[3][4] In 2009, English journalist Paul Watson and his friend Matthew Conrad established the Pohnpei Premier League, which had its first season from October to December of that year.
[4] The Island Pitbulls competed in shirts donated by English side Yeovil Town, and originated from the College of Micronesia and church groups.
[7] The Pitbulls won both the pre-season Liberation Games, as well as the final "showdown" match of the league against SDA, with a score of 5–2.
[4] The best players from the league were then offered the chance to train to be in the Pohnpei national team.
[8] In October 2010, Pohnpei won its first football victory in history against a second division club team in Guam.