Lionsbridge FC

Lionsbridge Football Club, or Lionsbridge FC, is an American soccer club based out of 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.

Full nameLionsbridge Football Club
Founded2017
StadiumTowneBank Stadium
Newport News, Virginia
Capacity4,200
ChairmanMike Vest
Head coachChris Whalley
LeagueUSL League Two
20195th, South Atlantic Division
Playoffs: DNQ
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

Tom Devitt (2018) signed with Gateshead FC on August 1, 2018.[9]

Josh Spencer (2018) signed with Hinckley A.F.C. in England on August 2, 2018.[10]

Joe Rice (2018) signed with Richmond Kickers of USL League One on March 20, 2019.[11]

Oscar Ramsay (2019) signed with Charlotte Independence of USL Championship on January 24, 2020.[11][12]

Fortia Munts (2018) signed with Valentine Eleebana Phoenix in Australia on December 9, 2019.[13]

Luke Brown (2019) signed with Hitchin Town FC in England on August 23, 2020.[14]

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ENG Richard Dearle
18 GK  USA Jacob Reimers
22 GK  USA Luke Messick
43 GK  USA Caleb Garbuio
2 DF  GER Gideon Betz
4 DF  NIR Tennant McVea
6 DF  USA Derek Cook
11 DF  ENG Charlie Ferguson
12 DF  USA Patrick Gyamfi
15 DF  USA Ryan Her
16 DF  USA Luke Narker
20 DF  BRA Eduardo Sant'Ana
21 DF  NED Luke Staats
3 MF  USA Travis Cooke
5 MF  USA James Ellis
8 MF  USA Sam Bacon


10 MF  USA Tanner Dail
14 MF  GER Eren Elbustu
17 MF  USA Jamie Gunderson
19 MF  USA Daniel Hoffmann
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 MF  USA Jonah Kagen


24 MF  USA James Lee
26 MF  USA Matthew Lee
27 MF  SEN Fiorre Mane
30 MF  HUN Ivan Militar
32 MF  NZL Oscar Ramsay
34 MF  USA Adrian Rebollar
35 MF  USA Hector Rivera
9 FW  USA Brennen Burton
13 FW  USA Max Poelker
16 FW  ENG Luke Brown
18 FW  USA Emeka Eneli
24 FW  USA Sebastian Gunbeyi
29 FW  FRA Thibaut Jacquel
31 FW  VGB Kristian Javier
36 FW  USA Max Poelker
37 FW  USA Scott Signorelli
39 FW  USA Rene White

Source: 2019 Lionsbridge FC Roster

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 1,340
2019 USL League Two Eastern South Atlantic 14 5 6 3 18 5th Did not qualify Did not qualify 1,450
2020 USL League Two Southern South Atlantic 7 7 0 0 21 1st Was not held * (1,000 capacity limit due to COVID-19)

Jersey sponsors
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2018-19 Nike Chick-fil-A
2020-present Errea Chick-fil-A

Lionsbridge FC's inaugural season sponsors include 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.[15][16][17][18]

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". 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. "Tynesiders Secure Defender Devitt – Gateshead FC". www.gateshead-fc.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  10. "JJ's squad update". Hinckley AFC. August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  11. [richmondkickers.com/news_article/show/1005842/ "Goalkeepers Added to 2019 Kickers Roster"] Check |url= value (help). Richmond Kickers. March 20, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  12. "MSOC: Ramsay Signs Professional Contract With Charlotte Independence". Hofstra University Athletics. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  13. Kerry, Craig (December 9, 2019). "NPL: Valentine Phoenix add Spanish attacker to 2020 squad". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  14. "Luke Brown". Hitchin Town FC. October 10, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  15. O'Brien, Marty. "Lionsbridge FC soccer team to partner with Riverside Health". dailypress.com. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  16. "chick-fil-a". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  17. "nike". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  18. "planet fitness". Lionsbridge football club. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
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