Former Perth Glory assistant coach Andy Ord heads the technical development at Buriram. 

“It’s nice to have a fellow Aussie to chat with and to cross paths with him again.

"I know him from when I first moved to Bangkok, I was recommended to him when he was coaching at Muangthong United B side,” Creevey says. 

Buriram’s Asian Champions League exploits in recent years have mirrored the rise of Thailand as a south-east Asian and regional power over the last decade. 

In the ACL, the Thunder Castles defeated powerhouses Jeonbuk Motors and Cerezo Osaka in the group stage, putting Thai football firmly on the map. 

And after a youth development deal was signed with Borussia Dortmund in 2018, Buriram is heading in the right direction. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL BURIRAM UNITED SITE

Socceroos fans will recall the Thai national team giving Ange Postecoglou’s men a scare on the Road to Russia 2018. 

“Jay Messi" from the J-League a shining example of Thailand’s new confidence and quality. 

“Thailand has stepped it up on the international stage.

"I remember going to the Rajamangala Stadium to see that World Cup qualifier with the Socceroos (Australia escaping with a 2-2 draw). Ange kept the players on the pitch after the game - he wasn’t happy.

“It’d be a dream to face the Socceroos playing for Thailand,” he says, even though he admits feeling more Aussie than Thai. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL BORNEO CUP SITE

Creevey may be a familiar face to long-time FTBL readers. 

We first caught up with the central defender 10 years ago, in Kota Kinabalu at Malaysia's Borneo Cup.

A boutique junior and youth development tournament for teams across Asia run by former Socceroo Scott Ollerenshaw. 

SEE FTBL'S FIRST MEETING WITH MAXX IN 2010

Since then, Creevey has made Thailand his home and football his career.

He joined Buriram’s academy in 2014 so his new contract is a homecoming of sorts. 

Sounds a great life, eh?

Not exactly: the lower reaches of Thai football can be hugely challenging. 

Creevey played for a series of lower-level clubs before his Buriram senior deal.  

Poor facilities, financial issues, and low-quality medical back up took its toll. 

"I had to go back to Sydney to get my treatment done," he said of one particular injury. 

“If I look back, the lowlights were definitely when I was thinking of throwing in the towel last year after playing for some of those clubs.” 

So disillusioned he left the country for around six months, lived with a mate in Amsterdam, and played amateur football in the Dutch capital while working in a juice bar during the day. 

"Just to clear my head and try something different," he said. 

However, it seemed to reignite his football passion. 

He added: "I do follow the A-League quite a bit. So one day I'd like to come back."