Welcome to the Soccer Tavern, where we’re discussing the history, culture, and philosophy of the beautiful game. My name is Dave and in this video, we’re talking about the history of Old Bhoys Soccer Club. Pull up a seat and let’s start the discussion.
Old Bhoys SC is located primarily on the west side of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis is located in central Indiana and Indiana is located in the midwestern part of the United States.
The club competed in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) for the 2018 & 2019 season. This league would be considered 5th tier in the United States. The club is still deciding where it will play in 2020.
Old Bhoys’ home ground is Cardinal Ritter Stadium. It’s been the club’s home ground since the club’s inception and was built in 2012. It is owned by Cardinal Ritter High School in western Indianapolis and seats about 1,000 people.
Origin
The history of the club dates back to an idea in 2014 to connect the youth club environment in Indianapolis to the professional pathway. The youth soccer environment at that time capped out at high school, or possibly college, for a vast majority of players. So, the club’s founder (Andy Hayes) had an idea to bridge that gap and provide a platform for the local player to continue pursuing their soccer dream.
The initial concept was to form a true senior side for the local Indy-based youth club at which Hayes coached. In order to delineate the youth from the adult team, the name United Soccer Alliance of Indiana (or USAi) Old Bhoys was chosen. That established the first iteration of the soccer club. The Club’s original mission was to provide a platform for the youth players on a professional-track and to develop players in Central Indiana. It sought to enhance the soccer opportunities for players after their youth club careers. Through this original vision and mission, the Bhoys took their first steps.
As the 2018 campaign unfolded, it became clear that co-existing with the associated youth club could no longer continue. In an effort to build upon the first season of Old Bhoys wherein the group secured only 2 points in UPSL league play and to fully realize the club’s potential, the Bhoys established themselves as an independent, un-affiliated club. It rebranded to Old Bhoys Soccer Club. This rebrand effort started in August, 2018 and provided the impetus for the club to launch full steam into the 2019 UPSL campaign and pursue a cup competition as well.
Behind the club has been Hayes working in close collaboration with head coach Steve Bushre. The results have significantly improved in two seasons, with the Bhoys claiming 15 points in year 2 from 10 matches, and a semifinal appearance in the USASA Region 2 Amateur Cup.
Nickname
The club’s nickname is simply Bhoys. That should be pretty self-explanatory as it comes from the club’s official name.
Crest
The club’s crest comes mainly from tying into a local youth club, which we’ve already discussed.
Additionally the city flag and colors of Indianapolis proper are red, blue and white, which are clearly featured on the crest.
Lastly, the clubs feels the professional team of Indy Eleven do a wonderful job representing the city and the Bhoys are trying to do their part to connect the amateur game with the community they represent. They feel that this crest does that.
Important Events
I’d like to highlight 4 important events in the club’s history in this section.
On May 5, 2018, Old Bhoys made its league debut against Carpathia FC. It was the first league match in the club’s history and it was also the first time a team from Indiana competed in the UPSL. The historic day did not end in victory as the club lost 2-0, but is a day that will always be remembered in Old Bhoys history.
The second event I’d like to highlight happened on June 23, 2018. The club hosted Ann Arbor FC on this date. Trailing 2-1 late in the match, Old Bhoys got a goal in the 93rd minute from their center back to earn the first point in the club’s history.
The third event I’d like to mention happened on May 8, 2019. On this day, Old Boys SC faced Michigan Stars FC in the quarterfinals of the USASA Region 2 Amateur Cup. The Bhoys won 3-0 over the Michigan Stars, who are now a professional team in NISA, to advance to the semifinals of the Cup. It was one of the biggest victories in club history to date.
And the final event I’d like to highlight happened on May 18, 2019. The Bhoys played St. Louis Maritsa in the 3rd match of the 2019 UPSL Spring season. The club won emphatically 4-0, which was the club’s first UPSL victory in its history. The club would go on to win 5 matches in the Spring season & finish respectably mid-table in its division.
Supporters
‘Come on you Old Bhoys’ or COYOB is a common refrain from the club and its supporters on social media and at matches.
Additionally, the club is always looking to grow. They wanted me to let you know that if you want to be a part of the club, or purchase some merchandise, you can reach out to them on social media or visit their store link.
Noteworthy Players
The most famous player in club history differs depending on who you might ask.
Up first would be Christian Lomeli. Lomeli, who is currently an assistant coach at his alma mater, Indiana University, played for the Old Bhoys in their inaugural season. Making less than a handful of appearances, he was the one player with professional club experience after a short time with the Indy Eleven where he learned from goalkeeping legend John Busch. Lomeli is a native Hoosier and was man of the match in the club’s final league match of 2018. He made with key saves that preserved a 0-0 draw against Muskegon Risers SC.
If you belong to the lower-tier American amateur soccer fandom group, Javier (Javi) Steinwascher is probably the most famous player in Old Bhoys’ history. Steinwascher stars collegiately for the University of Indianapolis and played for the Old Bhoys in year one of the club. His abilities were noticed at Cardinal Ritter High School and beyond, as recently he played for Flint City Bucks. Steinwascher joined the Bucks late in their season and contributed to them winning the USL League 2 Championship – which is the 4th division of US soccer.
Last but certainly not least, is the Bhoys’ fan favorite over the club’s first two seasons. He has been club captain and was the first signing in club history, Tim Shackleton. Shackleton starred collegiately at Grove City College before joining West Chester United in the NPSL – another 4th division league. Upon moving to Indianapolis for a teaching career, Captain Tim joined the Bhoys for their inagurual season.
Captaining a side through a winless debut season wasn’t easy, despite leading the club in goals and appearances that year. Some of year 1 highlights included his “Power Knee” goal in a loss to Toledo Villa and being deployed in a defensive position against Muskegon to earn the club’s first away result. Back for year two, Shackleton moved from the #9 to Center Back, captaining the club again. His leadership and ability to connect with the supporters was top flight stuff. Besides the “Power Knee”, Tim’s impact on the club is wrapped up in the following quote: “Shooters shoot, coach.”
Noteworthy Managers
At time of recording, the club has only had one first team head coach: Steve Bushre. In the UPSL, Steve led the club to its first win, and first points. Along with club president/GM Andy Hayes, Steve had a hand in building the club from scratch. From open tryouts to connecting with players in his collegiate and club coaching network, Steve was heavily involved in getting the club started. Steve managed a total of 31 matches for the Bhoys.
Highlights for him include a semifinal run in the Region 2 USASA Amateur Cup in 2019 and a mid-table finish in the Midwest Conference in the 2019 UPSL season. While no trophies were captured during Steve’s tenure, his imprint in how the club competed and how the squad improved year-on-year were embodied as core values at the club.
Bushre was joined in 2019 by assistant coach Sam Fisher, who helped the club make great strides in year two. Both coaches have progressed in their careers and are currently coaching in the collegiate ranks.
Rivals
The club has three main rivals I’d like to highlight here.
FC Indiana is the closest club in terms of geography that Old Bhoys has faced in its two years. It also competes at a similar league level. That adds to the rivalry, and the most recent rendition of this match was a heated affair. The Bhoys aim to be the top amateur club in the Hoosier state. While that official title went to Fort Wayne Sport Club, the Bhoys and Lions of FC Indiana drew each other in a preseason friendly back in April and the rivalry should continue to grow between these clubs.
The next rival for Old Bhoys is St. Louis Maritsa. There is something about a St. Louis vs Indianapolis city rivalry that is both friendly and intense. The clubs first played each other on May 18th, 2019 and held their league return leg on June 29th, 2019. They split results, and finished right next to each other in the table. There is a mutual respect from both clubs, and it starts at the management / ownership level. Alex Todorov runs a good club, and that is evident from St. Louis Maritsa’s deep US Open Qualifying Rounds run in 2018. The Bhoys’ first league win was against Maritsa, and both clubs were the lone UPSL representatives from their respective states.
The last rival is DeKalb County United. While no on-field rivalry exists with a club you’ve only played once in a friendly, DeKalb County is the model for Old Bhoys SC. DCU puts the club and community over everything else; and that’s something that needs to be remembered at all levels of US Soccer. This rivalry is definitely about mutual respect.
Stats & Records
The stats and records we’re about to discuss are as of October 2019, which is when we are recording this video.
Old Bhoys have spent two seasons have been spent in UPSL, which is unoffically the 5th tier of the US Soccer “Pyramid”.
The club has no trophies to date.
Old Bhoys’ record first team appearance holder is Nick Littrell, a local soccer product playing for SCSA in southern Indianapolis in the youth ranks. By the club’s very amateur record tracking, Littrell has made 25 appearances (in all comps) for the club.
The club’s record goal scorer is Tim Shackleton with 10 career club goals.
And in a close competition, Luke Williams holds the club record for clean sheets with… 2.
And one last interesting fact about the club: the May 18th, 2019 match v. St. Louis Maritsa was attended by Non-League America, which is a website dedicated to covering lower division soccer culture in the United States. The post-match interview from that game can be watched here.
So there you have it… a bit of history on Old Bhoys Soccer Club. Let’s continue the discussion in the comments section below the video.
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