American Sports Management Company PMI acquires ownership stake in Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 through innovative partnership connecting Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 to the world.
PMI has partnered with Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 Club Director Terry Williams to develop the new direction and branding for the Caribbean football club. The new partnership took effect on July 1, 2015.
PMI, led by American executive Michael Hitchcock, owns and operates the Fort Worth Vaqueros FC minor league football club. Additionally, PMI holds ownership stakes in professional English club Alfreton Town FC and the Professional Futsal League. PMI utilizes sports technology products such as the PMI Player Marketing System, a cloud based player marketing platform, that will be used to market Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 players to clubs around the world.
Williams said the partnership with Hitchcock and PMI serves as a dream come true for the island based club.
“I can remember the vision of four young boys back in 1974, clearly as it was yesterday and approximately 38 years later, that vision has manifested,” Williams said.
“I am indeed thankful, that Mr. Michael Hitchcock and the team at Playbook Management International, shared our vision and took the opportunity to partner with us to further develop and promote the sporting discipline of football in our beautiful island of Tobago.
“Over the years, Phoenix has produced a cadre of players that had the opportunity to represent their country with pride on the Trinidad & Tobago National Team. Phoenix also boasts the birthplace of international football player Dwight Yorke, as he attended our Academy from the tender age of approximately 7. He further went on to the National Team from the approximate age of 15.”
PMI will bring its knowledge of American sports management principles, technology, marketing, sales and global network of contacts to Tobago. The newly formed partnership will allow for shared ideas, training, players and sponsorships between Texas, Tobago and England.
PMI’s goals for Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 include reaching the highest level of football in the Caribbean, growing the club's successful youth academy and creating opportunities for the Tobago football players to play internationally.
Hitchcock said Tobago has become a special place to him on a personal level due to the people, the food and the culture.
“On a professional level, I believe in Tobago and feel that there is a great business opportunity. It's football in paradise and we have an opportunity to connect Tobago Football to the world,” Hitchcock said.
“Our vision is to become the top football club in the Caribbean. It will take time and lots of hard work but we know that there is a great opportunity to build something very special in Tobago. Terry and the Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 Staff have done an incredible job with the club. We plan to bring additional resources to build on the solid foundation that has been created.
“Full credit to Terry Williams for having the vision and ambition to take this club to the next level; we look forward to being a part of it. The future is bright for football in Tobago.”
Through Match Day Five, Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 is currently unbeaten to start the Trinidad & Tobago National Super League.
SOCIAL MEDIA Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 is launching social media platforms so fans in Tobago and around the world can get all the latest club news and information.
Instagram: TobagoFCPhoenix
Facebook: Tobago FC Phoenix 1976
Twitter: @TobagoPhoenix
Website: Tobago FC Phoenix 1976 will be launching a new website in the near future
ABOUT TOBAGO FC PHOENIX 1976: The club was originally founded by 15-year-old Terry Williams and three friends in 1974 as the “Sand Champs.” The club changed names to Marva’s in 1975 but after a rough year the founders regrouped and launched the new club Phoenix based upon “rising from the ashes” of the previous versions. During its time the club has supported men’s and women’s football teams, basketball teams and swimming teams.
ABOUT PMI: Michael Hitchcock founded PMI in 2009 after a 12-year career in Major League Soccer where he started as an entry-level sales rep and rose to become President and General Manager of FC Dallas. Hitchcock won the MLS Sales Director of the Year 4 times, his sales team won MLS Sales Team of the Year 5 times and he was recognized as the Commissioner’s New Business Leadership Award winner. PMI built and managed the San Antonio Scorpions of the 2nd division NASL and managed the business operations of the NPSL before launching its own club in Fort Worth, Texas called Fort Worth Vaqueros FC. PMI also owns a stake in the English professional club Alfreton Town FC. Hitchcock also serves as president of the Professional Futsal League where PMI is a partner.
ABOUT TERRY WILLIAMS: Williams secured 10 national titles in Tobago while coaching the Bon Accord Government Primary School. Terry’s determination secured him a position on the Trinidad & Tobago’s National Football Team where he proudly represented his community and Tobago from 1985 to 1989.
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