Savannah, GA (Tuesday, April 12, 2022) – Savannah Clovers Football Club announced today Shane Folgado, Brian Sykes and Jef Thiffault as the club’s front office leadership. In the coming months, the group will manage the organization as it prepares for its first professional soccer season in 2023 as members of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).
The trio brings a wealth of knowledge and executive soccer experience to the Square City Club. Brain Sykes, a Savannah native who founded the Club in 2016, will serve as Chief Community Officer. Jef Thiffault, with over twenty years of soccer business experience, will serve as Chief Operating Officer. Shane Folgado, member of the investment group, has vast experience in the soccer industry with successful investments across different continents in senior professional and youth development. Folgado will serve as Chief Executive Officer. Sykes and Thiffault will retain minority ownership stakes after the organization was acquired by the ownership group led by Folgado.
“I’m excited to continue working towards building soccer in the Hostess City. Savannah has such potential to be a significant soccer hub for so many players and fans in the Southeast. We are certain this is the perfect time to launch a professional team with this group to capture the excitement and growing passion of the sport in North America.” – Jef Thiffault, COO
“Since its inception in 2016, our goal has been to bring the highest level of league soccer to Savannah. Our jump to NISA provides us a great opportunity to showcase the world’s game to Savannah. It also gives us the opportunity to showcase Savannah to the rest of the country. Our focus is to prioritize the community as we build upon the soccer legacy of Savannah and the Southeast.” – Brian Sykes, CCO
“Our investment group has interests in many countries across the globe, and we’ve seen NISA and Savannah Georgia as incredible opportunities while also complementing other interests in our portfolio. More importantly, I’ve been overwhelmed with the positive response we’ve received thus far and look forward to being here on the ground to launch an organization that serves Savannah in the long term.” – Shane Folgado, CEO
The Savannah Clovers will kick off their professional soccer season in March of 2023. This will mark the first season of outdoor professional soccer in Savannah. Fans can expect more information about the Clovers in the coming weeks and months, including coaching staff, home venue and ticket information.
About Savannah Clovers Football Club
Derived from First City Supporters, Savannah Clovers Football Club is a Community-based soccer club founded on June 23, 2016 as a local amateur club. The team played in the United Premier Soccer League for five seasons and participated in both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the NISA Independent Cup. The Club’s mission is to bring the highest levels of soccer to the Hostess City through NISA’s professional platform, while engaging players, fans and local businesses to serve our community.
For more information about Savannah Clovers FC visit savannahclovers.com or contact at info@savannahclovers.com. Follow Savannah Clovers FC on Facebook @SavCloversfc, Instagram @savannah_cloversfc and Twitter @SavCloversfc.
About NISA
The National Independent Soccer Association was founded in 2017 with a mission to bring professional soccer to every city in the United States. A pro league member of U.S. Soccer, NISA focuses on a model based on meritocracy, independent clubs controlling their own league, clubs owning their intellectual property, all without the barrier of territorial rights. A member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, NISA also runs the mid-summer Independent Cup, open to independent professional and amateur clubs alike, and NISA Nation, an incubator league for amateur clubs interested in going pro.
For more information about NISA visit NISASoccer.com or contact at info@nisasoccer.com. Follow NISA on Twitter @NISALeague and on Instagram @nisasoccer.