Luis_Rancagua Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 It appears that A-League Executive Director David Askinas will make an official announcement on the week of Nov 7-9/2003 about the 3 major Canadian teams looking for entry into the A-League season 2004. Here are the following Canadian cities involved: Calgary, Hamilton and Ottawa. As for Calgary, no one is saying much as to whether their entry back into the A-League is really a done deal. The Calgary Herald has even mentioned this week that everything will be decided at the press conference on the week of Nov 7-9/2003. On my part, I am about 80% certain that Calgary is coming back. For this reason I am waiting for the official announcement coming straight from Askinas himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderguy Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 I am of two minds about this. On the one hand I really hope that all 3 teams are accepted into the A-league. It would 'raise the bar' and be great for the local players and fans. On the other hand, what kind of league accepts: Calgary -troubled past ownership and fan support Hamilton -troubled financial history &5 coaches in the past 14 months Ottawa -troubled ownership,refusal to play, lawsuit(s) vs league No matter what the reasons for all these problems I question a league that will even entertain the thought. Where there is smoke there is fire! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydog2006 Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 With ottawa do you kn ow for sure if they are joining the a-league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJT Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Luis Rancagua It appears that A-League Executive Director David Askinas will make an official announcement on the week of Nov 7-9/2003 about the 3 major Canadian teams looking for entry into the A-League season 2004. Here are the following Canadian cities involved: Calgary, Hamilton and Ottawa. Luis, where does this news come from? quote:Originally posted by thunderguy On the other hand, what kind of league accepts: Calgary -troubled past ownership and fan support Hamilton -troubled financial history &5 coaches in the past 14 months Ottawa -troubled ownership,refusal to play, lawsuit(s) vs league No matter what the reasons for all these problems I question a league that will even entertain the thought. Where there is smoke there is fire! I absolutely agree with you in the case of Hamilton and Ottawa. I have been saying essentially the same thing since the rumours began. In Calgary's case the ownership would be new, so I don't think that the team's first two seasons are necessarily indicative of what the future will bring (assuming the new ownership is good, which is not something I can say for any CPSL team). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis_Rancagua Posted November 2, 2003 Author Share Posted November 2, 2003 To DJT: I got the info through 2 sources: One, I know that the league will be hosting their annual general meeting on the week of Nov 7-9/2003 whereby the issue of team expansion entry is at the top of the agenda; and second, Askinas has mentioned through the Calgary Herald this week that the Calgary issue will be finally decided at this meeting of the week of Nov 7-9/2003. Therefore, by putting these 2 sources together, I conclude that the Canadian teams joining the A-League 2004 will be discuss right there and now. In other words, we will know if Hamilton, Ottawa and even Calgary stand a chance of joining the A-League on that week. In fact, Askinas has said through the Herald that this is the last week to finally decide expansion entry into the A-League for coming 2004 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamiltonfan Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 this is it keep your fingers croosed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis_Rancagua Posted November 2, 2003 Author Share Posted November 2, 2003 hamiltonfan, Have you heard any inside rumours as to the prospects of the Hamilton bid??? Perhaps any leaks coming from the Thunder. Or should I assume for now that the Thunder organization is keeping lips sealed until the deal is signed on the dotted line??? Anyway, I will wish the city of Hamilton all the best of luck on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 Anyone else ever wonder where the players to stock these teams will be coming from? Edmonton's in and will be drawing from the local talent pool, at some expense to Calgary. I would think both Calgary and Edmonton not to mention the Hamilton & Ottawa clubs will be run at least at first on some very set budgets (if they get in). So you wouldn't expect a heck of a lot of outside help being brought in. So you're stuck pretty much with local players and the usual footballing suspects (near pensioners, student players, and overseas footy dreamers from well-to-do familys looking for a chance). The only problem with using locals is in some cases the best local players just can't interupt their careers to play full time football all summer. Great to be able to get them out for the home matchs, but then you still have to have someone available to play the away matchs. Which of course means another body and another expense. And using locals restricts your style of play to what your talent pool can harvest. If you need a playmaking offensive center mid. because your best local who happens also to be the best player in the city just can't cut it at the A-League level you're put into a position where said local is put into another position and you recruit an outsider or you live with what you got and make due. I like the idea of using mostly local players. But it certainly makes for some tricky managing. Clearly it's a bit cheaper initialy, housing costs and what not. But then again you'll have players who will play for the local club but will retire before allowing themselves to be sold to another side. Just a thought that's been in my head for a wee while now. A-League expansion which seems to be evolving, so on, so forth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 quote:Originally posted by thunderguy I am of two minds about this. On the one hand I really hope that all 3 teams are accepted into the A-league. It would 'raise the bar' and be great for the local players and fans. On the other hand, what kind of league accepts: Calgary -troubled past ownership and fan support It shouldn't be a worry. Past ownership is past ownership and new ownership shouldn't be half as bad as the last, if they actually market the team and don't run things half assed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Cheeta Anyone else ever wonder where the players to stock these teams will be coming from? I guess the same places that all the other A-League teams get their players from. If they can't find enough talent in this country to stock 5 teams then we are in worse shape than anybody thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamiltonfan Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 Luis i really havent heard that much other then they will tell us in mid November. there not tell me anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 I have the impression (in Ottawa's case) that it was the CPSL who ran a really ridiculous, unprofessional operation and the Wizards refused to play the game. Also, player-pool wise, I know that Ottawa could probably pick up a few Québécois players who have been overlooked by the Impact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJT Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Daniel I have the impression (in Ottawa's case) that it was the CPSL who ran a really ridiculous, unprofessional operation and the Wizards refused to play the game. Well, that's partly true, but it's not the whole story. Your impression of the CPSL is accurate, but that doesn't mean that the Wizards were always correct, especially in how they handled the problems. Moreover, their owner did several things that weren't very professional (enough for the A-League, anyway) himself, and has a history of being involved in law suits and other disagreements surrounding his soccer teams (I refuse to believe this is just a coincidence). It is my belief that no CPSL team can succeed in the A-League at this time. I'm not talking about whether they have the necessary talent or the ability to get the necessary talent. I'm talking about the fact that none of the organizations are run in a manner that is professional enough for the A-League. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argh1 Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 Pro enuff for the A-League eh?? Ottawa was top of the table for at least two years in a row. I say bring 'em on, Hamilton too!!Even playing at OZ stadium is no worse than some other A-League venues. We think soccer gets no media , try getting news 'bout the Americas Olympic Baseball qualifing that's happening now in Panama! Soccer people get a grip!The game is growing , there will be stable clubs and unstable clubs . But let natural selection occur .There's probably 6-10 cities in Canada, that will support pro soccer and it's been what 30 years counting NASL days. The Argos have been 130 years and still searching for a market? give the game time !Watching the game grow is almost as much fun as the game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 I hate it when people say soccer only started here 30 years ago. As for Ottawa being pro-enough for the A-League, theres more to being pro than winning a lot of games in a basically amateur league. Oz Optics stadium is not up to A-League standards. It's certainly too small, and only a very few A-League stadiums are worse (professionally and size wise). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snake Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 canada won the gold medal for soccer in the olympics about 90 years ago.why wouldnt the ottawa team play out of frank clair?dont know much about oz stadium but from what i hear its no better and smaller than foothills park.also carp stadium only seats a thousand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamiltonfan Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 Im not sure where Hamilton would play. For the first year i think Brinne Timmens or Ivor Wynne. BUt fot the seacon i heard the owner was going to build a soccer stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydog2006 Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 I would not hold my breath on anything the hamilton owner says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamiltonfan Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 He owns contruction companys, so i dont think it would be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Boy Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 quote:Originally posted by hamiltonfan He owns contruction companys, so i dont think it would be a problem. Owning a construction company and having the resources to build and operate a stadium are 2 different things. Milan Illich (owns a huge construction company)owned the 86ers but didn't give us a new stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argh1 Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Look , I'm not saying soccer is 30 years old in this country.As a rec sport it's as old as the game itself. But as a spectator sport 1967 Vancouver Canadians in the NASL were probably the , maybe a team in Toronto, 1st and that's all I'm saying soccer as a spectator sport. The 1st team I remember seeing on TV was a team called the Montreal Olympic in the 70's.That was well after I fell in love with QPR on CBC Sunday afternoons, 'course my Dad was from Belfast and kept talking 'bout Rangers and that's who in my young mind I thought he meant. But I digress , Slo-Pitch is a popular rec sport, but is it a spectator sport? A game is a spectator sport , when enough folk pay to see a game week in and week out, or demand enough of television that enough advertising can be sold to broadcast regular league games.This is what I mean by evolution or growth. Not the game as a game itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Don't mean to be picky, but you have to go back even further. Toronto City, Toronto Italia, Montreal Cantalia and a team in Hamilton whose name temporarily eludes me played in the Eastern Canadian Professional Soccer League in the late 50's & early 60's. Sir Stanley Matthews himself played for Toronto City, and the league drew large crowds, generally much larger than the crowds the Lynx get in Toronto today. My father testifies that the crowds were often in the 10 to 14,000 area when Matthews played for Toronto City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 You should try to bone up on the history of the game. Try: http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/history/index.asp?sub2=13 Crowds larger than go to A-League games used to pack in small stadiums way back in the 30's and 40's to watch the Canadian senior club soccer championships. Here's an article I reposted on my site that shows that way back in 1938 North Shore United won the championship in front of over 5000 in Winnipeg. http://pub199.ezboard.com/fcanadiansoccersupportersfrm9.showMessage?topicID=242.topic As for exhibitions between foriegn clubs they've been held in Canada in front of large crowds for the longest time as well. The first soccer match at Empire stadium was in 1956 when Everton played Aberdeen in front of 18363 people. 24264 showed up at Empire for a game between Real Madrid and Toronto City in 1961. To suggest that Canadian soccer only existed as recreational sport and not a spectator sport until 1967 is wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Heh, just noticed my opening lines to that post that I made back in August about people here thinking how soccer is a relatively new sport in Canada. How appropriate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted November 4, 2003 Share Posted November 4, 2003 Further to the point about games played years ago for spectator entertainment, I was cruising Victoria United's site and they have a whack of information about the games played at Royal Athletic Park. http://www.victoriaunited.com/archive/rap.html Glasgow Rangers, Fulham, Tottenham, Wolves, England Select squads, etc. have all been to Victoria. There is a rich, rich history of the game in Canada. In retrospect, they had it quite good in those days. Lots of soccer being played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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