English Championship Club Chase American Dream
Published on June 10, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
RICHMOND, VA - (Tuesday, June 10, 2008) - The Richmond Kickers were pleased to host English Championship club Burnley FC over the weekend. Richmond Kickers President Tom Depcrynski, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Kevin Goolsby and Vice President, Soccer Programs Leigh Cowlishaw met with Burnley FC officials including Chairman Barry Kilby, Operations Director Brendan Flood, Development Director Paul Fletcher and Assistant Manager Sandy Stewart. Richmond was the final destination of a whirlwind fact- finding mission that allowed the Burnley officials to discuss partnership opportunities with USL's Minnesota Thunder, Carolina Railhawks and the Richmond Kickers.
Burnley strive to forge a symbiotic relationship to scout for local talent, hold training camps, exchange players and share best practices with a USL club. They hope to mirror Stoke City and their new USL partner, the Austin Aztex as well as Crystal Palace Baltimore who linked with Burnley's Championship rival Crystal Palace two years ago.
As Flood explained "The American market is exploding and from being the 10th most popular sport just a few short years ago, [soccer] is now the third most popular and played by young people right across such a huge country. In many ways, this means America is still very much an untapped market and from our research, the youth organizations and facilities over there are extremely well run."
Members of Stoke City FC and the Austin Aztex spent the day with the Richmond Kickers in May to convey some of the operations and practices to the club taking the field in the Premier Development League this season. Burnley FC chose the Richmond Kickers based on recommendations from Stoke City as well as the United Soccer Leagues.
"It was an enjoyable experience to meet with the Burnley FC delegates," commented Tom Depcrynski, Richmond Kickers President. "Burnley FC are an impressive club with a rich history of success and a loyal fan base. They are an ambitious club who clearly wish to learn more about the US soccer market. We were able to discuss a wide range of topics relating to the Richmond Kickers, USL and the US soccer market as a whole. There is no doubt they are very serious about developing a collaborative agreement with a USL Professional Club."
Depcrynski added, "We are growing very rapidly and it will be very important that if we do decide to partner with an international club, that it is the right fit for our club and community. Our youth programs and pro attendance continue to grow and with the addition of our new indoor team and the development of our youth soccer complex we feel the Kickers have an impressive structure and brand to be connected with."
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 10, 2008
- Stars Win 2-1 In Hard Fought Battle Against Michigan To Advance In US Open Cup - Cleveland City Stars
- Eagles Advance to Round Two with 5-2 Win - Charlotte Eagles
- English Championship Club Chase American Dream - Richmond Kickers
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