Langley Athletic FC (LAFC) is about to take a mammoth step in the soccer club’s development.

After a successful inaugural USL Super 20 season, LAFC’s men’s squad has been accepted entry into the highly competitive Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL).

The moves to the PCSL transitions LAFC from a U20 team to an open men’s team.

The B.C.-based PCSL is an inter-city, cross-border league with a season that runs typically from May to August.

Member clubs are drawn from across the Pacific Northwest in cities from the B.C. Interior, Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, through Washington State, and Oregon at times.

The league offers playing opportunities for men and women in premier and reserve divisions. It gives talented players from Canada and the U.S. who are interested in a high level of competition the opportunity to travel the Pacific Northwest for league games and tournaments during the summer months.

According to LAFC, the PCSL has always been well regarded for the quality of its players.

The league has produced all-star teams that have played against many of the great touring teams.

“From the heady days at Callister Park where the list of touring teams included Tottenham Hotspurs and soccer legends such as Sir Stanley Mathews, until more recently when PCSL players have acquitted themselves admirably against clubs such as Millwall, Sunderland and Heart of Midlothian from Britain,” an LAFC report reads on the club’s website, www.langleyathleticfc.com.

The Pacific Coast League has counted amongst its players some of the very best local talent including such standouts as Sergio Zannatta, Sam Lennarduzzi, Bob Hazledine, Bobby Smith, Peter Greco, Glen Johnson, Gerry Heaney, and classy imports such as Peter Simpson to name but a few.

Trinity Western University men’s soccer head coach Pat Rohla doubles as LAFC bench boss, while Ewen Dobbie is the team’s president and founder.

“The PCSL in B.C. has been around since 1908 and is by far, the best semi-pro league for competitive players wanting to play at their highest level,” Dobbie said. “As a club we are excited to have so many talented Langley based players who will be an integral part of our roster this year. Our hope now is that the community can get behind us.”

Langley United Youth Soccer Association (LUYSA) is partnering with the LAFC.

LUYSA is helping Langley Athletic with aspects such as administration and game management, as well as supplying ball boys at LAFC home games.

Mark Parker, technical director of LUYSA, called the PCSL “probably the premium soccer league within our province and the Northern Washington area for the spring and summer months.”

This partnership gives young LUYSA players an avenue to graduate to the senior ranks once their minor soccer playing days are over, Parker said.

LAFC’s home schedule is now set. All games will be played at McLeod Athletic Park.

Their PCSL opener is scheduled for April 28 against Khalsa Sporting Club with a 2 p.m. opening kickoff.

Their next home games are May 12, 19 and 20 at 2 p.m., May 30 at 7:30 p.m., June 9 at 2 p.m., July 4 at 7:30 p.m., July 7 at 2 p.m., and July 8 at 2 p.m.

– With files from the LAFC website, www.langleyathleticfc.com,