A Sit Down With Senior Team Manager, Ryan Vinton Pt 1

(Morristown, NJ)- We had the chance yesterday to sit down with The Morristown 1776 AFC manager, Ryan Vinton. We will be posting more of this in depth interview this week in the lead up to the NJSL first kick, September 7th. Here is the first part of what he had to say.

Q: Ryan, you took the reigns of this club back after the first game of last summers MCSSA campaign from Claudio Cristao, after you served as player/manager in the the clubs first season(2007). Tell me a little about that transition, how it came about and your reaction to the MCSSA season.

Vinton: Well first I know according to the clubs record books I'm on as the manager in 2007, that's only because of lack of someone better to put all the losses on(laughs)... Anyway that's the exact reason we brought Claudio on board last winter, we needed a sense of leadership within the club. At that time....back in Feburary I believe it was, I was planning on playing, I hadn't got injured yet... so Claudio did us a huge favor by commiting to manage..... He worked hard at training and put a core system together, he did a lot of leg work.... After that first game, Claudio went on a vacation we knew about, I was serving as interm manager, and then he was really overloaded with work when he got back, so I took full time charge of the club, hired myself I guess (laughs)... Theres no hard feeling with Claudio what so ever, his landscaping company, Namibe LLC, still sponsors the club... as for the MCSSA season, we're still an expansion team if you will and with a coaching change during a season that sees you play like 14 games in a month.... well thats a lot to ask out of any team.... i mean I don't think anyone who watched the club can argue 2008 wasn't a huge improvement on 2007, you have to remember the competition was a lot tougher.


Q: You said basically hire youself, explain that.

Vinton: (laughs).... Well me and Ryan Deighan founded this club 2 years ago, I serve as chairman and he's the president.... He's obsoviously out there playing as I wish I were, I got hurt so a took the role of asstistant manager to Claudio, when he left I took over. I guess I'm kind of like Kordell Stewart was, Slash, Chairman/Manager (Head Coach)/Technical Director/Injured Resereved Player.

Q: As for the injury, I understand your still aiming for a spring return, what happens to your role of manager when your playing again.

Vinton: Well look, chairman is a higher position that manager so I might have to fire mayself before that happens(laughs).... It looks like I'm going to bring an assistant manager on soon but you know we'll see... As for Ryan the manager I hope he can Ryan the player fairly, The manager in me speaking has to think Mark (Basso) surplanted myself as first choice keeper, so maybe i'll come on as the number #2, who knows... it still seems a long way off, i try not to get ahead of myself.

To be continued.....

NJSL 08-09 Schedule Released: 1776 Opens at Lyndhurst FC on Sept. 7th

(Waldwick,NJ)-The NJSL League Office announced the 2008-2009 league draw this morning. The following is The Morristown 1776 A.F.C.'s Mens first team fall schedule.



7 Sept- at Lyndhurst FC ,location TBA
14 Sept-Home v. Sportsfriends FC , Mennen Field,Morristown 11am
21 Sept- at Maiwand FC ,location TBA
29 Sept- at Hispano ,location TBA
5 Oct- NJSL League Cup Rd 1, draw TBA
12 Oct- v. Frankies Finest, Mennen Field, Morristown 11am
19 Oct- v. Vikings FC,Mennen Field, Morristown 11am
26 Oct- at RD Benders,Westbrook School, Paramus NJ 9am
2 Nov- NJSA State Cup Rd 1, draw TBA
16 Nov- at Waldwick,Brookdale Park,Bloomfield NJ, time TBA
23 Nov- v Lyndhurst FC, Mennen Field, Morristown, 11am
30 Nov- at Sportsfriends FC, location TBA
7 Dec- NJSL Makeup Date
8 Dec-NJSL Winter Break Begins(scheduled league games continue March 29)

For the 1776 spring schedule please see the full club schedule here.

For more info on the NJSL vist www.northjerseysoccerleague.com.

Clayton Named Club Captain- Randâo's Reaction

August 29, 2008- Morristown, NJ.
Sources close to the Morristown 1776 AFC have reported that Dan Clayton, known lovingly by 1776 supporters as "Red", has been named club Captain for the 2008-2009 NJSL season. As seen in this photo, former club captain Randâo has handed down the Captain's armband after a disappointing showing in the 2008 MCSSA season.
We sat down with Randâo with a few questions on the matter---

Q: You are the all-time club leader in appearances. The supporters see you as somewhat of an icon... Why hand down the Captain's armband?

Randâo: I don't think it's a matter of me handing down the armband. (Dan) Clayton has earned it. The kid has heart and he has all the right characteristics to lead this team. I think that last season, perhaps I was club captain for the wrong reasons. I seemed like the right fit, but we have a different team now, with different goals and obstacles. Clayton came to the team last season, and really proved to all of us that he is the right person to lead this club. I am more than happy to pass on the armband.

Q: Many are saying that there has been a rift between yourself and club Manager Ryan Vinton over this decision. Is there any merit to this?

Randâo: None at all. The decision was a mutual one, and when you and the supporters come out this season and see how Clayton is a leader on the field, I'm sure you will all agree with the decision. Manager Ryan Vinton and I work closely and have to make objective decisions every day, regarding what will be best for this club. We are both excited beyond belief to get this new season started with our new captain.

Q: I think we are all excited to see how the Continentals will look. Any other changes we can look forward to?

Randâo: Haha, you will have to wait and see.

Q: Thank you for your time, and good luck this season!

Randâo: No luck is needed, but thank you for your support.

Press Release: Club to Retire #10 Jersey

(Morristown,NJ)- The Morristown 1776 A.F.C. announced today that it would be retiring the #10 jersey effective for the upcoming 2008-09 NJSL season.

"It has been an American tradition to retire the jersey numbers of players that made the largest contribution to a team after there playing career is over," said club chairman Ryan Vinton, "but we have decided to use this honor in a slightly different manner. We are retiring the #10 jersey much as many teams have for #12, #12 has been retired at various clubs and teams for the "12th man" or the fans, we are retiring the #10 because we want this club to be about teamwork and the team as a whole, never about an individual player. You see about the world in football(soccer), the #10 shirt is often given to the clubs best player or play maker. We are using this retirement as a symbolic measure that one player will never come above the team. The Morristown 1776 A.F.C. will strive to build a full team effort every time we take the pitch, this will trickle down from the senior club to the youth program."

The club has yet to announce if their will be a ceremony to retire the number at a home game. The only player every to appear with 1776 in the #10 is Greg Lucid who played in 2 games in the 2007 season.




For more information of The Morristown 1776 A.F.C. visit MT76.org, email club@morristown1776.org or call (862)579-2652.

Press Release: Club to launch DON'T TREAD match program this fall

(Morristown,NJ)- Club chairman Ryan Vinton announced today, August 27th, The Morristown 1776 A.F.C. will launch a new matchday program for every home game during the upcoming NJSL season. The publication will be called DON'T TREAD, after the club motto and familiar american revolution rallying point and slogan, "Don't tread on me".

DON'T TREAD, will feature matchday anaylsis ,standings, statistics, player profiles, and other feature articles.

"This is a big step in reaching out to out supporters," said Vinton, "it moves us towards our goal of reaching out to our fans and connecting on a more personal level, it will also provide the club with an additional revenue stream and allow us to connect with the community."

Advertisements in DON'T TREAD start as low as $5 for text only, $10 for image ads. For advertising and subscription info contact, donttread@morristown1776.org or call (862)579-2652.

More info on The Morristown 1776 Association Football Club can be found on their website at www.MT76.org or www.Morristown1776.org, by email club@morristown1776.org,mail PO Box 1022 Morristown,NJ 07962, phone (862)579-2652 or fax (973)270-2413.

Training/Trials Resume Sunday

(Morristown,NJ)- The Morristown 1776 AFC resume pre-season training and trials this Sunday, 4:30pm at Frelinghuysen School in Morris Township.

The club is preparing for their upcoming NJSL campaign set to get underway Sunday September 14th, time and opponent TBA.

If you or anyone you know is interested in a trial with the club please contact Club Manager/Head Coach, Ryan Vinton at club@morristown1776.org or by calling the club at (862) 579-2652.

Press Release: 1776 Enters North Jersey Soccer League

(Morristown,NJ)- The Morristown 1776 Association Football Club has officially entered the North Jersey Soccer League.

The league starts play in mid September and runs through June, with a winter break. The league offers the club opportunities to play in the State Cup and NJSL League Cup.

The club will resume training and trials this Sunday, 4:30pm at Frelinghuysen Middle School to prepare for the upcoming season.