A truly united Tampa Bay area club

Chargers to merge with Tampa Bay United and then apply for ECNL. Then we will have one club that will be a full service club.

Celtic FC has approached Strictly about possibly merging, and has also approached PCU about merging the competitive programs. It's doubtful Strictly would be interested in Celtic, since Celtic brings very little to the table in regards to positives in a merger. PCU could be interested in the competitive merger, but they will not consider merging clubs due to their huge rec program and Celtic's small rec program. The two clubs in the biggest trouble in Pinellas are Celtic and Dunedin, both clubs have made it known that they are open to merging with larger clubs, and both clubs don't have DOC's on site. Dunedin has a slightly larger rec program, around 300 kids, but Dunedin's competitive program was destroyed by the current President, so they are hemorrhaging financially. Celtic is struggling financially since they allow many kids to play at discounted prices in order to establish competitive teams. This works if you have a vibrant rec feeder program to generate cash, but Celtic's rec program is brutally bad. Both clubs lack funds to pay for coaching, so the competitive teams are usually led by inexperienced, or parent coaches. It would seem logical for Dunedin and Celtic to merge, but I think they would still struggle since both clubs lack strong leadership, and both clubs seem to be falling apart. If either of these clubs are holding out hoping they get a deal like Largo did when TBU saved them, it's not going to happen for either of these clubs. There would be no reason for the Chargers or WFF to merge with either club, lack of income potential, limitations in future growth and lack of quality facilities would curtail any merger with the top clubs. In my opinion, I think the best option for Dunedin would be to merge with Oldsmar and the best option for Celtic would be to merge with PCU, but allow PCU to control the direction of the club due to their large rec program.

Dynamo Valrico did not renew their deal so look for them to make a new Deal

maybe Plant City fishhawk players club

TBU will never get ECNL. Only one club per market place and that is WFF. They could merge with every club in Tampa and it still won't happen

In your dreams. There is no way ECNL will admit another Tampa team anytime in the near future. The premise of ECNL is to provide a single-source for top level play in each geographical region. Both North and South Florida would have clubs admitted to ECNL before they even thought about considering another Tampa club, and then they would still deny it. There is not enough talent in the Tampa area to justify two clubs. If your kid is good enough just make the drive to WFF.

I agree! If parents want their daughters to play ECNL, take then to WFF tryouts (mainly addressing Tampa area residents). It's that simple. Time for club/coach loyalty is over. Do what you believe is right for your daughters. Not saying that ECNL is the answer, but weigh your options during and at the end of each season.

The Celtic u16 girls would destroy WFF ECNL team. PW has tried to get them to play, but they refuse, they know what would happen.

troll

rumors of chargers / TBU for two years. Not sure this will ever happen be

Both Celtic and Dunedin should just close the doors, eliminate a couple of bad clubs.

Yep..its actually been longer than that. it will never happen because the DOC's at TBU would never give up their kingdom that is shrinking very fast and all the money they make pulling the wool over everyone's eyes. The Chargers have the DA and a good system in place. Slowly but surely they are drawing all the top talent in area. This past year they made huge strides in selecting most of their players on all three teams from outside the club which means the talent is migrating. A good thing for Bay area soccer. For these two reasons, this will never happen.

The merger just needs to be Chargers and WFF they both have the right programs.

Says the Mom that has a daughter playing at Celtic and another at WFF!

OCYS & FKK are talking merger. Don't tell anyone, but you heard it hear first.