Brampton Lions
Encyclopedia
Brampton City United FC are a Canadian soccer team, founded in 2002. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League
, the third tier of competition in the Canadian soccer pyramid
and the largest domestic pro league in Canada
. The club plays out of Victoria Park Stadium
in the community of Brampton, Ontario
.
in Scarborough
for three years. On March 30, 2005 it was announced the Metro lions were purchased by Oakville Soccer Club, and Oakville Premier Soccer Academy relocated to Oakville
for the 2005 CPSL season, and the franchise was renamed to the Oakville Blue Devils. Former Toronto Lynx
head coach, and president of the Premier Soccer Academy Duncan Wilde was appointed manager. Wilde brought in the likes of former USL
players which included Darren Baxter, Aaron Steele
, Shawn Faria
, Igor Prostan, and CSL veterans Phil Ionadi, Sa Brahima Traore, and Marko Bedenikovic
. He was able to led the Blue Devils in capturing their first Rogers Cup
victory.
After the 2005 season Wilde resigned from his head coaching position, in order to manage to the Toronto Lynx again. During the 2006 season former team captain Phil Ionadi was appointed the new manager. He led them in clinching the National Conference, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing 2–1 to the Windsor Border Stars.
In 2007 because of the Club's administration was totally committed to the development of soccer, the Blue Devils relocated back to Scarborough and were renamed the Canadian Lions.
On March 13, 2008 the Lions were relocated to Brampton
for the 2008 season, prompting another name change to Brampton Lions but still maintaining the team's name, logo, history and statistics. The Lions announced their coaching staff on March 30, signing Armando Costa
as manager.
On April 10 the team held a press conference announcing their management team, hiring the likes of former Hitmen captain Phil Ionadi as the Director of Business Operations, Barry Goldlist as the Vice President, Bill Dixon as the CFO, and Costa as the Director of Soccer Operations and Manager. On March 29, 2009 the Brampton Lions announced the affiliation with Dixie Soccer Club where Dixie SC will serve as the reserve side for the Lions while playing in the CSL Reserve Division
.
On January 16, 2011 Brampton announced another re-branding. This time Brampton United will be the team's name. The new crest bears a strong resemblance to the English Premier League's Manchester United, with a majestic lion in place of Manchester's traditional red devil.
for sponsorship reasons] on October 10, 2005 in a 2-1 match against the Vaughan Shooters at Esther Shiner Stadium
. The winning goal was scored during extra time in the 100' minute by Ryan Gamble
. At the time, the club was still known as the Oakville Blue Devils.
Martin Artale 
Marko Bedenikovic
Shawn Faria Phil Ionadi 
Marko Janjicek Michael Marchese Liam Martin 
Daniel Nascimento 
Kevin Omokhu 
Peter Petropanagos Igor Prostan
Darren Baxter Aaron Steele
Jay Wright Nordo Gooden Daryl Gomez Brahima Sa Traoré Mohammed Kanu Hayden Fitzwilliams
Ryan Reece
Canadian Soccer League
The Canadian Soccer League is the top soccer league in Canada and is controlled by the Canadian Soccer Association. It was formerly known as the Canadian Professional Soccer League , and was officially re-branded on May 17, 2006...
, the third tier of competition in the Canadian soccer pyramid
Canadian soccer pyramid
The Canadian soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in Canada. The governing body of soccer in the country is the Canadian Soccer Association , which oversees the system and domestic cups but does not operate any of its component leagues...
and the largest domestic pro league in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The club plays out of Victoria Park Stadium
Victoria Park Stadium
The Victoria Park Stadium is soccer venue located in Brampton, Ontario and is home to the Brampton Lions of the Canadian Soccer League....
in the community of Brampton, Ontario
Brampton, Ontario
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
.
History
The team first entered the league as the Metro Lions in 2002, playing at Birchmount StadiumBirchmount Stadium
Birchmount Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor sports facility in Scarborough, Ontario near Kingston Road and Birchmount Road. Its capacity is 6,000 and was built for the then Borough of Scarborough....
in Scarborough
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
for three years. On March 30, 2005 it was announced the Metro lions were purchased by Oakville Soccer Club, and Oakville Premier Soccer Academy relocated to Oakville
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
for the 2005 CPSL season, and the franchise was renamed to the Oakville Blue Devils. Former Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
head coach, and president of the Premier Soccer Academy Duncan Wilde was appointed manager. Wilde brought in the likes of former USL
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
players which included Darren Baxter, Aaron Steele
Aaron Steele
Aaron Steele is an English, Canadian-based soccer defender who most recently played for Toronto Lynx in the USL Premier Development League.-Hamilton Thunder:...
, Shawn Faria
Shawn Faria
Shawn Faria is a former Canadian soccer player who most recently played for Toronto Lynx in the USL First Division.-Playing career:...
, Igor Prostan, and CSL veterans Phil Ionadi, Sa Brahima Traore, and Marko Bedenikovic
Marko Bedenikovic
Marko Bedenikovic is an Canadian soccer player currently playing for Portugal FC.-Playing career:He began playing soccer at the college level for the San Francisco Dons in 2001, and 2002, before turning professional in 2003 with Toronto Olympians of the Canadian Professional Soccer League...
. He was able to led the Blue Devils in capturing their first Rogers Cup
Rogers Cup (soccer)
The Canadian Soccer League championship final is the final play-off game of the Canadian Soccer League and its predecessor the Canadian Professional Soccer League...
victory.
After the 2005 season Wilde resigned from his head coaching position, in order to manage to the Toronto Lynx again. During the 2006 season former team captain Phil Ionadi was appointed the new manager. He led them in clinching the National Conference, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing 2–1 to the Windsor Border Stars.
In 2007 because of the Club's administration was totally committed to the development of soccer, the Blue Devils relocated back to Scarborough and were renamed the Canadian Lions.
On March 13, 2008 the Lions were relocated to Brampton
Brampton, Ontario
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
for the 2008 season, prompting another name change to Brampton Lions but still maintaining the team's name, logo, history and statistics. The Lions announced their coaching staff on March 30, signing Armando Costa
Armando Costa (soccer)
Armando Costa is a Canadian immigrant, Portugese musician, soccer coach and retired player. He is currently the head coach and Director of Soccer Operations for Brampton City United FC of the Canadian Soccer League....
as manager.
On April 10 the team held a press conference announcing their management team, hiring the likes of former Hitmen captain Phil Ionadi as the Director of Business Operations, Barry Goldlist as the Vice President, Bill Dixon as the CFO, and Costa as the Director of Soccer Operations and Manager. On March 29, 2009 the Brampton Lions announced the affiliation with Dixie Soccer Club where Dixie SC will serve as the reserve side for the Lions while playing in the CSL Reserve Division
CSL Reserve Division
The Canadian Soccer League Reserve Division is the top reserve league which serve the Canadian Soccer League first division, the top soccer league in Canada and is sanctioned by the Ontario Soccer Association.- History :...
.
On January 16, 2011 Brampton announced another re-branding. This time Brampton United will be the team's name. The new crest bears a strong resemblance to the English Premier League's Manchester United, with a majestic lion in place of Manchester's traditional red devil.
Current squad
As of August 15, 2011.Crest
As the Lions, the team maintained a similar logo for most of their history, aside from the 2005 and 2006 seasons when they were purchased by the Oakville Soccer Club and renamed the Oakville Blue Devils. The modified version of the Lions logo returned when the team was relocated to Scarborough, and once again when the team was moved to Brampton. For the 2011 season the club underwent a complete rebranding and received a new crest similar in style to Manchester United. The new crest pays homage to the club's history with a heraldic lion featured in the center.Honours
Brampton United captured their first CSL Championship [known at the time as the Rogers CupRogers Cup (soccer)
The Canadian Soccer League championship final is the final play-off game of the Canadian Soccer League and its predecessor the Canadian Professional Soccer League...
for sponsorship reasons] on October 10, 2005 in a 2-1 match against the Vaughan Shooters at Esther Shiner Stadium
Esther Shiner Stadium
Esther Shiner Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor sports facility in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located in North York, on the north-west corner of Bathurst Street and Finch Avenue West...
. The winning goal was scored during extra time in the 100' minute by Ryan Gamble
Ryan Gamble
Ryan Gamble is an Australian rules football uncontracted player in the Australian Football League . Gamble previously played for the Geelong Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club.-Early life:...
. At the time, the club was still known as the Oakville Blue Devils.
- Rogers CupRogers Cup (soccer)The Canadian Soccer League championship final is the final play-off game of the Canadian Soccer League and its predecessor the Canadian Professional Soccer League...
: 1
-
- 2005
- National Conference: 1
- 2006
- 2005
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "1" | CPSL | 2nd, Eastern | Semi Final |
| 2003 | "1" | CPSL | 5th, Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | "1" | CPSL | 2nd, Eastern | Quarter Final |
| 2005 | "1" | CPSL | 2nd, Western | Champions |
| 2006 | "1" | CSL | 1st, National | Quarter Final |
| 2007 | "1" | CSL | 4th, National | Quarter Final |
| 2008 | "1" | CSL | 3rd, National | Quarter Final |
| 2009 | "1" | CSL | 3rd, National | Quarter Final |
| 2010 | "1" | CSL | 10th | Did not qualify |
Notable players
Martin Artale Marko BedenikovicMarko Bedenikovic
Marko Bedenikovic is an Canadian soccer player currently playing for Portugal FC.-Playing career:He began playing soccer at the college level for the San Francisco Dons in 2001, and 2002, before turning professional in 2003 with Toronto Olympians of the Canadian Professional Soccer League...
Shawn Faria Phil Ionadi Marko Janjicek Michael Marchese Liam Martin Daniel Nascimento Kevin Omokhu Peter Petropanagos Igor ProstanDarren Baxter Aaron Steele
Aaron Steele
Aaron Steele is an English, Canadian-based soccer defender who most recently played for Toronto Lynx in the USL Premier Development League.-Hamilton Thunder:...
Jay Wright Nordo Gooden Daryl Gomez Brahima Sa Traoré Mohammed Kanu Hayden Fitzwilliams
Ryan Reece