Bringing the World's Game to Upper Dublin

 

The origins of the Upper Dublin Soccer Club date back to 1969 at Enfield Middle School (Springfield Township School District) in nearby Oreland, PA. A Renaissance man named Ronnie Tompkins had a passion for soccer. He played as a child growing up in Germantown and wanted to expand the game for local teenagers. Click here to watch and learn more about Ronnie.

 

In 1971, Ronnie brought his passion for the game of soccer to Upper Dublin Township. He shared his story with current Club president Bryan Pollack in 2013. "His recruiting techniques were legendary," says Bryan. "My favorite story is about how he was driving through Oreland and saw a young teenager sitting on a curb. His name was John McGlade. He asked John if he ever played soccer. John replied, "What is soccer?" Ronnie persuaded John to play, and he went on to become one of Enfield's first footballers."

 

Ronnie’s story and influence lives on with those who have had the pleasure of knowing and playing for him. One notable alumni player is current Upper Dublin High School Principal Bob Schultz.

 

The Club, then known as Athletic Union Enfield or just Enfield, thrived in the 1970s and 1980s. In the early 1980s, recreational soccer was started alongside the existing travel program. Enfield started as one team for teenagers and multiplied to many teams for both boys and girls of all ages and skill sets.

 

In April 1986, the Club earned IRS 501(c) (3) status. The legal name became Upper Dublin Enfield Soccer Club. The first president was Bob Danaher, known locally as a strong advocate for youth sports. Later that same year, the Club changed its name to Upper Dublin Soccer Club (UDSC).

 

By 1998, UDSC had over 2,000 kids in its program! Since then, the Club has established many outstanding programs, events, partnerships, and has been recognized for its achievements. Highlights include:

 

• A shooting clinic with Carli Lloyd

• Interclub recreational friendly play with Hunter, Horsham, Chestnut Hill, and MonU Soccer

• Jack Walsh Tournament – Founded by Hunter Soccer Club, UDSC has been a partner since 2016. This tournament has grown into the largest soccer tournament on the East Coast with over 450 teams held over Columbus Day Weekend.

• Level 1 Partnership with the Philadelphia Union

• One of the largest Clubs in EPYS’ 348 Club membership

• Penn Alliance – An elite soccer program that prepares players for high school and college play.

• Pre-K Soccer – 3- and 4-year-old children participate in the fall and spring.

• Professional led coaches for travel and elite soccer teams

• Rec Select Soccer – A competitive tournament environment for recreational players.

• Recreational player-specific training.

• Recreational playoffs for Grades 4 and up

• Offers coaching license clinics and referee training classes

• Single gender recreational leagues through high school

• TOPSoccer – Formed by Meg Lockard, Bruce Buckman, and Diane Schmidt (2-time award-winning Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer recipients) – fall and spring “buddy” programs for athletes with special needs.

• The Club was recognized in 2016 as an Upper Dublin Medal Winner for Outstanding Community Business/Non-Profit Organization

•  Training programs for individuals, goalkeepers, and players who want to improve speed & agility

• United World Games – Co-founded by Franziskus "Fifi" Bertl, the Club’s collaboration started in 2015. The event is the World’s 4th largest sporting event, held the 3rd week in June in Klagenfurt, Austria. Over 12,000 kids compete in 10 sporting events from 40 different countries.

• Upper Dublin Sports Park (2007) and Cardinal Stadium (2014) – Partnered financially with Upper Dublin Township and Upper Dublin School District in the construction of three artificial turf fields.

 

Today, our Club continues to thrive with approximately 1,600 youth soccer players across all our programs.
 

Learn more about our programs or visit our homepage for more information about Upper Dublin Soccer Club.