The return of the Rowdies

The name “Tampa Bay Rowdies” will bring back all sorts of memories to Earthquakes fans from the NASL era. Starting in 2010, a new generation of soccer fans will get a chance to watch the Rowdies play soccer.

The team will compete in the USL-1, according to the league’s press release. The team’s ownership has hired former Rowdie player and Tampa Bay Mutiny coach Perry Van Der Beck and plans to build a privately-financed stadium as well.

Center Line Soccer’s Tim Hanley actually played for the Rowdies back in 1980-81 and has a number of humorous stories about his time with the club. Here’s one:

When Frank Worthington came to the Rowdies for the ‘81 outdoor season, the press conference was held at the Bay Harbour Inn, a nice hotel just outside of Tampa. Frank had played in the NASL with the Philidelphia Fury and so was accustomed to the atmosphere. During the questions portion, one of the local reporters asked Frank if he intended to work
hard or is this just a summer holiday? This question had become more frequent as a number of Brits in the past had really come over for an extended holiday at the NASL’s expense. Right when this reporter queries Frank about work habits, out of Frank’s duty-free bag drops a fifth of scotch and a fifth of vodka. The bottles shatter on the floor and, as the powerful fumes spread, the pace of the reporter’s scribbling increases.

The ESPN report of the Rowdies’ announcement doesn’t mention any shattered booze bottles, so it sounds like they’re off on the right foot. Still, we have to admire the tenacity of the NASL players in their quest to put the “rowdy” in the Rowdies.