2015 Steel Army Annual General Meeting
Sunday, February 22, 3PM
Highmark Stadium
Disclaimer: This letter is from Richard Nightingale and was sent to us in advance of Sunday’s AGM. It does not speak for the Steel Army and should not be considered as such. The Steel Army has been and always will be an independent voice for the supporters of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and our opinions about the team and its management will be sincere. There has always been a clear opinion of many that the team needed to have a more open and transparent relationship with its supporters. We believe that stronger relationship started last season and will continue to grow this season.
TO: THE STEEL ARMY
FROM: RICHARD NIGHTINGALE (President, Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club)
2/16/2015
I look forward to welcoming you all to Highmark Stadium, the home of The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club for your AGM on Sunday February 22nd.
Fans are the backbone and lifeblood of any Club. I’m a Fan first and foremost. It’s very important going forward that we as a Club are engaged with our fan base, especially the Steel Army.
In early January I had dinner with your Board of Directors and promised at that time to make Highmark Stadium available for your AGM and any future meetings. I also promised to make myself available for a Q&A at the AGM and am pleased to say that both will happen.
I’m 45 days into the role of ‘President’. One that has been challenging, yet incredibly rewarding and filled me with great optimism. Tuffy Shallenberger has been great to work with and I see his commitment to the future of The Pittsburgh Riverhounds on a daily basis. We were fortunate to have secured Mark Steffens as our Head Coach. You will see first hand on the pitch why Mark’s peers have so much respect for him, why he has been so successful in this league for so many years and ultimately why he was elected to the USL Hall of Fame. Yet Mark is the first to say that reputations count for little and his sole focus is winning the Eastern Conference in 2015.
Josh Rife is probably a new name to you. Josh will be Assistant Coach on the Pro Team and also Head Coach of the PDL Team. Josh has worked for many years with Mark Steffens in Charlotte and brings a wealth of experience and innovative thinking to training and match day. We were very fortunate to secure Josh’s services as he was approached regarding a number of Head Coaching jobs in this league and also NASL. Niko Katic will round out the Pro Team coaching staff. A great trio.
As of writing this is the first day of pre-season. Due to the weather the squad is training at Southpointe Indoor Center. We have seven overseas players to compliment a strong contingent from North America. I’m really pleased with the squad we have. Players who have won wherever they have played, ton of pace all over the pitch and above all else players who will play to the final whistle and give everything, every game.
At Highmark Stadium we are in the process of building out a new Sports Bar, a new Retail Store and there will be a new Website launching mid March. I forbid anyone ever to mention the name / word ‘Bistro’ again. Change is definitely in the air and I can feel the momentum. Hopefully you will also in the coming weeks.
All Away games going forward will be shown / streamed ‘live’ in the new Sports Bar. EPL Games, other matches will be shown also with expanded opening hours.
The new Home and Away Jerseys will be available in the new Retail Store from 3/18. All members of the Steel Army will be entitled to a 10% discount on any and all Apparel in the new Retail Store. You will be able to order on-line also.
There are a number of pre season friendlies on the docket and this will give you a chance to see the players as they prepare for our opening game on 3/28 against the Harrisburg Islanders. Nothing like a local derby to kick things off and as part of the four game series we have worked with the Islanders to commission a special trophy that will be presented to the winner of the series on 9/19 in Harrisburg following the final game of the regular season.
For the 6/27 Away game with the Rochester Rhinos I am inviting you to join me at no charge on a chartered bus to the game. Rochester has always been a great rivalry for the
Riverhounds and while it will be a long road trip should be a lot of fun made shorter if we get the right result. Once again, there will be no charge to you. Reserve your spot through Maria.
Lastly, there is a new 2015 Pittsburgh Riverhounds scarf and that will also be ready for sale in the new Retail Store on 3/18. Available on-line also.
Your support and continued support is very important to me as we collectively build this Soccer Club.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Club, Pittsburgh Riverhounds Football Club.
It’s all ONE to me.
I look forward to meeting you all personally this Sunday.
My Best,
Richard
rnightingale@riverhounds.com
412 325 7232
#UnleashTheSeason
