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Electric City FC
Full nameElectric City Football Club
Short nameECFC
FoundedAugust 9, 2021
DissolvedJanuary 9, 2024
StadiumFleming College Stadium
Capacity2,000
OwnerGregory Couch
LeagueLeague1 Ontario
2023League, 7th; Playoffs, DNQ (men)
League, 8th; Playoffs, DNQ (women)
Websitehttps://www.electriccityfc.com/

Electric City Football Club was a Canadian semi-professional soccer team based in Peterborough, Ontario, that competed in League1 Ontario's men's and women's division.

History

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Formation

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The presence of soccer in Peterborough is large despite its small size, and the club is an initiative for the city to take pride in its community, not just for soccer enthusiasts.[1] The history of the sport in the city dates back to the 1880s,[2] and with two college and university teams, highly skilled OWSL and OSL teams, as well as multiple local youth clubs, soccer has held a significant presence in Peterborough.[3]

The club's origins begin in late 2019, when former Canadian national team and Toronto FC player Adrian Cann met local community leader Keaton Robbins who was part of a group who was discussing the possibility of a team in the region,[4] later joined by local business leaders Neil Morton and Richard Wood.[5] Robbins first discussed the idea back in 2014 with League1 Ontario commissioner, Dino Rossi.[6] Robbins also connected with Rob Jenkins, who was manager of football operations with Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League, who joined the project.[7]

In August 2020, the club formed a partnership with local youth club Maple Leaf Cavan FC to serve as a feeder system,[8] later expanding the affiliations to include four other local youth clubs - Peterborough City SC, Peterborough Youth SC, Northumberland United and Kawartha Lakes SC - in 2022.[9][10] The group initially intended to build a 3,000 seat outdoor stadium on the former Rona property on Chemong Road.[11][12] The club has previously approached Trent University about potentially using its Justin Chiu Stadium until a permanent facility is completed on Chemong Road.[5]

Their goal was originally to try to get an expansion team for 2021 in League1 Ontario, a semi-professional league, underneath the top tier Canadian Premier League,[13][14] although Morton said 2022 may be more realistic, with the ultimate goal being to eventually join the Canadian Premier League.[5] Morton said the goal is to start with a men's team and eventually add a women's side.[11][15] Cann was initially expected to serve as the team's head coach.[5] In January 2021, the club announced that they delayed their application to the league to 2022, in part due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]

Official announcement

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Electric City FC secondary logo

The club was officially announced in August 2021, announcing their intention to join the semi-professional League1 Ontario in 2022, as well as a women's team in 2023, with businessman Rob Couch serving as majority owner, alongside some other minority owners, as well as Rob Jenkins as Club President with Keaton Robbins also involved.[17] Upon its launch, the club revealed aspirations of joining the professional Canadian Premier League, as early as 2024.[18] The club would announce their first head coach later in the fall.[19] (However, by the opening of the first season, Couch assumed full control and refunded the investments of the other minority owners[20]). The club officially joined League1 Ontario in October 2021, after acquiring the L1O license held by Toronto Skillz FC.[21][22] They also announced their intention to build a 74-acre Sports Complex on the edge of Peterborough including a soccer-specific stadium for the club to be completed within three years.[21][23] In November 2021, they announced they would field a women's team in League1 Ontario women's division for the 2022, a year earlier than their original expectation.[24][25] However, prior to the season's launch Keaton Robbins, a major driving force in the club's creation, departed the club and the club also parted ways with head coach Michael Marcoccia, replacing him with Jamie Sherwood prior to the team's first match.[26][27]

Playing history

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The men's team played their first match on April 21, 2022, ending in a 0–0 draw against defending champions Guelph United F.C.[28] They played their first home match on May 7 at Fleming College, earning their first ever victory, defeating Windsor TFC 3–0, while setting a League1 Ontario attendance record of 1565.[29][30] The women's team played their first match on the road on April 23, defeating Alliance United 2–1.[31] The women's team set a League1 Ontario women's attendance record in their home opener on May 14 in 4–1 victory over Blue Devils FC.[32][33]

After just four matches into their first season, the club parted way with head coach Jamie Sherwood, their second coaching change within their first season, replacing him with Randy Ribeiro as interim coach of both the men's and women's teams.[34] In addition, mid-way through the season, club president Rob Jenkins also departed the club.[26] In their inaugural seasons, the men's team finished in tenth place, while the women's team finished in eighth place in the league, with both teams failing to qualify for the playoffs.[35][36]

Ahead of the 2023 season, the club confirmed Ribeiro as the permanent coach of both sides.[37] In their second season, the men's and women's teams finished in seventh and eighth place respectively, missing out on the playoffs (top six) for the second consecutive season.[38] In addition, the club's attendance dropped to approximately 200 fans per match, falling from a 500 average in their debut season.[39] Despite qualifying for the league's Premier Division for 2024,[40] the club chose to part ways with head coach Ribeiro, after the season, with club owner Couch mentioning that the club failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season fell below his expectations.[41][42]

In January 2024, the club folded and departed the league and sold their licenses to Pickering FC.[43][44][45] During their time in the league, the club had the highest payroll spending in the league.[46]

Partnerships

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In February 2022, they announced a partnership with Ontario Hockey League club, the Peterborough Petes, to work together with cross-promotional opportunities.[47][48] In March 2022, they partnership with Bobcaygeon Brewing Co. to create an official beer for the team called Electric Ale.[49][50] The club has reached sponsorship agreements with companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Mark’s and Leon's, while also selling club merchandise in local stores.[51][52]

The club announced partnerships with former League1 Ontario club Toronto Skillz FC to field their U21 L1O men's Reserve team and FC Durham (who had previously been part of the women's FC Oshawa team) to field their women's reserve team and men's U19 reserve team (both clubs will enter the reserve division under their own club names).[53]

In March 2022, the team announced a partnership with Fleming College for the use of its Sports Complex for Electric City FC's home games.[54]

Seasons

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Men

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Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs Ref
2022 League1 Ontario 22 8–6–7 10th Did not qualify
2023 21 11–4–5 7th Did not qualify

Women

[edit]
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs Ref
2022 League1 Ontario 20 10–2–7 8th Did not qualify
2023 19 8–3–7 8th Did not qualify

Notable players

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The following players have either played at the professional or international level, either before or after playing for the League1 Ontario team:

Men

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Women

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References

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  1. ^ El Chiekh Khalil, Mariam (August 19, 2020). "Peterborough Woman Who Started Football Academy In Jordan On The Impact A Pro Team Would Have On This Community She Adores". PTBO Canada.
  2. ^ Bates, Matt (April 21, 2022). "A Bluffer's Guide to Electric City". League1 Ontario.
  3. ^ McClelland, Beth (August 13, 2020). "The Impact Soccer In Peterborough Has Had On One Woman's Life & What A Pro Team Coming Here Would Mean To Her". PTBO Canada.
  4. ^ Davies, Mike (August 13, 2020). "Untapped market for soccer in Peterborough area: Cann". The Peterborough Examiner.
  5. ^ a b c d Davies, Mike (July 23, 2020). "Group wants to bring pro soccer team to Peterborough". The Peterborough Examiner.
  6. ^ Davies, Mike (July 28, 2020). "Peterborough poised to become a soccer hotbed". The Peterborough Examiner.
  7. ^ Platt, Oliver (February 18, 2022). "Meet Electric City FC: The Peterborough club aiming for the CPL in 2024". OneSoccer.
  8. ^ Davies, Mike (August 27, 2020). "Electric City FC teaming up with Cavan FC". The Peterborough Examiner.
  9. ^ "Electric City Football Club partnering with five Peterborough area youth soccer clubs". The Peterborough Examiner. February 3, 2022.
  10. ^ O'Grady, Angela (February 3, 2022). "Electric City Football Club Announces Partnerships With Five Local Soccer Clubs". PTBO Canada.
  11. ^ a b A pro soccer team could be coming to Peterborough. Global News. July 24, 2020.
  12. ^ Davies, Mike (July 26, 2020). "Sports plans for Chemong Road site in Peterborough's north end delayed, but still a go". Niagara Falls Review.
  13. ^ Davies, Mike (December 28, 2020). "A sports year like no other for Peterborough". The Peterborough Examiner.
  14. ^ Telford, Casey (September 1, 2020). "CanPL & Canadian Soccer Expansion Tracker – September 2020". Northern Starting XI.
  15. ^ Shaughnessy-Rowe, Liz (September 6, 2020). "Peterborough Woman On Her Love For The Beautiful Game & What Electric City FC Would Mean To Her". PTBO Canada.
  16. ^ Davies, Mike (January 18, 2020). "Electric City FC delays League1 Ontario bid to 2022". The Peterborough Examiner.
  17. ^ Jacques, John (August 10, 2021). "Peterborough Aims For Pro Football With Electric City FC". Northern Tribune.
  18. ^ Davies, Mike (August 9, 2021). "Electric City FC brings pro soccer to Peterborough". The Peterborough Examiner.
  19. ^ Rellinger, Paul (August 9, 2021). "Professional soccer to make its debut in Peterborough in May 2022". Kawartha Now.
  20. ^ Davies, Mike (January 11, 2024). "Peterborough could still be a good professional soccer community says former Electric City FC pres". The Peterborough Examiner.
  21. ^ a b "Electric City FC of Peterborough joins L1O for 2022 season". League1 Ontario. October 20, 2021.
  22. ^ "Peterborough's new Electric City Football Club officially joins League1 Ontario". Kawartha Now. October 20, 2021.
  23. ^ Jacques, John (October 20, 2021). "Electric City FC Joins League1 Ontario, Reveals Stadium Plans". Northern Tribune.
  24. ^ "Electric City announces Women's team and open tryouts for the 2022 season". League1 Ontario. November 10, 2021.
  25. ^ Davies, Mike (November 10, 2021). "Peterborough's Electric City FC to field women's League1 Ontario team". The Peterborough Examiner.
  26. ^ a b Jacques, John (January 10, 2024). "Brown On ECFC: 'The Ship Sank When Rob Left'". Northern Tribune.
  27. ^ Jacques, John (April 4, 2022). "Electric City FC Names Sherwood As Men's Head Coach". Northern Tribune.
  28. ^ Davies, Mike (April 21, 2022). "Electric City FC debuts with scoreless draw against league champion Guelph United". The Peterborough Examiner.
  29. ^ Davies, Mike (May 8, 2022). "Electric City FC men win home opener in Peterborough". The Peterborough Examiner.
  30. ^ Bui, David Tuan (May 8, 2022). "Electric City Football Club Men's Team Shines Under the Bright Lights in Home Opener". PTBO Canada.
  31. ^ Davies, Mike (April 23, 2022). "Peterborough's Electric City women win season opener". The Peterborough Examiner.
  32. ^ Bui, David Tuan (May 16, 2022). "Electric City Football Club Women's Team Dazzles In Home Opener". PTBO Canada.
  33. ^ Davies, Mike (May 15, 2022). "Electric City women victorious in Peterborough home opener". The Peterborough Examiner.
  34. ^ Davies, Mike (May 20, 2022). "Jamie Sherwood out as Electric City Football Club men's team head coach". The Peterborough Examiner.
  35. ^ Davies, Mike (August 20, 2022). "Peterborough's ECFC wraps complicated first season". The Peterborough Examiner.
  36. ^ Davies, Mike (August 10, 2022). "Peterborough's Electric City women look back at a successful first year". The Peterborough Examiner.
  37. ^ Davies, Mike (February 24, 2023). "Randy Ribeiro named permanent Electric City FC men's and women's coach". The Peterborough Examiner.
  38. ^ Davies, Mike (September 21, 2023). "Electric City FC owner hoping to draw more fans". The Peterborough Examiner.
  39. ^ Jacques, John (September 28, 2023). "'It's A Long Road For Us': ECFC Owner Hopes To Build Up Attendance". Northern Tribune.
  40. ^ Steiner, Ben (January 10, 2024). "League1 Ontario's Electric City cease operations, abruptly ending CPL dreams in Peterborough". Canadian Soccer Daily.
  41. ^ Davies, Mike (October 10, 2023). "Randy Ribeiro fired as coach of Electric City FC". The Peterborough Examiner.
  42. ^ Jacques, John (October 6, 2023). "Electric City FC Parts Ways With Head Coach Randy Ribeiro". Northern Tribune.
  43. ^ Davies, Mike (January 9, 2023). "Electric City FC ceases operations in Peterborough after two years". The Peterborough Examiner.
  44. ^ Bui, David Tuan (January 10, 2024). "Electric City Football Club Folds After Two Years; Pickering FC Acquires Team Licenses". PTBO Canada.
  45. ^ Mercier, Jordan (January 10, 2024). "The final whistle blows for Electric City Football Club". PTBO Today.
  46. ^ Davies, Mike (January 10, 2024). "'It started with so much hype and so much promise': Players react to demise of Electric City FC". The Peterborough Examiner.
  47. ^ "Peterborough Petes, new Electric City Football Club team up on cross-promotions". The Peterborough Examiner. February 1, 2022.
  48. ^ O'Grady, Angela (February 1, 2022). "Electric City Football Club And Peterborough Petes Join Forces To Make Peterborough A Top Sports Destination". PTBO Canada.
  49. ^ Skarstedt, Clifford (March 4, 2022). "Photos: Bobcaygeon Brewing launches Electric City Football Club's official brew Electric Ale". Peterborough Examiner.
  50. ^ "New brew for Electric City Football Club in Peterborough". Peterborough Examiner. March 3, 2022.
  51. ^ Morrison, Dan (April 21, 2022). "Enthusiasm for Electric City Football Club is growing — and not just among soccer fans". Peterborough Currents.
  52. ^ Ganley, Rosemary (June 15, 2023). "Peterborough's Electric City Football Club has a new fan". Peterborough Examiner.
  53. ^ "Electric City Football Club inks affiliation deals with FC Durham, Toronto Skillz FC". The Peterborough Examiner. February 9, 2022.
  54. ^ "Electric City FC home games will be played at Fleming Sports Complex in Peterborough". KawarthaNow. March 28, 2022.
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