Strawbridge—a Philadelphia Main Line businessman, a Ph.D. professor and teacher of Latin American history, and part of the family that made a fortune with Campbell Soups — paid $250,000 in 1974 to acquire a North American Soccer League expansion franchise. He felt that Tampa’s population and soccer were both about to explode. But how to proceed?

“We knew we had to get everyone’s attention,’’ Strawbridge said.

Clearwater attorney Bill Wilhelm proposed “Rowdies’’ in a name-the-team contest. Strawbridge and Beau Rogers, his ownership partner, loved the feel of it. Then they hired an Atlanta firm to develop a marketing plan.

The results?

“Soccer Is A Kick In The Grass.’’

The Rowdies run here,

The Rowdies run there,

They kick the ball around…

The fans were “Fannies.’’ The cheerleaders were “Wowdies.’’

The expansion Rowdies won the 1975 NASL Soccer Bowl, then continued as a model franchise, rolling up a record of 145-116 with one championship, two runners-up, and seven postseason appearances under Strawbridge’s ownership before he sold to local interests in 1983.

Strawbridge’s enduring memory? “We had some glorious times,’’ he said.