Club headquarters
200 Sixth Street
Ocean City, NJ 08226
Phone: (609) 525-9999
Fax: (609) 399-4784
Giancarlo Granese - johng701@aol.com
Position: President
Granese, otherwise know as ‘El Presidente’, fell in love with the beautiful game growing up in Italy as a young boy who was (and still is) a passionate supporter of his beloved Internazionale (Inter Milan). At the age of 16, John immigrated to the United States and continued his love for the game by playing in high school, college and with several local club teams in the Philadelphia area. John also coached in the local Ocean City travel program and has been an organizer of several local adult leagues.
John became Ocean City FC President in 2005, and was the architect behind relocating the franchise to Ocean City. John lives and breathes soccer and is extremely passionate and committed to creating an exciting, positive and professional atmosphere for soccer fans to enjoy at the Jersey Shore during the summer months.
John has been a full time resident and business owner (Shore Siding, Energen and Ocean City Premier Builders/Developers) in Ocean City since 1984. John and his wife Nancy have a son, Giancarlo Jr., who plays for the Nor’easters PDL team.
Neil Holloway - nholloway@oceancityfc.com
Position: General Manager
Education/Qualification:
BS Sports Management –
Wheeling Jesuit University, WV
FA and USSF licensed coach
Neil hails from Reading, England, having played for Reading FC before moving to the
US in 1997. Neil attended
Wheeling Jesuit University, WV on a soccer scholarship earning numerous accolades including NSCAA All-American. Neil graduated in 2002 with a BS in Sports Management. Neil played professional for the
South Jersey Barons before moving into coaching and management. Neil is currently our General Manager and still actively coaches in all areas of the club from youth to PDL. Neil resides in
Upper Township, NJ with his wife Joanne.
Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Wheeling Jesuit University, WV
MBA in Business Administration from Wheeling Jesuit University, WV
USSF Licensed Coach
Leon Brown joined the Ocean City FC from Wheeling Jesuit University (WV) in 2006. Leon spent two years as the Men’s Assistant Coach, and four years as a player. Leon finished his four years at Wheeling with a 66-15-4 record, he scored 30 goals, and tallied 33 assists. Leon earned several individual honors at Jesuit, he was a WVIAC All-Conference selection all four years he played. He was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American in 2003, and 2004. He was also named Academic All-American in the same two seasons. Before leaving his native Siparia, Trinidad & Tobago, Leon proudly represented his national soccer team at the youth level.
He is currently the Director of Coaching for Ocean City FC and the Super Y-League Coordinator and resides in Ocean City, NJ. As a coach with Ocean City FC he took the Under-17 Boys to a place in the semifinals of the 2009 Super Y-League National Finals.
Steve Thurlby - sthurlby@oceancityfc.com
Position: Director of Communications/ Coach
Education/Qualification:
BA (Hons) Sociology of Sport - University of Brighton, England
FA and USSF Licensed Coach
Steve was born and raised in Fleet, Hampshire where he learned his soccer playing for local team Fleet Spurs and regularly watching Chelsea games. Steve decided to stay in education and went to the University of Brighton to study BA (Hons) Sociology of Sport. During his time at Uni, because University sports are not of a
high level in the UK, Steve still played for his local side Fleet Spurs.
At the end of his studies Steve took the step to come and coach in the USA at a summer camp in Lake Tahoe, CA and a following stint with the Columbus Crew youth coaching department. Then came a call out of the blue. Steve was asked to play for pro team Mbabane Swallows in Swaziland and without hesitation he flew down to meet up with the squad and management. Steve spent a happy year with the Swazi club and then moved across the border to play in the more prestigious South African Premier League. Steve played with Orlando Pirates and then Santos but was never able to cement a place in the first team. Frustrated at how things were going for him on the field he opted for a transfer to Sindri in Iceland. It was a great move for Steve and allowed him to take in another culture and another way to play the game. He had a successful year with Sindri reaching the playoffs and starting every game. However, once the financial crisis hit, the club got into trouble and had to let their foreign players go. Steve decided that his time was up playing and went to seek a coaching career.
Steve Thurlby came to Ocean City FC at the beginning of 2010 and was an instant hit with the kids he coached and the parents that saw the difference he made. Steve was more than a coach becoming Director of PDL Operations which meant running the off-field PDL game days and promotional events but is now Director of Communications. He is fully licensed and qualified to coach at the highest level and the experience Steve gained by travelling the world of soccer, learning new cultures and ways to practice has been priceless. Since joining the Nor’easters Steve has had a lot of success on the field including league wins for Atlantic United U11 girls and U13 girls teams alongside tournament success with our Ocean City FC U11 boys summer team.
Position: Director of Operations / Coach
Education / Qualification:
BA (Hons) Football Studies and Sports Management - Bucks New Uni, England
FA and USSF Licensed Coach
Dan grew up in Milton Keynes, just north from London. An avid soccer fan in his youth Dan has become a supporter of one of the newest teams in English soccer, MK Dons, after the club relocated from south west London.
After graduating Bucks New University Dan became a highly qualified soccer coach who has worked inside the FA’s Disabled Soccer Unit, this unit works hard to include soccer player
s with disabilities into Englands soccer family. Dan Ash has worked with some of the countries top youth players within the MK Dons academy. Dan is highly regarded within the local area as a top coach who can get the best out of young players.
Now with the Nor’easters, he took on the challenge as Director of Club Development and Public Relations working closely with Leon Brown to point this club forward and focus on quality coaching, new ideas and best practice within Ocean City FC. As part of the clubs new look, Dan has worked with local clubs and schools to improve Rec programs so that every child, no matter their ability can enjoy soccer.
Dan found himself coaching almost exclusively with the Upper Township soccer club during the Spring/Fall seasons helping no less than 6 teams to league titles. He has also found success in the summer and is credited as the first Nor’easters coach to win a trophy, the Central Jersey Invitational with the U12 Girls in the summer of 2010.
Leon Brown - 
Dan Ash
