English teams get warm welcome in Bangkok

Hundreds of fans waited patiently at both Don Muang International Airport and the team hotels to get a glimpse to their favourite Premier League players from Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City and Everton, who arrived yesterday to play in the FA Premier League Asia Trophy tournament from 20-23 July. After greeting fans at the airport, all three teams headed to their hotels. Bolton checked in at the Imperial Queen’s Park, Manchester City went to the Radisson and Everton to the Plaza Athenee.

Groups of fans hung around the hotels taking photographs and some gave bouquets of flowers to their favourite players and received autographs in return. The Nation reported that England international David James of Manchester City seemed to be the favourite for Thai fans. "He was easily recognised by the locals, who he smiled to, while some players like Bolton Wanderers’ Jay-Jay Okocha tried to impress fans with a 'wai'."

The club’s managers, Bolton’s Sam Allardyce, Manchester City’s Stuart Pearce and Everton’s David Moyes, said it is much hotter here than England. However, they promised their teams would give 100 per cent in every game and to win the title would be a great start for the new season.