Glavin-Celtic Partnership

The Tony Glavin Soccer Club and the St. Louis Lions Elite Youth Academy partnership and affiliation with Celtic Football Club will enhance the player development process and completes the path to Premiership.

 This unique international relationship between the Tony Glavin Soccer Club, the St. Louis Lions Elite Academy and the Celtic FC extends beyond an identification program and will enhance player development opportunities available in the central region of the United States.  With only a few of these soccer partnerships throughout the country, this new alliance will mean greater opportunities for area youth soccer players to compete at the highest levels in the country and abroad.  The Tony Glavin Soccer Club (youth programs) and the Lions PDL and Elite Academy teams will retain their current names in order to maintain their recognition within the community and the 20 year legacy that has been established.  As a result of this partnership, the Tony Glavin Soccer Club will become officially recognized as an affiliate of the Celtic Football Club Academy.

 “Partnering with the Celtic Football Club has been a dream having been a lifelong Celtic fan, and will bring endless opportunities to our players,” says Tony Glavin, President and Head Coach of the St. Louis Lions semi-professional soccer team.  “We will blend the cultures and share developmental training programs, making it the best of both worlds,” Glavin adds.  

 Immediate opportunities for players will include youth club try-outs beginning this week for all youth ages in the boys and girls programs, the Lions Elite Academy teams (Boys U13, U14 & U15) will be playing in the USL Super-Y League and training camps will be held at the Tony Glavin Soccer Complex by top Celtic FC trainers this summer.  Players interested in these opportunities should contact the Tony Glavin Complex directly (636-939-5151).

Glavin has been working on this agreement over the past two years.  He chose the Celtic FC because they share the same beliefs and mission statement – focusing on developing players’ techniques and technical awareness of the game, while producing world class players.

 “For the first time in St. Louis, there will be a clearly defined path within one organization that will offer soccer players primary training to premier league play,” says Glavin.  “Players will also have the chance to be scouted by Celtic FC coaches and trainers, and will travel to Scotland and the UK for play,” Glavin adds.

With this new formal relationship, Glavin expects to see major growth within the tightly knit youth organization over the next several years.   Future plans to expand the current training complex include an additional (larger) indoor training facility and FIFA regulation size lighted turf field(s).  

“Celtic FC is globally recognized with a worldwide fan base of more than nine million, making it one of the top sports brands in the world,” Glavin says.  “We expect to see an increase in players joining our club and youth teams, as well as the expansion of our current Tony Glavin Complex, which also houses the St. Louis Lions, our American team for players 17 – 23 years of age.  The St. Louis Lions are part of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League,” Glavin adds.  The St. Louis Lions have produced 10 professional players to-date in only five years and have plans in place to add a USL Pro division team to their organization in the coming year(s).

Glavin traveled to Scotland in February of this year to sign the agreement with the Celtic FC and returned with the exclusive agreement in hand as well as a commemorative #7 Celtic green and white hoops jersey sporting “Lions” above the famed number.

 Please contact Tony Glavin directly to schedule an interview (314-277-2824) or Nancy Lee Gomer  (636-795-1137).

*Editor’s note:  the Tony Glavin Soccer Club has been committed to youth soccer in the St. Louis Metropolitan area for over 20 years.  Glavin has developed many players at all levels including:  high school, college and professional.  He has specialized in developing players’ techniques and technical awareness of the game.  Tony Glavin is a fully qualified coach and a current holder of Scottish Football Association “A” Advanced and United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “A” licenses.  He is also the President and Head Coach of the St. Louis Lions, a team for players 17 – 20 years old competing in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League.  As a player, he holds many goal-scoring records and other awards with the St. Louis Steamers, including being named a three-time All Star and All Star MVP.  For more information about Tony Glavin Soccer Club or the St. Louis Lions go to www.tonyglavin.com or www.stllions.com.