INTERVIEW - Clent Alexander, Part One.

THE RISE AND FALL AND RISE OF SAN DIEGO FLASH

We were recently lucky enough to have an interview with the co-founder of the U.S. soccer team San Diego Flash, Clent Alexander.  Along with ex-England international Warren Barton they decided to return Soccer (Football) to San Diego and like a phoenix rising from the ashes Flash started playing again in 2010 and then moving into competitive competition in 2011; after an absence of nearly 10 years having originally folded in 2001.  Hopefully after reading this interview you will have learned something new about this up and coming team with big ambitions as well as its co-founder Clent Alexander who answers everything openly and honestly. If you would like any more information about the club or to find out about investment opportunities with Flash then see the link at the end of the interview.

You were part owner when the Flash originally formed in 1998, have you always been a football fan and planned on getting involved in the game somehow?

My Dad is from Trinidad, so I probably had more exposure to the game than most American kids my age (in the 1970’s). However, I had no plan to get involved as a Partner the way I did. The opportunity came, it made sense to me and I jumped on the chance to be involved. Who wouldn’t want to be a Part Owner of a sports team? I recognised that the sport of soccer has a bright future and growth potential of soccer in the U.S. was huge; so I wanted in.

During those early years the team were quite successful, winning the USISL and USL A-League Pacific Championship.  What was that period in the clubs history like to be part of?

It was awesome! Even before that, our first ever scrimmage was against UNAM Pumas and Mexican National Team Goalkeeper Jorge Campos was in goal. The San Diego Flash scored first and we all went crazy over that. We ended up losing the match, but that first goal is something I will never forget.

Over the next couple of years, the team performed extremely well on the field. We were very proud to have created something so special for the players and fans in San Diego.

With this success and a good average attendance of close to 3,000, did you envisage the fall that was just around the corner in 2001?

Actually, I did. I was sort of an outside Partner at that time. From a business point of view, the managing partner did not run the business side of the company very well. In my opinion, money was spent recklessly and we never could get to a point of profitability. I resigned my involvement with the team in 1999.

Was it purely financial reasons that the club folded in 2001, or did the decline in attendance signal that San Diego was falling out of love with football?

It was purely financial. The passion for the sport of soccer has always been here in San Diego.

The resurrection of SD Flash started in 2010 with the club playing competitively in 2011, did you always harbour a desire to get the Flash started again?

Not really. I moved to San Diego in 2008. A chance meeting with an old acquaintance got me thinking about re-starting the club. Once I made the decision to move forward with the idea, I got lots of support. I was introduced to my Partner Warren Barton who had moved to San Diego about the same time as me. He liked the idea of starting a club from the grassroots level. He immediately recognised the vision for the future and we joined forces.

Since then it has been a very fun ride.

With your financial background and Warren Barton's football experience, is it a perfect combination for the running of a football club?

Most definitely. With my financial background, I saw the chance to set up our company in a way to give fans an opportunity to see their investment in the team grow along with the sport of soccer in the U.S. This is something that makes us unique. We are on track to be the 1^st Publicly Traded Soccer Club in the United States.

Warren Barton has the best soccer resume of anyone in San Diego County. In addition to his playing career with Newcastle United and the English National Team, with him also being a TV analyst for Fox Soccer Channel, people and players recognise him even more.  As a Partner, Technical Director and Coach of the San Diego Flash, he has brought a tremendous amount of credibility to our Team/Company. All the top players in our area want to play for him.

Frankly, the way things have turned out, we could not have planned this better.

The success on the pitch continued where it stopped in 2001, NPSL West Southern Champions in 2011 and 2012, what is different this time around to ensure the future of the Flash?

As a company (SDSP Soccer Marketing, Inc.), we emphasise to investors that we are more than just the Club. In addition to the business of the team, we also have Social Media and Internet Projects that bring additional revenues in. Again, with my business experience, I have put us in a position where we don’t just rely on ticket; merchandise sales and sponsorships for growing our company financially.

There were some rumours of SD Flash joining the North American Soccer League Division 2, is there truth in these reported rumours?

I sent a letter to the then-commissioner a couple of years ago to explore the possibilities. For now, to spend money to join a higher league and put ourselves in a position where we have more budget expenses does not make good business sense.

We have a better plan.

Several of your players have impressed and earned trials at MLS side San Jose Earthquakes, is this further evidence that Flash is heading in the right direction?

In addition to those tryouts, we also had a player (Ryan Guy) go to Major League Soccer and play for New England Revolution on the recommendation of Warren Barton. We are very proud of the fact that we are having a positive influence in the lives of players from San Diego.

Finally, where do you hope San Diego Flash will be in 5 years or more and is it your intention to be heavily involved in that time?

Within 5 years, I see our company owning a new stadium in San Diego and the San Diego Flash flourishing as the top team in our area.

Part 2, Clent Alexander’s views on the MLS, coming soon…

More information about San Diego Flash and investment opportunities can be found here -  sandiegoflash.com

By @AshleyCalver1