West Virginia Chaos News Release - www.westvirginiachaossoccer.com

Monday, March 24, 2008

CHARLESTON, SC -- The West Virginia Chaos announce that pending clearance the team's previous captain will be back with what is shaping up to be a very new look side in 2008. Chris Whalley will return to the Chaos following a 2007 season that saw him play every minute of every match, and lead the team in goals.

The year before, in 2006, Whalley captained the Chaos to a franchise best record and a third place finish in the Mid-Atlantic Conference while scoring 17 points, his seven assists left him tied for fourth best in the nation.

The 27 year old midfielder from Lincoln, England has played in 47 matches over the last three seasons, scoring 12 goals and adding 10 assists for the Chaos.

Prior to arriving in Charleston Whalley was selected to represent the Great Britain Student Team in 2003 along with signing a professional contract with the Reading Rage of the USL-2, and had playing experience with Nottingham Forest FC and Brentford Football Club up to the U18 level with the English professional teams.

His collegiate career begin with Mercyhurst, where he led them to the NCAA Division II Final Four in 2002 and was a First Team All-GLIAC selection in each of his years with the university.

Whalley was excited to return to the club that has ecstatic to be back with his old club.

"The past three years have been enjoyable. The Chaos fans are passionate and come out to support the team. I am looking forward to the summer in Charleston with a club that has so much potential.”

“We have been close in the past and have had good players at the club, five guys are playing pro from the Chaos so we have had quality. It is my goal to make the playoffs, the individual honors have been nice, but they are not what I want. I want to see the team play in the postseason and reward the fans and city of Charleston.”

Coach Luke Ibbetson said, “Chris (Whalley) is a strong player who has a lot of PDL experience. I am pleased he is back and ready to help guide our team moving forward.”

Whalley, who is the head coach at Lees-McRae University and has been a coach on the field for the Chaos the last two years, was not only the team's captain but he was also the assistant coach for the Chaos. While the Chaos already have an assistant coach for the 2008 season, Whalley’s eye for the game will be invaluable, and his ability to mentor the new players will help to taking the club to a new level. In 2007 Whalley led the Lees-McRae Bobcats to the #2 NCAA Division II ranking by week seven and to the NCAA Elite Eight after starting the season unranked.

Chaos Director of Operations Rudy Roediger was happy to re-sign Whalley and sounded quite confident with the looks of the 2008 roster.

"Whalley, approval is pending with the USL, but we have no worries, he has played four previous years in the PDL three with the Chaos so it should not be an issue. We are going to be making further announcements in the upcoming weeks regarding other signees for this year’s squad. All I can say is this year’s squad will bring back a few of the familiar faces that the Chaotics know, but Coach Ibbetson and his staff has been hard at work securing a number of upgrades.”

“We have begun to secure our international and domestic talent. Several of our internationals have played for their countries, and will be complemented by our domestic college players."

The West Virginia Chaos will begin their sixth PDL season this May and the team expects to announce their full schedule in the next two weeks.