interview: jorrin john

4/4/12 Leicester City's Jorrin John: Away with the Warriors in Thailand - Goal.com

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Leicester City's Jorrin John: Away withthe Warriors in Thailand

Steve Thompson caught up with Leicester Cityacademy product Jorrin John who has spent the pastsix months on loan at Thai Division 1 outfitSuphanburi FC (the Warriors)

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Feb 17, 2012 1:00:00 AM



Steve ThompsonEXCLUSIVE

By Steve Thompson | Thai Football Editor

English midfielder Jorrin John has taken a different path to many before him, having comethrough the Leicester City academy, before being loaned to Thai first division outfit

Suphanburi FC.

Leicester's Thai owner Vichai Raksriaksorn naturally played a big part in seeing John head

to South-East Asia, an unusual loan move for a young footballer in England. However,Suphanburi, also known as the Warriors, aren't your typical second tier club, with the Silpa-

archas involved, suggesting there's plenty of ambition. Don't Miss Winfried Schafer calls for Thailand focusSoleb facing ban from

NT after drunk drivingGoal.com caught up with John to discuss his time in Thailand.

Goal.com: Could you tell our readers how you ended up playing professional football in

Thailand?

Jorrin John: I was under contract at Leicester City at the time and there's a connection

between the club's (Thai) owners and Thai clubs. They told me there was an opportunity tocome out here and see what I could do! There were a few English teams interested in me,

but I was looking for a new challenge, so the move overseas made sense.

Goal.com: You initially signed with Muang Thong United – how did the loan deal (toSuphanburi) transpire?

JJ: I went on loan to get some experience of Thai football because I am still young and



need playing experience, as it's a lot different to English football.

Goal.com: What were your first impressions of Thai football and how have they changed

since making the move to the kingdom?

JJ: Initially, I thought it could be very easy, but it certainly isn't easy and you have to 'playwith your brain' and be clever. I like it because it's all 'pass, pass'.

"There are quite a few (impressive players) at Muang Thong, but the one I like

most is the number seven (midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao). He has good techniqueand is a good passer of the ball"

Goal.com: Which Thai players have impressed you during your stay?

JJ: There are quite a few at Muang Thong, but the one I like most is the number seven(midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao). He has good technique and is a good passer of the ball.

Goal.com: Did you get to meet the Raksriaksorns? Do the fans generally support the club's

owners?

JJ: Yes, I've actually met them a few times and they're very nice people. They're the reasonI've got a bit of playing experience in Thailand now. Leicester is a massive club - in my eyes

a Premiership club - so it doesn't matter who the owners are, in my opinion, so long as theywant to get the team back where it belongs.

Goal.com: Which players at Leicester do you rate right now?

JJ: Well, there are a few who are my close mates, but the players I would have to go forbased on your question are Jeffrey Schlupp and Andy King – very good young prospectsfor the future.

Goal.com: Is it fair to suggest that Suphanburi FC is a very ambitious club?

JJ: Yes, Suphanburi is a very ambitious club, which is looking to move into the Thai

Premier League (TPL) this year. We have a very good executive (Varawut Silpa-archa

[president]), who really looks after the team.

"Leicester is a massive club - in my eyes a Premiership club - so it doesn't matter



who the owners are, in my opinion, so long as they want to get the team back where

it belongs"

Goal.com: Which of your team-mates have you been most impressed with and how do you

fancy your chances this season?

JJ: There are quite a few good players at the club – too many to name! The point is, if we

work together as a team, we're all good players. The teams that were relegated from the

2011 TPL (Khon Kaen, Siam Navy and Sri Racha) will be hard to beat, but I thinkSuphanburi has the potential to be up there with the best.

Goal.com: What are the biggest changes you've had to make since moving to Thailand in

terms of one Football, and two Lifestyle?

JJ: In terms of football, I've had to change my game a bit, you've just got to be clever. I'll

have to see how the league develops. My lifestyle has had to change a lot and I have had tobecome more independent and learn to look after myself a lot more.

Goal.com: What do you miss most about home and like best about your new home?

JJ: Well, I miss my family and friends, but I know they will always be supportive and be

there for me, pushing me all the way. Thailand is a great country, which is very affordable. It

has very friendly people and nice beaches!

Goal.com: What advice would you give an aspiring young player?

JJ: Keep going! There will be more good days than bad. Don't dwell on the past, you haveto keep going if you want it bad enough, no matter what level you are playing at.

Goal.com: Thanks very much for your time!

JJ: You're welcome.

Follow Steve Thompson on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/custodians.

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interview: jorrin john

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