Battery Trials Underway, Woodbine Update

The Charleston Battery began there invite only player trials on Thursday at Blackbaud Stadium.

The trials featured a few players from previous Battery trials and the USL combine plus the Battery players that are currently in town.

Present from the 2010 team were Stephen Armstrong, Kevin Jackson, Nigel Marples, Zach Prince, Brandon Maisse and Keith Wiggins.  Colin Falvey is expected back in Charleston sometime next week. 

No definative word on Mike Zaher and his trial in Finland but he seems to regular feature on IFK's preseason roster for friendlies.

Also not present were Alioune Gueye (heard he is looking at a club in Africa), John Grunewald (recovering from surgery), Levi Coleman (indoor) and new boys Nicki Paterson and Cole Peverley (still not arrived)

There were also 20 or so unsigned players out there Thursday looking to impress.  The players were broken into to three teams of 9 or 10 each.  Two teams played one another for 20 minutes or so, then the third team swapped out with one of the teams on the field.  The teams continually rotated the team for about 2 1/2 hours.

As a courtesy to the Battery, I'll withhold any names until they have evaluated and negotiated with the players.  One of the reasons they changed the date of the trials was to make it easier to hold a player over for the Carolina Challenge Cup.  While I only watched one session and they continue through the weekend, there were a couple impressive players.  I imagine several of these players will be announced at the season ticket holders "Meet and Greet" at the Three Lions next Wednesday night.

Obrian Woodbine to Finland

OB signed with Finish team VPS VAASA of the Finnish First Division.  Finland seems to be a popular destination currently with several USL players ending up there including Lamar Neagle's stint at IFK after the Championship match and Mike Zaher's current trial with IFK.  We'll keep you updated with OB throughout the season.

Also look for a feature on former Battery player Amaury Nunes.  Nunes, after the Battery's championship match, went on to play in Germany and in December, left the bitter cold to embark on a new adventure on the beaches of Goa, India.  We'll bring you his adventure in the upcoming week.

Finally, don't forget to sign up for the Regiment membership.  You can save 10 percent at the proshop on the new look Battery jersey with the new three championship star crest and the new AvVenta sponsor logo. the $20 level gets you a Battery scarf and the $40 level gets you a embroidered Regiment polo in you choice of Black, Red or Yellow along with some other perks.  We will have membership forms at the "Meet and Greet" next Wednesday and at all the Carolina Challenge Cup matches.