It was often difficult to have competitive teams due to the size of our individual clubs. Each club was drawing from recreation leagues of 150 – 300 children compared to the rec leagues in the Lehigh Valley that are comprised of 2,000+ participants. In years past, the local soccer clubs would field their own travel teams to play against the large, prestigious clubs of the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. 

In 2004, Kim Lawrence came up with the idea of combining the talent in the three local clubs (Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, and Towamensing) to form one travel club. This would provide the opportunity for more children to play at an age-appropriate travel level. Additionally, the teams would be more competitive with the larger clubs since they would be drawing from a larger group of soccer players.   

Lawrence approached the boards of Lehighton Area Soccer Club, Jim Thorpe Youth Soccer and Towamensing Soccer Club to see if there would be interest in such a venture. After several months of discussion, Jim Thorpe and Lehighton decided to move forward with a single team comprised of players from both clubs. In the fall of 2004, a U-10 boys’ team was formed under the name Greater Carbon United and met with much success.   

In the spring of 2005, Jim Thorpe and Lehighton decided to go forward with another trial run of the combined travel teams by forming teams for both boys and girls in several age groups. It was at this time that Towamensing came on board with their club. The new club, albeit unofficial, was named Carbon United. 

In the fall of 2005, Carbon United was able to form several competitive boys’ and girls’ teams. The spring 2006 season put forth the same results. Due to the success of the Carbon United teams and the ability of the three clubs to amicably work together, it was decided to make the venture between the clubs official. Carbon United became a reality in February 2006. At that time, officers were named. Kim Lawrence became the first president to honor her vision. Carbon United became an incorporated organization in March 2006 and was approved as a new club by the Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League in April 2006.   

The Fall 2006 Season marked the first “official” season of Carbon United and the club met with a great deal of success. We look forward to successful seasons for many years to come. Special thanks to the three clubs, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, and Towamensing, for working together to provide the children of our community with a chance to play soccer on a level playing field with the other large clubs in the Lehigh Valley Youth Soccer League.