Beginning the 2018/19 season, Junior Lone Star FC, Philadelphia’s only professional development soccer club, will play under a new name, Philadelphia Lone Star Football Club (PLSFC).
The idea of changing the name of the club was first introduced to the club Board of Directors in 2016 before the membership voted for the name change last year.
With the name change, the club will keep the Lone Star brand due to its roots while including Philadelphia as a nod to the City that wholeheartedly welcomed immigrants like us.
“After 18 seasons as Junior Lone Star FC, I think this is the right time to make a change so that we can promote our club better to all residents in the City of Philadelphia,” president Paul Konneh commented. “I only see this as a win-win situation where we recognize the City of Brotherly Love and at the same time keeping our heritage intact.”
Even though the club has changed its name and crest, it still maintains its identity and the traditional colors of red, white, and blue.
The club’s new crest has several elements:
The shape of the crest, which we proudly wear over our hearts, is a pointed shield, a symbol of strength and togetherness which has been a staple of the Lone Star ethos and message since our formation in 2001.
The 13 vertical stripes of red alternating with white symbolize the 13 original players who formed the first squad of the club in 2001.
The Liberty Bell is synonymous with the City of Philadelphia, a city that openly welcomed immigrants like us which led to the club we see today. The name of the Bell also resonates with Liberia’s National Motto: “The Love of LIBERTY Brought Us Here.”
If you looked closely, you will see that two shades of blue are around and within the crest. The left color is taken from the Municipal Flag of Philadelphia and the right color is taken from the Flag of the Republic of Liberia.
“For me, I think these changes will only be off the field,” one of the club founders and current Under-23s head coach Bobby Ali opined. “I don’t see anything changing on the field where we will still play the Lone Star way with our same identity and philosophy.”
Philadelphia Lone Star First Team will compete in the East PA State Open Cup and Amateur Cup in the Fall and will return for its seventh season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) as well as its second season in the Northeast Elite Soccer League (NESL) in the Summer.
Philadelphia Lone Star Second Team (U-23s) will return for its second season in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) in the Spring and will also compete in the USASA U23 Regionals as well as the EDP U-23 League in the Summer.
Philadelphia Lone Star Academy Teams (U-15s, U-17s, U-19s) will compete in various tournaments and college showcases around the country in the Fall/Winter/Spring as well as the State Cups in the Summer.
Philadelphia Lone Star-Liberia will compete in the 2018/19 Liberia Football Association (LFA) National Third Division Championship League which begins later this month.
The design of the crest was created by Robert Boyd of Custom FC in England. Custom FC is a design studio which specializes in sports logos and social media graphics.
“I think that this has been a great redesign to work on and that I hope the fans, and everyone involved in the club are happy with the final outcome and can take pride in its meaning,” Boyd stated earlier today.
If you want a Custom FC designed badge or logo or you need some social media graphics for your new Instagram page or anything else sports-related, don’t hesitate to visit http://www.customfc.co.uk.
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