Spring is on the way and, thanks to a dedicated community effort, soccer will be back in Lansing for the spring season.
Lansing Common Football Club is a nonprofit organization run by community members. President of the program, Eric Walcott, says he couldn’t believe the support from the community from day one back in November of 2019.
“This isn’t going to be like someone coming in with a bunch of money and just owning a soccer club. This will be something that everyone is contributing towards,” Walcott said, at the first planning meeting for the team in 2019.
After Lansing Ignite folded that year, Walcott and soccer fans from all over the city banded together to keep high-level amateur soccer in the community.
“That’s where the name comes from. Lansing Common. You’ll be connected to the community. We see this as like yes, we’re a soccer team. But, we’re also a community organization that wants to be engaged and involved in the Lansing area,” Walcott said.
The football club is joining the Mid-West Premier League.
Just last week the team announced the first players to sign on to the roster. Each athlete is a homegrown talent.
“I grew up playing soccer in the Lansing area and Mason,” former Mason High School midfielder Lirim Shefkiu said.
“I’ve played at East Lansing High School, Alma College and most recently Oakland FC,” midfielder Julian Birge said.
“I’m a goal keeper from Holt, Michigan, and I’ll be attending Michigan State University in the fall,” Holt High School senior Zac Kelly said.
“I’m a Mason High School graduate and I’m just really excited to be joining Lansing Common FC,” midfielder Leutrim Shefkiu said.
Lansing Common FC will hold a virtual prospective player meeting on March 1 to add more players to their roster. Athletes interested in learning more about the team and tryout requirements can register for the free meeting here.
“We’re looking, you know, for anyone that thinks they can compete at this level. It might be players who currently play in college or used to play in college. Maybe it’s high school players who are ready to play at this level,” Walcott said.
“I think we see the strength of Lansing as a soccer community and we really believe that passion and commitment is there and we’re excited to see where that goes.
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