The Langley United Soccer Association (LUSA) and the Langley United FC men’s club (LUFCA) have announced their merger in time for the September fall season.
“The joining of the two clubs has been anticipated for years and we look forward to having the men’s club join into LUSA to create one large club with the common goal of building a soccer club all of Langley can be proud of,” said LUSA president Shelley Chandra, who thanked the leadership of LUFCA for coming forward and working hard to make the union a reality.
“Langley United is inclusive and we are working to build our club even further as we continue our momentum towards being one of B.C.’s best soccer club.”
Informal discussions began a few months ago about the potential merger.
LUSA needed expand their adult programming in order to have the proper avenue for their youth players to graduate to after the U18 level for men’s and women’s soccer. And LUFCA needed players to fill their rosters.
“Joining forces with a club with the vision and direction of LUSA has always been our goal,” said Mike Wagner, president of the men’s club.
“The meshing of the programming will help graduating youth players in making a seamless transition into the adult game.
“Our Langley United men’s club has worked closely with the Langley United Soccer Association for many years and our joining in to officially create one large club makes sense on many different economic, programming and community levels.
“Most importantly, we now have one major club in Langley under which our entire soccer community can work together towards the exciting goal of building one of the best soccer clubs in British Columbia.”
With the union of the two clubs, Langley United becomes, by a significant margin, the largest soccer club in the Fraser Valley. With more than 2,500 registered players and growing, this size allows it to compete in all areas with many of the larger clubs in the Lower Mainland. The increased registration can only help to build further on the excellent programs that are already in place in LUSA, as the club looks to expand on-field programs, the coach education programs, and its outreach into the community as Langley’s largest youth sports organization.
“As well, LUSA has already started planning the expansion of our clubhouse at Willoughby Park, and we look forward to having the Langley United men join in as active participants in the planning and execution of our future growth in all areas of soccer,” Chandra added.
“Overall, this is another exciting milestone for the Langley soccer community, and Langley United Soccer Association is pleased and proud to welcome the Langley United men into our club.”
