Hamilton NASL Expansion

[PJSweet]

NASL EXPANSION NEWS: On Wednesday July 10th, it appears that Hamilton Ti-Cats owner Bob Young had this to say to his fans on an internet fan forum about Hamilton's NASL bid: "...Lots of percolation. Nothing is the least bit decided yet, but there are many interesting discussions taking place. It will probably be quite a while before anything firms up enough to make the news. But something positive is likely to happen some day. It is a soccer stadium after all..." - Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

It appears that something is on the move in Steel Town Canada, but it all depends when Hamilton has their new stadium up-and-running. According to Joe Patrone, Hamilton may not be in the NASL until 2016. By the same token, I hope Bob Young revives the following names for the Hamilton bid: Hamilton Steelers or Steel Town FC.

[marauder01]

With a the nice new "Tim Horton's" field going up, it would be a great addition to the NASL. Lots of soccer fans in Hamilton, certainly the market is there.

I would love to see this happen.

And my vote is for Steel Town FC.

[PJSweet]

My vote is in for Hamilton Steelers.

[madmonte]

I like the sound of Steel Town FC but being from Alberta, my vote doesn't count.

[DigzTFC]

It might be me but this sounds like they're thinking outside the NASL. There was an article I posted in the main Div 2 Expansion thread that basically stated Montopoli/CSA and the CFL/Stadium owners were working together on the expansion of soccer in Canada.

Now I'm basing my premise on the fact that a regional U23 league would not require a full stadium to operate out of....but I think the CSA, despite the findings of the Rethink Report, are working on a div 2 and a div 3. What little reports that are out there do not lend themselves to one structure. It seems like they are working in parallel. Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Hamilton, Winnipeg are 5 confirmed or possible NASL Canadian locations. It would stand to reason that the MLS teams would look towards a affiliation franchises like a Victoria, Kingston, Quebec City.

Too much chatter is going on with too many Canadian locations for the NASL alone.

[alberta white]

Hamilton Steelers AFC anybody?

AFC been used in that sense which defines it as an Association Football Club, as opposed to a Canadian Football Club.

AFC has been used in the UK to distinguish between Ruby and Football clubs from the same Town.

Leeds United AFC Leeds RLFC (Rebranded as since Leeds Rhinos R.L.F.C. the inauguration of Superleague)

Bradford City A.F.C. as opposed to Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club (used to be called Bradford Northern Rugby League Club) etc

[Jason]

It might be me but this sounds like they're thinking outside the NASL. There was an article I posted in the main Div 2 Expansion thread that basically stated Montopoli/CSA and the CFL/Stadium owners were working together on the expansion of soccer in Canada.

Now I'm basing my premise on the fact that a regional U23 league would not require a full stadium to operate out of....but I think the CSA, despite the findings of the Rethink Report, are working on a div 2 and a div 3. What little reports that are out there do not lend themselves to one structure. It seems like they are working in parallel. Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Hamilton, Winnipeg are 5 confirmed or possible NASL Canadian locations. It would stand to reason that the MLS teams would look towards a affiliation franchises like a Victoria, Kingston, Quebec City.

Too much chatter is going on with too many Canadian locations for the NASL alone.

You may be right, but I think for now the CSA wants there to be a critical mass of at least 5 clubs before they consider making their own D2 league. Today there is one solid club in FC Edmonton. I expect that the Ottawa Fury will be a quality second addition. Calgary, Winnipeg, and Hamilton are nothing more than ideas right now, but ideally if a couple of these take off that gives you 4 (I think a success rate of 2 out of 3 would be pretty good). There are rumours of a southern Ontario NASL club which could be another possibility.

Once you have about 5, the CSA could start looking around for 1-3 more cities to create a 6-8 team league. There are a lot of possibilities out there but I think we're still several years away from planning our own D2 league.

Jason

[ted]

It might be me but this sounds like they're thinking outside the NASL. There was an article I posted in the main Div 2 Expansion thread that basically stated Montopoli/CSA and the CFL/Stadium owners were working together on the expansion of soccer in Canada.

You may be right, but I think for now the CSA wants there to be a critical mass of at least 5 clubs before they consider making their own D2 league.

OK, how do I put this politely... What have you guys been smoking?

It is July, 2013 and as of right now the CSA is out of the D2 business and has officially passed on all responsibility for D3 to the provinces.

Did I miss a press conference while I was in Seattle where the CSA changed their mind again?

[Blackdude]

The CSA doesn't want to organize a D2 for now. But if there are multiple Canadian teams, perhaps in 5, 6 years, they'll think about creating their own 2nd division.

[Winnipeg Fury]

My vote is in for Hamilton Steelers.

plus one

[baulderdash77]

I think Hamilton Hornets FC or Hamilton Yellowjackets FC would be good names. I was thinking of things that are black and gold and that was something that to me resonated well. Whatever the team is the colours would have to be black and gold.

I seem to remember a thread a long time ago with potential jersey looks on them.

[Red and White]

The CSA doesn't want to organize a D2 for now. But if there are multiple Canadian teams, perhaps in 5, 6 years, they'll think about creating their own 2nd division.

Would they have any power to do so in 5-6 years? As far as I can tell, both MLS and NASL will continue to grow into viable leagues (MLS much more certain than NASL, of course). Would clubs be willing to leave stable leagues for the uncertainty of a start-up Canadian league? In all honesty, they would likely consider the fact that the CSA has a terrible track record with organizing anything. And, if a club voluntarily leaves MLS and NASL, I think its presumptuous to assume that they would be welcomed back if the Canadian league dissolves. That would leave the club in a terrible position. If I were a team, I wouldn't be willing to risk that at all.

The CSA has had multiple chances to start div 1 or div 2 leagues before MLS and, recently, NASL came into the Canadian club mix. But, with 5+ key markets already poached by those leagues, there's very little the CSA can do at this point. They can (1) put second teams in cities with MLS/NASL clubs or (2) force clubs who may not be willing to abandon their league for a Canadian one. (1) is not realistic and would lead to disaster as clubs fold, and if (2) were somehow possible in any way, it is a horrible way of doing business.

The only way I see anything close to a Canadian div1/div2 league anytime soon is if NASL creates a Canadian division. I don't think that will happen because the CSA has little influence over them. They answer to the USSF.

The CSA has chosen the path they are taking with respect to domestic leagues. They've outsourced div1/div2 to another federation's program, and div3 responsibilities have been thrown to the provinces. They can't turn back on anything now, its way too late.

[Trillium]

Would they have any power to do so in 5-6 years? As far as I can tell, both MLS and NASL will continue to grow into viable leagues (MLS much more certain than NASL, of course). Would clubs be willing to leave stable leagues for the uncertainty of a start-up Canadian league? In all honesty, they would likely consider the fact that the CSA has a terrible track record with organizing anything. And, if a club voluntarily leaves MLS and NASL, I think its presumptuous to assume that they would be welcomed back if the Canadian league dissolves. That would leave the club in a terrible position. If I were a team, I wouldn't be willing to risk that at all.

The CSA has had multiple chances to start div 1 or div 2 leagues before MLS and, recently, NASL came into the Canadian club mix. But, with 5+ key markets already poached by those leagues, there's very little the CSA can do at this point. They can (1) put second teams in cities with MLS/NASL clubs or (2) force clubs who may not be willing to abandon their league for a Canadian one. (1) is not realistic and would lead to disaster as clubs fold, and if (2) were somehow possible in any way, it is a horrible way of doing business.

The only way I see anything close to a Canadian div1/div2 league anytime soon is if NASL creates a Canadian division. I don't think that will happen because the CSA has little influence over them. They answer to the USSF.

The CSA has chosen the path they are taking with respect to domestic leagues. They've outsourced div1/div2 to another federation's program, and div3 responsibilities have been thrown to the provinces. They can't turn back on anything now, its way too late.

The CSA will continue to become more and more distant from professional club soccer in Canada, they have decided to just run the MNT and WNT and spend millions per year doing it by taxing little kids playing u6 soccer.

[alberta white]

Did I not here something a while ago that It is behoven upon FIFA, should Canada reach a point where it has 10 or 12 professional teams to call upon the CSA to form its own National League, Irrespective of NASL / MLS affiliations?

Obviously If this was the case the greatest effect would be on Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto Would they be able to claim a grandfathering option similar to the Welsh teams in the EFL/ EPL, or is their Sojourn in the MLS too short, or too recent to count?

Also, would it be interesting to run a comparison the CFL, as it too operates with 8 teams?

[Blackdude]

The CSA has to sanction clubs to play in NASL, don't you forget that.

[ted]

The CSA doesn't want to organize a D2 for now. But if there are multiple Canadian teams, perhaps in 5, 6 years, they'll think about creating their own 2nd division.

Sure that is possible, but those two were talking like it was happening right now. I know as Canada fans we have to have some minimum level of delusion but there has to be a limit.

[Ivanovski94]

I think Hamilton Hornets FC or Hamilton Yellowjackets FC would be good names. I was thinking of things that are black and gold and that was something that to me resonated well. Whatever the team is the colours would have to be black and gold.

I seem to remember a thread a long time ago with potential jersey looks on them.

Copy the jerseys of CA Panarol from Uruguay.

[baulderdash77]

That would be awesome actually.

Throw in a Tim Horton's logo and it's good to go.

[Soccerpro]

There's a sweet stadium FOR SOCCER for the panam games. If Hamilton can't come up with an NASL team with that new stadium (for the ticats after) then who can?

[baulderdash77]

I didn't notice before but there is a 2 level social viewing patio in the North End below the scoreboard and a 1 level patio in the South End. The 2 level patio would be perfect for a supporters group to go.

Their idea is that it's available for anyone to go and mingle in similar to the old window's restaurant area in Rogers Center is now set up.

[ted]

The CSA will continue to become more and more distant from professional club soccer in Canada, they have decided to just run the MNT and WNT...

^ This may be the most succinct and insightful description of the current situation I have seen.

...and spend millions per year doing it by taxing little kids playing u6 soccer.

This I do not believe. I believe that they are genuinely making a good faith effort to support our national team programs using revenue generated by the national teams including sponsorships. No, they are not there yet but it is possible to reduce the dependency on registration revenue.

[baulderdash77]

In a way I'm content that the CSA lets pro soccer go by itself in Canada. They're only going to botch things up at this point. Let them focus on the CMNT and CWNT and the development system and that's it.

[ted]

^ pretty much how I feel.

[alberta white]

In a way I'm content that the CSA lets pro soccer go by itself in Canada. They're only going to botch things up at this point. Let them focus on the CMNT and CWNT and the development system and that's it.

As A point of reference, when English football went "pro" in 1888 after The Football Association finally permitted professionalism on 20 July 1885.

This extract from wiki (hey, its a ready reference nest-pa?)

"A director of Aston Villa, William McGregor, was the first to set out to bring some order to a chaotic world where clubs arranged their own fixtures, along with various cup competitions.[6] On 2 March 1888, he wrote to the committee of his own club, Aston Villa, as well as to those of Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, Stoke F.C. and West Bromwich Albion; suggesting the creation of a league competition that would provide a number of guaranteed fixtures for its member clubs each season. "

Thing to note is that the suggestion was made to existing clubs to form a league, rather than a league been created and teams been raised to fill slots on the roster.

For Similar to happen in Canada Tom Fath or A.N. Other of Somewhere United would need to write a letter to say, Victoria Highlanders, The Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Edmonton, Calgary (Cow) City AFC, Saskatchewan United, Winnipeg Wanderers, TFC, Hamilton Steelers FC, Ottawa Fury FC, Montreal Impact, Moncton Town, and St John United AFC to see if they would like to Join a League.

Should everybody buy into the Idea, then It would be a matter of sanctioning by the CSA.

Obviously some of the team listed are flights of imagination, However that's still 12 names and 4 more than play in the CFL.

As an Aside I though a picture of Mr McG, would be appropriate, considering the grandness of his beard.

[-Hammer-]

I do hope something comes of this, and there isn't just wheel spinning going on here. My choice for a name is Hamilton City SC