DHL Express has partnered with Manchester United to provide a professional-grade, all-weather football pitch to one of the most geographically isolated communities in the world – Mae Suek, Thailand – a region where over 85 per cent of the population are lifelong supporters of the Reds.
Located 140km and more than four hours from the nearest major city, Chiang Mai, and a two-and-a-half-hour round trip from the closest functional football pitch, Mae Suek is home to 11 villages and 11,577 people who share a love for the beautiful game and Manchester United, in particular.
However, extreme weather conditions that frequently renders the local fields unusable, combined with a mountainous terrain that offers very little flat ground, has meant that Mae Suek has long struggled with a lack of safe sporting facilities, which sidelines the community’s passion for playing football.
So, as part of DHL Express’ 'Delivering Dreams' campaign, the global logistic experts, together with Manchester United, surprised the community by providing high-quality infrastructure on Jericho Farm. The 9x9 pitch is made to world-class standards, featuring premium FIFA Grade 4G turf, similar to what is found at United’s Carrington training ground.
The new facility will ensure that over 1,000 students from two schools and three neighbouring villages can now access training facilities every day, regardless of the tropical climate, whilst also hosting regional tournaments throughout the year and applications for the Chiang Mai FC Academy.
Patrice Evra, Manchester United legend, said: “The 'Delivering Dreams' campaign with DHL Express is fantastic. When I saw the smiles on the kids' faces when they played on this beautiful football pitch for the first time, it was a moment I won’t forget. When I was that age, I didn't have the opportunity or the luxury to play on that kind of pitch. It’s an amazing campaign and an honour to be chosen to cut the cord and be the first one playing on the pitch with those kids.
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Mr V, owner of Jericho Farm, said: “It is a privilege to use my farm as the location for the region’s first-ever football pitch, which we can use all year round. We are a community of massive Manchester United fans but, until now, we didn’t always have the opportunity to play the game that everyone loves so much.
”I am excited knowing that everyone can now play sport whenever they choose, and it brings me great joy to see children having so much fun.”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes also shared inspiring video messages and provided club jerseys, upon hearing from these avid fans, including Mr Som Chai, a referee for local grassroots clubs and his son, Man Yoo, who is named after his favourite team. Meanwhile, the president of the Khun Yuam Manchester United Supporters Club is nicknamed Aoddy Sheringham, celebrating his status as the area’s best-ever football player.
Delivered by DHL Express Thailand, five trucks drove 500 miles from Bangkok to Jericho Farm – almost the length of the entire country – over the course of two days. The installation of the pitch required land clearing, soil excavation and site-levellling to prepare the land, while 12 members of the local tribe, as part of the Hmong Tribal communities, were on hand to bless the pitch upon completion.
Reds skipper Fernandes said: “It is projects like this that inspire young children from around the world to believe that they can, one day, play at the Theatre of Dreams. The enjoyment and the passion to play football is the same, whether it is on your local pitch or in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford. It’s a great project and I know it will be enjoyed by the children and wider community of Mae Suek.”
Mason Mount, Manchester United player, said: “It’s an amazing project to be able to supply a pitch in such a remote area. It’s magical for the kids in that local area to see a pitch like that. To see that quality of pitch and how lucky we are to be able to play on such pitches, you want everyone to be able to experience something like that. I know a lot of the planning that has gone into it has been very difficult, and taken a lot of time to sort everything out, but what an amazing story and for the kids it will be so special.”
Elliott Santon, Head of Global Sponsorships at DHL Express, said: “At DHL Express, we are always looking for opportunities to deliver on our mission to connect people and improve lives. It is a proud moment to work with our long-term partners at Manchester United to provide the people of Mae Suek, Thailand, with access to a professional grade football pitch. To hear the community’s love for the game and how playing sport will benefit the region for generations to come was very rewarding.”
The 'Delivering Dreams' campaign brings to life DHL Express’ purpose mission of ‘Connecting People and Improving Lives’, by using football and our legacy partnership with Manchester United as a platform to unite communities for a better world.