Battery takes on Premier League team

There have been rumors and near misses in the past.

But there was something about the call Charleston Battery president Andrew Bell received in February that made him optimistic this time.

For nearly a decade, Bell and the Charleston Battery ownership group had tried to get an exhibition game with a club from the English Premier League.

And for nearly a decade, the Battery had come close on a number of occasions but was never able to land its elusive white whale.

"When you're a small club in America it's almost like going after the holy grail or Moby Dick," Bell said with a chuckle. "Back then, teams from the Premiership didn't come to America very often, and then it was only to play against teams from Major League Soccer for huge money."

That the Battery will be playing against the Bolton Wanderers tonight in an exhibition match at Blackbaud Stadium is the culmination of years of behind-the-scenes negotiations by Bell and the team's ownership group.

In 2001, an agreement had been reached in principle with Ipswich, only to fall through at the last minute.

In 2004, the Battery lured Sunderland AFC, but at the time the Black Cats were in England's Championship League, one division down from the EPL. The Battery beat the Black Cats, 2-1, and it was that match that Bell believes got other teams from England interested in coming to the Lowcountry.

"I think that got the ball rolling," Bell said. "Interest in us started to pick up after we played Sunderland, and we'd get calls from teams looking for a match, but we could never quite get there."

Then the same group that organized Sunderland's visit to the U.S. six years ago called Bell about bringing in Bolton.

Bell jumped at the opportunity.

"It's like bringing in a team from the NFL," Bell said. "The Premiership is widely considered to be the best league in the world, so to have Bolton here in Charleston playing a match is massive. It's something that the club has been trying to do for years, so to finally have them here is a dream come true for us and all the soccer fans of Charleston."

Bolton is in the middle of a 10-day visit to the U.S. as it prepares for next month's season opener against Fulham. Bolton beat Charlotte, 3-0, Wednesday night and will take on Major League Soccer's Toronto FC next Wednesday night before heading back to England.

"There are five or six teams from the Premiership over in America this summer," Bell said. "This is their preseason, so they're trying to use this time to get ready for their seasons. Most of the clubs want to play against quality competition, but that is not as important as good training facilities and good hotels, which we have in abundance."

Charleston Battery chief executive officer Tony Bakker hopes tonight will be the beginning of annual matches with Premiership teams.

"Hopefully Bolton's visit this week is the first of many future games that we host against EPL teams," Bakker said. "We've always strived for excellence both on and off the field. The heightened interest in soccer over the past month with the recent World Cup couldn't have provided us with better timing for the match."

Bolton might not be a powerhouse like Manchester United or Chelsea, but it has traditionally had a strong following and been a solid club in the EPL since 2001.

"They've been very competitive in the Premiership," said Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. "They've been in the middle of the standings for the last several years and have even been among the top four or five teams some years. There's no doubt this is an historic game for the club."

The Wanderers are not without their star players. Striker Kevin Davies has been among the EPL's most consistent scorers over the last five seasons. Four players on Bolton's roster took part in this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

"I've been on holiday to America eight or nine times," Davies said. "This is the first time I've been in the South and it's been a great experience so far. Charleston is a beautiful city. I only wish it were not so hot."

Even veteran Battery players like Ian Fuller and Stephen Armstrong, who have played against EPL teams in the past, are giddy about the matchup.

"If you can't get excited about a match like this, you need to hang up your cleats," said Armstrong, who was born in England. "I've followed the Premiership all my life, so to get a chance to play against a team from the best league in the world is fantastic. I know all the guys are very excited about the opportunity."

Is it the biggest game in the club's history? It's up there, Bell said.

"I think winning the A-League national title in 2003 was the crowning moment for the club, but this match is pretty important," Bell said. "We've had a huge response from the public."

Less than 500 tickets remained Friday night.

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com and check out the Charleston Battery 'Battery Shots' blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/battery.

Bolton Wanderers at Charleston Battery

When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Blackbaud Stadium

Tickets: 971-GOAL. (limited)