Anybody out there from Greenville/Spartanburg/Clemson, or even WNC? One of the earliest memories of minor league soccer for me is the South Carolina Shamrocks. Not sure how good their team ever was, I just liked their kits . Then there was the Greenville Lions, which didn't seem to have much success. Could this sort of thing happen again soon? Are there competent investors? Is there a market? I thought I remembered the Tigers were a pretty good college team, and well followed.
I haven't heard anything but Johnson Stadium in Columbia looks like it might be nice for a USL2 team, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_W._Johnson_Stadium I guess Gibbs in Spartansburg might be the only option there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbs_Stadium
The Greenville Lions played at Sirrine Stadium -- http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/GVILLEH/vtour/sirpics.htm -- in the West End of Greenville. At the time, that side of the city was being revitalized and Sirrine was being refurbished. There is now a minor league ballpark and the Falls of the Reedy River in the West End, which has really improved that side of Greenville. However, the middle class soccer hotbed is in the eastern subrubs (Eastside/Greer). The only viable stadium there would be a high school facility (e.g. Eastside) -- probably no alcohol sales... the best option would be to build a 2,000 seat facility (smaller version of Blackbaud). Otherwise, it would be a tough sell for a Greenville team playing at Sirrine or at a high school facility.
its about the same distance to Greenville/Spartanburg as it is to Charleston. I know there are a couple Battery fans that live in the upstate area that would love to see a team as well. Besides the fact that it needs a stadium and investors, I think it would be a good place for an additional team. About the same size as Charleston and there a couple large companies (BMW) that has brought in some international investors into the local area
