NPSL Exclusive with City of Angels FC Co-Founder PJ Harrison
From New Jersey to California, the growth of the NPSL is hardly going unnoticed as more and more teams join this competitive U.S. Soccer 4th tier men’s soccer league — the NPSL is very close to reaching its goal of 100 teams in 100 communities.
Related Article–NPSL Expansion: City of Angels FC
NPSL Soccer News: With the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) growing across America, SoccerToday interviews the man behind one of the latest NPSL expansion clubs joining the league for the upcoming 2017 campaign.
City of Angels FC is set to compete in their inaugural NPSL campaign as they join the West Region’s Southwest Conference led by founders PJ Harrison and Joe Sumner.
Harrison is a creative director who served as a branding consultant for Everton FC, while Sumner is a musician and tech entrepreneur.
Harrison, an England native and Everton supporter, explains that his inspiration comes from the dedication of hard working individuals striving to reach their goals. Combined with his passion for the game of soccer, Harrison and Sumner will provide Los Angeles with a soccer team that will be alive with energy and working day and night to achieve success.
City of Angels is among four expansion clubs set to take the field in the West Region’s Southwest Conference during the 2017 campaign. Orange County FC, Oxnard Guerreros FC and FC Arizona will be joining the nine-team conference on the West Coast.
SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo spoke with Harrison on the goals for the upcoming season and his inspiring story in the game.
Diane Scavuzzo: Why did you choose the NPSL?
PJ Harrison: We chose the NPSL because it’s a strong, national league with a local focus that offers a high level of autonomy for the individual clubs.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your position with the club?
PJ Harrison: Co-Founder alongside Joe Sumner.
Diane Scavuzzo: When are you holding tryouts? What type of players are you looking for?
PJ Harrison: TBD. We’ll post tryout events on social media.
Diane Scavuzzo: When did you become involved in soccer?
PJ Harrison: I went to my first game at Goodison Park when I was five and haven’t stopped since. Outside of my family it’s the thing I miss most about home. I’d never seen grass that green before. It’s always been special to me. We won 6-1 and Everton won the league that year. It was a period of brilliance and glory for Merseyside football, at least in terms of on the field.
Later in life I worked with the club as a consultant. I spent a long time in the music business, but there isn’t a backstage area as electric as Goodison.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your background?
PJ Harrison: I grew up in a working class estate where football was everything. We’d play on the street until it was too dark to see the ball and our mums would gradually beckon us home one by one.
I promoted club nights as a teenager in Liverpool and later London. I co-owned and ran a Sony record label in my early 20s before working in music, fashion and film in a variety of roles before moving into football.
Diane Scavuzzo: How has soccer changed, if it has, since you became involved?
PJ Harrison: Well, Everton wins less trophies, that’s for sure! But…and this is crucial to express to younger readers, the club remains the 4th most successful team in English football. There have been massive changes to the game, but my experience as a fan is almost untouched. The game is basically the same as it always has been and once the game kicks off it’s two teams going at each other.
We could spend a prolonged time discussing globalization and commercial opportunities in football, but I’m only really interested in the game. I’ll stop what I’m doing and watch a game in the park if I see one.
Diane Scavuzzo: What influences you? What surprises people about you?
PJ Harrison: I’m influenced by my family who are very hard working and grounded people. Anybody who gets out of a situation they don’t want to be in and gives something a try is an inspiration. People who commit themselves to a vision or craft inspire me.
There are a plethora of artists who have influenced me. I’m fortunate enough to call a lot of those people my friends, including my partner Joe. He’s a talented guy who evolves and tries new things.
Diane Scavuzzo: If you could pick any super power, what would it be and why?
PJ Harrison: I’d channel Duncan Ferguson.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your favorite soccer team or player? Who do you root for behind closed doors?
PJ Harrison: Everton FC. Closed door rooting is absolutely forbidden. You have one team. They chose you. It’s like that film with the kiddie wizards and the big hat. I have a soft spot for FC Barcelona and Juventus for different reasons, but I couldn’t say “I support” them.
In terms of current players, I love watching Leighton Baines and Ross Barkley. Pirlo is a beautiful player. Buffon too. I think Gyasi Zardes has a big future. Zidane, Ronaldinho & Del Piero were incredible players to watch.
Diane Scavuzzo: How do you plan on promoting your NPSL team to drive fans into seats?
PJ Harrison: We have to engage fans at the community level and offer them an experience to enjoy and a club they want to help grow.
Diane Scavuzzo: How will you utilize your creative experience to drive fans to matches?
PJ Harrison: We’ll try to offer value and entertainment at games and a rewarding experience away from games. To make the club a year long lifestyle, not just during the season.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your greatest challenge as a new NPSL team?
PJ Harrison: Everything!
Diane Scavuzzo: NPSL has teams in approximately 80 markets across the country — is your area in need of more competition or are you concerned about future expansion?
PJ Harrison: Coming from England we’re used to having two Premier League clubs in cities of 400,000 people. So in a place as big as L.A. there’s plenty of space, people and very different identities. Look how many Premier League and Football League clubs London supports and that’s a smaller population.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who do you think will be your greatest competition?
PJ Harrison: Everybody’s going to be tough for us at first. As a new club we’re the underdogs.
