Rowdies' Neill Promises Changes in Open Letter

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/959723

Rowdies' Neill Promises Changes in Open Letter

TAMPA BAY HEAD COACH WRITES TO FANBASE AFTER 'CHALLENGING' SEASON SAW SIDE MISS PLAYOFFS

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After a disappointing season saw the Tampa Bay Rowdies fall short of the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs, Head Coach Neill Collins penned an open letter to the club’s fans on Monday to thank them for their support and provide a glimpse into a brighter future.

Collins, who transitioned from the playing field to management on May 18 to replace former Head Coach Stuart Campbell, led the Rowdies to a 7-10-8 record in 25 games in charge as the club finished the season 12th in the Eastern Conference on 41 points.

“As this season comes to an end, the hard work is only just beginning as myself and my staff begin to reshape the playing squad for next season,” Collins wrote. “There will be many tough decisions to make and none will be taken lightly or indeed shirked, but ultimately, after such a disappointing season we need to make some difficult and radical decisions that will make us stronger and produce a team that will take us all where we wish to be.”

The 35-year-old Scotsman acknowledged that this campaign was a “challenging” one as the club struggled to live up to expectations on the field and underwent drastic changes off it, with former owner Bill Edwards announcing the sale of the franchise to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month.

RELATED: ROWDIES UNVEIL NEW ERA UNDER RAYS' LEADERSHIP

Collins, who made 67 playing appearances with the club after joining in 2016, believes the change in ownership “should give everyone great optimism for the future” and promised to build a squad that the Tampa Bay fanbase can be proud of.

“It is now my job to ensure that we have a team worthy of this great club playing out on our fantastic field at Al Lang in the green and gold,” wrote Collins. “Despite inconsistent results, I can assure you that behind the scenes, substantial progress has been and will continue to be made to stand us in good stead long into the future.”

Read Neill Collins' Full Letter to Fans

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/959114

AN OPEN LETTER FROM NEILL COLLINS

The following is an open letter for all Tampa Bay Rowdies fans from Head Coach Neill Collins...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Tampa Bay Rowdies fans for their unwavering and loyal support in what has been a very challenging season for everyone at the club. In a year that has involved lots of change, the one constant that has remained true has been our fantastic fans, and for that I am very grateful.

We have faced many obstacles over the past number of months, both on and off the field, and unfortunately, we have not risen to these trying circumstances consistently enough and that is why we find ourselves languishing outside the playoffs. This is not a position befitting a club such as ours.

The most recent news of the takeover by the Tampa Bay Rays should give everyone great optimism for the future as they look to build on the great work put in place over the past five years by Mr. Edwards. There can be no doubt that our stadium and match day experience is the best in the league and I believe we will only go from strength to strength under the Rays' stewardship.

It is now my job to ensure that we have a team worthy of this great club playing out on our fantastic field at Al Lang in the green and gold. Despite inconsistent results, I can assure you that behind the scenes, substantial progress has been and will continue to be made to stand us in good stead long into the future.

As this season comes to an end, the hard work is only just beginning as myself and my staff begin to reshape the playing squad for next season. There will be many tough decisions to make and none will be taken lightly or indeed shirked, but ultimately, after such a disappointing season we need to make some difficult and radical decisions that will make us stronger and produce a team that will take us all where we wish to be. I will do everything in my power to ensure that the brand of football we play and the success it will bring will provide you with the match day experience you all wish for. I simply cannot allow our fans to endure another season like the one we have just experienced.

I look forward to seeing you all back at Al Lang next season cheering on the team and singing your hearts out as always.

Come On You Rowdies!

Tag(s): Home  News

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/955290?related-959723

Rowdies Unveil New Era Under Rays' Leadership

FORMER OWNER BILL EDWARDS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THE SALE OF THE FRANCHISE ON TUESDAY

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/orlando-city-stadium-set-to-host-2019-florida-cup/

Orlando City Stadium set to host 2019 Florida Cup