MUTINY MIDFIELDER TO PLAY WEST BROM

Seventeen-year-old Cole Gulledge received an unexpected phone call Thursday morning from Charleston Battery assistant coach Dusty Hudock. It was an invitation to play in a match on Friday night. Turns out that the match will be for the Charleston Battery as they face EPL side West Bromwich Albion at Blackbaud Stadium in Daniel Island.

Gulledge is a rising senior at St. James High School and a current member of the S.C. Battery U-18 Development Academy team.

“It took me a moment to process what Coach Hudock was asking me,” Gulledge said. “Once the initial shock wore off I just became filled with excitement. This is an amazing opportunity for me to compete against world class players in a terrific atmosphere.”

In addition to playing for a U.S. Development Academy team, Gulledge also plays for the NPSL Myrtle Beach Mutiny during the summer. The Mutiny just finished off their regular season with a 10-1-1 record and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in their four-year history. The Mutiny will host their first round playoff match against FC Wichita on Saturday night at Ashley Booth Field.

Simply put, it could be a very busy weekend for the young midfielder. It’s already been a busy summer.

“Having the opportunity to be a part of the Mutiny this summer has been amazing both on and off the field,” Gulledge continued. “The talent level of the players is high and is very challenging for me during training. I have learned a lot regarding match preparation and how players are expected to represent themselves at this level. I am so grateful that the guys accepted me as a teammate regardless of my age.”

“We here at the Mutiny are proud of Cole and the opportunity that he has earned with the Battery,” Mutiny head coach Tom Morris added.

“I have only worked with Cole over the summer, but it is very apparent that he has a lot of talent. If he keeps working hard, learning and developing his game he will have a great playing career ahead of him. We hope to see him featuring for the Mutiny for many years to come and hopefully beyond. I know all those involved with Coast FA who have played a key role in his development from a young player into the young man he is today will be proud to see that he is making positive strides in the game. We wish him all the best in his match against West Brom.”