Savannah Clovers Football Club (SCFC) is nearing the start of a new era for the sport of soccer in this city. Competing in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the club will host a historic season-opening match at Memorial Stadium on April 1, 2023 at 7 p.m. against Michigan Stars FC.
Roughly 13 months ago, on January 11, 2022, the Clovers announced that NISA accepted its application for club membership. That meant that professional (outdoor) soccer would be played in Savannah for the first time ever. NISA is, according to its website, “a U.S. third-tier professional men’s league” with nine member clubs.
The Clovers are one of three new clubs beginning NISA play this spring.
Founded in the summer of 2016, the Savannah Clovers played in the United Premier Soccer League for five seasons and participated in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the NISA Independent Cup. David Proctor was named the first SCFC professional head coach in June of 2022.
“We are delighted to have David Proctor join Savannah Clovers FC as our first ever head coach as we embark on a new professional era for this soccer club,” said club CEO Shane Folgado through a team-issued press release at the time. “We are confident that David possesses the necessary coaching experience and expertise required as we navigate our first season as a professional soccer club.”
Proctor seems ready for the challenge.
“I’m thrilled at being given this opportunity to guide Savannah Clovers FC as the first head coach of this exciting soccer club,” he said. “I’ve had numerous meetings with the passionate ownership group and being a resident in the city with my family meant I had my heart set out on landing this position from day one – I’m looking forward to starting the new role as we gear up for March 2023 when NISA gets underway and we go about building the club one block at a time.”
All home matches will be played at Memorial Stadium. The club reached an agreement with Chatham County last summer to host games at the recently renovated, 5,000-seat stadium.
“We strive to create an exceptional atmosphere at Memorial Stadium for our supporters, and we are thrilled to work with Chatham County to highlight this great venue and the City of Savannah on the national stage,” said the club’s Chief Community Officer, Brian Sykes last year. “We’re thankful for the partnership with the county leadership along with the support of (Savannah) Mayor Van Johnson in helping to bring professional soccer to Savannah.”
Find out more information about the club, including ticketing and team updates, by visiting SavannahClovers.com
