#PBFCRush

Who We Are

WHO WE ARE

Perdido Bay Futbol Club (PBFC) is a non-profit organization established in 2006, dedicated to the education and development of youth soccer players at all levels of competitive play. The club was founded by Fred Garth, John Guidroz, Fred Krause, and Ken Parson — all sharing a long-term vision of making Perdido a place where players could learn, grow, and thrive.

PBFC Rush operates all of the club’s competitive programs outside of rec soccer.

At PBFC Rush, success is measured by the overall development of each individual player — technically, tactically, physically, and psychologically — rather than by wins or losses. Every player develops through PBFC Rush’s age-appropriate training system, designed to support long-term growth.

PBFC Rush also believes in building strong relationships between parents and players through the “One Club” philosophy, while maintaining a deep connection to the local community.

OUR HISTORY OUR STAFF

MISSION STATEMENT
At PBFC Rush, our motto is "Building Champions"
This goes far beyond winning games — it defines our entire approach. To build a true champion, we focus on developing the core characteristics that shape not just great players, but great people.

At PBFC Rush, every player is challenged to grow in these five key areas:

  1. Hard work
  2. Never quit attitude
  3. Team-first mindset
  4. Respect for others
  5. Love for learning the game

These values are at the heart of our training. They go beyond the soccer field and can be applied in school, at home, and throughout life.

If your player dreams of playing at the college level, we have the tools and experience to help them get there. But above all, our mission is to build well-rounded young men and women prepared to succeed in every area of life.

#PBFCRushTestimonies

Kristy Malone

Macela Londono

(Spanish Video)

Todd King

Kevin Wowk

Mandy Longshore

Colin Crider

HISTORY OF PERDIDO BAY FC


  • THE BEGINNING: 1998

    In 1998, Perdido Bay Soccer began with less than 100 kids playing on the outfields of Baar’s Field behind Winn Dixie. At the time local dad, Randy Hopper, assembled a committee of dedicated folks like Andy Max, Steve Thrasher, John Remich and Fred Garth, to line fields, paint goals and organize coaches and referees. These days, the Perdido Bay Soccer, now known as Perdido Bay Futbol Club still has the same family feel as it did back then, except now more than 1500 kids are playing soccer at Perdido each year!

  • 2003

    Soccer participation grew under Hopper’s leadership and by 2003, more than 200 kids were playing each fall. The baseball outfields were getting crowded and an expansion was critical. Fortunately, local real estate developers, Jim and Alison Davenport, were able to negotiate with Sacred Heart Hospital to allow the soccer club to build new fields on the opposite side of the Winn Dixie, next to the parking lot. The Davenports had a daughter playing soccer and the family graciously financed most of the construction costs. More dedicated Perdido parents like Rob Chelico and other civic organizations donated the funds to sod the fields at the tune of $30,000. By the fall of 2004, Perdido Soccer had its own home.

  • 2005

    With year-round fields, the Soccer Committee decided to try Spring Soccer as an experiment. To everyone’s surprise, more than 200 kids signed up for the Spring 2005 season. Participation grew each season breaking records each year from 300 to 400 to 500 kids per season by 2011.

    The soccer committee had expanded too. Fred Garth had taken over Randy Hopper’s position and others joined in like Ken Parsons, Jimmy Holmes, Jim Quinlan, John Brockman and many other dedicated volunteers.

  • 2008

    As soccer grew, the community was lobbying our county commissioners for more field space. Sacred Heart was rapidly getting over crowded. In 2008, the county spent $300,000 to build fields at Jim Bailey Middle School, also known as Seth Simpson Park. At the same time, Perdido Soccer launched a select soccer organization and practiced at the Bailey fields. 


    The select club formed their own 501C-3 organization under the name, the Perdido Bay Futbol Club with founding members Fred Garth, Ken Parsons, John Guidroz and Fred Krause. 


    Soon, PBFC had more than 10 teams traveling the Southeast and winning medals, a testament to the program that had been developed by Hopper and his crew.

  • 2010

    In 2010, the country bought 200+ acres on Bauer Road and then dedicated close to $10 million to build a state of the art soccer, baseball, softball and football sportsplex. In the meantime, PBFC continued to grow and thrive. 

  • 2012

    In August 2012, the park opened to great fanfare and the very next month, the PBFC (which was now combined select and rec soccer) held a 200-team tournament that yielded a $2+ million economic impact for Escambia County and surrounding areas. This validated the investment and illustrated that soccer in Escambia County is not only great for kids but also for the economy.

  • 2013/2014

    As of 2013/2014, the PBFC is servicing 1,500 kids annually. The organization has more than 100 volunteer coaches and a volunteer committee of parents who continue to run an amazing soccer organization. The clubs also hosts two major tournaments per year in a partnership with SnapSoccer that bring millions of dollars into local area. Teams from as far away as Texas, Tennessee and Illinois travel to Perdido Key to play soccer, enjoy our beaches and eat our seafood.

  • 2021

    Locally the soccer scence contineud to grow at PBFC and across the gulf coast, but local clubs still where not able to get large exposure outside of the regional area. Multipel clubs came together to form Coastal Rush, which is made up 7 soccer club that are now working together for improved programing and enhanced offering for the player and the coaches. 

  • LOOKING AHEAD

    If history is any guide, PBFC and PBFC RUSH will continue to grow and before long, more than 2,000 kids will be playing soccer. 


    It’s a testament to the dedication of many parents who have spent countless hours on the soccer fields helping kids to learn about life and sports.