MISSION STATEMENT
Black Watch Soccer Club
We, the members of the Black Watch Soccer Club shall be dedicated
to the advancement of competitive youth soccer.
This Club was formed for the express purpose of developing
youth into skilled soccer participants.
They will exemplify good sportsmanship,
team cooperation, physical fitness and moral well
being. Members of the Club shall adhere to the highest ideals of good
sportsmanship at all times.
HISTORY - Black Watch Soccer Club
The Black Watch Soccer Club was founded in Tampa, Florida in the early 1980's by former Rowdie Alex Pringle. The Club was established in order to give every youth in the surrounding area a chance to play youth soccer. As the club grew success followed.
In 1987, USYSA (United States Youth Soccer Association) began its regional competitions.
Black Watch Heather, an under 14 girls team, won the first Southern Regional Championship and
went on to win its first USYSA National Championship. Black Watch Heather and Black Watch
Thistle brought immediate attention to the club. As Black Watch Heather was making a name
for the club, a boys team was beginning its climb to the top of youth soccer,
Black Watch Keelley.
Keelley collected over 450 wins and lost under 50 matches in a seven year period.
Keelley also captured the Southern Regional Championship in 1987. To this day the Heather
team is mentioned as one of the best women's teams ever assembled. Two Players from the
Keelley are playing professionally now. Steve Freeman and Mike Mekelburg, an all-American
from the University of South Florida, are playing professional level soccer.
Steve has started a sister Black Watch Club in New York and has continued the Black Watch
tradition of soccer excellence.
Black Watch Community History
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Because of the generosity of the Pepsi-Cola Company we are able to lease our training facility
located at 11111 N. 30th Street, a remnant of what was first known as the Hillsborough Army airfield
and later known as the Henderson Airport.
During World War II this airfields had five thousand feet of paved runway, one hanger,
a control tower and one concrete building where fighters were parked.
The last surviving structure of this airport currently houses Mel’s Hot Dogs Restaurant at
4136 E. Busch Boulevard.
From this aerial photograph circa 2000 you can clearly discern the intersection of runways
east of our facility and their extension Southeast, Southwest, Northeast and Northwest
over a small section of our training fields. |
The Flags Flown at Black Watch
After the establishment of Black Watch Soccer Club the first was established the initial coaching staff were originally from the beautiful country of Scotland. They chose to establish a rich Scottish heritage as part of the club atmosphere. One tradition that has remained with the teams over the years is the flying of at least one of the two more famous Scottish flags on the team sideline during games. The flags are the Saint Andrew's Cross and the Scottish Royal Standard.
The Saint Andrew's Cross is one of the oldest national flags of all, dating back at least to the 12th century. It is based on the x-shaped cross on which the patron saint of Scotland was crucified. This flag, along with the flag of Saint George the patron saint of England formed the basis of the Union flag when James VI of Scotland became James I of England.
The Scottish Royal Standard consists of the arms of the King of Scots; a red lion rampant on a yellow field within a frame decorated with fleurs-de-lis. The lion dates from the reign of William the Lion (1165-1214) and the frame from at least 1222. The fleurs-de-lys are said to commemorate the long standing alliance between Scotland and France.
