Wilko first foreign captain in Thai league

ST photo

John Wilkinson has make history again according to the Straits Times as he has become the first foreign captain in Thai Premier league.

And the way the Singaporean found out was amazing as he was greeted by thunderous applause after being asked to stand in the middle of a team huddle during training two months ago, his Police United teammate said it was because they were amazed he was still playing good football at 31.

Minutes later, he found out the real reason and was lost for words.

The former Singapore Armed Forces FC playmaker had been named captain, becoming the first foreign skipper in the Thai Premier League's 16-year history.

And that after he has become the first Singapore footballer to play in Thailand when he joined the Phatum Thani-based outfit weeks earlier on a two-year deal.

'My coach (Thawatchai Damrong- Ongtrakul) has a really dry sense of humour, so he chose this method of breaking the news,' recalled Wilkinson.

'It's still a huge shock looking back at it. It was just my 10th training session with them, but it's a huge honour and shows my team's faith in me.'