Millburn FC

Millburn FC: A Brief History February 2013

Millburn New Jersey, a small commuter town in Essex County, is now one of the most active towns in the United States for men’s over-40 soccer, thanks to the efforts of a few local players dedicated to a sport most township parents have never played. It all began in the mid-1990’s when a

group of friends began kicking a soccer ball around near the town library on Sunday mornings. Within a few weeks others came, drawn to the game like moths to a flame, and soon the friends were taking on rag-tag teams from other towns who came to try their luck. Seeking a more organized, challenging and formal game, the friends formed Millburn United in 1999, and joined the United States league, a then fledgling organization composed of fewer than thirty teams competing in over-40 inter league play in New York and New Jersey. The USL has since grown to over fifty teams playing in six divisions, including four over-40 and two over-50, and Millburn adult soccer has grown along with it. In 2009 Millburn United divided like a cell to create Millburn Wanderers, a young team ready to compete in the over-40 second division as Millburn United, including several original players, moved into the over-50 Senior division 1. This effectively doubled the number of active players in town, but did not meet local demand for long. Millburn Town, a third team was formed in 2013, and several players were turned away as the roster soon hit the maximum of 24. All three teams are governed by Millburn FC (Football Club), a non-profit organization founded in 2009 with the objective of providing safe, friendly and competitive adult soccer opportunities to as many township and local residents as possible. To this end Millburn FC organizes many events beyond the United States league games, including regular competitive indoor evening games during winter, friendlies out of season against local rivals, annual trips for local players to the King Cup tournament in Las Vegas, social events and active participation in the highly competitive International Macabee Games. For several years, the USA Macabee ‘Masters’ soccer team, comprised of some of the best players aged over 45 in the country, has trained in Millburn, and Millburn FC players make up almost half of the team roster. As an original member of Millburn United, I can attest to the extraordinary rewards of playing soccer at this level and at this age. The members of Millburn FC represent over twenty countries in nationality and speak dozens of languages, but all come together with one mind and one objective on any given Sunday morning to compete as friends and teammates. It is a privilege to be part of such a community, and I hope Millburn FC will continue to grow long after we have all hung up our boots.