Written by Will Ridgard
Season upon season, Richmond Kickers continue to improve, grow and expand.
That is according to Director of Soccer and Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw, who has just overseen another successful year at the helm of the Kickers.
In season 2016, Richmond broke City Stadium attendance records, went on an unprecedented 10-game unbeaten run, defeated Swansea City of the English Premier League and finished in the playoff positions for the 13th successive season.
For Cowlishaw, who was appointed Head Coach in 2000 and recently celebrated coaching his 500th game in charge of the Kickers, the future is looking bright.
“It’s been a productive year, and I’m proud of the collective effort shown by everyone at the club – on and off the field,” explained Cowlishaw, whose side finished seventh in the regular USL season before losing to Louisville in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
“I think making the playoffs is always a big benchmark for us and it is going to continue getting harder to each season, but you can’t really ask for more than that and to always be competitive against the top teams of the league.
“We have limited resources and we have to be realistic in what we can and cannot do.
“There are some big teams coming into the league now with massive ambition and massive payrolls, but, this season, for us to turn it around halfway through and go on a fantastic run – probably one of the strongest for any team – was great as it got us very comfortable in the play-offs.”
Up until July 8, there were perhaps some question marks on whether the Kickers would make the business end of the playoffs after some inconsistent results.
But, a 3-0 away victory over Harrisburg City Islanders was more than welcome, and from here Richmond went on to win six and tie three of their next nine games to cement their place in the playoffs.
“That run really helped our confidence and our belief, even though we had that same mentality at the start of the season,” continued Cowlishaw.
“We played exceptionally well at the start of the season, but we just couldn’t quite figure out the right chemistry and we were on the wrong end of results.
“Unfortunately, that happened to us again at the end of the season for various reasons as well, but I don’t think there’s been a game where we’ve not been competitive.”
Being competitive is the key phrase for Cowlishaw – it is in his and his team’s nature.
“We have no choice not to be,” he continued. “We have to continue to survive, to evolve, and to compete with the league.
“We’re in the fastest-growing soccer league in the world in the USL. It’s evolving rapidly – on and off the field – and we have to continue to find efficient and effective ways to compete.”
It has been a memorable season for Richmond fans, who have supported the team immensely. They have certainly been an effective way in finding results at City Stadium, where the Kickers lost just twice all season.
The average attendance this season has been broken at more than 4,000 fans per game, something Cowlishaw is full of appreciation and respect for.
“We are averaging more than 4,000 people a game, and I think the next goal for the club is to hit 5,000 or maybe even 6,000,” continued the coach, as he starts to build his squad for 2017.
“That, for me, is one of the biggest recruiting tools we have (for potential new players as well as fans). People love playing and watching soccer at City Stadium. The atmosphere – not just from what the Red Army bring – but what the whole crowd bring is fantastic, and as we continue down that path, I think the opportunity and incentive for players to come and sign for and live in Richmond is massive because it’s a great place to live and a great place to play your soccer.”
Swansea City can testify that statement, having lost 2-0 to the Kickers on July 16, who got their first Premier League scalp following narrow defeats to Crystal Palace (2014) and West Bromwich Albion (2015) previously.
“We could have beaten Crystal Palace, we could have beaten West Brom, and hopefully we can bring another Premier League team here for our 25th anniversary,” Cowlishaw concluded.
