VAUGHAN, ON -- The Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated its ninth annual Induction Ceremonies on Saturday with an afternoon media reception at the Ontario Soccer Centre followed by the evening Induction Banquet at The Country Club in Woodbridge.
Among the 175 guests in attendance from across Canada were Chairman of the Canadian Soccer Association, Dominic Maestracci, President of the Quebec Soccer Association, Dino Madonis, and several past inductees, including Alan Southard, Eric King, Dick Howard and Robert Iarusci.
Perennial Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Gerry Dobson, host of Rogers Sportsnet Soccer TV coverage in Canada, and co-host, Craig Forrest, Rogers Sportsnet Soccer analyst and past Soccer Hall of Fame inductee.
Over $2,700 was raised for the Soccer Hall of Fame & Museum Development Fund in the auction called by Gerry Dobson
The event honoured and celebrated the achievements of this year's distinguished inductees in the Player Category, including Walter Bowman -- The first player born outside the UK to play in England's Football League; Jack Brand -- 1980 NASL Player of the Year & 1976 Canadian Olympian; John McGrane -- NASL Star & 1976 Canadian Olympian; Helen Stoumbos -- Member of Canada's 1995 World Cup team and the first Canadian player ever to score in a World Cup Final.
Helen Stoumbos -- Player Inductee
Inductees in the Builder category included William "Billy" Fenton -- legendary soccer writer; Constantinos "Dino" Soupliotis -- referee and FIFA referee administrator; James "Jimmie" Adam -- accomplished player and manager of the Canadian National Team that toured Austrailia in 1924; Bruce Twamley -- Canadian International player, coach of the Canadian National team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1997 FIFA Youth Championship; and Les Wilson - National Team Administrator of Canada's '84 Olympic Team, '86 World Cup Team and '89 Francophone Games Team.
John McGrane -- Player Inductee -- & son
The Pioneer category recognizes individuals who contributed to the game in the distant past, and the second recipient of this award is Arthur "Pop" Arnold, former president of both the National Soccer League and the Ontario Soccer Association. His career in soccer administration starting in 1929 and spanned 30 years.
Soccer Hall of Fame & Museum Chair, Bill Hoyle (far left), unveils Team of Distinction with Dave Unwin (from the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame), Susan Adam Metzler, Carol Adam Harper and Elaine Adam (Jimmie Adam's 3 grandaughters)
The 1924 Candian National Team that sailed to Austrailia and played 26 games is this year's Team of Distinction. The team was managed by inductee Jimmie Adam and achieved a record of 11 wins, eight loses and seven ties during their tour "down under".
Back Row: Bruce Twamley, Dino Soupliotis, John McGrane, Jack Brand, Mike Arnold (Arthur Arnold), Robert Bowman (Walter Bowman), Dave Unwin (Team of Distinction)
Front Row: Les Wilson, Helen Stoumbos, Elaine Adam, Carol Adam Harper, Susan Adam Metzler, (Jimmie Adam's 3 grandaughters), Christopher Harrop (Billy Fenton)
Click for Inductee Bios < | > Click for more photos
For additional information visit www.thesoccerhalloffame.ca.
Reported by Rob Ferrari
Photos by WolfRuck / OSA |
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