shermanator Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I can't imagine the Calgary media actually caring about these details. When does the team play and how did they do? That's all they care about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I can't imagine the Calgary media actually caring about these details. When does the team play and how did they do? That's all they care about. Yes as I said, right now noone gives a crap. It will be further along when some delay or losing streak or a reporter has a bad day they bring this kind of stuff out to add to the negative coverage. Publishing an outright lie on your website is simply not acceptable in any business and they have a chance to correct it now before it gets found out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdude Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I sent a message on facebook about USL PRO being 2nd tier, and they haven't changed it. They did change San Jose Sharks to Earthquakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Another fine performance today for Foothills U-23's as they draw with FC Edmonton reserves 2 - 2. goal scorers for Calgary: Dominic Russo and Brad Camden. Goals for Edmonton: Shamit Shome with both goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I sent a message on facebook about USL PRO being 2nd tier, and they haven't changed it. They did change San Jose Sharks to Earthquakes. Whoa, really? Ouch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Timeline of Albuquerque Sol's early months before starting in the PDL. They started in 2014. Purpose is to show what we will be wanting from Calgary if they start in 2015 for comparison purpsoses, in terms of a timeline. Out of the 8 teams I chose Albuquerque, one, because I suspect that will be the division Calgary ends up in, and two, because I thought moving into the PDL they did a great job of getting the word out. In some ways, Calgary already having played some U-23 games THIS year are already ahead of the curve...but if they plan to keep up with Albuquerque, the work should start very soon. Here's proof. 2013 November - Albuquerque creates a separate facebook page from their Lobos page, and gives some preliminary T-Shirt ideas with the club logo on them. Albuquerque announces May PDL preseason schedule will start May 2014. They create their logo. December 5th - Albuquerque is officially joining the league! Huge press conference. December 6th - Facebook page was nearing 1000 likes December 7th - Facebook page was nearing 1500 likes. December 13th - promoted Sol by having staff members at a pub to watch USMNT game with fans. (personal note, it was fun to have a convo with Colin Miller in Edmonton after an EFC game...these things really build fan loyalty) December 14th - Albuquerque owners were at the USL meetings determining the 2014 schedule, making sure it coincided with what they were capable of. December 19th - facebook page reached 2500 likes. Around Christmas Albuquerque posted that they had their shirts and other swag ready for shipment in time for Christmas. December 30 - reminded people when tryouts were and how to register. They'd been posting about this all month. December 31 - Albuquerque finished their rock bottom season ticket deal at midnight...they were offering early-bird season tickets for only $69! They'd been pushing season ticket sales as an xmas gift all month, with multiple tweets and facebook posts. 2014 January - there was some media interviewing the Sol about their tryouts that happened that month. Early February - Albuquerque was posting about friendlies in June. Sol Mates supporters group creates a facebook page, which currently has 381 likes. February - Albuquerque was promoting an already existing supporters groups' Fantasy League (Sol-Mates...clever) They were also looking for families to host players, as well as selling scarves. late February - Albuquerque was doing booths at events, and breakfasts to create new fans. March 6th - Albuquerque was posting about friendlies in June again, trying to create awareness. So for those waiting for news on this topic...it should come soon, if past history (not just Albuquerque) is any indication. Very much looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Timeline of Albuquerque Sol's early months before starting in the PDL. They started in 2014. Purpose is to show what we will be wanting from Calgary if they start in 2015 for comparison purpsoses, in terms of a timeline. Out of the 8 teams I chose Albuquerque, one, because I suspect that will be the division Calgary ends up in, and two, because I thought moving into the PDL they did a great job of getting the word out. In some ways, Calgary already having played some U-23 games THIS year are already ahead of the curve...but if they plan to keep up with Albuquerque, the work should start very soon. Here's proof. 2013 November - Albuquerque creates a separate facebook page from their Lobos page, and gives some preliminary T-Shirt ideas with the club logo on them. Albuquerque announces May PDL preseason schedule will start May 2014. They create their logo. December 5th - Albuquerque is officially joining the league! Huge press conference. December 6th - Facebook page was nearing 1000 likes December 7th - Facebook page was nearing 1500 likes. December 13th - promoted Sol by having staff members at a pub to watch USMNT game with fans. (personal note, it was fun to have a convo with Colin Miller in Edmonton after an EFC game...these things really build fan loyalty) December 14th - Albuquerque owners were at the USL meetings determining the 2014 schedule, making sure it coincided with what they were capable of. December 19th - facebook page reached 2500 likes. Around Christmas Albuquerque posted that they had their shirts and other swag ready for shipment in time for Christmas. December 30 - reminded people when tryouts were and how to register. They'd been posting about this all month. December 31 - Albuquerque finished their rock bottom season ticket deal at midnight...they were offering early-bird season tickets for only $69! They'd been pushing season ticket sales as an xmas gift all month, with multiple tweets and facebook posts. 2014 January - there was some media interviewing the Sol about their tryouts that happened that month. Early February - Albuquerque was posting about friendlies in June. Sol Mates supporters group creates a facebook page, which currently has 381 likes. February - Albuquerque was promoting an already existing supporters groups' Fantasy League (Sol-Mates...clever) They were also looking for families to host players, as well as selling scarves. late February - Albuquerque was doing booths at events, and breakfasts to create new fans. March 6th - Albuquerque was posting about friendlies in June again, trying to create awareness. So for those waiting for news on this topic...it should come soon, if past history (not just Albuquerque) is any indication. Very much looking forward to it. Has anyone heard much of anything about any progress lately? I am getting less and less hopeful. Even if the team comes together, it looks like the focus of their marketing will be to the existing club members and families. I don't really feel like they are trying to create mass appeal. Maybe it will be worth it for them, but it certainly wouldn't be what we've seen develop in a lot of other cities. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shermanator Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Has anyone heard much of anything about any progress lately? I am getting less and less hopeful. Even if the team comes together, it looks like the focus of their marketing will be to the existing club members and families. I don't really feel like they are trying to create mass appeal. Maybe it will be worth it for them, but it certainly wouldn't be what we've seen develop in a lot of other cities. Jason Haven't seen a thing on their Facebook page, and not much of substance on Twitter. Pretty sure the club is appealing to the soccer mom crowd. If that is the case then that is disappointing, but not surprising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shermanator Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 I asked Wheeldon for an update on the Calgary PDL team, here was the response I got Sean Clarke@sean_clarke737m37 minutes ago @tommywheeldonjr @CanadaSoccerEN Speaking of organizations helping the future, any word on Calgary Foothills in PDL in 2015? It's been quiet Tommy Wheeldon Jr@tommywheeldonjr33m33 minutes agoCalgary, Alberta @sean_clarke7 We are just finalizing the legal paperwork. Expect a formal announcement at the beginning of December. Sean Clarke@sean_clarke752m52 minutes ago @tommywheeldonjr Perfect! Will the club encourage supporters groups at matches? Tommy Wheeldon Jr@tommywheeldonjr9m9 minutes agoCalgary, Alberta @sean_clarke7 Absolutely. In fact we will coordinate a meeting early in the new year to invite interested supporters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Thanks Sherm. This would still put them in line with that timeline I posted, and give them a reasonable amount of time to market. I openly and honestly told ESG from the beginning that if Calgary came out with a team, geographically I'd have to switch allegiance. My rally rabbit warrior avatar might finally have to change lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shermanator Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I was originally in the same boat, but now I've grown attached to FC Edmonton so I'll probably split my allegiance. If Calgary gets an NASL team, different story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Yeah FCE will always have a place in my heart too...just...travelling to Calgary will be MUCH easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I have to agree with that. Only thing that can help them would be another 2 PDL team in AB or say Kamloops/Kelowna(620km away). Even that would still be a challenge for the teams budget. You need a minimum of 3teams close enough together in SAME CONFERENCE(Smallest PDL Conference is 5teams Biggest is 8). Geographically this is still a challenge, right? I think Boise, Spokane, Kelowna, Saskatoon...even if all 5 of those teams joined...you'd still see 13 hour trips. If they join the division with Victoria, longest trip would be to Eugene, which is a 15.5 hour drive. If you join the division with Provo, they would have Albuquerque in the same division. That's a 23 hour drive. Think Westjet would be interested in sponsoring a pro-am team? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Vancouver will no longer be running a PDL side. Not sure if Seattle and Portland will, now that their new reserve teams are in USL Pro. Curious to see what that division will look like next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ClaytonA Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Here's a link to the official announcement: http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/850181.html ... Under the leadership of former USL standout Tommy Wheeldon Jr., ... The club expects to be part of Northwest Division in the PDL’s Western Conference, and will hold open tryouts on January 3-4, 2015 for the forthcoming season. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shermanator Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Beauty! I think the club is organizing something with potential supporters groups in the new year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 Yep, the guys from FOOTHILLS will be attending the USL AGM Dec. 10th - 14th to get more info on schedules and other things and then they'll set up a meeting with supporters group early in the new year. I'll be there, who else is coming? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 While I'm sure this may be exciting for those in Calgary, from an outsiders perspective, I have a really hard time getting excited over this. I've seen what PDL is, and it isn't what we as a country need. I will concede that something is better than nothing, but if that something hinders something better from coming along, then is it a positive? I just dont want PDL to be all Calgary ever has and I'm scared that when an owner makes PDL work, they will be satisfied and won't be able to justify the extra costs of a real league. With the talk previously of Petrone (sp?) trying to find an NASL owner for Calgary and the progress happening in Edmonton and Ottawa, I guess I just expected more. 9 months later and my feelings are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shermanator Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I agree that Calgary should strive higher, but this is the first even semi-pro soccer in 11 years in Calgary, so it's better than nothing IMO. My understanding is that Calgary is still on the radar for the NASL but until I see a press release I would rather support what we have than scoff because it is not a higher level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soccerpro Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Baby steps are the best course of action for this community club.ni like the move. The organization is first class. Highly qualified coaches. With great pro contacts, teaching their kids how to play the proper way, with technique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmonte Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Yep, the guys from FOOTHILLS will be attending the USL AGM Dec. 10th - 14th to get more info on schedules and other things and then they'll set up a meeting with supporters group early in the new year. I'll be there, who else is coming? Depends on the weekend, but I will try to be there. I'm an out-of towner, but I'm Super excited. Way less far of a drive than Edmonton as I've said. That said, I'll support the level. I just hope that when I higher level DOES come that the support for PDL doesn't go right off the radar. 9 months later and my feelings are the same. I don't think I've seen a lot of evidence in North America of something smaller hindering something bigger coming in. Just the opposite, sometimes it facilitates it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shermanator Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I'm planning on being there, will be able to say for sure when a date is announced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi Oakey Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I personally don't get the general distaste of the PDL by Canadian supporters. It all depends on who is running the teams. From what I have heard and seen of Foothills SC, they will play the PDL the right way. Here in K-W we largely played a Canadian roster, with a Canadian coach and ask any of those lads if the experienced helped. This year we will probably have 2-3 players heading the MLS after their seasons with United (Murrell, Chapman, Paunic). I often see the comparison of a Canadian D3 to the CHL, while the CHL is primarily a Canadian focussed league, it contains a number of American teams. The same works for PDL development but using the larger American fanbase to bolster Canadian teams. There is nothing stopping any Canadian PDL team from playing only Canadians or even only local products. This allows these Canadian kids to play some of the best from the US and around the world (Vedad Ibisevic played in the PDL as well) Either way, congrats to Calgary Foothills SC and hope to see you in the playoffs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 ^ What he said. I would look at the Calgary PDL as a stepping stone not a final product. Heck I still believe that my local team (Highlanders) are going to move up some day and we have been in the PDL since 2009. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Overall, it's a positive development. I still have concerns about the real plan and focus of this club. The games this year were almost exclusively marketed to and attended by members of the Foothills club and their families. Going to a game this year most were wearing their club gear. It was not an unfriendly atmosphere for a non-club member like myself, but I did kind of feel like the guy at a party where everyone knows everyone and you don't know anyone. Can they get support from rival clubs in town or general soccer and sports fans not associated with their club? How hard will they even try? I know I never saw anyone wearing their Blizzard or other team's colours at games this year. Maybe their business model is to get 500 people associated with Foothills out to every game and anyone else is gravy? We'll see but I hope this is a team that all of Calgary can get behind. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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