With the 2015 PDL season at a close, it seems as good a time as any to look back at FC LONDON’s run for the cup, and how the club continues to promote players into professional contracts.
FC LONDON had an exciting 2015 campaign that featured several new faces and stars emerge on the pitch for head coach Martin Painter’s squad, in addition to some returning favourites. Painter and his coaching staff took the squad to the postseason for the sixth time in seven seasons, and the club’s home games drew great support from fans and some special guest appearances.
As the season ends, many players make their way back to NCAA, NAIA and OUAA teams to start their fall soccer seasons, while others stay in London and help local clubs compete in their championship runs. It will take a few months to identify the next steps in the professional lives of these players. However, last year’s alumni are already making waves in the professional ranks.
“It’s great to see players move to the next level, that’s what it’s all about,” said Painter. “We make sure that the training and atmosphere here in London prepares [our players] for the opportunities that lay ahead.”
With Josh Hughes now starting in midfield for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the NASL, Jamie Dell playing with the Carolina Railhawks in USL-Pro, and Sam Orritt recently signing with Cowdenbeeth in the Scottish First Division, graduating players are proving that their PDL experience served as a great stepping stone.
London finished the 2015 season with 28 points, posting a record of 9-4-1 for third in the Great Lakes Division behind the last two league champions, K-W United and the Michigan Bucks. The season got off to a hot start on a four-game road stand with five straight victories before the competition heated up. FC LONDON finished third in both goals for (31) and goals against (18).
Nine of those 31 goals came from new addition and standout Spanish striker Alejandro Pastor, who finished tied for ninth in the league in goals. Along with Pastor, returning fan favourite James Pucci, who led the league in shots with 39, both finished in the league’s top 20 in point leaders with 19 and 18 respectively. Pastor was named to the PDL Scouting Network’s Top 50 prospects.
Meanwhile, FC LONDON posted five shutouts on the season (an average of one every three games), led by Kal Okot and Aurelien “Frenchie” Norest, who paced the team in minutes with 1,150 and 1,107 respectively. They held the back line for much of the season and helped their keepers maintain the clean sheet. London Veteran Mark Haynes earned four of those shutouts, while newcomer Scott Shewfelt had one.
Off the field, highlights included some of the special guests that attended FC LONDON games throughout the season. Two local celebrities, Olympic gold medalist Damian Warner and London Mayor Matt Brown addressed the crowd at two different games. Warner, just prior to leaving for the Pan-Am games, spoke to a crowded German-Canadian Club about sport in Canada and met with fans at halftime to sign autographs. London mayor Matt Brown, joined by a colour guard from HMCS PREVOST, showed his support and rallied the crowd before London’s second match against TFC Academy. Other notable guests included charities United Way, who held a backpack drive and volunteer party on the patio at the German Club, and Cleats for Kids, who ran two 50/50 draws to raise funds for children in need of sports equipment.
FC LONDON thanks the fans and sponsors for another successful season, and looks forward to chasing another PDL Championship in 2016.
With the offseason now underway, plans for 2016 have already begun, including conversations with players and coaches around the world in an effort to solidify the team for next year. You can keep track of all things FC LONDON at www.FCLONDON.ca.
