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PHUKET: The dust may have barely settled on FC Phuket’s dramatic promotion to Thai League Division 1 last month, but it appears the honeymoon may well be over.

It will be all change at Sarakul Stadium when the new season kicks off on February 12 as it has been confirmed that last season’s manager Arjan Songsamssub will not take charge of the team for the 2011 campaign, while four star players will leave for new clubs.

Mr Arjan, who masterminded Phuket’s rise from bottom of Division 2 to promotion to Division 1 in just 12 months, is not completely parting company with the club.

He will stay on as a consultant for three months, helping with the recruitment of a new manager, before leaving for Spain to take part in a coaches development course with Atletico Madrid.

The identity of the new manager is not yet known, but FC Phuket Secretary Sorranan Sanae has told the Gazette the new man is likely to be someone who has worked closely with Mr Arjan.

There was further bad news for the team’s fans this week with the announcement that four heroes from last season will not be donning the green jersey come February 12.

FC Buriram – who defeated Phuket in the Division 2 playoff final in Bangkok last week – have pinched the services of Adisak Kaisorn and Chachis Rawanprakorn.

Another massive blow for FC Phuket is that two of last year’s loan stars – Ivory coast duo Diarra Ali and Nene Bi Tra Sylvestre – have also moved on.

Ali is moving to Thai Premier League side Muangthong United, while it is not yet known who Nene Bi will sign for.

In other, brighter news for Phuket, Mr Sorranan has confirmed that players from Brazil and Korea are set to join the club to replace those on the way out.

Details of the new signings will be released at an FC Phuket meeting on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (OrBorJor) is set to provide 10 million baht towards FC Phuket’s assault on Thai League Division 1.

The rest of the money needed will be raised from sponsorship, with the team’s main sponsor for the new season set to be confirmed at Monday’s meeting.

FC Phuket’s final match of the season was utterly meaningless from a footballing point of view but there was a significant amount of prize money at stake.

It was also an interesting encounter because Buriram are linked with Buriram PEA and FC Phuket are linked with Muangthong Thing United.

Muangthong and Buriram PEA are the two main rivals in the Thai Premier League and a number of players on show were loaned out from these clubs.

In the end it was Buriram who prevailed after scoring the only goal of the game.

FC Phuket came from behind to win courtesy of two second half goals from Thawin Butrasombat. The result ensures that the Southern Sea Kirin will be playing first division football next season.

I believe that FC Phuket only need a draw against Samut Prakharn to guarantee promotion.

FC Phuket have a better head to head record and I am under the impression (although not 100% confirmed) that head to head takes precedence over goal difference.

If this is the case than, due to FC Phuket’s superior head to head record against Rayong, a point would guarantee second spot in the group.

Two goals from player of the season Diarra Ali, the first a penalty, give FC Phuket a 2-0 win against Rayong.

FC Phuket now need a win in their final home game against Samut Prakan on Christmas day ti guarantee promotion to Division One.

Tomorrow’s game will be kicking off at 4pm, not 6pm as previously advertized.

FC Phuket vs Rayong 19/12/10
Surakul Stadium
KO 4pm

FC Phuket have a make or break home game against Rayong on Sunday. The Southern Sea Kirin slipped to third in the Division Two Playoff Table after last week’s disappointing defeat against Chainat.

They are only a point behind the visitors Rayong and a win would leave FC Phuket in prime position to qualify whereas a loss could effectively end their prospects of promotion to Division One, depending on whether Chainat also win.

Arjan Songsamssub’s side have been imperious in front of their home fans this season and six points from the remaining two home game will be enough to secure promotion to Division One.

The club stand at something of a crossroads and if they fail to gain promotion Songsamssub, who has transformed the team’s fortunes, is likely to leave for new pastures. The players have demonstrated that they are far too good to remain in the regional divisions and star performers such as midfielder Diarra Ali will probably move on if FC Phuket do not gain promotion.

The match is scheduled to take place at the Surakul Stadium, kick off 6pm with tickets available for as little as 50 Baht.

League table courtesy of Thai League Football

Disappointing result but Rayong only drew meaning that FC Phuket are now third, a point behind Rayong and Chainat.

The top two teams are promoted meaning that if FC Phuket can win their last two games which are at home to Rayong and Samut Prakarn they will definitely make it into division one.

FC Phuket are on course for promotion to Division One after defeating Bangkok FC 2-0 courtesy of goals from Sarach Yooyen and Poramut Krongborisut.