Ratchaburi F.C.
| Full name | Ratchaburi Football Club สโมสรฟุตบอลจังหวัดราชบุรี | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | The Dragons (ราชันมังกร) | |||
| Short name | RCH | |||
| Founded | 2004 | |||
| Ground | Dragon Solar Park Ratchaburi, Thailand | |||
| Capacity | 13,000 | |||
| Chairman | Tanawat Nitikarnchana | |||
| Head coach | Worrawoot Srimaka | |||
| League | Thai League 1 | |||
| 2024–25 | Thai League 1, 4th of 16 | |||
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Ratchaburi Football Club (Thai: สโมสรฟุตบอลจังหวัดราชบุรี), is a Thai professional football club based in Ratchaburi province that currently plays in Thai League 1. The top tier league in Thailand. Ratchaburi has the nickname The Dragons which can be seen in the club official crest.
History
Establishment and early years
Ratchaburi Football Club was founded in 2004 and then joined 2006 Thailand Division 2 League. Ratchaburi able to win the Thailand Division 2 League title, get the right to compete in the 2007 Thailand League Division 1.
The 2007 League Division 1 season has a total of 24 teams participating in the competition, divided into 2 groups, 12 teams each and at the end of the competition, the top five of each group will be relegated to the competition. Thai League Division 2, the club did not perform very well, finished the season with the last place in the group A table.[1]
In 2008, Ratchaburi finished in seventh place out of the 11 participating teams, causing the team to relegate, but due to the Football Association of Thailand reshaping the competition in the season 2009 makes Ratchaburi continue to compete in the Thai League Division 2
2009 Regional League Division 2 is the first season to compete in a 5-region zone system, Ratchaburi Football Club is organized in the Central and Eastern region. The club finished the season with 9th place out of 12 participating teams.[1]
Dragon's breath
In 2010, the Nitikarnchana family decided to take over Ratchaburi Football Club, which was then in the Regional League Division 2. In 201, the club won the Central-East Division before earning promotion to Division 1 after winning Group A of the Division 2 playoffs.
Prior to the 2012 season, Ratchaburi was sponsored by the Mitr Phol Group and announced the change of the club's name to Ratchaburi Mitr Phol, with Sorraaut Klinprathum as the club's president, Boonying Nitikarnchana as the club's vice president and Thanawat Nitikarnchana is the team manager while taking the helms is Somchai Maiwilai as the club head coach.[2]
| 2011 | Division 2 | (Tier 3) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Division 1 | (Tier 2) |
| 2013 | Thai Premier League | (Tier 1) |
Whilst in Division 1, Ratchaburi made it to the 2012 Thai League Cup final where they lost 4–1 to Buriram United. The final was most remembered for the farcical circumstances that Ratchaburi faced as they didn't have any substitutes on the bench due to having several ineligible loanees from opponents Buriram United. Ratchaburi never stood a chance as Buriram won the final at a canter.[3]
Promotion to the top flight
In the following season, Ratchaburi flew through the 2012 Thai Division 1 League winning the title on their way to the top flight league.
In the first season of the Ratchaburi in top-tier league is considered unsuccessful, ranked 15th out of the total of 18 teams, but due to the problem of scrambling for the rights of the team between Sisaket and Esan United escalate,[4] The Thai League company decided to increase the top 20 teams in TPL, resulting in the Thai Premier League competition in 2013 season, there was only one relegation team, Pattaya United (17th place).
In 2014 season, Ratchaburi reacted by appointing former Girona manager Ricardo Rodríguez as their new manager for the new 2014 Thai Premier League season. The Dragons finished comfortably in 4th place.[5]
Move to Mitr Phol Stadium and recent years
After participating in the top league for 3 years, Ratchaburi Mitr Phol has a project to build its own football stadium. The stadium started construction in 2015 and opened for the first time in mid-2016. In 2016 the club moved to new ground, Mitr Phol Stadium and the club appointed Robert Procureur as the club first technical director.[6]
In 2016, Following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Football Association of Thailand cancelled the remaining league and cup season on 14 October 2016, with three rounds remaining. Ratchaburi then was announced as the 2016 Thai FA Cup champions where the title was shared among Chainat Hornbill, Chonburi and Sukhothai who was then in the semi-finals. Ratchaburi then finished the league in 6th place.
In the 2017 season, Ratchaburi continued to progress under Pacheta's stewardship, and with a team containing half blood players Philip Roller and Kevin Deeromram reached league finish as 6th place as well as reaching the semi-final of the League Cup losing 0–1 to Chiangrai United at Supachalasai Stadium.[7]
In the 2018 season, a dismal run of form saw the team slip to the bottom of the league table. Ratchaburi finished the season in 12th place with 43 points, they were one point adrift from safety.
In the 2019 season, after beating Buriram United in the semi-final, Ratchaburi reached the 2019 Thai FA Cup final for the first time in their history. In the final, played at the Leo Stadium, Ratchaburi lost to Port 1–0, with a goal by Sergio Suárez scored in second half. Ratchaburi made it becoming the runner-up of the competition.[8][9]
AFC Champions League debut
In 2021, Ratchaburi qualified to 2021 AFC Champions League for the first time in club history after finishing the position in top four in the 2020–21 season. Ratchaburi was then placed in group G alongside South Korean Pohang Steelers, Japanese club Nagoya Grampus and Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim.[10][11] On 4 July 2021, the club then registered their first ever points in the tournament after a goalless draw against Pohang Steelers.
In 2022, Ratchaburi ended their 10-years sponsorship with Mitr Phol where the club name was shorten back to Ratchaburi. The club stadium has also renamed to Dragon Solar Park after the solar panel manufacturing company Dragon Solar.
AFC Champions League Two knockout stage
Ratchaburi ended the 2024–25 Thai League 1 in fourth place which then sees the team qualified to the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two. In the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two, Ratchaburi finished the group stage as runners-up thus qualifying to the round of 16 facing off against Indonesian club Persib Bandung. Ratchaburi won 3–0 in the first leg but fall to a 1–0 defeat in the second leg in Bandung where it cause an uproar among the Persib Bandung fans. Ratchaburi won 3–1 on aggregate thus qualifying to the quarter-finals.
Academy development
Ratchaburi opened its first youth academies in 2016 under the name The Dragons Academy.[12] In 2017, Ratchaburi have appointed former player Douglas Cardozo as the club head of youth development.[13]
Stadium
From 2007 to 2016, the club used Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium owned by the city council as their home ground. In June 2016, the club built Dragon Solar Park in the town of Huai Phai, Ratchaburi Province to be its new home ground and is directly owned by the club. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 seats.[14]
| Coordinates | Location | Stadium | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13°31′55″N 99°48′50″E / 13.531817°N 99.813832°E | Ratchaburi | Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium | 2007–2016 |
| 13°31′18″N 99°46′11″E / 13.521677°N 99.769588°E | Ratchaburi | Dragon Solar Park | 2016–present |
Players
First-team 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.
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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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Management and staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Tanawat Nitikanchana |
| Technical director | Robert Procureur |
| Head coach | Worrawoot Srimaka |
| Assistant coach | Somchai Maiwilai |
Honours
League
- Thai League 3
- Champions (1): 2012
- Thai League 4
- Champions (1): 2011
- Regional League Central-East Division
- Champions (1): 2011
Cups
Records and statistics
As of 22 January 2026.
| Rank | Player | Years | Club appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathomchai Sueasakul | 2016–2023 | 222 |
| 2 | Ukrit Wongmeema | 2012–2022,
2025–present |
218 |
| 3 | Kritsananon Srisuwan | 2017–present | 216 |
| 4 | Ekkaluck Thonghkit | 2013–2021 | 203 |
| 5 | Chutipol Thongthae | 2013–2019 | 181 |
| 6 | Kampol Pathomakkakul | 2021–present | 180 |
| 7 | Sila Srikampang | 2010–2019 | 175 |
| 8 | Kiatisak Jiamudom | 2020–present | 168 |
| 9 | Pawee Tanthatemee | 2016–2023 | 134 |
| 10 | Henri Jöel | 2011–2015 | 132 |
| Rank | Player | Club appearances | Total goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heberty | 90 | 65 |
| 2 | Njiva Rakotoharimalala | 60 | 35 |
| 3 | Derley | 67 | 24 |
| 4 | Philip Roller | 122 | 23 |
| Yannick Boli | 72 | ||
| 6 | Steeven Langil | 142 | 22 |
| 7 | Marcel Essombé | 35 | 20 |
| Kang Soo-il | 43 | ||
| 9 | Yannick Djaló | 43 | 19 |
| Douglas Cordozo | 68 |
- Biggest wins: 8–1 vs Customs Ladkrabang United (27 October 2021)
- Heaviest defeats: 0–6 vs Buriram United (8 December 2024)
- Youngest goal scorers: Phongsakon Sangkasopha ~ 18 years 1 month 1 day old (On 20 November 2024 vs Bankhai United)
- Oldest goal scorers: Douglas Cardozo ~ 40 years 7 months 17 days old (On 2 November 2022 vs Warin Chamrap)
- Youngest ever debutant: Pichaya Chaiwarangkun ~ 16 years 7 months 28 days old (On 7 April 2019 vs Chiangrai United)
- Oldest ever player: Douglas Cardozo ~ 41 years 7 months 11 days old (On 7 May 2023 vs Buriram United)
Former players
International capped players
Managerial history
| Name | Period | Honours |
|---|---|---|
| Somchai Maiwilai | January 2009–January 2010 | |
| Prapol Pongpanich | January 2010–2 August 2010 | |
| Somchai Maiwilai (2) | 3 August 2010–June 2013 | 2011 Regional League Central-East Division |
| Iván Palanco | June 2013–24 December 2013 | |
| Ricardo Rodríguez | 19 January 2014–1 November 2014 | |
| Àlex Gómez | 1 November 2014–30 January 2015 | |
| Josep Ferré | 31 January 2015–14 December 2015 | |
| Pacheta | 5 January 2016–13 November 2017 | 2016 Thai FA Cup |
| Christian Ziege | 13 November 2017–22 February 2018 | |
| René Desaeyere | 22 February 2018–15 March 2018 | |
| Lassaad Chabbi | 15 March 2018–7 November 2018 | |
| Manolo Márquez | 7 November 2018–22 January 2019 | |
| Francesc Bosch | 22 January 2019–22 March 2019 | |
| Marco Simone | 25 March 2019–14 July 2019 | |
| Somchai Maiwilai (caretaker) (3) | 14 July 2019–20 October 2019 | |
| Nuengrutai Srathongvian | 20 October 2019–10 November 2019 | |
| Chaitud Uamtham | 10 November 2019–15 November 2020 | |
| Miloš Joksić | 19 November 2020–25 December 2020 | |
| Somchai Maiwilai (4) | 25 December 2020–26 January 2022 | |
| Bruno Pereira | 26 January 2022–4 July 2022 | |
| Xavi Moro | 4 July 2022–11 May 2023 | |
| Douglas Cardozo | 11 May 2023–23 June 2023 | |
| Carlos Peña | 24 June 2023–26 May 2024 | |
| Surapong Kongthep | 28 June 2024–16 September 2024 | |
| Somchai Maiwilai (interim) (5) | 17 September 2024–20 November 2024 | |
| Worrawoot Srimaka | 20 November 2024–present |
Season-by-season record
| Season | League[15] | FA Cup | League Cup | AFC Champions League |
Top scorer | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Name | Goals | ||||
| 2007 | DIV 1 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 31 | 40 | 19 | 12th | – | ||||
| 2008 | DIV 2 | 20 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 32 | 26 | 30 | 7th | – | ||||
| 2009 | DIV 2 Central-East | 22 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 31 | 33 | 21 | 9th | – | ||||
| 2010 | DIV 2 Central-East | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 45 | 39 | 45 | 9th | – | ||||
| 2011 | DIV 2 Central-East | 30 | 20 | 8 | 2 | 67 | 19 | 68 | 1st | R2 | R1 | – | Pornchai Ardjinda | 18+(5) |
| 2012 | DIV 1 | 34 | 24 | 6 | 4 | 85 | 31 | 78 | 1st | R4 | RU | – | Douglas Cardozo | 19 |
| 2013 | TPL | 32 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 31 | 39 | 30 | 15th | R3 | RU | – | Douglas Cardozo | 10 |
| 2014 | TPL | 38 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 62 | 42 | 65 | 4th | R4 | SF | – | Heberty | 26 |
| 2015 | TPL | 34 | 17 | 4 | 13 | 48 | 50 | 55 | 7th | QF | R3 | – | Heberty | 19 |
| 2016 | T1 | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 52 | 35 | 49 | 6th | W | R1 | – | Heberty | 20 |
| 2017 | T1 | 34 | 16 | 7 | 11 | 63 | 49 | 55 | 6th | R1 | SF | – | Marcel Essombé | 20 |
| 2018 | T1 | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 50 | 53 | 43 | 12th | SF | R1 | – | Kang Soo-il | 13 |
| 2019 | T1 | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 48 | 48 | 38 | 8th | RU | R1 | – | Yannick Boli | 14 |
| 2020–21 | T1 | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 48 | 41 | 46 | 8th | QF | – | – | Philip Roller | 14 |
| 2021–22 | T1 | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 12th | R2 | R3 | GS | Derley | 13 |
| 2022–23 | T1 | 30 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 32 | 29 | 41 | 8th | R3 | SF | – | Derley | 8 |
| 2023–24 | T1 | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 39 | 35 | 39 | 6th | R2 | QF | – | Njiva Rakotoharimalala | 9 |
| 2024–25 | T1 | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 65 | 47 | 52 | 4th | SF | SF | – | Clément Depres | 18 |
| 2025–26 | T1 | |||||||||||||
| Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Promoted | Relegated | In Progress |
Continental record
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | AFC Champions League | Group G | Pohang Steelers | 0–0 | 0–2 | 4th out of 4 |
| Johor Darul Ta'zim | 0–1 | 0–0 | ||||
| Nagoya Grampus | 0–4 | 0–3 | ||||
| 2025–26 | AFC Champions League Two | Group F | Gamba Osaka | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2nd out of 4 |
| Nam Định | 2–0 | 1–3 | ||||
| Eastern | 5–1 | 7–0 | ||||
| Round of 16 | Persib Bandung | 3–0 | 0–1 | 3–1 | ||
| Quarter-final | Gamba Osaka | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | 1–1 | 2–3 (a.e.t.) |
References
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- ^ ""บีจี" ตั้ง "โรดริเกวซ" คุมทัพลุย ACL". 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
- ^ "ราชบุรี ตั้ง โรเบิร์ต โปรคูเรอร์ นั่งแท่น ผอ.สโมสรคนแรก".
- ^ "Kirins, Chiang Rai in League Cup final". Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
- ^ "ท่าเรือแชมป์เอฟเอคัพ "ซัวเรซ"ฮีโร่ซัดดับราชบุรี-VARริบ2ประตูแจก1แดง". Siamsport.co.th. 2 November 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-11-02. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
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