Calgary Kickers

History

The Kickers' genesis was a team formed in 1953 and represented Alberta inter-provincially several times including winning the 1974 Challenge Trophy and held exhibition matches against professional sides such as Edmonton Drillers.

The Kickers joined the Canadian Soccer League as one of the inaugural franchises for the 1987 season. Prior to the 1987 season, the Kickers had sold more than 2,000 season tickets. They opened their first preseason against English club Sheffield Wednesday. They were sometimes known as the Metro Ford Kickers or Calgary Metro Ford Kickers, after the name of their team sponsor.

During the league's first season, Calgary finished with an 11–5–4 record to finish first in their division and the league, earning a bye in the first round of the playoffs. In the playoffs, they defeated the Vancouver 86ers 4–3 in extra time, advancing to the finals where they defeated Hamilton to win the inaugural Mita Cup title.

The Kickers' second season was less successful, falling to a 6–6–13 record, finishing third in the West division. The team went through tremendous financial difficulty during the season, which included them trading 1987 league MVP Nick Gilbert to the Toronto Blizzard in exchange for a draft pick and cash. Following the 1988 season the team folded and the players were dispersed via a draft, as the Kickers succumbed to their financial problems.

In 1989, a new community owned team named the Calgary Strikers was founded to replace the Kickers. despite a private individual who was rumored to be interested in operating the team in 1990 and who had fronted money for the community-owned team to be able to travel for the playoffs.

Seasons

as Calgary Kickers

as Calgary Strikers

Notable players

• ENG Len Cantello
• CAN John Catliff
• CAN Barry Deardon
• CAN Nick Gilbert
• CAN Sven Habermann
• CAN Greg Kern
• USA Neil Megson
• CAN David Norman
• CAN David Phillips
• SCO Andy Smith
• IRE Joe Waters
• CAN Gregor Young

References

References

1. Konotopetz, Gyle. (May 17, 1983). "Ranger-Kickers spring into action". Calgary Herald Newspaper.
2. "Canadian Soccer League (1987-1992)". Fun While it Lasted.
3. Litterer, Dave. "Canadian Soccer League I". Soccer History USA.
4. MacDonald, Archie. (February 26, 1987). "Soccer rebirth". [[The Vancouver Sun]].
5. (1987). "Calgary Kickers - Edmonton Brick Men Game Program". Calgary Kickers.
6. "Calgary Kickers/Strikers (1987-89)". CSL Memories.
7. Litterer, David. (December 12, 2011). "The Year in American Soccer 1988". American Soccer History Archives.
8. Crossley, Drew. (October 26, 2019). "1989 Calgary Strikers". Fun While it Lasted.
9. (January 25, 2007). "Western Soccer Alliance 1988 Season". A-League Archives.
10. "Soccer Profile". [[Cavalry FC]].
11. "Canadian Soccer League Standings Archive". Canada Soccer History Archives.