On behalf of the Board of Directors of Junior Lone Star Football Club, Inc., it is my pleasure to publish the following report about the activities and accomplishments of the club during the just-ended 2017 season.
This 2017 season was the 17th season that this club has provided soccer programs for the youth and young adults in Southwest Philadelphia and surrounding areas. We are proud of the work we have done over the years for Southwest Philadelphia families. We are proud of our club and we hope this Annual Report will provide an insight to our activities and accomplishments of 2017 as we look forward to a more successful 2018 season.
ADMINISTRATION
Junior Lone Star Football Club was incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania in 2012 and obtained its non-profit 501(c)(3) status from the IRS in 2016. The club has been governed by a nine-person Board of Directors and Members:
- President/Executive Director = Paul Konneh
- Vice President for Operations = Dempster Jardiah
- Vice President of Players = Fatoma Turay
- Vice President of Coaches = George Beyan, Sr.
- Treasurer = Neewilli Saie (resigned at the end of August leaving a vacancy)
- Member = Winston Smith (resigned at the end August leaving a vacancy)
- Member = Kara Smith
- Member = Mekehwon Myers
- Member = Felix Zeon
FINANCES
JLSFC’s financial position has seen a little growth over the years. Basically, we received $5,572 from donors, $4,300 from our sponsors for the NPSL team, while Membership Fees brought in $3,000. We also added $6,450 as Gross Receipts from Special Events when we hosted the 2017 Battle of the East Soccer Tournament (B.E.S.T).
We spent $10,562 to register all three teams in their respective leagues and cup competitions. That amount also include field rental for home games as well as referee fees and athletic trainer fees. We spent $5,554 to host the B.E.S.T which included the four fields rental for two days, referee fees, cash prizes as well as awards, medals, and trophy. We also spent $3,138 on uniforms.
With that said, we are proud to be in the green for the first time ever going into another season. Annual accounting information is available to members upon request. With the club growing, we will be searching for a Certified Public Accountant to analyze our financial information at the end of the 2018 season.
MEMBERSHIP
Players
This club started with only 11 players on a single team in 2001 but has grown to nearly 100 players on three teams. During the 2017 season, 33 players competed on the First Team, 32 players on the Under-23s, and 25 players on the Under-19s.
Fans
The club has grown its fanbase around the world through our various social media playforms. We currently have 3,943 followers on Facebook (/juniorlonestarfc), 1,433 on Twitter (@juniorlonestar), and 570 on Instagram (@juniorlonestarfc).
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND RECOGNITION
First Team
- Champions = US African Cup
- Champions = PPSL Spring/Summer Season
- Champions = PPSL Community Shield
- Finalists = USASA Region I Amateur Cup
- Quarter-Finalists = USASA Region I Open Cup
- Quarter-Finalists = EPSA State Amateur Cup
- First Round = Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
- Sixth Place = NPSL Keystone Conference
The First Team was coached by Neewilli Saie and Charlie Flowe.
Under-23 Team
- Played an international friendly against the U.S. Men’s U20 National Team in Orlando, FL
- Champions = Upper Darby Tri-State Tournament
- Champions = Battle of the East Soccer Tournament
- Runners-Up = PPSL Spring/Summer
- Semi-Finalists = EPSA State Amateur Cup
- Third Qualifying Round = Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifiers
- Group Stage = USASA Region I U23 Cup
The Under-23 Team was coached by Bobby Ali and James Karnga.
Under-19 Team
- Semi-Finalists = FC DELCO Players Cup
- Sweet Sixteen = EPYSA U19 State Cup
- Sixth Place = Atlantic Premier League
The Under-19 Team was coached by Samuel Cole and Idrissa Koroma.
Stars in the Pro
Former JLSFC midfielder Derrick Jones had a break-out year with the Philadelphia Union of the MLS. Jones made 12 appearances (eight starts) for the Union during his first full season with the First Team. He also played in 11 matches (11 starts) for the Union’s affiliate Bethlehem Steel in the United Soccer League (USL) where he scored one goal. He also received a call-up by the U.S. Men’s U20 National Team for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup where he played in four matches (three starts) helping his side to a Quarter-Finals finish.
Former JLSFC defender Anthony Dunor was exceptional for IFK Haninge in the Swedish Division II League as he helped his club to a respectable fourth-place finish.
Former JLSFC defenders Joseph Aidoo and Samuel Fahnboto helped their club Uppsala-Kurd FK to gain promotion to the Swedish Division III League. Both players had a goal each during the season.
Stars in College
JLSFC First Team defender Abel Watson led the Loyola University Greyhounds to their first-ever Patriot League Regular Season title. Anchoring the defense to seven shutouts, he also scored three (3) goals and had one (1) assist during the season. Watson was also named in the All Patriot League First Team and won the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week three times during the season.
JLSFC First Team defender Jose Mendez played in 17 games (started 14) for the Iowa Lakes Community College Lakers in their 10-7 (4-5) season. Mendez scored two (2) goals and had three (3) assists during the season.
JLSFC U23 defender Martin Dempster played in 16 games (started 13) for the Bryn Athyn College Lions in their 5-11 (2-8) season. M. Dempster scored two goals and had three (3) assists while playing as a forward for the Lions.
JLSFC U23/First Team forward Edward Slueue played in 10 games for the Wilmington university Wildcats in their 10-6-3 (9-3-0) season.
JLSFC U23 forward Ram Keller helped the Harcum College Bears to a 8-5-1 (3-2-1) season record and a semi-final finish in the NJCAA Region 19 Division I.
JLSFC U23 forward Francis Watson played in eight (8) games for the Valley Forge Military Academy in their 2-8-0 (2-9-0) season in the NJCAA Region 19 Division III. Francis Watson scored three (3) goals and had three (3) assists during the season.
Young Stars in High School
JLSFC U19 forward Lansana Doumbouya was on fire for the Academy Park High School. The 18-year old forward scored 33 goals and had 12 assists as he led the Knights to their first-ever Del Val League title and a berth in the PIAA District I Class 4A tourney where there were eliminated in the first round. Doumbouya was also named the Del-Val Player of the Year as well as the Daily Times Boys Soccer Player of the Year. He was also named on the 1st Team Del-Val, the 1st Team All-Delco, and the All South Eastern Pennsylvania 1st Team.
JLSFC U19 midfielder Elijah Toby was also named on the All-Del Val 1st Team and the All-Delco 2nd team while captaining the Academy Park High School.
JLSFC U19 goalkeeper Solomon Kamara was named on the 2nd Team Del-Val and the 2nd Team All-Delco for Penn Wood High School as he led the Patriots to the PIAA District I Class 4A Round of 16.
JLSFC U19 midfielder Tahjay Swaby was an All-Delco Honorable Mention for Academy Park High School.
LOOKING FORWARD
Looking forward, the First Team will be returning to the NPSL for the 2018 season as they look to battle Atlantic City FC, Buxmont Torch, Electric City Shock, FC Monmouth, FC Motown, Hershey FC, New Jersey Copa, and West Chester United in the Keystone Conference. The First Team will also compete in the EPSA Amateur Cup during the Fall and possibly the PPSL. Fatoma Turay and Charlie Flowe will head the First Team.
The Under-23s have been withdrawn from the PPSL and will be placed in a league to be announced. The U-23s will also compete in the EDP Super Club U23 League as well as the USASA Region I U23 Cup during the summer. For the Fall, the U23s will compete in the EPSA State Open Cup. Bobby Ali and James Karnga will return as coaches for the Under-23s.
The Under-19s will return to the Atlantic Premier League in 2018 and they are expected to battle Continental FC, FC Montco, FC Revolution, Match Fit Academy, Penn Fusion SA, and the Philadelphia Union U17s. Samuel Cole and Idrissa Koroma will return as coaches of the Under-19s.
An Under-17 Academy Team, to be coached by Mitchell Torh, will be formed during the 2018 season.
In 2018, there will be an Official Launch of Junior Lone Star FC – Liberia (JLSFC-Liberia). We have already started the selection of players in Liberia with the team playing in a 3-3 draw during a practice match against GAC yesterday. JLSFC players Mohammed Mayah and Siafa Dempster, who are visiting Liberia, played as guest players for JLSFC-Liberia. Another friendly has been scheduled for this weekend against the Gbarpolu All-Stars. JLSFC-Liberia will compete in the lower tier of the Liberian National Football League system as they seek promotion to the pro ranks in the near future.
THANKS AND APPRECIATION
Special thanks to all our partners:
- Piayon Lassanah, Attorney-At-Law
- Nagbe Collection
- Floor USA
- Slum Life Entertainment
- Bonner & Prendergast Catholic High School
- Enterprise Car Rental
- CASA Soccer League
- Mitre-USA
- Staples
- RedFin
- The Brotherly Game
- Philly Soccer Page
- AFRICOM
Also, our thanks and appreciation to all those who donated towards our various soccer programs during the season.
Our heartfelt thanks to our Board of Director, Coaches, Players, and to all our Fans here and around the world.
Thanks to everyone for everything you did for this club during the 2017 season. Without you, we would be nothing!! – One Community. One Club. Our Stars.
We can’t wait to start the 2018 season as we wish you all Happy Holidays and a more Prosperous New Year!!!!
Respectfully Submitted:
Paul A. Konneh, III
President/Executive Director
Junior Lone Star FC