Lionsbridge FC

Lionsbridge Football Club, or Lionsbridge FC, is an American soccer club based on the Virginia Peninsula, which comprises the cities of Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and York and James City counties. 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.

Lionsbridge FC
Full nameLionsbridge Football Club
Founded2017
StadiumTowneBank Stadium
Newport News, Virginia
Capacity4,200
ChairmanMike Vest, Kevin Joyce
Head coachChris Whalley
LeagueUSL League Two
20231st, Chesapeake Division
Playoffs: National Final
WebsiteClub website

Background

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
  • 2018 Spain Fortia Munts – Valentine Eleebana Phoenix (Australia),[13] Unio Esportiva Vic
  • 2019-20 England Rich Dearle - Eltham Redbacks in Australia.

Year by year
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

Jersey sponsors
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
  1. 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.
  2. Yanchulis, Kate. "Semipro soccer coming to Newport News in form of Lionsbridge FC". dailypress.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  3. Yanchulis, Kate. "Semipro soccer coming to Newport News in form of Lionsbridge FC". dailypress.com. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  4. "Lionsbridge FC". Facebook. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  5. "Welcome to Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula". Military News. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  6. O'Brien, Marty. "Lionsbridge FC founders aim to bring high-level soccer to Newport News". dailypress.com. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  7. Lionsbridge FC (November 14, 2017), Lionsbridge FC Press Conference 11-14-17, retrieved November 18, 2017
  8. "chris-whalley". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  9. "Ivan Militar Joins El Paso Locomotive FC as New Director of USL Academy Teams". www.eplocomotivefc.com.
  10. "Tynesiders Secure Defender Devitt – Gateshead FC". www.gateshead-fc.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  11. "JJ's squad update". Hinckley AFC. August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  12. "Goalkeepers Added to 2019 Kickers Roster". Richmond Kickers. March 20, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  13. Kerry, Craig (December 9, 2019). "NPL: Valentine Phoenix add Spanish attacker to 2020 squad". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  14. "Local Richmond Youth Product Simon Fitch Signs with Kickers". USLLeagueOne.com. February 23, 2022.
  15. "The Journey: JP Scearce". wgahmedia.com. September 8, 2020.
  16. "Watsonville native Adrian Rebollar signs deal with Monterey Bay F.C. | USL Championship soccer". pajaronian.com. March 12, 2022.
  17. "MSOC: Ramsay Signs Professional Contract With Charlotte Independence". Hofstra University Athletics. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  18. "Luke Brown". Hitchin Town FC. October 10, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  19. "Real Salt Lake Selects Rene White in Third Round". RSL Communications.
  20. "North Texas SC signs FC Dallas SuperDraft pick Thibaut Jacquel". 3rd Degree. March 29, 2021.
  21. "NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF ALBUQUERQUE NATIVE ALEX TOUCHE". www.newmexicoutd.com.
  22. "Drafted: Bentley Selected by Minnesota United". wesleyanbobcats.com.
  23. "Matt Bentley Joins the Richmond Forward Line". Oursportscentral.com.
  24. O'Brien, Marty. "Lionsbridge FC soccer team to partner with Riverside Health". dailypress.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  25. "chick-fil-a". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  26. "nike". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  27. "planet fitness". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
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