extensively promoted and publicized around the city with the result that attendances have been in excess of 1,000 since just 258 turned up to watch the match against Roi Et FC in May 2009. Some 4,500 were in attendance for Korat's home game with Nakhon Phanom in September 2009, and the matches against Loei, Pattaya United and Sakhon Nakhon were also watched by crowds in excess of 3,000.[9] Korat also have a vocal and active 'Fanclub' who bang drums and sing songs throughout matches. It is from this Fanclub that Korat's small away following is comprised.
Season By Season Domestic Record
Season Pld Won Draw Lost GF GA GD PTS Final Position Notes Thailand Division 1 League 2007 Group B 22 7 7 8 27 25 +2 28 9th Relegated to Thailand Division 2 League Thailand Division 2 League Group A 2008 20 9 4 7 36 19 +17 31 5th Regional League Northeast 2009 20 12 7 1 50 21 +29 43 2nd Runners-up Regional League Northeast 2010 30 14 9 7 51 37 +14 51 4th Current Trainers
Head Coach - Thewet Kamolsin
Assistant Coach - Jaruwat Yodchu
Assistant Coach - Jetnipat Ratchachalimrot
Goalkeeping Coach - Supricha JaroebtantoPlayers
Current squad
As of July 2011 Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player 4 MF Nuttakorn Budnonsang 6 DF Kitti Soraro 7 
MF David Le Bras 8 DF San Pimaksorn 9 FW Pratheep Supapong 10 FW Kongnatee Boonma 13 MF Jiranuwat Thiprod 16 DF Pitchipol Chaiyasit 18 GK Paitoon Kasemnet 19 FW Surat Khaklang 20 MF Nuttawat Chanachan 21 DF Somsak Jansrisuk No. Position Player 24 
MF Bani Abciku 26 GK Prasit Padungchok 27 MF Pakpoom Manaying 28 MF Banthit Noensathan 31 DF Phossawee Kiatkangwankul 33 FW Weerawat Phonchiangkwang 34 
DF Etoundi Claude Pie 35 
FW Philemon Onobominuru Abel 36 GK Argtanong Lertwilai 37 MF Jagkree Burapha 38 DF Sompong Rodchomphu 39 FW Prompong Kransumrong 40 MF Watcharapong Samanthong (on loan from Sisaket F.C.) External links
References
Related articles Regional League Division 2 North Eastern Amnat Charoen Town · Chaiyaphum Utd · Kalasin · Loei City · Mahasarakham City · Mukdahan · Nakhon Phanom · Nakhon Ratchasima · Nong Bua Lamphu · Nong Khai · Roi Et United · Sakon Nakhon · Surin · Ubon Tiger · Udon Thani · Yasothon UtdFootball in Thailand National association National teams League system Domestic cups Continental cups List of clubs · Venues · Competitions · Records Categories:- Association football clubs established in 1999
- Thai football clubs
- Nakhon Ratchasima Province
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