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Post by cjeagle on Apr 27, 2017 16:15:21 GMT 8
Meralco Sparks reveal new players and kits for PFL 2017 campaign PASIG — The Sparks presented their newest Mizuno kits and player signings last April 26 at the Lighthouse in Meralco Headquarters as they made the all-set for the inaugural PFL Season. by Earl Averilla Loyola Meralco Sparks Vice Chairman, Randy Roxas shared his excitement on the team’s promise for the league. “This is the strongest side we have ever assembled and I believe we can succeed in this first year of the national league.” In attendance were Board Member Victor Genuino, Head Coach Aris Caslib, General Manager Isabella Fernando, and Karla Bello, of Master Sports, the official distributor of Mizuno in the country. The squad was also complete with co-captains Phil and James Younghusband. “We are thrilled to be back with Meralco for this upcoming season. We are sure that with the help of Mizuno, the Sparks can excel on and off the field.” enthused Ms. Bello, who signed a memorandum of agreement this Wednesday with the team for Mizuno to be the official kit and sportswear supplier. The new kits were made up of an orange home kit, a black away kit, and a white alternate third kit. These match-spec jerseys will be available for fans to purchase but the club will also sell a more affordable replica version. Also, the club’s new signings were introduced. These additions will strengthen the squad as they begin their campaign in the league. The players are the following: Milan Nikolic (29, CB, Serbia), Ashley Flores (FW/MF, Philippines), Jong Min Lee (26, DF/DMF. South Korea), Tyler Matas (22, DF, Philippines), James Hall (27, MF, England), Alvin Sarmiento (23, MF, Philippines), Connor Tacagni (23, ST, Philippines), Neil Dorimon (25, DF, Philippines), Jean De Los Reyes (26, MF, Philippines), Edienzel Velizano (22, MF, Philippines). “These are young but very experienced players we are bringing in. We know that any of these guys can make an immediate impact on the pitch.” said Coach Aris Caslib on his new players. Rounding up the occasion was the club’s announcement of their continued support of the Philippine Marine Corps – Football For Peace Foundation. Now in its fifth year, the on-going collaborative project introduces football to children in conflict areas of Mindanao. Some of their activities are grassroots programs in Tawi-tawi and Zamboanga. This coming May 2, the Meralco Sparks will host over 200 young footballers from Mindanao for a football clinic in Binan, Laguna to be followed by a football festival in the Marines pitch on May 6. The Sparks begin their season in the Philippines Football League with an away match against Stallion Laguna on May 6 at 7PM in Binan, Laguna. www.foxsportsasia.com/en-ph/news/meralco-sparks-reveal-new-players-kits-pfl-2017-campaign/ |
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Post by cjeagle on Apr 27, 2017 16:20:35 GMT 8
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Post by ImAFootyFan on May 3, 2017 17:13:42 GMT 8
American Goalkeeper Hunter Harrison signs for F.C. Meralco Manila!
Previous club:Tulsa Roughnecks(USL)
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Post by cheezewhiz on May 4, 2017 9:53:37 GMT 8
They should resign Nick from Global FC rather than sign a foreign GK.
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Post by ImAFootyFan on May 14, 2017 14:04:19 GMT 8
Hunter Harrison was released after the unexpected change of foreign player rule of PFL.On the other hand, FC Meralco Manila signed Florencio Badelic jr. of Global F.C.
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Post by ImAFootyFan on Aug 26, 2017 12:17:54 GMT 8
Players released this transfer Window: •Phil Younghusband -> Davao Aguilas •James Younghusband -> Davao Aguilas •James Hall -> Davao Aguilas •Ryan Hall ->  Current confirmed signings so far (according to coach Aris, 6 players could be added to the current squad): •Anto Gonzales - MF/DF •David Fornea - FW •Christian Cruz-Herrera - MF/FW • • • |
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Post by cjeagle on Sept 4, 2017 23:18:53 GMT 8
The Enigma that is Futbol Club Meralco Manila. By: Ced Seredrica - Tue. Aug. 29, 2017 With more than half of the PFL season in the books, one thing has remained consistent, Meralco Manila has held its position on top of the table. But the Capital Club is a curious one. In a month that has seen the faces of the franchise, the Younghusbands, leave for (supposedly) greener pastures, the players left behind have been playing with a chip on their collective shoulders resulting to a better more attractive brand of football. In the 5 games after the Younghusband brothers left, the Sparks as they are called, have won 4 and lost just once, only their 2nd of the season, even beating title favorites Ceres Negros at Panaad Stadium snapping the Busmen’s unbeaten streak in Negros, an incredible feat in itself considering they are playing with no Big name players so to speak. The scoring burden has been carried by former Olyroos Tahj Minniecon and Ex San Beda Star Fil-Brit Connor Tacagni stepping up with the Duo scoring 4 of the teams last 9 goals. Homegrown Manila born and Dapitan’s own Daniel Bernan Gadia has been playing the form of his life since stepping in for departed captain James Younghusband in the middle of Meralco’s engine room. Azkals Winger Curt Dizon has been able to showcase more of his offensive skills now that the focus of attack is open and not limited to Phil Younghusband anymore. And the ever reliable Winger/Wingback Tyler Matas has continued his excellent play even earning a call up to the National Team this coming September 5. Life is good in Sparkland. But not all is well in good in the Capital. The club continues to draw (or fail to draw?) a measly crowd every home game, usually less than 500 with the Younghusbands still in town and now even less without them. A shame considering the good results coming into the club’s way. It is this writer’s opinion that the club’s management hasn’t really embraced the city of Manila wholeheartedly. Considering that if it weren’t for the fact that Mckinley Football Stadium failed to pass PFL regulations for pitch size, the Sparks would be calling Taguig home instead of the Capital City. As a resident of the City, I ignored this fact and gave the club representing my City my wholehearted support, even if we were plan B. The Sparks has played 18 games, half of which has been played at the Historic Rizal Memorial Stadium. I tend to question what their long term plans are seeing the small crowd every home game. Does the club really want to play in Manila? The Marketing has been non-existent. Most of Manila has no idea that a Football Team representing their City is topping the PFL table with a real shot of winning the whole thing with only 10 games left to play and with a commanding 11 point lead over the next closest team. I feel sorry for the hard working players and the coaching staff who are doing such a great job when there is nobody there to see their accomplishments on the field. All I’m saying to Meralco Manila management is embrace the City and its people. Show some Ambition. Show a little more effort in promoting the games and trying to sell your product. In return the City will soon be proud to call you their own. www.pinoyfootball.com/articles/11101769/The-Enigma-that-is-Futbol-Club-Meralco-Manila--Aside from advertising, they need to have their players visit the various schools with football clubs(give a few free group tickets initially and later group discounts to start the process of identification), some baranggays in sprawling Manila and invite them to watch their club. The PBA teams(esp. Ginebra) do this(even at the baranggay level) while some PFL teams don't and then they wonder where are the crowds. Ceres FC does this as well and their stadium is pretty much filled almost every game(will probably be the same once they start charging for tickets as their fans are hooked). You can't just expect them to come on their own. The fans need to identify with their team and the club needs to be proactive in doing so. There are plenty of football players in the Metro Manila area to try to target. |
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Post by leoisiah on Jan 8, 2018 21:06:53 GMT 8
Goodbye FC Meralco Manila.  From their FB page: To our players, fans, management, staff and sponsors: It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the club will be ceasing operations immediately and will no longer participate in the second season of the Philippines Football League. Circumstances beyond our control have made it difficult for FC Meralco Manila to continue. The board and management of the Sparks have tried to arrange for new investors that would keep the organization running, but those efforts have sadly fallen short. We sincerely apologize to our fans, and thank them for all the support over the last seven years. Special thanks also to our sponsors Jollibee and Mizuno for believing in the club and being there for us. Thanks as well to the City of Manila for being our home. The management of the team is currently in the process of searching for new teams for our players. These amazing athletes and people deserve to continue plying their trade, and we will do all in our power to find them new clubs. An announcement regarding the Youth Academy will be made in due course. Updates regarding this will be posted on the Academy pages and groups. The club also encourages all Sparks fans to keep on supporting the league and Philippine football as a whole. Maraming salamat. Paalam po sa inyong lahat. #SiklabNgMaynila |
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Post by pilferpatchy on Jan 9, 2018 7:53:00 GMT 8
Goodbye FC Meralco Manila. From their FB page: To our players, fans, management, staff and sponsors: It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the club will be ceasing operations immediately and will no longer participate in the second season of the Philippines Football League. Circumstances beyond our control have made it difficult for FC Meralco Manila to continue. The board and management of the Sparks have tried to arrange for new investors that would keep the organization running, but those efforts have sadly fallen short. We sincerely apologize to our fans, and thank them for all the support over the last seven years. Special thanks also to our sponsors Jollibee and Mizuno for believing in the club and being there for us. Thanks as well to the City of Manila for being our home. The management of the team is currently in the process of searching for new teams for our players. These amazing athletes and people deserve to continue plying their trade, and we will do all in our power to find them new clubs. An announcement regarding the Youth Academy will be made in due course. Updates regarding this will be posted on the Academy pages and groups. The club also encourages all Sparks fans to keep on supporting the league and Philippine football as a whole. Maraming salamat. Paalam po sa inyong lahat. #SiklabNgMaynila What a sad news for Philippine football. |
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Post by dingg0y on Jan 9, 2018 12:32:06 GMT 8
very sad indeed. i wish i am a rich man who has the resources to own a football team. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2018 0:43:41 GMT 8
FC Meralco Manila, one of the top 3 teams in the PFL folded due to poor stadium attendance. Meralco has a business monopoly in Manila, and for Manuel V. Pangilinan not to have the clout and influence to raise money for a team is beyond me, and he may have decided to cut his loses, i.e. the future is bleak for the PFL.
Manila (i.e. NCR) is the business and commercial capital of the Philippines and for PFF & PFL to fail in Manila is a sign of DOOM for the PFL. Manila is were the money is, and money is needed to have a successful franchise. If they cannot build a market for football in Manila, you might as well sell refrigerators to the Eskimos. You will be a total loser, out of business in a few years.
There is a fundamental error in this idea of making football a surviving enterprise in the Philippines. The idea of creating football enthusiasm and acceptance is NOT (again I'm saying NOT) by importing foreign trained, half Filipinos to be competitive in the AFC and AFF. It is by developing a solid grassroot youth program with local players (U15 to U23) that will be competitive against our SouthEast Asian neighbors. To be massacred in every tournament in the AFC and AFF, is not only embarrassing, but a total humiliation. I believe that the introduction of foreign trained half Filipinos just to be competitive is counter productive, it alienated the Manileños, or even have them despised the game.
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Post by leoisiah on Jan 18, 2018 9:05:36 GMT 8
Just a question, will AFC recognize our league now that it has only 7 teams?
From what I know, Liechtenstein cannot have it's own league because it only has seven teams. For the Philippines, will AFC recognize PFL?
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Post by ImAFootyFan on Feb 13, 2018 8:39:46 GMT 8
They changed their name back to Loyola Football Club, they are still finding investors so that they can join PFL in the near future.
Their youth team is still active and will participate in YFL this year.
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Post by cjeagle on Feb 13, 2018 9:16:18 GMT 8
They changed their name back to Loyola Football Club, they are still finding investors so that they can join PFL in the near future. Their youth team is still active and will participate in YFL this year. Good to hear. Good luck and keep the passion Loyola. |
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Post by ImAFootyFan on Mar 12, 2018 19:33:00 GMT 8
We might see Loyola play in the PFL again.. Maybe next season or two.
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