Lionsbridge Football Club, or Lionsbridge FC, is an American soccer club based on the Virginia Peninsula, which comprises the cities of Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, and York and James City counties. The club was founded in 2017, and play in USL League Two. The club's colors are blue, black and white, and the club is named for the Lions Bridge, the iconic Peninsula landmark that has stood along the James River and in the Mariners' Museum Park since 1923. The team plays its home games at TowneBank Stadium on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
Background
The original founders include Mike Vest, Kevin Joyce, and Dan Chenoweth, all of whom are Virginia Peninsula residents. Lionsbridge FC announced its launch on June 9, 2017 via a social media release. At the time of the team's announcement, the club invited fans to help determine its crest via a fan vote on social media. More than 600 people voted and the team unveiled the winning design in July 2017. The crest integrates four identifying features of the Virginia Peninsula - the Lions Bridge, the team's location and launch year, the James and York Rivers, and the region's importance as a hub of the United States military.
Lionsbridge FC announced its league affiliation (Premier Development League) and TowneBank Stadium (then known as Pomoco Stadium) agreement (with Christopher Newport University) during a press conference on November 14, 2017.
The team named Chris Whalley as its first head coach on February 14, 2018.
Notable former players
2018-19 Ivan Militar - Academy Director for El Paso Locomotive in USL Championship.
2018 Tom Devitt – Gateshead FC, Blythe United, Stranraer FC, Hebburn Town
2018 Josh Spencer – Hinckley A.F.C.
2018 Joe Rice – Richmond Kickers, New England Revolution II, Loudoun United FC, Detroit City FC.
2018 Fortia Munts – Valentine Eleebana Phoenix (Australia), Unio Esportiva Vic
2018, 2020-21 Simon Fitch – Richmond Kickers
2019 JP Scearce – Union Omaha
2019 Adrian Rebollar - Monterey Bay FC in USL Championship.
2019-20 Rich Dearle - Eltham Redbacks in Australia.
2019 Oscar Ramsay – Charlotte Independence, North Shore United
2019 Luke Brown – Hitchin Town FC, Stowmarket Town FC
2019 Rene White – Real Salt Lake of MLS
2019 Thibaut Jacquel – FC Dallas of MLS and CS Fola Esch in Luxembourg.
2020 Alex Touche – New Mexico United of USL Championship and Union Omaha of USL League One.
2021 Matthew Bentley – MLS Draft Pick of Minnesota United, Dover Athletic and Richmond Kickers in USL League One.
Year by year
Honors
USL League Two Best Regular Season Record Champions: 2022
USL League Two Eastern Conference Champions: 2023
USL League Two Chesapeake Division Champions: 2022, 2023
USL League Two Franchise of the Year: 2019
USL League Two Eastern Conference Attendance Leaders: 2018, 2022
USL League Two Southern Conference Attendance Leaders: 2019, 2020, 2021
Jersey sponsors
Lionsbridge FC's inaugural season sponsors included Chick-fil-A (Official Jersey Sponsor), Riverside Health System (Official Sports Medicine Provider), Planet Fitness (Official Health Club), Nike (Official Apparel Supplier) and Financial Security Group.