Sarnia Imperials
Encyclopedia
The Sarnia Imperials were a football team from Sarnia, Ontario
and a member of the Ontario Rugby Football Union
, a league that preceded the Canadian Football League
and contested for the Grey Cup until 1955. In their history, the Imperials appeared in three Grey Cup
championship games, winning twice in 1934 and in 1936.
in 1928, enjoying immediate success as they finished first in their division that year, only to lose the ORFU Final to the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers
. The team would go on to enjoy great success for the next 12 years, missing the post-season only once and winning the ORFU Final 10 of those 12 years. Sarnia played in their first Grey Cup
championship game in 1933
, which was also the only time the city hosted the Grey Cup game. However, the Imperials lost a low-scoring affair, falling 4-3 to the Toronto Argonauts
in what would prove to become the lowest scoring Grey Cup game to date.
The team reversed their fortunes the next year, as they returned to the Dominion championship and came out victorious, defeating the Regina Roughriders 20-12 in the 22nd Grey Cup
game. After losing to the Hamilton Tigers
in the Eastern Final in 1935
, the Imperials would return to the Grey Cup
game in 1936
. The team would secure their second Grey Cup win after their victory over the Ottawa Rough Riders
in the 24th Grey Cup
game.
While they would not return to the Grey Cup game, one of their more memorable victories came in 1937
, when they crushed Montreal 63-0 in a Grey Cup quarter-final. This came at a time when touchdowns were worth only five points. The Imperials ceased play in the ORFU after the 1939
season due to World War II
.
.
Overall, the Imperials won their first ORFU title in 1929, then reeled off nine straight Ontario championships from 1931 to 1939. They also won the ORFU crown in 1951 and 1952, giving them a total of 12 championships, in addition to their two Grey Cups.
The team played its home matches at Sarnia's Athletic Park, now known as Norm Perry
Park after the former star football player and Sarnia mayor.
, Canada's top league for adult amateur play.
Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada . It is the largest city on Lake Huron and is located where the upper Great Lakes empty into the St. Clair River....
and a member of the Ontario Rugby Football Union
Ontario Rugby Football Union
The Ontario Rugby Football Union or ORFU was an early amateur Canadian football league with teams in the Canadian province of Ontario. The ORFU was founded in 1883 and in 1903 became the first major competition to adopt the Burnside Rules, from which the modern Canadian football code would...
, a league that preceded the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and contested for the Grey Cup until 1955. In their history, the Imperials appeared in three Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
championship games, winning twice in 1934 and in 1936.
Pre-war
The Imperials first began playing in the ORFUOrfu
Orfű is a village in Baranya county, Hungary. The settlement is a well-known pleasure resort.- External links :* *...
in 1928, enjoying immediate success as they finished first in their division that year, only to lose the ORFU Final to the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers
Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers
The Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers were a Canadian football team based in Toronto, Ontario and a member of the Ontario Rugby Football Union, a league that preceded the Canadian Football League...
. The team would go on to enjoy great success for the next 12 years, missing the post-season only once and winning the ORFU Final 10 of those 12 years. Sarnia played in their first Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
championship game in 1933
21st Grey Cup
The 21st Grey Cup game was the Canadian football championship in 1933. Toronto Argonauts defeated Sarnia Imperials 4–3 at Sarnia's Davis Field on December 9 before a crowd of 2,751....
, which was also the only time the city hosted the Grey Cup game. However, the Imperials lost a low-scoring affair, falling 4-3 to the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
in what would prove to become the lowest scoring Grey Cup game to date.
The team reversed their fortunes the next year, as they returned to the Dominion championship and came out victorious, defeating the Regina Roughriders 20-12 in the 22nd Grey Cup
22nd Grey Cup
The 22nd Grey Cup was played on November 24, 1934, before 8,900 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.The Sarnia Imperials defeated the Regina Roughriders 20 to 12....
game. After losing to the Hamilton Tigers
Hamilton Tigers (football)
The Hamilton Tigers were a Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario that played in the Ontario Rugby Football Union from 1883 to 1906 and 1948 to 1949 and in the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union from 1907 to 1947. The club was a founding member of both the ORFU in 1883 and the IRFU in...
in the Eastern Final in 1935
1935 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1935:The Winnipeg 'Pegs became the first Western Canadian team to win the Grey Cup by defeating the Hamilton Tigers, 18–12, in Hamilton.The Calgary franchise became known as the "Bronks"....
, the Imperials would return to the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
game in 1936
1936 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1936:Teams from the WIFU and IRFU are restricted to a maximum of five imports and players who had lived in Canada for one full year were eligible to play in the Grey Cup game. The WIFU was formed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Bronks, and the Regina...
. The team would secure their second Grey Cup win after their victory over the Ottawa Rough Riders
Ottawa Rough Riders
The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. One of the oldest and longest lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine times. Their most dominant era was the 1960s and 1970s, a...
in the 24th Grey Cup
24th Grey Cup
The 24th Grey Cup was played on December 5, 1936, before 5,883 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.The Sarnia Imperials defeated the Ottawa Rough Riders 26 to 20....
game.
While they would not return to the Grey Cup game, one of their more memorable victories came in 1937
1937 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1937:The Quebec Rugby Football Union began to compete for the Grey Cup.-Final regular season standings:Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points...
, when they crushed Montreal 63-0 in a Grey Cup quarter-final. This came at a time when touchdowns were worth only five points. The Imperials ceased play in the ORFU after the 1939
1940 in Canadian football
-Canadian Football News in 1940:The only two-game total point series in Grey Cup history was played between the Ottawa Rough Riders and the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers....
season due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Post-war
After the Second World War, the Imperials were not as dominant as they had been before. In their last ten years of existence, they won just two ORFU titles, in 1951 and 1952. Not only this, but it became more difficult for ORFU teams to compete against teams in the IRFU and the WIFU, as no teams since the end of the World War qualified for the Grey CupGrey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
.
Overall, the Imperials won their first ORFU title in 1929, then reeled off nine straight Ontario championships from 1931 to 1939. They also won the ORFU crown in 1951 and 1952, giving them a total of 12 championships, in addition to their two Grey Cups.
The team played its home matches at Sarnia's Athletic Park, now known as Norm Perry
Norm Perry (Canadian football)
Norman Perry was a star football player in the Canadian Football League for the Sarnia Imperials for eight seasons. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.-References:*...
Park after the former star football player and Sarnia mayor.
Canadian Football Hall of Famers
Imperials who were elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame based solely on their play in Sarnia included Norm Perry, Orm Beach and Hugh 'Bummer' Stirling. Stirling was also named Canadian Male Athlete of the Year in 1938.- Ormond BeachOrmond Beach (Canadian football)Ormond Beach was a star football player in the Ontario Rugby Football Union for four seasons for the Sarnia Imperials. Beach, who led the Imperials to Grey Cup victories in 1934 and 1936, died at the age of 27 in an industrial accident...
- Tony GolabTony GolabAnthony Charles Golab, CM was a retired Canadian football player.Born in Windsor, Ontario, he played with the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1939 to 1950. He was part of the 1941 and 1948 Grey Cup finalists teams and was part of the winning 1940 Grey Cup champions.In 1985, he was made a Member of the...
- Jack Newton
- Norm PerryNorm Perry (Canadian football)Norman Perry was a star football player in the Canadian Football League for the Sarnia Imperials for eight seasons. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.-References:*...
- Bummer Stirling
ORFU season-by-season
| Season | W | L | T | PF | PA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 1928 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1928:The Tri-City Rugby Football Union was formed on August 25 and consisted of Moose Jaw, Regina and Winnipeg. The Union disbanded the following year because of travel expenses... |
2 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 28 | 4 | 1st, ORFU Group 1 | Lost ORFU Final |
| 1929 1929 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1929:CRU adopted use of the forward pass on a limited basis in Junior, Interscholastic, Western Canada Rugby Union, Western Intercollegiate Union and the Grey Cup final.... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 19 | 12 | 1st, ORFU Western | Lost East Semi-Final |
| 1930 1930 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1930:The Winnipeg Winnipegs Rugby Football Club was formed on June 10 and adopted the colours of green and white.On September 29 in the first game played in Canada under floodlights, the Hamilton Tigers defeated the University of British Columbia in an exhibition game at... |
4 | 2 | 0 | 76 | 25 | 8 | 2nd, ORFU Western | Missed Playoffs |
| 1931 1931 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1931:The Ottawa Senators reverted back to the name "Ottawa Rough Riders."The Canadian Rugby Union approved the forward pass for all leagues and the first TD pass in Grey Cup history was a Warren Stevens to Kenny Grant play in Montreal's 22–0 win over Regina.Convert... |
2 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 24 | 5 | 1st, ORFU Western | Lost East Semi-Final |
| 1932 1932 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1932:The Calgary Altomah-Tigers became the Altomahs.Winnipeg and St. John's amalgamated to field a stronger team, and adopted the colours of blue and gold.-Final regular season standings:... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 125 | 37 | 10 | 1st, ORFU | Lost East Semi-Final |
| 1933 1933 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1933:The Toronto Argonauts lost their first two games of the season, only to storm back and win eight straight, including their first Grey Cup win in 12 years.-Final regular season standings:... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 95 | 25 | 10 | 1st, ORFU | Lost 21st Grey Cup 21st Grey Cup The 21st Grey Cup game was the Canadian football championship in 1933. Toronto Argonauts defeated Sarnia Imperials 4–3 at Sarnia's Davis Field on December 9 before a crowd of 2,751.... |
| 1934 1934 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1934:Eastern Intercollegiate Union formally withdrew from Grey Cup competition.The horn was introduced to officiating.-Final regular season standings:... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 137 | 28 | 12 | 1st, ORFU | Won 22nd Grey Cup 22nd Grey Cup The 22nd Grey Cup was played on November 24, 1934, before 8,900 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.The Sarnia Imperials defeated the Regina Roughriders 20 to 12.... |
| 1935 1935 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1935:The Winnipeg 'Pegs became the first Western Canadian team to win the Grey Cup by defeating the Hamilton Tigers, 18–12, in Hamilton.The Calgary franchise became known as the "Bronks".... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 9 | 8 | 1st, ORFU | Lost Eastern Final |
| 1936 1936 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1936:Teams from the WIFU and IRFU are restricted to a maximum of five imports and players who had lived in Canada for one full year were eligible to play in the Grey Cup game. The WIFU was formed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Bronks, and the Regina... |
3 | 1 | 0 | 102 | 27 | 6 | 1st, ORFU | Won 24th Grey Cup 24th Grey Cup The 24th Grey Cup was played on December 5, 1936, before 5,883 fans at Varsity Stadium at Toronto.The Sarnia Imperials defeated the Ottawa Rough Riders 26 to 20.... |
| 1937 1937 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1937:The Quebec Rugby Football Union began to compete for the Grey Cup.-Final regular season standings:Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 81 | 19 | 7 | 1st, ORFU | Lost Eastern Finals |
| 1938 1938 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1938:The Edmonton Eskimos joined the WIFU and adopted the colours of blue and white. The Eskimos eventually withdrew from the union in 1940.The Quebec Rugby Football Union discontinued their competition of the Grey Cup.... |
3 | 1 | 2 | 95 | 27 | 8 | 1st, ORFU | Lost Eastern Finals |
| 1939 1939 in Canadian football -Regular season, final standings:Column headings: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points*Bold text indicates team reached the playoffs.-Semifinals:-Finals:... |
3 | 1 | 2 | 70 | 38 | 8 | 2nd, ORFU | Lost Eastern Finals |
| 1940-45 | Did not play due to World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... . |
|||||||
| 1946 1946 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1946:The WIFU resumed play for the first time since 1942. The IRFU increased their season play from 6 games to 12 games, per team.... |
4 | 6 | 0 | 88 | 158 | 8 | 4th, ORFU | Lost ORFU Semi-Finals |
| 1947 1947 in Canadian football -Final regular season standings:Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points*Bold text means that they have clinched the playoffs.-SEMI-FINALS:*Hamilton advances to the ORFU Final.... |
0 | 10 | 0 | 66 | 166 | 0 | 6th, ORFU | Missed Playoffs |
| 1948 1948 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1948:The WIFU increased their games from 8 to 12 games per team.The Hamilton Tigers, formerly of the IRFU joined the ORFU, and the Hamilton Wildcats joined the IRFU on Friday, April 9.... |
3 | 5 | 1 | 72 | 130 | 8 | 3rd, ORFU | Missed Playoffs |
| 1949 1949 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1949:The Edmonton Eskimos rejoined with the WIFU and adopted the colours of gold and green. WIFU games were extended to 14 games, per team.Wearing helmets became compulsory with the two unions... |
8 | 4 | 0 | 142 | 101 | 16 | 2nd, ORFU | Lost ORFU Finals |
| 1950 1950 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1950:The Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats merged to form the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Regina franchise officially changed their name to become the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, April 1.... |
4 | 4 | 0 | 164 | 102 | 10 | 2nd, ORFU | Lost ORFU Finals |
| 1951 1951 in Canadian football -Canadian football news in 1951:The BC Lions were formed in January at the Arctic Club in Vancouver; however, the franchise would begin play at the start of the 1954 season.E. Kent Philips of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was appointed WIFU Commissioner... |
9 | 1 | 0 | 268 | 60 | 18 | 1st, ORFU | Lost Eastern Finals |
| 1952 1952 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1952:The Canadian Rugby Union received television revenue for the first time when it was paid $7,500 by CBC for the rights to televise the Grey Cup game... |
11 | 1 | 0 | 312 | 68 | 22 | 1st, ORFU | Lost Grey Cup Semi-Final |
| 1953 1953 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1953:The Canadian Rugby Union was paid in total of $20,500 by three television stations for the rights to show the Grey Cup game live.... |
8 | 4 | 0 | 231 | 101 | 16 | 2nd, ORFU | Lost ORFU Semi-Finals |
| 1954 1954 in Canadian football The 1954 season of Canadian football is widely considered to be the first season of the modern era of Canadian football, although the Canadian Football League would not be officially founded for another four years.-Canadian Football News in 1954:... |
7 | 4 | 1 | 218 | 193 | 15 | 2nd, ORFU | Lost ORFU Finals |
| 1955 1955 in Canadian football -Canadian Football News in 1955:The IRFU allowed the third place team to qualify for a playoff berth.The Ontario Rugby Football Union withdrew from Grey Cup competition.... |
6 | 5 | 1 | 140 | 182 | 13 | 2nd, ORFU | Lost ORFU Finals |
New incarnation
In 2006, the team was resurrected under the same name to play in the Northern Football ConferenceNorthern Football Conference
-Teams:-Defunct teams:...
, Canada's top league for adult amateur play.