Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers congratulate David Beckham and his group and welcome them to South Florida. The Strikers are excited that the soccer spotlight continues to shine brightly on South Florida and look forward to a derby with Beckham’s team.
South Florida is a unique and amazing international market that is sophisticated and diverse. Our fans are used to the traditional derbies/Clásicos of their European and South American countries and will welcome a rivalry between Beckham’s team and the Strikers. The South Florida market is also unique in its geography, which easily allows for two professional teams in the area.
“We welcome the rivalry of another soccer team to the region,” said Strikers President Tom Mulroy. “The news of another professional soccer team in South Florida complements the buzz and excitement the Strikers have spent many years creating around our sport and will be positive for soccer in our home state and country.”
“The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are a significant part of our City’s rich history and continue to play a prominent role in our community. The Strikers contributions to Fort Lauderdale extend far beyond the soccer field from developing young players through soccer clinics to participating in numerous outreach activities that promote health and physical fitness, while generating community goodwill,” said City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler. “We are excited to see another professional soccer team in South Florida as our region continues to develop into a professional soccer powerhouse!”
The Strikers attendance increased significantly this past season at Lockhart Stadium and the club’s ties with the soccer community have grown stronger. The Strikers made more than 400 appearances in the local community with players, coaches and staff being made very welcome by local residents whenever and wherever they attended events.
“The Strikers are an iconic team in the South Florida and national soccer world,” said City of Sunrise Mayor Michael J. Ryan. “Locally, they work with young players and communities in an amazing soccer outreach program. We are excited there will be yet another team in the South Florida market to serve the growing appetite for the world’s most popular sport.”
Recently the club signed German Bundesliga veteran goalkeeper Oka Nikolov, who spent 19 years with Eintracht Frankfurt, adding to the long list of international stars that have played with the Strikers. The original NASL brand of soccer first came to the South Florida area back in 1973, and people here still remember some of the legends who played for the Strikers, such as Gerd Mueller, Gordon Banks, George Best and Teofilo “Nene” Cubillas, who at that time were as well known internationally as David Beckham is today. As a prolific goal scorer, Mueller was the European Player of the Year in 1970, and led the West German side to victory in the 1974 World Cup.
“Regardless of who joins the market as our rivals on the pitch, we will continue to build on the Strikers legacy and serve the local community as their team,” said Strikers Managing Director Tim Robbie.
So welcome to South Florida David Beckham – it is a great place to own a soccer team
