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By Simon Teska

steska@post-journal.com

Shane Salter, co-founder of the Jamestown Chiefs, is only a few small steps away from beginning the inaugural season of his semi-professional football team.

In September of 2008, Salter's idea became a reality as the team started recruiting players, developing a Website and beginning negotiations for a field and league affiliation.

Now, the Chiefs are just several members short of a full team. The league search has been narrowed to two finalists-both of which would be comprised of teams in Western New York and Pennsylvania.

''I think Salter and the people in the community wanted to get a better image for Jamestown,'' Chiefs head coach and general manager Joe Scapelitte said. ''Shane and I took it over. Now we are going to go non-profit in order to better help the community.''

Scapelitte said they haven't decided about a field to play their home games on yet, but he said it would definitely be in Jamestown.

The only other pressing issue to resolve before the opening kickoff is what league the Chiefs will be playing in.

''We'll be playing teams from Buffalo and Rochester for sure,'' Scapelitte said. ''There are two choices and we'll know by the end of the month. They will be in the New York or Pennsylvania area.''

The recruiting process for adding players has been simply through word of mouth - one of the more basic, yet effective means for advertising.

For now, the Chiefs practice on Saturdays at noon at Bergman Park. To put a timetable on the offseason calendar for the semi-pro team, players have until Feb.14 to sign their training contracts and until April to complete the playing contract, with the season to follow shortly thereafter.

Scapelitte and Salter didn't have too much trouble finding willing and capable bodies around the area to start the team, either.

''They love playing football,'' Scapelitte said. ''They were either high school players or a couple of them were even college players. They don't want to quit playing football.''

The goals of the Chiefs' management is to make sure that dream to play football can continue for area athletes.

As for the name of the team itself, Scapelitte and Salter let the city of Jamestown decide.

''The community voted,'' Scapelitte added. ''The people wanted to honor our forefathers and pay respect to them.''

The blue and orange team colors were also voted on by the public.

The Chiefs are still seeking to add personnel as coaches, staff, players and cheerleaders.

Visit the Jamestown Chiefs Website for more information at www.jamestown-chiefs.com.