Boosted by local enthusiasts, the Tallahassee Soccer Club held it’s unveiling on a bright, Wednesday afternoon at Happy Motoring.
Kids played soccer on the bar’s fake-green lawn, adults chatted and drank beers. Banners displaying the Tallahassee Soccer Club's sponsors were on display.
Club President Chris Petley says the organization is trying to build a program that will last.
“We’re building a sustainable, membership funded, non-profit soccer team," he says. "We want to build a family-fund atmosphere that delivers a unique experience in town.”
Tallahassee has hosted semi-pro football, hockey and baseball teams in the past but all have withered.
“I think soccer is at a different point than those arena leagues we’ve had here," says Apalachee Elementary school PE Teacher TJ Picinic. He points to interest in soccer growing, especially among people under 30.
The Soccer club already has city, county and business sponsors. It plans to join a lower division soccer league by 2019 and will host tryouts in the fall for people 18 and up. The organization says that won't conflict with the college and university sports.
Depending on what league it joins, it will play Saturday night games against teams from other parts of the state or the region. The team also plans to make its home at Florida State University's intramural fields near Madison Social on Gaines Street.
