On Wednesday night at the famous Three Lions Pub, the Charleston Battery hosted their season ticket holders in an annual meet-and-greet event before the kickoff of the 2018 USL season. From the beginning, it was clear that the team had a lot of big announcements in store on the night.

Charleston Battery President and legendary Battery play-by-play commentator Andrew Bell started the evening in dramatic fashion by announcing his departure from the team to take over the same role in Memphis as they prepare their USL team for entry into the league in 2019.

Bell, who has been with the Battery since 1999, started as the team’s play-by-play commentator, and was then named Club President in 2008, taking over from long-time Battery President, Nigel Cooper.

Current club Vice President Mike Kelleher will be assuming Bell’s day to day operational duties. However, Battery TV host Poppy Miller will also need a new co-host in the booth for Battery match broadcasts, and that role is still to be determined.

Battery fan favorite and current Battery player, Dante Marini, who is recovering from a 2017 season ending knee injury, did fill in for Bell during last Saturday’s preseason match between the Battery and NCFC, so he might be a temporary fill-in for the job to start the regular season as well.

Bell, who praised the dedication and hard work of the Battery front office, reminded those in attendance of the rich history Charleston has when it comes to lower division soccer. The Battery are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the US, and they built the country’s first privately funded soccer-specific stadium in 1999.

Roster Additions

Bell then handed the stage over to USL Hall of Fame Coach, Mike Anhaeuser, who starts his 25th anniversary season with the Battery. Anhaeuser, along with long time assistant coach Dusty Hudock and head athletic trainer Bobby Weisenberger were impressed with the teams preseason and ready to start the 2018 campaign.

Anhaeuser introduced the 2018 team to those in attendance, with a few new additions, bringing the Battery roster to 23.

Return to the Stripe Life

Following the team introductions, the Battery revealed the 2018 home kit, and it did not disappoint. The Battery have knocked this years kit out of the stadium.

CB93 is going back to the much-loved fan favorite (with an updated look) in the black and yellow vertical stripes. The kits were an immediate hit with all in attendance as well as online across the USL social media fandom.

The jerseys will be available for purchase online and in the stadium’s pro shop shortly.

The Battery open the 2018 season at home this Saturday, March 17 against former Battery defender and 2017 USL First Team selection Forrest Lasso and FC Cincinnati at 7:00 pm. Tickets are still available online and by calling the MUSC Health Stadium box office.

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