Toronto Blizzard (NASL)
Encyclopedia
- This article is about the original Toronto Blizzard of the NASL. For the second team to use the name, see Toronto Blizzard (1986-1993)Toronto Blizzard (1986-1993)-National Soccer League:In 1985, less than one year after the Toronto Blizzard ceased operations due to the failure of the North American Soccer League , Blizzard owners York-Hanover purchased Dynamo Latino of the semi-professional Ontario-based National Soccer League with the intention of...
The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, 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...
that played in the North American Soccer League.
History
The Toronto Metros joined the NASL in 1971. Their home field was Varsity StadiumVarsity Stadium
Varsity Stadium is a collegiate football stadium that is home to the Varsity Blues, the athletic teams of the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While the present structure was built in 2007, it is in fact the third major incarnation of the stadium that has occupied the same site...
.
In 1975 the team merged with Toronto Croatia
Toronto Croatia
C.N.S.C. Toronto Croatia is a Canadian soccer team, founded in 1956. The team is a member of the Canadian Soccer League, the highest level soccer league in Canada, and play in the International Division....
of the National Soccer League
Canadian National Soccer League
The Canadian National Soccer League, known as the National Soccer League until 1993, was a professional soccer league in Canada that existed from 1926 to 1997...
, becoming Toronto Metros-Croatia. The club won the 1976 Soccer Bowl
Soccer Bowl
The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl....
championship. However, they continued to struggle at the gate.
The Global Television Network
Global Television Network
Global Television Network is an English language privately owned television network in Canada, owned by Calgary-based Shaw Communications, as part of its Shaw Media division...
purchased the struggling Toronto Metros-Croatia on February 1, 1979. Following the purchase, Toronto Croatia returned to the NSL as a separate club. The NASL team was renamed the Toronto Blizzard following the takeover. Under the new ownership, attendances nearly doubled.
The Blizzard were members of the NASL until 1984, the last year of league operations. The team were runners-up for the league championship in 1983, losing the Soccer Bowl to the Tulsa Roughnecks
Tulsa Roughnecks
-NASL:The Tulsa Roughnecks were a North American Soccer League team from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They played at Skelly Stadium on the campus of the University of Tulsa. The Roughnecks were a regular in the NASL playoffs, and won the NASL Soccer Bowl in 1983, defeating the Toronto Blizzard at B.C. Place...
2-0 in front of nearly sixty thousand people at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium. They were runners-up again in 1984 when they lost to the Chicago Sting
Chicago Sting
The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988...
two games to none in a best of three championship series. The club was coached in these final two years by Bobby Houghton
Bobby Houghton
Robert Douglas Houghton , commonly known as either Bob Houghton or Bobby Houghton, is an English football manager and former player, Houghton was most recently the head coach of India. His career has spanned over 30 years and 10 different countries...
, assisted by Dave Turner and featured Roberto Bettega
Roberto Bettega
Roberto Bettega is an Italian former footballer. Bettega was regarded as a player of noteworthy intelligence and at his prime was one of the most feared strikers . Bettega is mostly remembered for his time at his hometown club Juventus...
, David Byrne, Cliff Calvert
Cliff Calvert
Clifford Alistair "Cliff" Calvert is an English former footballer.-Career:Calvert joined York City as an amateur in the early 1970s and full-time professional terms in July 1972. He was capped by the England Youth team in 1972. He made his debut against Plymouth Argyle in March 1973 in the 1972–73...
, Pasquale De Luca
Pasquale De Luca
Pasquale de Luca is a former professional soccer player from Alberta, Canada. He is the head coach of the Edmonton Drillers.-Career:...
, Charlie Falzon
Charlie Falzon
Charlie Falzon is a retired Canadian soccer player who spent time in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned nine caps with the Canadian national soccer team between 1983 and 1989...
, Sven Habermann
Sven Habermann
Sven Habermann is a former Canadian national soccer team goalkeeper, who was a member of the team that competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California...
, Paul Hammond, Paul James, Conny Karlsson
Conny Karlsson (footballer)
Conny Karlsson is a Swedish football manager. He is currently managing Helsingborgs IF of Allsvenskan.Born in Oskarshamn, he played for local club IFK Oskarshamn before moving to Swedish giants IFK Göteborg, where he won the 1981-82 UEFA Cup. After a short stint with the Toronto Blizzard, he ended...
, Victor Kodelja
Victor Kodelja
Victor Kodelja is a former member of the Canadian national soccer team and North American Soccer League.-Professional:...
, Trevor McCallum
Trevor McCallum (soccer)
Trevor McCallum is a former English-Canadian soccer defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and earned eighteen caps with the Canada men's national soccer team....
, Colin Miller, Jan Möller
Jan Möller
Jan Möller is a retired Swedish footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.-Football career:Möller had a successful 16-year career for Malmö FF during the 1970s and 1980s , appearing in the 1978-79 European Cup final against Nottingham Forest, a 0–1 loss in Munich.He also played for Helsingborgs IF,...
, Jimmy Nicholl
Jimmy Nicholl
James Michael "Jimmy" Nicholl is a Canadian-born former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Manchester United.He was mainly a right-back but could also play in other defensive roles...
, Ace Ntsoelengoe
Patrick Ntsoelengoe
Patrick Pule "Ace" Ntsoelengoe was one of the most talented soccer players ever from South Africa, he played 11 seasons in the North American Soccer League, beginning in 1973 with the Miami Toros...
, Randy Ragan
Randy Ragan
Randolph "Randy" Lee Ragan is a former Canadian elite professional soccer player, who was considered one of the top midfield players in Canada in the 1980s.-Professional:...
, Neill Roberts
Neill Roberts
Neill Roberts is a retired South Africa soccer forward who spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
, John Paskin
John Paskin
William John Paskin, known as John Paskin is a South African former professional footballer who made 164 appearances in the Football League playing for West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport County, Birmingham City, Shrewsbury Town, Wrexham and Bury...
, Derek Spalding
Derek Spalding
Derek Spalding is a former soccer player, who played as a defender. Spalding played for Hibernian in the Scottish Football League until he emigrated to the United States in 1977. He then played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and at least two in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He...
, and Bruce Wilson
Bruce Wilson (soccer)
Bruce Alec Wilson was a NASL and Canadian international soccer player. He played the second most games of any player in the former league, 299 . He also captained the Canadian team at the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals, the sole time Canada has appeared...
in its lineup.
The Blizzard qualified for the play-offs on only two other occasions, in 1979 and 1982, losing in the first round each time. Prominent players during the first four years included Clyde Best
Clyde Best
Clyde Cyril Best MBE is a Bermudian former football player who most notably played as a striker for West Ham United, and was one of the first black players in British football...
, Željko Bilecki
Zeljko Bilecki
Željko Bilecki is a retired Canadian soccer player who played for Toronto Croatia and Toronto Metros-Croatia in Canada, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Los Angeles Aztecs and Tulsa Roughnecks in the United States....
, Jimmy Bone
Jimmy Bone
James "Jimmy" Bone is a Scottish former professional association footballer who played as a striker. Following his playing retirement he moved into coaching and has managed a number of Scottish League clubs.-Early career:...
, Roberto Bettega
Roberto Bettega
Roberto Bettega is an Italian former footballer. Bettega was regarded as a player of noteworthy intelligence and at his prime was one of the most feared strikers . Bettega is mostly remembered for his time at his hometown club Juventus...
, Drew Busby
Drew Busby
Drew Busby is a former Scottish footballer who played for Third Lanark, Airdrieonians, Hearts, Toronto Blizzard and Morton. Busby also served Queen of the South as their player-manager.-Career:...
, David Byrne, Cliff Calvert, Tony Chursky
Tony Chursky
Tony Chursky is a former Canadian national soccer team and NASL goalkeeper.- Player :...
, David Fairclough
David Fairclough
David Fairclough is a retired English footballer, most famous for playing for Liverpool as a striker during the 1970s and 80s.-Life and playing career:...
, Colin Franks, George Gibbs, Jimmy Greenhoff
Jimmy Greenhoff
James "Jimmy" Greenhoff is an English former football player. He was a skilful forward and although capped five times at under-23 level, once as an over-age player, he never played for the full side, and is labelled as the finest English player never to play for England...
, Graham Hatley, Victor Kodelja, Sam Lenarduzzi
Sam Lenarduzzi
Silvano "Sam" Lenarduzzi is a Canadian former national soccer team player.Born in Udine, Italy, but raised in Vancouver, Lenarduzzi made his international debut in 1967 as member of the Pan American Games team in Winnipeg. He went on to play PamAm games again in Colombia in 1971...
, Peter Lorimer
Peter Lorimer
Peter Patrick Lorimer is a former footballer who formed part of the much-admired and feared Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s....
, Ivan Lukačević
Ivan Lukacevic
Ivan Lukačević was a Croatian professional footballer who played as a striker.-Career:Lukačević played in Croatia for Mladost Seleš, Dinamo Orlovnjak, NK Valpovka Valpovo, NK Belišće and NK Osijek, and in the NASL between 1975 and 1980 for the Toronto Metros-Croatia and Toronto Blizzard.-External...
, Drago Vabec
Drago Vabec
Dragutin Vabec, most commonly known as Drago Vabec is a Croatian striker who played for SFR Yugoslavia, Dinamo Zagreb and Stade Brestois....
, Mike McLenaghen
Mike McLenaghen
Mike McLenaghen is a former North American Soccer League player and member of the Canadian national soccer team....
, Willie McVie
Willie McVie
Willie McVie is a former Scottish footballer.McVie began his career with Clyde, spending 7 years with the Shawfield club before joining Motherwell. He went on to have spells with Toronto Blizzard in Canada and Heart of Midlothian, before retiring in 1981. He now is a publican in Larkhall.-External...
, Alan Merrick
Alan Merrick
Alan Ronald Merrick is a retired English-American Association football defender who played professionally in England, the North American Soccer League and the Major Indoor Soccer League...
, Charlie Mitchell
Charlie Mitchell
Charles Ross Mitchell is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Boston Red Sox. He was drafted by the Red Sox in the 4th round of the amateur draft...
, Juan Carlos Molina, Jan Möller, Francesco Morini
Francesco Morini
Francesco Morini is a retired Italian football player. He competed for the Italian national team in the 1974 FIFA World Cup and earned a total of 11 caps. He played for clubs such as Sampdoria and Juventus....
, Ace Ntsoelengoe, Rob Prentice, Randy Ragan, Neill Roberts, Malcolm Robertson
Malcolm Robertson (footballer)
Malcolm Robertson is a Scottish former footballer who played as a left winger. He made his mark playing for Penicuik Athletic when he appeared in the 1970 Scottish Junior Cup Final...
, Peter Roe
Peter Roe (soccer)
Peter Roe is a retired Canadian soccer player who spent twelve seasons in the North American Soccer League and two in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
, Jomo Sono
Jomo Sono
Ephraim Matsilela Sono is a South African soccer club owner and coach and was also a star soccer player....
, Gordon Sweetzer
Gordon Sweetzer
Gordon Sweetzer is a retired Canadian association football player.Sweetzer earned 3 caps for the Canadian national side in 1981. He played club football in England for Brentford and Cambridge United, and in Canada for the Toronto Blizzard and the Edmonton Drillers...
, Blagoje Tamindžić
Blagoje Tamindžić
Blagoje Tamindžić is a former Serbian football goalkeeper. He was nicknamed Baja which was also his kit name in one season.-References:...
, Jose Velasquez, and Bruce Wilson.
Metros
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | NASL | 5 | 10 | 9 | 89 | 3rd, Northern Division | Did not qualify | 5,993 |
| 1972 | NASL | 4 | 6 | 4 | 53 | 4th, Northern Division | Did not qualify | 7,173 |
| 1973 | NASL | 6 | 4 | 9 | 89 | 1st, Northern Division | Lost Semifinal (Philadelphia Philadelphia Atoms The Philadelphia Atoms were a soccer team based out of Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League . They played from 1973 to 1976, at Veterans Stadium and Franklin Field .... ) |
5,961 |
| 1974 | NASL | 9 | 10 | 1 | 87 | 2nd, Northern Division | Did not qualify | 3,458 |
Metros-Croatia
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Regular Season | Playoffs | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | NASL | 13 | 9 | — | 114 | 2nd, Northern Division | Lost Quarterfinal (Tampa Bay) | |
| 1976 | NASL | 15 | 9 | — | 123 | 2nd, Atlantic Conference, Northern Division | Won 1st Round (Rochester Rochester Lancers The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium... ) Won Division Championship (Chicago Chicago Sting The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988... ) Won Conference Championship (Tampa Bay) Won Soccer Bowl '76 Soccer Bowl The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl.... (Minnesota Minnesota Kicks Minnesota Kicks were a professional soccer team that played at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota from 1976 to 1981. The team was a member of the now defunct North American Soccer League. The team had relocated to Minnesota after having been based in Denver, Colorado as the Denver Dynamos... ) |
|
| 1977 | NASL | 13 | 13 | — | 115 | 1st, Atlantic Conference, Northern Division | Lost Conference Championship (Rochester Rochester Lancers The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium... ) |
|
| 1978 | NASL | 16 | 14 | — | 144 | 3rd, National Conference, Eastern Division | Lost 1st Round (Vancouver Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL) The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home... ) |
Blizzard
| Year | League | W | L | T | Pts | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | NASL | 14 | 16 | — | 133 | 3rd, National Conference,Eastern Division | Lost Conference Quarterfinal (New York New York Cosmos The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history... ) |
11,821 |
| 1979/80 | NASL Indoor | Did not enter | ||||||
| 1980 | NASL | 14 | 18 | — | 128 | 3rd, National Conference, Eastern Division | Won 1st Round (Los Angeles Los Angeles Aztecs The Los Angeles Aztecs were a soccer team that competed in the North American Soccer League from 1974-81. The team was based in Los Angeles, California and part-owned by Elton John.-History:... ) Lost Quarterfinal (Chicago Chicago Sting The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988... ) |
15,043 |
| 1980/81 | NASL Indoor | 5 | 13 | — | — | 4th, Northern Division | Did not qualify | |
| 1981 | NASL | 7 | 25 | — | 77 | 4th, Eastern Division | Did not qualify | 7,287 |
| 1981/82 | NASL Indoor | 8 | 10 | — | — | 2nd, American Conference, East Division | Did not qualify | |
| 1982 | NASL | 17 | 15 | — | 151 | 3rd, Eastern Division | Lost 1st Round (Seattle Seattle Sounders (NASL) The Seattle Sounders were a U.S. professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1974, the team belonged to the North American Soccer League where it played both indoor and outdoor soccer. The team folded after the 1983 NASL outdoor season.-Stadium:The Sounders played at Memorial... ) |
8,105 |
| 1982/83 | NASL Indoor | Season cancelled | ||||||
| 1983 | NASL | 16 | 14 | — | 135 | 3rd, Eastern Division | Won 1st Round (Vancouver Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL) The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home... ) Won Semifinals (Montreal Montreal Manic Montreal Manic were a soccer team based out of Montreal that played in the NASL. They played from 1981 to 1983. Their home field was Olympic Stadium... ) Lost Soccer Bowl '83 Soccer Bowl The Soccer Bowl was the championship game of the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1983. The event was created by NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam who was trying to build a neutral-site championship event in the mold of the NFL's Super Bowl.... (Tulsa Tulsa Roughnecks -NASL:The Tulsa Roughnecks were a North American Soccer League team from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They played at Skelly Stadium on the campus of the University of Tulsa. The Roughnecks were a regular in the NASL playoffs, and won the NASL Soccer Bowl in 1983, defeating the Toronto Blizzard at B.C. Place... ) |
11,630 |
| 1983/84 | NASL Indoor | Did not enter | ||||||
| 1984 | NASL | 14 | 10 | — | 117 | 2nd, Eastern Division | Won Semifinals (San Diego) Lost Championship (Chicago Chicago Sting The Chicago Sting was an American professional soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sting played in the North American Soccer League from 1975 to 1984 and in the Major Indoor Soccer League from in the 1982-83 season and again from 1984 to 1988... ) |
11,452 |
Players
Argentina
- Juan Carlos Molina 1982
Brazil
- Ivair FerrieraIvair FerrieraIvair Ferriera is a retired Brazilian association football player nicknamed Ivair who played in Brazil for Portuguesa, Corinthians, Fluminense, América and Paysandu...
1966
Bermuda
- Clyde BestClyde BestClyde Cyril Best MBE is a Bermudian former football player who most notably played as a striker for West Ham United, and was one of the first black players in British football...
1981, 1982
Canada
- Nick Albanis 1980
- Aldo D'Alfonso 1979
- Željko BileckiZeljko BileckiŽeljko Bilecki is a retired Canadian soccer player who played for Toronto Croatia and Toronto Metros-Croatia in Canada, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Los Angeles Aztecs and Tulsa Roughnecks in the United States....
1976 - Brian BuddBrian BuddBrian Budd was a Canadian professional soccer player best known for winning the World Superstars competition three years in a row from 1978 to 1980. He was also a soccer sportscaster.-Early years:...
1979 - Tony ChurskyTony ChurskyTony Chursky is a former Canadian national soccer team and NASL goalkeeper.- Player :...
1980, 1981, 1982 - Pasquale de LucaPasquale De LucaPasquale de Luca is a former professional soccer player from Alberta, Canada. He is the head coach of the Edmonton Drillers.-Career:...
1982, 1983, 1984 - Charlie FalzonCharlie FalzonCharlie Falzon is a retired Canadian soccer player who spent time in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned nine caps with the Canadian national soccer team between 1983 and 1989...
1983, 1984 - Tibor GemeriTibor GemeriTibor Gemeri is a retired Canadian soccer player who earned one cap for the national team in 1980. He played club football for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Toronto Blizzard.-External links:**...
1980 - Sven HabermannSven HabermannSven Habermann is a former Canadian national soccer team goalkeeper, who was a member of the team that competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California...
1983, 1984 - Graham Hately 1980, 1981
- Robert IarusciRobert IarusciRobert "Bob" Iarusci is a former star NASL player and member of the Canadian national soccer team.A right back, Iarusci began his NASL career with his hometown Toronto Metros-Croatia, playing the 1976 and part of 1977. He played every game as the Toronto won the league championship in '76...
- Paul James 1983, 1984
- Victor KodeljaVictor KodeljaVictor Kodelja is a former member of the Canadian national soccer team and North American Soccer League.-Professional:...
1982, 1983 - Sam LenarduzziSam LenarduzziSilvano "Sam" Lenarduzzi is a Canadian former national soccer team player.Born in Udine, Italy, but raised in Vancouver, Lenarduzzi made his international debut in 1967 as member of the Pan American Games team in Winnipeg. He went on to play PamAm games again in Colombia in 1971...
1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 - Trevor McCallumTrevor McCallumTrevor McCallum is a former English-Canadian soccer defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and earned eighteen caps with the Canada men's national soccer team....
1983, 1984 - Mike McLenaghenMike McLenaghenMike McLenaghen is a former North American Soccer League player and member of the Canadian national soccer team....
1980 - Dave McQueen 1981, 1982
- Colin Miller 1982, 1983, 1984
- Randy RaganRandy RaganRandolph "Randy" Lee Ragan is a former Canadian elite professional soccer player, who was considered one of the top midfield players in Canada in the 1980s.-Professional:...
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 - Peter RoePeter Roe (soccer)Peter Roe is a retired Canadian soccer player who spent twelve seasons in the North American Soccer League and two in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
1979, 1980 - Gordon SweetzerGordon SweetzerGordon Sweetzer is a retired Canadian association football player.Sweetzer earned 3 caps for the Canadian national side in 1981. He played club football in England for Brentford and Cambridge United, and in Canada for the Toronto Blizzard and the Edmonton Drillers...
1980, 1981 - Gordon Wallace 1980, 1981
- Bruce WilsonBruce Wilson (soccer)Bruce Alec Wilson was a NASL and Canadian international soccer player. He played the second most games of any player in the former league, 299 . He also captained the Canadian team at the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals, the sole time Canada has appeared...
1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
Croatia
- Zeljko BileckiZeljko BileckiŽeljko Bilecki is a retired Canadian soccer player who played for Toronto Croatia and Toronto Metros-Croatia in Canada, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Los Angeles Aztecs and Tulsa Roughnecks in the United States....
- Filip BlaškovićFilip BlaškovicFilip Blašković is a former Croatian football player. He was capped once for Yugoslavia.-References:* at the Serbia national football team website ** at B92...
- Ivica GrnjaIvica GrnjaIvan "Ivica" Grnja, also known as John Grnja is a Croatian football manager and former professional player. He was born in Darda.-Playing career:...
- Ivan LukačevićIvan LukacevicIvan Lukačević was a Croatian professional footballer who played as a striker.-Career:Lukačević played in Croatia for Mladost Seleš, Dinamo Orlovnjak, NK Valpovka Valpovo, NK Belišće and NK Osijek, and in the NASL between 1975 and 1980 for the Toronto Metros-Croatia and Toronto Blizzard.-External...
- Damir SutevskiDamir ŠutevskiDamir Šutevski is a retired Yugoslavian-Canadian association football player who played in the NASL between 1975 and 1981 for the Toronto Metros-Croatia, Rochester Lancers and Montreal Manic. In 1978, he signed with the New York Arrows of the Major Indoor Soccer League, and played three seasons...
- Drago VabecDrago VabecDragutin Vabec, most commonly known as Drago Vabec is a Croatian striker who played for SFR Yugoslavia, Dinamo Zagreb and Stade Brestois....
England
- Cliff CalvertCliff CalvertClifford Alistair "Cliff" Calvert is an English former footballer.-Career:Calvert joined York City as an amateur in the early 1970s and full-time professional terms in July 1972. He was capped by the England Youth team in 1972. He made his debut against Plymouth Argyle in March 1973 in the 1972–73...
1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 - David FaircloughDavid FaircloughDavid Fairclough is a retired English footballer, most famous for playing for Liverpool as a striker during the 1970s and 80s.-Life and playing career:...
1982 - Colin Franks 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#F
- George Gibbs 1979, 1980
- Jimmy GreenhoffJimmy GreenhoffJames "Jimmy" Greenhoff is an English former football player. He was a skilful forward and although capped five times at under-23 level, once as an over-age player, he never played for the full side, and is labelled as the finest English player never to play for England...
1981 - Paul Hammond 1984
- Jimmy Kelly 1981
- Alec LindsayAlec LindsayAlexander 'Alec' Lindsay was a strong full back who played in The Football League for Bury, Liverpool and Stoke City.-Life and playing career:...
1979 - Alan MerrickAlan MerrickAlan Ronald Merrick is a retired English-American Association football defender who played professionally in England, the North American Soccer League and the Major Indoor Soccer League...
1982 - Dave Needham 1982 http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/daveneedham.htm
- Phil Parkes 1983
- Brian TalbotBrian TalbotBrian Ernest Talbot is an English football manager and former player. His son is Daniel Talbot.-Playing career:...
1971, 1972
Republic of Ireland
- Conleth Davey 1984
- Dave HendersonDave Henderson (footballer)Dave Henderson , is a former Irish professional footballer goalkeeper who played in the League of Ireland from 1978 until his retirement in 1998. He also played two seasons in the North American Soccer League.-Career:...
1979
Italy
- Alessandro Abbondanza 1979
- Roberto BettegaRoberto BettegaRoberto Bettega is an Italian former footballer. Bettega was regarded as a player of noteworthy intelligence and at his prime was one of the most feared strikers . Bettega is mostly remembered for his time at his hometown club Juventus...
1983, 1984 - Francesco MoriniFrancesco MoriniFrancesco Morini is a retired Italian football player. He competed for the Italian national team in the 1974 FIFA World Cup and earned a total of 11 caps. He played for clubs such as Sampdoria and Juventus....
1980 - Marino PeraniMarino PeraniMarino Perani is a retired Italian footballer.During his club career he played for Italian teams Atalanta, Bologna and Padova. He closed his career in NASL side Toronto Metros-Croatia in 1975. He earned 4 caps and scored 1 goal for the Italy national football team, and participated in the 1966...
Nigeria
- Damian Ogunsuyi 1979
Northern Ireland
- Jimmy NichollJimmy NichollJames Michael "Jimmy" Nicholl is a Canadian-born former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Manchester United.He was mainly a right-back but could also play in other defensive roles...
1982, 1983, 1984
Peru
- Jose Velasquez 1980, 1981
Portugal
- EusébioEusébioEusébio da Silva Ferreira, GCIH, GCM , commonly known simply as Eusébio, is a retired Mozambican-born Portuguese football forward. He is considered one of the best footballers of all-time by the IFFHS, experts and fans...
1961, 1965, 1969, 1973
Rhodesia
- Robert Godoka 1979
Scotland
- Jimmy BoneJimmy BoneJames "Jimmy" Bone is a Scottish former professional association footballer who played as a striker. Following his playing retirement he moved into coaching and has managed a number of Scottish League clubs.-Early career:...
1979, 1980 - Drew BusbyDrew BusbyDrew Busby is a former Scottish footballer who played for Third Lanark, Airdrieonians, Hearts, Toronto Blizzard and Morton. Busby also served Queen of the South as their player-manager.-Career:...
1979, 1980 - Alex CropleyAlex CropleyAlex Cropley is a retired footballer who won two caps for Scotland.Cropley began his career with Hibernian, where he featured in the Hibs side of the early 1970s known as "Turnbull's Tornadoes". While with Hibs he played in a Scottish Cup Final and won the Scottish League Cup...
1981 http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/alexcropley.htm - Duncan DavidsonDuncan DavidsonDuncan Davidson is the founder of Persimmon plc, one of the United Kingdom's largest housebuilding businesses.-Career:Born the grandson of the 15th Duke of Norfolk and educated at Ampleforth College, Duncan Davidson went into the British Army in 1959 and served in the Royal Scots Greys for four...
1981, 1982 http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/duncandavidson.htm - Peter LorimerPeter LorimerPeter Patrick Lorimer is a former footballer who formed part of the much-admired and feared Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s....
1979, 1980 - Willie McVieWillie McVieWillie McVie is a former Scottish footballer.McVie began his career with Clyde, spending 7 years with the Shawfield club before joining Motherwell. He went on to have spells with Toronto Blizzard in Canada and Heart of Midlothian, before retiring in 1981. He now is a publican in Larkhall.-External...
1979, 1980 - Charlie MitchellCharlie Mitchell (footballer)Charlie Mitchell is a Scottish American former soccer defender and coach. He played ten seasons in the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1979.-Club career:...
1979 - Bobby PrenticeBobby PrenticeBobby Prentice is a Scottish former professional footballer. Prentice started his senior career with Celtic, but did not make a league appearance for the club. He joined Hearts on 18 August 1973. Bobby made 209 appearances for Hearts, his last on 28 April 1979. He scored 20 goals for the club and...
1979, 1980 - Malcolm RobertsonMalcolm Robertson (footballer)Malcolm Robertson is a Scottish former footballer who played as a left winger. He made his mark playing for Penicuik Athletic when he appeared in the 1970 Scottish Junior Cup Final...
1981 - Derek SpaldingDerek SpaldingDerek Spalding is a former soccer player, who played as a defender. Spalding played for Hibernian in the Scottish Football League until he emigrated to the United States in 1977. He then played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and at least two in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He...
1983, 1984
South Africa
- David Byrne 1982, 1983, 1984
- Ace Ntsoelengoe 1982, 1983, 1984
- John PaskinJohn PaskinWilliam John Paskin, known as John Paskin is a South African former professional footballer who made 164 appearances in the Football League playing for West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport County, Birmingham City, Shrewsbury Town, Wrexham and Bury...
1984 - Neill RobertsNeill RobertsNeill Roberts is a retired South Africa soccer forward who spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League....
1982, 1983 - Jomo SonoJomo SonoEphraim Matsilela Sono is a South African soccer club owner and coach and was also a star soccer player....
1980, 1981, 1982 - Julius Sono 1981
- Geoff WegerleGeoff WegerleGeoff Wegerle is a retired South African soccer forward who played professionally in Europe, South Africa and the North American Soccer League....
1983
Sweden
- Tore Cervin 1981
- Conny KarlssonConny Karlsson (footballer)Conny Karlsson is a Swedish football manager. He is currently managing Helsingborgs IF of Allsvenskan.Born in Oskarshamn, he played for local club IFK Oskarshamn before moving to Swedish giants IFK Göteborg, where he won the 1981-82 UEFA Cup. After a short stint with the Toronto Blizzard, he ended...
1983, 1984 - Jan MollerJan MöllerJan Möller is a retired Swedish footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.-Football career:Möller had a successful 16-year career for Malmö FF during the 1970s and 1980s , appearing in the 1978-79 European Cup final against Nottingham Forest, a 0–1 loss in Munich.He also played for Helsingborgs IF,...
1982, 1983
Turkey
- Gungor Tekin 1981
United States
- Dan CounceDan CounceDan Counce is a retired American soccer player and current professional soccer executive. He played six seasons in the North American Soccer League and six more in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned five caps with the United States national team between 1974 and 1976.-College:After...
1979 - Paul Hammond 1984
- Jim McAlister 1980
- Alan MerrickAlan MerrickAlan Ronald Merrick is a retired English-American Association football defender who played professionally in England, the North American Soccer League and the Major Indoor Soccer League...
1982 - Derek SpaldingDerek SpaldingDerek Spalding is a former soccer player, who played as a defender. Spalding played for Hibernian in the Scottish Football League until he emigrated to the United States in 1977. He then played seven seasons in the North American Soccer League and at least two in the Major Indoor Soccer League. He...
1983, 1984
West Germany
- Sven HabermannSven HabermannSven Habermann is a former Canadian national soccer team goalkeeper, who was a member of the team that competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California...
- Arno SteffenhagenArno SteffenhagenArno Steffenhagen is a retired German professional football player who played in Germany for Hertha BSC, Hamburger SV and FC St. Pauli, in South Africa for Hellenic FC, in the Netherlands for Ajax, and in North America for Chicago Sting, Toronto Blizzard and Vancouver Whitecaps...
1983
Yugoslavia
- Tibor GemeriTibor GemeriTibor Gemeri is a retired Canadian soccer player who earned one cap for the national team in 1980. He played club football for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and the Toronto Blizzard.-External links:**...
- Blagoje TamindžićBlagoje TamindžićBlagoje Tamindžić is a former Serbian football goalkeeper. He was nicknamed Baja which was also his kit name in one season.-References:...
Filip BlaškovićFilip BlaškovicFilip Blašković is a former Croatian football player. He was capped once for Yugoslavia.-References:* at the Serbia national football team website ** at B92...
1969 Drago VabecDrago VabecDragutin Vabec, most commonly known as Drago Vabec is a Croatian striker who played for SFR Yugoslavia, Dinamo Zagreb and Stade Brestois....
1973, 1976