Boston City FC opens its inaugural National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season two weeks from now in Malden, MA, and has added three key off-field signings during the build up to kickoff.
Mark Lawhorne will manage the club’s partner and sponsor relationships as Manager of Sponsorship Sales, Victor Oliveira serves as Team Administrator, and Michael Preston will guide the Boston City FC media strategy as a Communications Consultant. The trio will work alongside Managing Director Craig Tornberg, who joined the club earlier this year.
“We have added three experienced people, who are passionate about soccer and are excited to help make Boston City FC a success and an important part of the local community,” said Tornberg.
Boston City FC kicks off the 2016 NPSL season at 6pm on Sunday, May 1, at the club’s Brother Gilbert Stadium home at Malden Catholic High School and will establish an immediate Boston-New York rivalry, as reigning champion NY Cosmos B are the visitors. Season tickets to watch Greater Boston’s only professional soccer club in action are available online at www.BostonCityFC.com and include a free inaugural season scarf.
Mark Lawhorne has been managing, developing and driving partnerships his entire life. He has a successful track record designing programs that influence B2B development and strengthen brands in the public and private sector. He is the founding partner in Blacksmith Communication and Consulting. He has more than 25 years experience in government and the public relations industry, having previously managed all local and state government outreach for a major construction company. Mark’s tenure as Communications Director and Chief of Staff for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office has positioned him as a leader in the communications and political field.
Mark is very involved in his home city of Malden, having run for political office, he is committed to making a difference by actively participating in the process. He is President Elect of the Rotary Club of Malden and Public Relations Chair. He also is the race director for the Malden Rotary Road Race and serves on the charity’s board as the Treasurer. He serves on the Malden YMCA’s Board of Directors, currently as the Chief Volunteer Officer and has served as the Treasurer in the past. Mark graduated from Boston College.
An aficionado of the game, Victor Oliveira is in charge of day-to-day operations and administrating and reporting the state of the team to the board, working closely with Head Coach and President Jorge Silva, a former Brazil international more commonly recognized as Palhinha.
Team Administrator Oliveira is a Boston native who loves his home city and the game of soccer. Wanting to help advocate the advancement and growth of the sport in the United States Oliveira helps BCFC in any way he can.
“Soccer is more than just a sport, it’s a passion, a way of life, and I think Boston City FC is going to be a huge contributor to mainstreaming soccer in the United States, making it as big as basketball and football,” he said. “Boston City FC is here to truly impact soccer in New England.”
Communications Consultant Michael Preston boasts a rich soccer background from his time as a sports journalist in his native England to recent work with Rayo OKC and Jacksonville Armada of the North American Soccer League (NASL) on the expansion clubs’ media strategy. A former PR Director of the NASL and NFL PR executive, he has handled media operations for numerous events, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has been a member of the Super Bowl PR staff on 17 occasions.
“I am excited to work with an ambitious club in the city I now call home to help spread the appeal of quality professional soccer to the region’s fans,” said Preston. “I have been fortunate enough to promote events as far away as Australia, Africa and Asia, but there is nothing quite like working close to home with a club that aims to engage the local community.”
