Forever rivals Firefighters FC and Columbus FC will meet again on a Sunday afternoon in Vancouver, albeit this time under much friendlier circumstances.
On March 24, heroes from the two organizations will be inducted to the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame as part of a special class of p ast Canadian players from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
Burnaby’s Gary Stevens and Gino Vazzoler played on rival sides for a decade, spanning 1961 to ‘71, but both will on the pitch again to represent their clubs, alongside Jim Blundell and Bobby Smith.
Stevens and Blundell played for the Firefighters, while Vazzoler and Smith were of Columbus FC.
In all, 12 honoured players, including seven posthumously, will be inducted to the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame during the Canada vs. French Guiana match at BC Place.
During the 1960s, the four all-stars – Blundell, Stevens, Smith and Vazzoler – were part of the most heated rivalries in Canadian soccer.
They’ll be joined in the hall by the other surviving member, Regina’s John Schepers, of the long-ago rivalry. Also being honoured posthumously are Harry Phillips of Toronto, Bill Gill of Montreal, and Frank Ambler, Eddie Bak, Don Matheson, Bobby Newbold, and Jackie Whent of Vancouver.
This expanded class recognizes players from an older era from well before the Hall of Fame was established. All 12 were stars for more than a decade in Canada’s biggest leagues from the 1940s through 1960s, notably the Pacific Coast League, the Western Canada League, and the National League of Ontario and Quebec.
The Canada Soccer Hall of Fame will induct these athletes at halftime of the upcoming Canada vs. French Guiana match.
“Canada Soccer congratulates this group of honoured members who all made a positive impact on the game during a unique era of growth for our sport across the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s,” said Steven Reed, Canada Soccer president. “In honouring this group of stars, the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame ensures that their commitment, their achievements, and their passion for Canadian soccer is celebrated amongst the greats of the game in Canada.”
The Canada Soccer Hall of Fame celebrates the individual and team achievements and traditions in the game of soccer in Canada. Including this group of 12 players, the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame has welcomed 126 players, 13 players/coaches, 10 officials, and 40 builders as honoured members since 2000.
