NEW-LOOK KINGSTON FC UPBEAT WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS…New coach, ownership, corporate support at press conference

It was there for all to see when Kingston FC players displayed a new-look uniform to reflect a new sponsorship, the introduction of a new head coach, some new players and a shuffle in ownership, all of which provided an upbeat mood to a press conference at the Invista Sports Centre at Kingston Friday.

 

Jimmy Hamrouni has resigned his position as president and coach of the club, “for personal and business reasons” explained chairman of the board Lorne Abugov, in making the announcement.

 

Of high interest was the introduction of the club`s new head coach, Colm Muldoon (pronounced column, like a newspaper column), explained journalist Joseph Scanlon, with Abugov a co-owner of Kingston FC, who emceed the proceedings.

 

Muldoon, a native of the Republic of Ireland with impressive UEFA coaching credentials, has playing and coaching experience in Ireland and the United States.

 

A physical exercise buff, Muldoon believes in a high level of fitness as a pre-requisite to winning games. “Soccer is a beautiful game and it’s a world game. To be good, you have to develop a lot of things – strength, endurance, technical ability, co-ordination and specific skills“, he emphasized. In private life, he has a science degree and is a plastics specialist and no doubt knows how to mould a team.

 

The club introduced a new sponsor in WTC Communications, an independent regional telecommunications company with strong ties to the Kingston community.

 

“WTC is thrilled to help bring professional soccer to the Kingston area”, said the company’s general manager, Steve Lynn, who signed a two-year deal described as a platinum sponsorship.

 

With just two wins at mid-season in its inaugural year in professional soccer, Abugov explained the need to strengthen Kingston FC’s roster. That process has started with the addition of two French-born players, Olivier Rieutord, a forward from Toulouse and Hugo Delmaire, a defender who played for the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec.

 

Other defenders signed are Ryan McCurdy, who played professionally with Linfield FC in Northern Ireland and Guyana national team player Julien Edwards.

 

Midfielder Mintcho Mintchev has also joined the club. Born in Bulgaria, Mintchev developed his skills with Nepean Hotspurs, just west of Kingston.

 

Abugov explained the new ownership is firmly committed to Kingston FC and professional soccer in Kingston. “We are extremely excited about the prospects of our club,” he said

 

But the chairman made it clear the club is seeking equity investment and an alliance with youth soccer in the region, both necessary if Kingston is to develop as a serious member of Canada’s future professional soccer community. “Joe and I are committed to investigate these areas during the next few weeks,” emphasized. Abugov.

 

Kingston FC visit Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke for a game with Serbian White Eagles Friday, while the reserve team is off until a visit to the St. Joan of Arc ground at Maple, just north of Toronto where they meet York Region Shooters B on July 29.