Lake Country United FC

About Us

Our Mission: To positively impact the world through the game of soccer.

Founded in 2015, Lake Country United FC (LCUFC) proudly serves the Central Georgia region known as Lake Country —primarily including the counties of Putnam, Greene, Morgan, Baldwin, and Jasper.

Our focus extends beyond the pitch. We are committed to the holistic development of our players —both technically and tactically as athletes, and personally as individuals. Core values such as Character, Integrity, and Respect are woven into the fabric of our Club and instilled in every player who wears our crest.

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Programs

At LCUFC, we offer soccer opportunities for boys and girls across a range of skill levels through the following programs:

Pre-Academy (Ages 7–9): A fun, foundational environment focused on developing basic skills and a love for the game.
Academy (Ages 10–11): A more structured setting where players begin to learn tactical awareness and refine their technical abilities.
Select (Ages 12–18): Competitive play designed to challenge and grow players at a higher level, both individually and as part of a team.

Have questions or want to learn more about how we can support your child’s soccer journey? We’d love to hear from you:

Email: tgilbert@lcufc.com

Club Affiliations

More Info

Testimonials

Throughout my soccer journey I’ve played under many coaches and clubs. I have been blessed to have played in professional academies such as Atlanta United and Peñarol and now professional in the 2nd division of Argentina. Coach Tim Gilbert is truly one of a kind person and coach. Not only is he a good coach and promotes the right way of soccer and development, he treats every player with kindness and goes above and beyond to help every player on and off the field. He truly wants what’s best for the player, many coaches and clubs try to hold onto players for their own benefit but not Coach Tim, who doesn’t shy away from helping players with their goals no matter how long he’s known you. Coach Tim has personally helped me whether it was being there for me off the field when I was feeling frustrated, or speaking on my behalf for college and professional opportunities. I couldn’t recommend Coach Tim enough.

Evan Alvarez
Professional Footballer
Club Atlético Defensor Unidos
Having played at a high level both in the U.S. college system and in the League of Ireland, I’ve come across all types of people in the game—few have stood out like Tim Gilbert. Tim is incredibly well respected in the college soccer space. His network is not only extensive, it’s constantly growing because people trust him. And more importantly, they like him. I've worked alongside Tim to support athletes and can confidently say his heart is in the right place. What makes Tim different is his genuine care for the players he works with. He’s not just in this game for wins and losses—he’s in it to change lives and create opportunities. Whether it's helping a player navigate the college process, connecting them with the right people, or simply being there when things get tough—Tim shows up. He’s the type of person you want in your corner, and I’m proud to call him a colleague and a friend.

Conor Maher
Former NCAA D1 Captain – Winthrop University
Former League of Ireland Player – Wexford Youths
Owner – Toir Performance
Coach Tim is the man. He’s helped me through so many tough times. I’ll never forget our first phone call—back when I was struggling with personal challenges. I never imagined then how far our relationship would go. Today, I can honestly say I trust Coach Tim more than anyone in this world. He helped me find my love for soccer again. He genuinely cares about his players and always wants the best for us. When I was offered the chance to play college soccer—a dream I never thought was possible—Coach Tim believed in me. He encouraged me, helped me believe in myself, and supported me every step of the way. This Fall, I’ll be playing soccer at Georgia Gwinnett College, and I owe a huge part of that to him. He’s more than a coach—he’s a father figure. Always looking out for me, pushing me to dream bigger, aim higher, and never give up. I’ve learned so much from this man. I’m forever grateful that God placed someone like Coach Tim in my life. He’s made a real difference.

Ricky Martinez
Footballer
Georgia Revolution FC & Georgia Gwinnett College
Coach Tim is truly one of the greatest assets to the Club. He’s not only a top-level coach with a deep understanding of the game, but he’s also fully committed to developing players both on and off the field. He takes the time to teach, mentor, and elevate each boy’s game. What sets Coach Tim apart is how far he goes to create opportunities. He actively connects players with college coaches, sets up visits to universities, advocates for scholarships, and supports families throughout the recruiting process. More than that, he teaches these boys how to carry themselves like young men—how to confidently introduce themselves, hold a conversation, and leave a strong impression with coaches and mentors. Coach Tim is constantly working—whether it’s going out to high school games to find talent, promoting soccer and the Club in the community, or creating new paths for his players. We’re incredibly grateful for his dedication, and we’re proud our sons get to learn from him.

Antonio & Carolina Barreto
Proud Parents of Daniel & Emilio
georgiarevsfc.com
My first introduction to coach Tim was around the late Summer of 2015, I was 12 at the time and I remember seeing a group of older guys, mostly 14 & 15 yrs of age, play for the new travel club that every recreation soccer kid wanted to play for, Putnam Impact. I tried out and made the team. Under Coach Tim’s leadership, he quickly turned this group of diverse kids all from different backgrounds into a brotherhood. Coach Tim did this under a very rigid system of trial and error behind every drill - Demanding perfection and a champion’s mentality in every touch on the ball. We also took pride in knowing that we would work harder than our competition. We understood that because we were a less experienced club soccer team, we might not be the best, but our strategic edge and our superb conditioning made us a respectable team that went on to win 9 championships over the next 5 years. 2021 was my last year with the club, and after 5 years I walked away with tons of trophies & hardware, but more importantly life long friends, incredible memories, valuable experience and tye knowledge that shaped me into who I am. Today I’m 21 years old, and thanks to my time at the club, I’m someone who values excellence, someone who has a fierce competitive mind, and very lasting determination. I started a small welding company, along few of my friends, and trust that I have that same hunger and drive that I did running down the left wing of the soccer field, only now it’s for my future and success in general, and LCUFC & Coach Tim played a huge role in it.

Alan Jaimes
Former Footballer
Always LCUFC & Business Owner
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Coach Tim Gilbert for playing such a major role in helping me achieve my dream. I am from Liberia (West Africa). I found Coach Tim on Instagram a little over a year ago. I told him about myself and my dream to come to the United States for an education at a university while also furthering my football opportunities. I asked coach Tim if he could help me. He had me send over a highlight package along with my player CV. From the moment we connected, he believed in my potential and went above and beyond to make sure I had the opportunity to succeed. Thanks to him, I am now officially a student-athlete at Point University with my F1 visa secured! It has always been my dream to study in the U.S., earn a college degree, and play football in a professional environment. Coach Gilbert made that dream a reality. His guidance, support, and connections opened the door to this amazing journey, and I will forever be grateful. Meeting Coach Tim Gilbert was truly a blessing, and I’m so thankful for everything he has done for me. This is just the beginning—and it all started because he believed in me.

Darius Snorton Perwood
Footballer
I league Neroca FC, India and Freshman Point University

Donate

WANT TO DONATE?

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to our Club click on the link below.

SPONSOR A PLAYER

If you would like to help sponsor a player in our club we will place you company logo on our websites Sponsors page. This $599 tax deductible donation will cover the registration fees for one player!

You will be contacted for logo details at the email you provide during payment.

announcements

Big News for Lake Country United FC!

Lake Country United FC is proud to announce plans to bring Semi-Pro Soccer to our community in 2026!

That's right — starting in 2026, we will be launching a new team to compete in the UPSL (United Premier Soccer League), right here at one of our local stadiums. Every home match promises to be an exciting event that brings our entire community together.

Stay tuned — more details coming soon!

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Tribute

Peter Joseph "Joey" Gilbert

(Aug. 22, 1980 - Jan. 4, 2004)

A Tribute to My Brother: The Heart Behind Lake Country United FC

My name is Coach Tim, and I am the founder and director of Lake Country United FC. I wanted to take a moment to share something deeply personal with you — the real heart behind our club.

Lake Country United FC is not just about soccer. It’s about people. It’s about using the game to help young people grow into strong, capable, and kind-hearted adults. Our mission is simple but powerful: to impact the world in a positive way through soccer — by teaching Character, Integrity, and Respect on and off the field.

This mission is deeply personal to me because it honors someone I loved and lost — my younger brother, Peter Joseph "Joey" Gilbert.

Joey was born on August 22, 1980, when I was just 11 years old. Being his big brother was one of the greatest joys of my young life. But as I moved into my teenage years, I began making poor choices — partying, drinking heavily, and living recklessly. What I didn't realize then was that Joey, still a little boy, was watching everything I did. Like so many younger brothers, he looked up to me.

Even after I started to turn my life around in my twenties, the damage had already been done. Joey began making risky choices himself — experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and struggling to find his way. Yet even with his struggles, Joey had an incredible heart. He consistently volunteered at the Atlanta Union Mission, collecting clothes, raising funds, and serving homeless men trying to rebuild their lives. Even when he was fighting his own battles, he never stopped giving to others.

Despite dropping out of high school, Joey's brilliant mind earned him an exceptionally high GED score and a full academic scholarship to the University of Georgia. He maintained a 4.0 GPA while encouraging his friends to pursue their educations too — tutoring them, motivating them, and helping several gain college admissions. He lived a life of contradictions: struggling deeply, yet inspiring others deeply too.

Tragically, on January 3, 2004, Joey passed away at 23 years old from an accidental drug overdose. His death shattered our family.

In the days after Joey's passing, we honored him the best way we knew how — by continuing his mission of giving. My father and I started the Joey Gilbert Foundation, collecting and donating truckloads of items to the Atlanta Union Mission in his name for several years. But as life moved on, and personal challenges pulled me in different directions, the Foundation’s activities slowed. Yet the desire to honor Joey never left my heart.

In 2015, I helped form a new soccer club in Eatonton, Georgia (in the middle of what is known as Lake Country). I saw an opportunity to build something that could carry Joey’s spirit forward. I wanted the club to be more than soccer — I wanted it to help young people make wise choices, to become role models for their siblings and peers, and to live lives rooted in Character, Integrity, and Respect.

In 2016, with my parents' blessing, we officially transitioned the Joey Gilbert Foundation into what is now Lake Country United FC. Joey’s legacy lives on through the young people we serve. Every player we coach, every scholarship we help secure, every young person we encourage — it’s all a tribute to him.

Today, Lake Country United FC has helped over 100 players go on to play college soccer across the country and in Europe, with over $1 million in scholarships earned — and growing every year. More importantly, we are building a community of young men and women who are learning to lead, to serve, and to inspire — just like Joey did in his best moments.

I think about Joey every day. I miss him terribly. And while I can never go back and be the brother he needed, I hope that through this work, I am honoring him now.

Thank you for being part of Lake Country United FC. You are helping continue a mission rooted in love, redemption, and hope — one player, one family, one community at a time.

— Coach Tim