Kingston Stockade FC

Kingston Stockade Football Club is a soccer team based in Kingston, New York. The team was founded in 2015 by chairman Dennis Crowley and plays in the National Premier Soccer League.

Stockade FC is named for the stockade fortification that protected Kingston's settlers in the 1600s. Dietz Stadium, the team's home stadium, is a short walk from the historic Kingston Stockade District.

History
In February 2016, Hall of Fame coach George Vizvary was named as head coach of Stockade FC, with Rory Becker serving as the assistant coach and Chuck Wilder as the goalkeeper coach. Brothers Dan Hoffay and Nick Hoffay would serve as scouts for the team. The club's first goal was scored during a friendly against Albany FC by Michael Creswick with a header set up by a Matt Koziol free kick.

Stockade FC drew their inaugural match 1-1 on the road against Greater Lowell United with Michael Creswick scoring the first league goal for the team. They would finish the season in 7th place out of nine teams in the Atlantic Conference with a record of 5 wins, 8 losses, and 3 ties.

In January 2017 management announced David Lindholm as head coach, replacing Visvary in the role. Ben Walsh would join the coaching staff as an assistant coach with Becker and Wilder retaining their previous roles. The team finished the regular season in 1st place in the Atlantic-White Conference with a record of 7 wins, 4 loss, and 1 draw. In the conference championship, Stockade FC defeated Hartford City FC 2-1 in extra time to win the Atlantic-White Conference. They would fall in the next round of the playoffs to the Clarkstown Eagles (FC Motown) by a score of 6-3.

On May 9, 2018, Stockade FC played their first game in the US Open Cup. They were defeated by the Long Island Rough Riders 6-3 in extra time. Stockade FC opened league play against the Rhode Island Reds with a 3-0 win at home. Stockade FC finished the 2018 season 8th out of 11 teams in the North Atlantic Conference with a record of 3 wins, 5 losses, and 2 ties. Head coach David Lindholm announced his resignation shortly after the end of the season to take the head coaching job of the cross country team at Bard College.

In September 2018, Stockade FC announced changes to the coaching staff. Dan Hoffay, who previously served as a scout for the team, was named technical director. Former captain and SUNY Ulster coach Jamal Lis-Simmons was named the teams new head coach. Nick Hoffay was named director of scouting, promoted from his previous role as a scout.

In February 2019, Lis-Simmons announced his technical staff for the season. Assistant coach Rory Becker would be joined by Jimmy Vetriglia. Former goalkeeper Steve Skonieczny joined the staff as a goalkeeper coach. Dr. John Nunez joined as the Director of Sports Performance and Rehab. Steve Domino would join the staff as an assistant later in the season. Stockade FC finished the 2019 season 3rd out of 9 teams in the North Atlantic Conference, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot. Their final record was 7 wins, 3 losses, and 4 ties.

All games for the 2020 season were canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stadium
Kingston Stockade FC has played at Dietz Stadium since the team's founding in 2016. Dietz Stadium is located within walking distance of the historic Kingston Stockade District, the area where the Dutch built the stockade fortification that the team is named for. Dietz Stadium was opened in 1949, hosting the Kingston Colonials, a Class B minor league baseball team. When the team folded in 1951, the City of Kingston bought the stadium. In 1989, the Kingston City School District purchased a 50% stake in the stadium for $10 with the agreement to split the operating costs with the city. Dietz Stadium is named for Medal of Honor recipient Robert Dietz, who was killed during World War 2.

In 2018, Stockade FC supported Proposition 4, a ballot issue that would allow the Kingston City School District to sell their stake in the stadium to the City of Kingston. This would allow the city to use $2.5 million in grant funding to renovate the stadium. The proposition passed 1,673 to 413, but the transfer of ownership has yet to occur. In September 2019, the city and school district came to an agreement that transferred operational control to the City of Kingston while the Kingston City School District would retain its ownership stake.

Supporters Group
Main Article: Dutch Guard Supporters Group

Kingston Stockade FC is supported by the Dutch Guard Supporters Group. Much like the Stockade, the Dutch Guard is also named for the Dutch colonial legacy in Kingston and the Hudson Valley. The group was founded in 2015 by Ryan Suto shortly after the team was announced, and has grown ever since. They stand in the section behind the away bench. Away teams have noted the loud, disruptive environment they create.

Kingston Community Cup
The Kingston Community Cup is a preseason game played between Stockade FC and Newtown Pride FC. The cup was founded in 2018. Proceeds from the game benefit Newtown Youth and Family Services, a charity based in Newtown, Connecticut. The game is usually the last pre-season friendly before Stockade begins NPSL league play.

Rivalries
The Stockade FC-Boston City FC rivalry began when both team's entered the league in the 2016 season. Stockade FC has yet to win an away game in Boston. Boston City has lots by a large margin a few times in Kingston, losing 5-0 in 2018 and 3-0 in 2019.

Stockade gained another rival in Hartford City when Hartford entered the league in 2017. Hartford City's inaugural game was a 3-1 victory over Stockade FC in Kingston. Kingston would beat Hartford in the conference finals later that season.

The Wooden Shoe
In 2019, Kingston's Dutch Guard and Hartford's Agents of Hale founded the Wooden Shoe, a rivalry cup awarded to the winner of the season series between the two teams. Kingston Stockade FC won the first competition for the Wooden Shoe with a 1-0 win at home and a 1-1 draw on the road vs. Hartford. The cup went on hiatus for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Current Roster
as of 2019

Top Scorers
as of 2019 * Table includes goals from league play only