SC United FC Bantams News Release -- www.palmettofc.com
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
GREENWOOD, S.C. -- The SC United FC Bantams of the Premier Development League (PDL) have named Gary Winchester as their head coach for the 2013 season. President Mark Riddle announced, “I am pleased to name Gary has our new head coach for this 2013 season. Gary served as our assistant coach under Coach Van Taylor last year, and did a remarkable job. He had a great attitude and all the players enjoyed learning from him. We want to thank Coach Taylor for his great work in our inaugural season as he mentored Gary to help him prepare for this coaching position.”
Winchester is looking forward to the upcoming season, “It’s a great opportunity for me to step into this head coaching role. Working under Coach Taylor was a dream come true for me, learning and watching his coaching strategy, should prepare me for this coming season.
"As the head coach, I want to develop the principles that were set for the inaugural season and I will continue to develop the players showcasing their talents and pushing them to win in the right way.”
Winchester is originally from Penicuik, Scotland, he graduated from Lander University where he was a two-year starter. Prior to that, Winchester had played two years at Iowa Central Community College. After graduation, Winchester was hired at Emerald High School (Greenwood, S.C.) where he taught and coached the women’s soccer team. He has also served as the director of the Toro Youth Soccer Club.
In 2007, Erskine tapped Winchester to be the head women’s soccer coach. Winchester has his “A” license with the United States Soccer Federation and is a member of the South Carolina Olympic Development Program coaching staff.
Entering his sixth season, Winchester brought much needed stability to the Erskine women’s soccer program. Prior to his arrival, the Lady Fleet dealt with four different head coaches in as many years.
Coach Winchester resides in Greenwood, S.C., with his wife, Betsy, and his one-and-half-year-old daughter, Keighan.