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Dutch Lions British teammates bonding, strengthening team

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By David DiCenzo, Contributing Writer 9:08 PM Friday, April 29, 2011

BELLBROOK — They hail from one of the biggest football nations in the world. But fellow Brits Joe Tait and Luke Magill have crossed an ocean to live out their soccer dreams.

Given the unique cultural composition of the Dayton Dutch Lions, having a mate from across the Pond is a good thing.

“You need it around all these Dutch guys,” Tait said jokingly in his thick, Middlesbrough accent.

The 21-year-old defender and Magill, a 23-year-old midfielder, were teammates on the Baton Rouge Capitals last season in the USL Premier Development League and could be influential figures on the Lions. Tait is what coach Ivar van Dinteren calls a “typical English defender,” hard on the ball, good in the air and relentless. He showcased offensive abilities as a second-half sub in DDL’s 3-2 loss to Rochester last week, narrowly missing the net with a late free kick and two headers, while also setting up Kyle Segebart’s 88th-minute goal.

Magill, a tireless midfielder, was in search of a new challenge when he came to the U.S. for the second time in his life, to attend Lynn University in Florida.

“In England, it didn’t work out for me and I wanted to try something new,” he said. “The Lions want to play soccer. That, for me, was the main attraction.”

Van Dinteren likes how the two have fit in.

“They’re good kids,” he said. “It’s ideal for a coach — they really love to play soccer.

“I love Luke’s mentality, his technical abilities and how he strikes the ball. Joe is very noticeable out there. He can be the missing link for us in the back.”

Magill was born south of London but moved to New York City at the age of 9 before heading back to England five years later to pursue soccer. He was a member of the Bolton Wanderers FC youth system and reserve team, while also seeing time on Blackpool FC’s reserve team. Both organizations are currently in the Premiership, England’s top league.

“That was always a great experience,” said Magill, who transformed his game in those systems.

“I was technically superior but lacking both mentally and physically. They turned me into a workhorse. They expanded my game greatly.”

Tait grew up an ardent supporter of Leeds United and his hometown of Hartlepool is minutes away from the birthplace of the late Brian Clough, regarded as one of the most brilliant managerial minds in English soccer history (Clough briefly managed Leeds as documented in the 2009 film “The Damned United”).

Tait got his first taste of America while playing with Kentucky-based Lindsey Wilson College and he was a standout with Baton Rouge last season, winning the PDL Defender of the Year award. When DDL came calling, he responded.

“I like the ambition of the club,” Tait said. “I like the vision and it’s a good, family club.”