Club headquarters
200 Sixth Street
Ocean City, NJ 08226
Phone: (609) 525-9999
Fax: (609) 399-4784
Giancarlo Granese - jgranese@oceancityfc.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 Nor’easters 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, Shore Solar Energy and Ocean City Premier Builders/Developers) in Ocean City since 1984. John and his wife Nancy have a son, Giancarlo Jr.
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 and played for Reading FC before making the decision to move to the USA 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 is currently the General Manager alongside running the youth club Jersey Premier Soccer and still coaches in the south Jersey area. Neil resides in Upper Township, NJ with his wife Joanne.
Tim Oswald
Position - Head Coach
Tim Oswald took over the Ocean City Nor’easters Head Coach position at the beginning of the Premier Development Leagues 2012 season. Tim has appointed two assistants to work with him that he knows from his college coaching at Div III Rutgers-Camden, Kevin Nuss and former Nor’easter player Billy Pinto.
Tim Oswalds coaching career has been filled with success at the college level in his 5 years with the Scarlet Raptors posting a record of 63-33-15 and within that record he has led the college to 3 ECAC titles. Before taking over the head coaching role at Rutgers-Camden, Tim worked spent 2 years assisting at Widener University moving onto the assistants job at Arcadia University from 2003-2005. Throughout his coaching career he has always helped with youth development working with many clubs in the Pennsylvania and South Jersey area.
Neil hails from Reading, England and played for Reading FC before making the decision to move to the USA 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 is currently the General Manager alongside running the youth club Jersey Premier Soccer and still coaches in the south Jersey area. Neil resides in Upper Township, NJ with his wife Joanne.
Kevin Nuss - knuss@oceancityfc.com
Position - Assistant Coach
Kevin Nuss has joined Tim Oswald as assistant coach to help prepare for the Nor’easters 2012 season. Kevin worked as an assistant for Tim at Rutgers-Camden University before moving to Saint Joseph’s University to become their assistant coach.
Kevin has served as Director of Player Development at both Cherry Hill FC and Highland Youth Soccer Club. He is hoping to help transfer those skills as he works with the young U20, U23 and PDL players. Kevin has USL PDL playing experience with the Delaware Dynasty in 2007.
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.
At the end of his studies Steve took the step to come and coach in with the MLS club Columbus Crew’s 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. The following year found him in Iceland with Sindri. 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 Nor’easters 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 U11 boys summer team.
Position: Director of Operations
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 players 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 has now moved into the position of Director of Operations as he adds his expertise to improving the PDL squad, improving the marketing and promotion strategies and boosting attendence figures for the games.
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.
Steve Thurlby - 
Dan Ash