A Regional Exploratory Committee will investigate the viability of bringing a minor league soccer franchise to the Mohawk Valley by 2010. An initial organizational meeting is scheduled for Monday September 29 at 7PM at Thurston's Restaurant in Frankfort, NY. A press release next week will announce this meeting to media in Onondaga, Madison, Oneida and Herkimer Counties. Any media or soccer contacts that any of you have in Montgomery, Fulton or Albany counties would be helpful.

For those of us who are "geographically challenged", can you give a point of reference as to where this area is?! Thanks -

Utica is about 40 miles east of Syracuse. Over the past 30 years they have been home to 'A' minor league baseball and there has usually been a minor league hockey team playing in either the top level or second tier. There are a couple of small colleges in the area that compete in Div II/III. If I recall Herkimer CC was a Div III National Soccer Champ a few years back.

Economiclly the town is a mess. The mass exodus of jobs back in the late 60's and early 70's has never been filled. I grew up very close to there and I'll bet 60% of my High School class moved away.

Thanks for the location info, Rutger. From your description, and what little I know, this sure does not seem like the type of market that is going to be able to sustain even a lower division USL 2nd Division team (please don't use the term "minor league"!)....the term "centrally isolated" comes to mind?!

With the USL PDL new franchise rate now apparently doubling in price, the NPSL was the only way to go with this idea. While Utica might be in an economic downturn at the moment, what part of this great country isn't currently being effected by the economy? Utica has a rabid base of soccer supporters that likely will make this happen. As far as using the term "minor-league soccer", I'm not sure why you're conveying that is a negative term. I looked at both Binghamton and Oneonta as possibilities and only the folks in Utica jumped at the prospects. We shall see.

"While Utica might be in an economic downturn at the moment, what part of this great country isn't currently being effected by the economy?"

This economic downturn for Utica has been on going for about 40 years. In that time the rest of our country has seen some pretty good years. Nearly all has bypassed CNY. Being from the area I always wish for a turnaround, but I don't think It will happen anytime soon.

I'm also not so sure there is a rabid support of soccer in the area. How was the attendance for the short lived SYR team? I wouldn't expect numbers of the same magnitude in Utica. I also wouldn't expect too many of those fans traveling to Utica to see a game. It may only be about 50 miles, but in CNY that is farther than most people will drive to do things.

Utica has indeed seen some tough times. The NJ Devils used to house their minor league team in the city and it's also seen a few other minor league teams come and go. If I had the money, I'd move south set something up in Binghamton. The mighty "B" has done really well in supporting it's teams... great little city with a decent economy and population... plus u have Elmira and Ithica to work off of.

Thanks Andre: I've gotten absolutely no cooperation from either the City of Binghamton or the Director of Economic Development for Broome County. The Directors for all of the local youth soccer clubs have not responded to either emails or phone calls. I can't even get the SBDC located at Binghamton University to return my emails. The Soccer Coach for Binghamton University seemed interested but hasn't followed up with me. While Binghamton might in fact be a better overall choice, the folks in Utica seem to have a passion for trying to make this project work. Since the Balkan war, Utica has a very strong ethnic population that with proper marketing likely would support the franchise. And Rutger, please don't be fooled by the inflated attendance figures of the Syracuse Salty Dogs, most of that were freebies. While I'm not against the idea of promotional freebies, eventually the club must either stand on its own or not. And the battle that they had with the Syracuse Chiefs baseball team eventually killed them off. There is no such competition in Utica.

MOHAWK VALLEY UNITED SC
PO Box 249
New Hartford, NY 13413-0249
Telephone: to be determined Email: info@mohawkvalleyunited.com
Visit our website: www.mohawkvalleyunited.com

Regional Exploratory Committee
Allan D. Foote, Acting Chairman
4 Cheriton Dr. Whitesboro, NY 13492
Telephone Home: 315-736-4378 Work: 315-733-4686 Email: allandfoote@aol.com

September 13, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Allan D. Foote 4 Cheriton Dr. Whitesboro, NY 13492 H: 315-736-4378 W: 315-733-4686 Email: allandfoote@aol.com

A MINOR LEAGUE SOCCER FRANCHISE FOR THE MOHAWK VALLEY?

Anyone in the Mohawk Valley with an interest in the sport of Soccer is strongly encouraged to attend an informational meeting taking place Monday, September 29, 2008 at 7:00PM at Thurston’s Restaurant in Frankfort, New York.

Local resident, Allan D. Foote of Whitesboro, New York, representing the potential investor group, will discuss the possibility of bringing a National Premier Soccer League franchise to the Mohawk Valley by the year 2010.

It has been suggested the new team, to reflect the geography and spirit of the entire region, would be called Mohawk Valley United SC. “The investors are ready and willing to make the commitment. The key question is whether or not this is a development the greater soccer community in the Mohawk Valley desires and will support. This is the purpose of the discussion to take place at the informational meeting” stated Foote. “It is the goal of the investors that this franchise would truly belong to the whole soccer community” he added.

A second informational meeting is planned for Monday October 27, 2008 at 7:00PM at the same location. Anyone seeking further information is encouraged to telephone Mr. Foote directly at 315-736-4378 or contact him by email at allandfoote@aol.com .

Further information about the National Premier Soccer League can be found at the website: www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com .

MOHAWK VALLEY UNITED SC
PO Box 249
New Hartford, NY 13413-0249
Telephone: to be determined Email: info@mohawkvalleyunited.com
Visit our website: www.mohawkvalleyunited.com

Regional Exploratory Committee
Allan D. Foote, Acting Chairman
4 Cheriton Dr. Whitesboro, NY 13492
Telephone Home: 315-736-4378 Work: 315-733-4686 Email: allandfoote@aol.com

September 30, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further information:
Allan D. Foote 4 Cheriton Dr. Whitesboro, NY 13492 H: 315-736-4378 W: 315-733-4686 Email: allandfoote@aol.com

COMMUNITY HEARS OF PLAN TO BRING MINOR LEAGUE SOCCER FRANCHISE TO THE MOHAWK VALLEY

A meeting of local soccer enthusiasts took place at Thurston’s Restaurant in Frankfort, New York on Monday evening, September 29, 2008. Local resident, Allan D. Foote of Whitesboro, New York, representing the potential investor group, discussed the possibility of bringing a National Premier Soccer League franchise to the Mohawk Valley by the year 2010.
In attendance were representatives from Herkimer County Community College, Coliseum Soccer Club, Utica Rhinos Soccer Club, Mohawk Valley Soccer Referees Association and local businesses.

It has been suggested the new team, to reflect the geography and spirit of the entire region, would be called Mohawk Valley United SC. “The investors are ready and willing to make the commitment and they are very encouraged by the positive response so far by the local soccer community.” stated Foote. “It is the goal of the investors that this franchise would truly belong to the whole soccer community” he added.

A second informational meeting is planned for Monday October 27, 2008 at 7:00PM at Thurston’s Restaurant in Frankfort, New York. Anyone with an interest in the sport of soccer is strongly encouraged to attend. For further information, telephone Mr. Foote directly at 315-736-4378 or contact him by email at allandfoote@aol.com . At this second meeting, a proposed table of organization for the franchise and year one budget will be discussed. A decision may also be made at this time to formalize a Regional Exploratory Committee to further discuss the concept and develop a concrete business plan.

Further information about the National Premier Soccer League can be found at the website: www.nationalpremiersoccerleague.com .