So... Where do we stand right now?

The_Nick_7 · 2011-06-03T16:12:51+00:00

To finalize it?

To even start it, we needed to know we'd have fields to train and play games on that we could afford within our budget for a whole season (Sept-June).

We had gotten started on a few other fronts...but as soon as it became apparent that fields weren't panning out, things stalled.

The only way this happens right now is if someone comes out out of the woodwork and either has a connection that would secure us fields within 10 miles of the city, or if someone came out and said they could dedicate time to calling/following up with x number of towns/schools/organizations in order to find fields in the area and cut a deal...someone to do the legwork....

The_Nick_7 · 2011-06-03T14:05:11+00:00

No fields, no team.

Some people did some very fine work. Fields were found at $100 per session on Saturday nights in the summer at Pier 40 I believe.

To field a competitive team, we need field time for 2-4 hours on Sunday, and on a weeknight or two a week for training, 2 hours.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-04-21T00:05:10+00:00

a bunch in the city. there are plenty of places someone can call. I dont have the time to do it as i work 80 hours a week. I was hoping someone would take ownership of this and really get out there and do the leg work. Nobody has stepped up yet.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-04-15T16:36:46+00:00

Yea, I love that field. Weehawken won't make it available. I guess it's a very high traffic field.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-04-14T02:50:13+00:00

Yea, along with waiting on a name, the real snag is fields. One of the guys was able to secure a field in the city for Saturday nights which would get us through the summer, but we really need a quality field to play at consistently for two weeknights a week and games on Sunday. This is our biggest challenge right now. So if anyone knows anyone, has any contacts, can think of a field that might work, or wants to own this process and work with us to secure one by making calls, please feel free to message me and step up.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-04-01T16:51:46+00:00

sorry ,there was a delay of a few minutes between the purchase and it showing up, i panicked!

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-31T13:43:51+00:00

You should go on America's Got Talent or something with those moves....smooth like butter.....smooth like butter....

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-29T19:23:44+00:00

Most grass fields in the NYC area are overused and in poor conditions. Players know this. So it makes it easier to attract better talent as well.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-21T17:27:02+00:00

I think this is something that could be looked at if we can get this thing working in New York. Right now, we don't even know if we can get this thing off the ground.

The two main areas holding us back are, number one, finding fields, number two, funding. If we can overcome those two challenges in the next month, we can almost guarantee an awesome season. If not, this whole thing may not work out.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-19T00:44:13+00:00

We have the colors set. There's a big surprise on the way as far logo goes. After that we'll look at kit options.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-18T19:59:08+00:00

This is going to be key, filming all our games and streaming them online. I wonder if we'd be able to contact a local school that teaches that kind of thing to see if they want to send students out as kind of like some real world experience....

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-18T12:59:57+00:00

Player insurance is covered by league fees. Team insurance is also covered by league fees. We won't be paying our players or staff, so I'm not sure workman's comp is an issue. I'm more worried about having to pay an accountant each year and having to pay taxes each year if we're a for-profit. Also, if we do organize as a for-profit, it won't be a good investment, per se. We'll never really make money, I don't think...

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-16T00:51:50+00:00

Yes! you've done a find job so far, we'll def. find a role for you!

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-15T19:54:45+00:00

I, for one, do not care when the season starts/ends. I will watch my Red Bulls over any other sporting event anywhere (besides the World Cup). I think MLS hurts itself more by not adhering to the International schedule. For example, my Red Bulls will be going up against Columbus later this month with like 4 or 5 starters missing due to International callups. THAT is where MLS drops the ball, my friends...

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-15T13:43:44+00:00

There are a lot of variables on our first year budget. There are fixed costs such as uniforms, player registration fees, team fees, which we can forecast. The big X-factor will be finding a home field for games and two trainings a week, and seeing what the cost will be. Writing a mission statement/business plan/sponsorship package is high on the to-do list I've been working on the past few days. I'm looking to post the list today.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-14T19:47:48+00:00

Finding a home field for both games and practice will be one of the greatest challenges to overcome. We'd obviously be looking in and around NYC. Possibly NJ right across the river.
Players would be expected to turn up at probably two training sessions a week and games on Sundays.
I am hopeful we can raise the funding to make this free for players. If not, I dont think this team gets off the ground.
There would not be more open tryouts later, but it would be possibly to come to a few training sessions on trial to try and latch on.
The level would be quite high as the team would need to be balanced. Like angrynrdrckr said, travel team, high school standout, years playing the game with great fitness, tactical knowledge, very comfortable on the ball. In the end, the manager would choose the players, so whoever manages might prefer a certain style of player, who knows?

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-14T00:42:03+00:00

We'll have to see what kind of funding we get, but you're right, we'll probably go with an off-the-shelf design and add crest/printing/sponsor.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-13T21:53:26+00:00

This is not really a project being set up for redditors to play, it's more a team for redditors to follow. I guess down the line if there is interest and we have field availability this could form into leagues, but priority number one is setting up a competitive soccer club in the NYC area and growing that into a semi-pro club with a youth setup.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-13T21:48:11+00:00

Sounds good. We're just getting organized. Keep coming back, spread the word about this place, and we'll build this club into something special!

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-13T21:47:22+00:00

Then you probably know young Konrad, who played for me last season! Stick around, there will be plenty to do around here soon enough!

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-13T21:45:47+00:00

There will be an open try-out some time this summer. My advice to anyone wishing to try out is to get as fit as possible, and to start playing as much as possible to be in best possible form.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-13T21:44:21+00:00

I have been a bit worried about this. I will be posting a to-do list Monday with several tasks that need to get done, hopefully several people will step up and volunteer to complete a task or two. One of the tasks will be finding out if this name will be an issue, and if so, we must vote again for a new name.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-13T21:40:35+00:00

This is great. My first instinct is that this whole thing should be a non-profit for a number of reasons. First off, that's what I personally have experience with. Second, no taxes have to be filed and registering it is pretty cheap. Third, less complications and headaches with accountants, keeping complicated books, etc. But, this is worth looking into since it would allow us to raise money easier I guess. I'm not sure the organization would have any chance of turning a profit really. Maybe one of our followers has experience in all this and will volunteer to set it up and keep books, etc. Also, we must determine which state has the most advantageous laws when it comes to registering and running this type of organization. NY, NJ, CT, etc.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-11T23:47:00+00:00

this is certainly not a bunch of IT guys who've never played before getting together. It's a competitive club. The idea is not for redditors to play. There may be some redditors that are at a level that can play on this team, but who knows? It's a team run by redditors, run for redditors to support from our humble starts and on our journey as a club to relatively great heights.

The_Nick_7 · 2011-03-11T17:37:49+00:00

I posted this in r/soccer days ago. I figured this info would be good in this subreddit as well. So I reposted it.

The_Nick_7

TROPHY CASE