ultras

On Tour in Johor

Boys of Straits
Image ~ ~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 9 Comments

FBTG‘s visit to Johor Bahru is now over, but we went out with a bang.

The itinerary included a daytime groundhop, the JDT II team vs ATM at the Pasir Gudang Corporation Stadium (1-1), the Johor Darul Ta’zim First XI beating Kelantan 3-0 at the Stadium Tan Sri Dato Hj Hassan, the presentation of the Malaysian Super League trophy to the reigning champions JDT the same evening and a good amount of conversations with locals to learn about the team, city, region and people of Johor.

The tour was too good not to share with you, so enjoy the Continue reading →

Johor’s Boys of Straits

Boys of Straits graffiti
Image ~ ~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 7 Comments

While everybody else is in Singapore watching Hamilton and Vettel run around in circles, we are across the border in Johor Bahru, Malaysia’s second city. You may not know the place well; it doesn’t boast much notable cultural output and isn’t a magnet for global tourism. But it does boast the current dominant force of domestic Football, Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, and the most celebrated fan group in the country. And it didn’t take us long to find their graffiti on Continue reading →

All Thaid Up | Thai Culture and Football

Khlong Toei man
~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 5 Comments

If you read a blog like this one, you have probably been to Thailand. We like to think of ourselves as worldly, liberal and empirical and hope this reflects in our writing, and people into this sort of writing are usually travel enthusiasts to some degree. And travel enthusiasts all indulge themselves with Thailand at some point. It is a country of fun and beauty and more fun, and to western appetites, the Thai culture of convenience and consumption make it feel far more like home than its neighbours. Fast food, craft beer and trap music available in a stunner of a country. An obvious destination.

And if you read a blog like this one, maybe you also watched some Football there. And, stood there on the terrace with your fried chicken and Singha beer, it will have come to your attention Continue reading →

Khlong Toei and Port FC

Klong Toei
~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 5 Comments

Port FC’s 50th anniversary is something to celebrate in domestic Thai Football.

Thai businessmen frequently buy out and invest heavily in clubs with purchases often proceeding behaviour that would be most unwelcome in Europe; relocations, playing-colour-roulette and name changes. Why? A strong sense of classism, respect for seniority and a “Saving Face” culture characterise Thai society. Unlike Continue reading →