Panama City Pirates News Release - www.panamacitypirates.com

Thursday, November 1, 2007

PANAMA CITY, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced today that Laird and Nanette Hitchcock, owners of Renegade Sports Center in Panama City, FL, have acquired the Premier Development League franchise rights for Panama City Beach and the Bay County area. The new club, the Panama City Pirates, will begin play in the upcoming 2008 season.

The Pirates will showcase some of the nation’s top talent throughout the summer months in an effort to prepare players for professional careers. This is an especially exciting opportunity for the sport on a community level as the Pirates will provide camps and clinics throughout the year for local and regional players who are looking to improve and play at the next level.

Team owner Laird Hitchcock, a local business leader and wife Nanette have made the beautiful Gulf Coast their home since 1987 with sons Brenton and Bradley, and daughter Aly. Laird goes on to say, “Bay County is growing and Nanette and I feel the time is right for the area to experience its own premier sports franchise. We want it to be a fun, family sports venue for everyone to enjoy.”

“Panama City Beach is the perfect area and a great market for a USL PDL soccer team,” said Carey Turner, General Manager of the Pirates. “Our goal is to offer sports entertainment at its best and a competitive soccer team that the local soccer fans can identify with and call their own.”

A popular tourist location, Panama City is located centrally in the Florida panhandle on the beautiful St. Andrews Bay off the Gulf of Mexico.

The team is expected to announce its home game location and ticket sales information at an upcoming press announcement in the near future.

Owners Laird and Nanette Hitchcock are holding the introductory press conference today, Thursday November 1st to officially announce the Panama City Pirates on the Pirate Ship (Sea Dragon), located at 5325 N. Lagoon Dr. PCB.