Provincial League

Infobox sports league
logo=Proleague.gif
pixels=120px
sport=Football
founded=1999
teams= vary
country=THA
champion= Samut Prakan

Provincial League (formerly Professional League) also known as Pro League is the regional Football league in Thailand. It is placed in the 4th level league in the football league system in Thailand. It was found in 1999 under the name "Provincial League" organized by Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The name has changed to "Professional League" in 2004 and then changed back to "Provincial League in 2007.

The Pro League is presently contested by clubs from each provinces of Thailand divided into 5 regions. The winners and runner-ups from each regions will play in playoff matches in the tournament at the end of a season. The top two team are promoted into Thailand Division 2 League.

History

Provincial League was found in 1999. The idea of Pro League came from two reasons introducing the full professional football players and supporting the regional football clubs. Before the Pro League, many clubs in the Thailand Premier League, another top national league, came from the government authorities, militaries, and amateur clubs from big private companies. All of those clubs also located in the Bangkok and regional clubs are not supported from the government. Then the Sports Authority of Thailand purpose a new league which includes teams from different provinces

During 1999-2006, Pro League has two divisions as named Pro League 1 and Pro League 2. Pro League 1 played in home-away format. The last two teams in the table are relegated into Pro League 2. The rest of the teams playing in Pro League 2 divided into 5 geographical regions. The winners and runner-ups from each regions will play in the tournament format at the end of the season. The winner and runner-up of the tournament are promoted into Pro League 1.

In 2007, Pro League 1 was merged into Thailand Premier League and Thailand Division 1 League. Then Pro League 2 was changed the name into the name "Provincial League" again playing in the same format. The end-season tournament got the name of SAT Championship. The top two team are promoted into Thailand Division 2 League.

Championship History

* The teams in bold typeface are promoted to Thailand Division 2 League.

See also

* Thailand Football Records and Statistics

External links

* [http://www.sat.or.th/ Sports Authority of Thailand]
* [http://www.thaifootballnews.blogspot.com/ Thai football Blog]