Fort Worth Vaqueros FC is an American amateur soccer club based in Fort Worth, Texas, which began play in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in May 2014.[1][2] The Vaqueros play in the South Central Conference of the South Region.[3][4] The club is based at Martin Field, near the Texas Wesleyan University campus.[5]
The team's name was announced at the Fort Worth Livestock Exchange Building on February 13, 2014, after a name the team contest.[6][7][8] The team's official logo was selected by the fans then revealed by the team on March 20, 2014.[9] The team played its inaugural 2014 season at historic LaGrave Field but had to relocate in 2015 after the Fort Worth Cats, from whom the Vaqueros had been subletting the field, lost their lease.[5]
Seasons
Year |
League |
Regular Season |
Playoffs |
Open Cup |
2014 |
NPSL |
7th, South Central |
Did Not Qualify |
Did Not Enter |
2015 |
NPSL |
6th, South Central |
Did Not Qualify |
Did Not Enter |
Club culture
Supporters
Playing at the historic LaGrave Field, the Vaqueros welcomed 2,700 fans to their first home game, and enjoyed an average attendance of 2,000 fans during the 2014 season.[10] The main supporters group for the Vaqueros is named The Panther City Hellfire, a name taken from a historic Fort Worth nickname.
The Vaqueros have a close connection with their fans, involving them in the evolution and growth of the club. When the team was first created and needed a name and logo, the club allowed the fan community to create, submit and vote on what both of these aspects would look like. Many names were submitted, but the final decision was between Fort Worth United, Fort Worth Vaqueros FC, and Panther City FC, with Fort Worth Vaqueros FC ultimately being selected. Vaqueros season ticket holders do not receive paper tickets to the games, but instead receive a free team jersey that they wear to each game as their ticket into the game.[11] The club supporters come mainly from the city of Fort Worth and the surrounding metroplex communities.
Rivalries
When the Vaqueros first entered the NPSL they had an instant rival in Dallas City FC. With the teams in close proximity to each other in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex there is a natural rivalry between the two clubs. In addition to their conference play, the Vaqueros play a two leg cup series against Dallas City. The name of this cup was selected by the both teams' fans, from the DFW area through social media.[12] The Vaqueros lost the first Trinity River Cup to Dallas City FC in 2014, suffering a 2-0 loss in the first leg and a 1-0 loss in the second leg.[13]
Team
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Mark Snell
- Assistant Coach: Casey McLean
- Assistant Coach: Justen Woody
Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Partnership with Alfreton Town FC
On January 1, 2015, Vaqueros owner Michael Hitchcock, and the newly formed Legend Football Partners, acquired a significant interest in the English soccer club Alfreton Town F.C.. From this acquisition, Fort Worth Vaqueros formed a partnership with the English club creating an avenue for player sharing, cross marketing, international matches and preseason training in both countries. "This move automatically makes the Vaqueros a stronger organization through the benefits of sharing players, training techniques, matches and the collaboration of ideas from two different soccer nations," said Hitchcock.[14]
Partnership with Tobago Phoenix
In August 2015, Hitchock's Playbook Management International expanded the Vaqueros family ties by acquiring a stake in Tobago FC Phoenix 1976.
[15]
References
- ↑ Welpton, Peter (February 6, 2014). "Are you aware Ft Worth is getting a soccer team?". The Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX: A. H. Belo). Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ↑ Nishimura, Scott (March 14, 2014). "Goal! Vaqueros set for May soccer debut at LaGrave Field". Fort Worth Business Press (Fort Worth, TX). Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ↑ "Fort Worth's Minor League Soccer Team to Begin Play May 9" (PDF) (Press release). Fort Worth Vaqueros. January 27, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ↑ Dickson, Gordon (March 2, 2014). "New Fort Worth Vaqueros soccer club aiming to connect with community". Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, TX: The McClatchy Company). Retrieved March 21, 2014.
- 1 2 Dickson, Gordon (April 14, 2015). "Fort Worth Vaqueros moving home soccer games to Texas Wesleyan University". Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, TX: The McClatchy Company). Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ↑ Hunt, Steve (February 13, 2014). "Vaqueros FC makes strong initial impression". The Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX: A. H. Belo). Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Fans select Vaqueros as name of Fort Worth’s new minor league soccer team" (PDF) (Press release). Fort Worth Vaqueros. February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Seleccionan nombre de ‘Vaqueros’ para equipo de fútbol". Diario La Estrella (in Spanish) (Fort Worth, TX: The McClatchy Company). February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ↑ Welpton, Peter (March 3, 2014). "With name picked, Ft. Worth Vaqueros need a logo". The Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX: A. H. Belo). Retrieved March 21, 2014.
- ↑ Kost, Kenneth; Prince, Jeff (July 9, 2014). "Take Me Out to the Soccer Match". Fort Worth Weekly (Fort Worth, TX). Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "About Us". Fort Worth Vaqueros FC. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ Welpton, Peter (May 24, 2014). "Dallas vs Ft Worth – a new rivalry begins". Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX). Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Vaqueros Surrender Trinity River Cup to Dallas City FC". Fort Worth Vaqueros FC. June 8, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Vaqueros Owner Purchases Interest in England's Alfreton Town FC". Fort Worth Vaqueros FC. January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.tobagotoday.co.tt/sports/fc-phoenix-gets-us-owners
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