Summary
Lionsbridge Football Club, or Lionsbridge FC, is an American soccer club based in Newport News, Virginia. The club was founded in 2017, and play in USL League Two.[1] The club's colors are blue, black and white, and the club is named for the Lions Bridge, the iconic Peninsula landmark that has stood along the James River and in the Mariners' Museum Park since 1923.[2] The team plays its home games at TowneBank Stadium on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
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| Full name | Lionsbridge Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 | ||
| Stadium | TowneBank Stadium Newport News, Virginia | ||
| Capacity | 4,200 | ||
| Chairman | Mike Vest, Kevin Joyce | ||
| Head coach | Chris Whalley | ||
| League | USL League Two | ||
| 2023 | 1st, Chesapeake Division Playoffs: National Final | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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Background edit
The original founders include Mike Vest, Kevin Joyce, and Dan Chenoweth, all of whom are Virginia Peninsula residents.[3] Lionsbridge FC announced its launch on June 9, 2017, via a social media release. At the time of the team's announcement, the club invited fans to help determine its crest via a fan vote on social media. More than 600 people voted [4] and the team unveiled the winning design in July 2017. The crest integrates four identifying features of the Virginia Peninsula - the Lions Bridge, the team's location and launch year, the James and York Rivers, and the region's importance as a hub of the United States military.[1][5]
Lionsbridge FC announced its league affiliation (Premier Development League) and TowneBank Stadium (then known as Pomoco Stadium) agreement (with Christopher Newport University) during a press conference on November 14, 2017.[6][7]
The team named Chris Whalley as its first head coach on February 14, 2018.[8]
Notable former players edit
- 2018-19
Ivan Militar - Academy Director for El Paso Locomotive in USL Championship.[9] - 2018
Tom Devitt – Gateshead FC, Blythe United, Stranraer FC, Hebburn Town[10] - 2018 Josh Spencer – Hinckley A.F.C.[11]
- 2018
Joe Rice – Richmond Kickers, New England Revolution II, Loudoun United FC, Detroit City FC.[12]
- 2018
Fortia Munts – Valentine Eleebana Phoenix (Australia),[13] Unio Esportiva Vic - 2018, 2020-21 Simon Fitch – Richmond Kickers[14]
- 2019 JP Scearce – Union Omaha[15]
- 2019 Adrian Rebollar - Monterey Bay FC in USL Championship.[16]
- 2019-20 Rich Dearle - Eltham Redbacks in Australia.
- 2019
Oscar Ramsay – Charlotte Independence, North Shore United[12][17] - 2019 Luke Brown – Hitchin Town FC, Stowmarket Town FC[18]
- 2019 Rene White – Real Salt Lake of MLS [19]
- 2019
Thibaut Jacquel – FC Dallas of MLS [20] and CS Fola Esch in Luxembourg. - 2020 Alex Touche – New Mexico United of USL Championship[21] and Union Omaha of USL League One.
- 2021 Matthew Bentley – MLS Draft Pick of Minnesota United,[22] Dover Athletic and Richmond Kickers in USL League One.[23]
Year by year edit
| Year | League | Conference | Division | Pld | W | L | D | Pts | Pos | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PDL | Eastern | South Atlantic | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 3rd | did not qualify | did not qualify | 11,520 |
| 2019 | USL League Two | Eastern | South Atlantic | 14 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 18 | 5th | did not qualify | did not qualify | 17,523 |
| 2020 | USL League Two | Southern | South Atlantic | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||||
| 2021 | USL League Two | Southern | South Atlantic | 14 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 2nd | Conference Quarterfinals | did not qualify | 17,655 |
| 2022 | USL League Two | Eastern | Chesapeake | 14 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 38 | 1st | Conference Quarterfinals | did not qualify | 25,493 |
| 2023 | USL League Two | Eastern | Chesapeake | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 1st | National Final | 1st Round | |
Honors edit
- USL League Two Best Regular Season Record Champions: 2022
- USL League Two Eastern Conference Champions: 2023
- USL League Two Chesapeake Division Champions: 2022, 2023
- USL League Two Franchise of the Year: 2019
- USL League Two Eastern Conference Attendance Leaders: 2018, 2022
- USL League Two Southern Conference Attendance Leaders: 2019, 2020, 2021
Jersey sponsors edit
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | Nike | Chick-fil-A |
| 2020-22 | Errea | |
| 2023–present | Food Lion |
Lionsbridge FC's inaugural season sponsors included Chick-fil-A (Official Jersey Sponsor), Riverside Health System (Official Sports Medicine Provider), Planet Fitness (Official Health Club), Nike (Official Apparel Supplier) and Financial Security Group.[24][25][26][27]
References edit
- ^ a b Staff, USLPDL.com (November 14, 2017). "Lionsbridge FC Named New PDL Club". USL PDL. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
- ^ Yanchulis, Kate. "Semipro soccer coming to Newport News in form of Lionsbridge FC". dailypress.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ Yanchulis, Kate. "Semipro soccer coming to Newport News in form of Lionsbridge FC". dailypress.com. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ "Lionsbridge FC". Facebook. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ "Welcome to Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula". Military News. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- ^ O'Brien, Marty. "Lionsbridge FC founders aim to bring high-level soccer to Newport News". dailypress.com. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
- ^ Lionsbridge FC (November 14, 2017), Lionsbridge FC Press Conference 11-14-17, retrieved November 18, 2017
- ^ "chris-whalley". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ "Ivan Militar Joins El Paso Locomotive FC as New Director of USL Academy Teams". www.eplocomotivefc.com.
- ^ "Tynesiders Secure Defender Devitt – Gateshead FC". www.gateshead-fc.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ "JJ's squad update". Hinckley AFC. August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ a b "Goalkeepers Added to 2019 Kickers Roster". Richmond Kickers. March 20, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
- ^ Kerry, Craig (December 9, 2019). "NPL: Valentine Phoenix add Spanish attacker to 2020 squad". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ "Local Richmond Youth Product Simon Fitch Signs with Kickers". USLLeagueOne.com. February 23, 2022.
- ^ "The Journey: JP Scearce". wgahmedia.com. September 8, 2020.
- ^ "Watsonville native Adrian Rebollar signs deal with Monterey Bay F.C. | USL Championship soccer". pajaronian.com. March 12, 2022.
- ^ "MSOC: Ramsay Signs Professional Contract With Charlotte Independence". Hofstra University Athletics. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ "Luke Brown". Hitchin Town FC. October 10, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ "Real Salt Lake Selects Rene White in Third Round". RSL Communications.
- ^ "North Texas SC signs FC Dallas SuperDraft pick Thibaut Jacquel". 3rd Degree. March 29, 2021.
- ^ "NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF ALBUQUERQUE NATIVE ALEX TOUCHE". www.newmexicoutd.com.
- ^ "Drafted: Bentley Selected by Minnesota United". wesleyanbobcats.com.
- ^ "Matt Bentley Joins the Richmond Forward Line". Oursportscentral.com.
- ^ O'Brien, Marty. "Lionsbridge FC soccer team to partner with Riverside Health". dailypress.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "chick-fil-a". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "nike". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ "planet fitness". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved January 28, 2018.