Founded in 1986, FC Greater Boston is the oldest club in Massachusetts. We are currently ranked as the number 10 best boys club in the nation, and the number 1 best boys club in New England, by Soccer America publication. No other Massachusetts boys or girls club is ranked.
The Club boasts a top level, professional coaching staff, recognized and respected nation-wide. Bolts players come from throughout eastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
The goals of the Club are to prepare each player for higher levels of competition, and to develop a passion and love for the game. The focus of training is on the development of both the individual player and the team, through hard work and focus on fundamental soccer skills and tactics, in a fun and supportive setting.
In addition to training 2 – 3 per week, Bolts teams compete in the local Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE), with U14 and older teams also playing throughout the northeast in the Region 1 Directors League, and our U16 and U18 boys teams compete in the USSF Development Academy (more on this below). Older Bolts teams also compete in showcase tournaments throughout the country. Bolts players and alumnae play in college, on the Olympic Development Program, Regional and National pools, and professionally in the US and internationally. FCGB is sponsored by Nike Premier Soccer, and Gatorade Elite Soccer.
Beginning with 4 girls teams, the club attracted the finest coaches and players in the Boston area, and rapidly grew to a coed club of national recognition. In 1994, the girls U19 Bolts captured the USYSA National Championship title, becoming the first and only girl's team from Massachusetts to win the prestigious national title. In 2005, the boys U15 Bolts became the first and only Massachusetts boy's team to win the title. In its tenure, Bolts teams have earned a spot of national prominence winning more state, regional and national cup competitions, and also other national and international showcase tournaments such as Score at the Shore, the Disney Showcase, Dallas Cup and Surf Cup, than any other massachusetts team.
The club has been led by a series of recognized soccer figures, such as John Burrill, current Executive Director of Mass Youth Soccer; Ed Kelly, Head Men's Coach at Boston College; Head Men's Coach at Duke, John Kerr; and current DOC Brian Ainscough, currently the Head Men's Coach at Northeasern University. In addition, the club has attracted an impressive staff of coaches, such as former FCGB Technical Director and former US National Team star, Bruce Murray; England's Ipswich legend, Paul Mariner, who is now on the New England Revolution coaching staff; Former Revolution defensive Player of the Year, Francis Okaroh, and many others.
FC Greater Boston players and alumni have represented numerous colleges and universities across the country, the US National Teams and Major League Soccer, for example: Jay Heaps, New England Revolution, Charlie Davies playing professionally in Europe, U18 national team player, Sheanon Williams among others. In an unprecedented achievement, FC Greater Boston teams advanced out of the round robin and into the semi-finals in EVERY age group, U11- 17 in the 2007 Massachusetts State Cup.
FC Greater Boston was one of the original eleven youth soccer clubs selected for the US Soccer Development Academy. The US Soccer Academy provides our players unprecedented training methods, and the ultimate exposure to college and US National Team coaches. After an extensive review process, the US Soccer Federation coaches hand selected the best clubs in the United States from among hundreds of applicants based on their record of high level youth development, history of success in major tournaments, and quality coaching staffs. Teams will compete in the U16 and U18 age groups. Read More on the development academy.