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Home> Club Information> Alliance FC History
ALLIANCE FC HISTORY
 The Alliance FC got it's start with one team in
the Spring of 2002 and expanded to 24 teams in the Summer of that same year.
The driving force behind the new club came from Tom Ross, Abrahm Shearer,
and Brad Thomas. The three agreed that there was a need for an
inclusive soccer environment in which young athletes could develop and that
a roadmap for development clearly outlined for players and parents would
help keep participation high.
As long-time area soccer volunteers and
administrators Tom Ross and Brad Thomas had already developed the first
piece of the puzzle in 2000 through an AYSO spin-off called CLUB IRS.
Upon recognizing a need for an advanced level they teamed up with Abrahm
Shearer so that the new club could offer Alliance IRS and Alliance Select
teams. The former would provide a self-select environment with a true
selection process occurring in the later.
The new concept of a try-in was born and
athletes were given the chance to develop at their own rate and when they
were ready be given the opportunity to play at an even higher level.
To increase the level of play, Abrahm Shearer
developed LEAD training which began as an evaluation tool, but quickly
became a free training program for club members willing to attend a third
weekly training session. The Saturday morning sessions draw about 100
dedicated athletes per week.
Since 2002, the club has expanded to include
Men's, Women's, Co-ed Adult, and Youth recreational leagues. Our teams
have become very competitive on local and regional levels winning league
crowns and major tournaments.
In the Fall of 2004, Alliance FC became the
area's second club to offer premier level play through the Michigan
Champions League and the Michigan State Premier Soccer League. These
leagues allow our teams to compete against the top talent in the
state.
In the Summer of 2005, Alliance FC entered a
men's team into the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The NPSL is
a fourth division league behind Major League Soccer (MLS), D2 Pro, and D3
Pro. The athletes that make up this team are D1 talent who typically
aspire to play professionally. The Grand Rapids Alliance as they are a
called compete in the Midwest Division against Detroit, Madison, Milwaukee,
Minneapolis, and St. Paul
(MN). |
