Hamilton White Eagles

Last updated
Full nameHamilton White Eagles
Founded1995
Dissolved1997
Stadium Brian Timmis Stadium
Hamilton, Ontario
League Canadian National Soccer League

Hamilton White Eagles was a soccer club based in Hamilton, Ontario. The club was formed in 1995 and competed in the Canadian National Soccer League (CNSL). After a single season in the CNSL, the White Eagles departed and became a member of the Canadian International Soccer League (CISL). Though they returned to the CNSL for the 1997 season, but were suspended and ceased operations at the conclusion of the season.

Contents

Hamilton played their home matches at Brian Timmis Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario.

History

The reemergence of professional soccer in Hamilton occurred in 1995 when the Hamilton White Eagles were granted a franchise in the Canadian National Soccer League. [1] The White Eagles represented the Serbian community in the Hamilton–Wentworth region. [2] The Hamilton Steelers previously represented Hamilton originally in the National Soccer League, and later in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) until the 1991 season. [1] [3] The team was coached by Lucio Bravo, and the roster consisted of a mixture of imports from Yugoslavia, and local young players. [1] [4] Goran Beader was initially appointed the team captain, but later was replaced by Sasa Vukovic. [5] The White Eagles failed to make an impact in their debut season as they struggled in assembling a consistent squad, which resulted in the team finishing at the bottom of the standings. [6]

The following season Hamilton joined the Canadian International Soccer League (CISL). [7] The White Eagles' entry into the CISL reignited the noted Toronto Croatia-Serbia derby as Toronto Croatia was a club member, which in one instance caused a riot in the parking lot of Brian Timmis Stadium between both supporters in one of their derby matches. [8] [9] [10] In response, the league and club officials increased the amount of security in future matches. [2] The club managed to finish first in the league cup standings. [7] In 1997, the CISL merged with the CNSL which resulted in Hamilton returning to play in the 1997 CNSL season. [11] [12]

Their return to the CNSL concluded in a controversial matter as Hamilton was suspended for the last half of the season. [13] The primary reason for their suspension revolved around the failure of club officials to instill disciplinary actions toward the team as the White Eagles continually harassed the match officials. [13] After an emergency league meeting, the owners approved a revised schedule and the suspension of Hamilton for the remainder of the season. [14] The team failed to return to the professional scene the following season. [15]

Head coaches

Seasons

SeasonLeagueTeamsRecordRankPlayoffsRef
1995 Canadian National Soccer League 61–1–76th [16]
1996Canadian International Soccer League65–6–44th [7]
1997 Canadian National Soccer League suspended from competition

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The 1996 Canadian National Soccer League season was the seventy-fourth season for the Canadian National Soccer League. The season began on May 31, 1996, and concluded on October 27, 1996, with Toronto Italia defeating St. Catharines Wolves in a two-game series for the CNSL Championship. St. Catharines managed to secure their fourth league cup title after finishing first in the tournament standings.

The 1995 Canadian National Soccer League season was the third season of the league under the Canadian National Soccer League name, and the seventy-third season in the league's history. The season began on May 26, 1995, with London City facing Scarborough Astros at Cove Road Stadium. The season concluded on November 2, 1995, with St. Catharines Wolves claiming their second CNSL Championship after defeating Toronto Jets in a two-game series.

The 1994 Canadian National Soccer League season was the seventy-second season for the Canadian National Soccer League. The season began on May 28, 1994, with Montreal Ramblers facing Toronto Croatia at the Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard. The majority of the season was contested by the reigning champions, St. Catharines Roma, along with Montreal Croatia, and Toronto Italia. The title was eventually won by Toronto Italia after defeating St. Catharines in the CNSL Championship final. Toronto would also secure the double, which included the regular-season title. St. Catharines Roma won the league cup.

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The 1974 National Soccer League season was the fifty-first season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in April and concluded in late October with Toronto Croatia defeating Toronto Homer for the NSL Championship. The regular-season title was clinched by the Serbian White Eagles, and as a result, faced the Challenge Trophy champions Calgary Springer Kickers for the Canadian Open Cup and successfully claimed the title. The NSL Cup was won by Toronto Italia after defeating Toronto First Portuguese.

The 1973 National Soccer League season was the fiftieth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in May and concluded in late October with Toronto Hungaria defeating Toronto Croatia for the NSL Championship. Toronto Hungaria repeated their success by defeating Croatia for the NSL Cup, which marked the organization's first league double. Although Toronto Croatia was defeated in the postseason, they still managed to secure the regular-season title and qualified for the Canadian Open Cup. In the Canadian Open Cup final Toronto successfully defended the title for the third consecutive season by defeating Challenge Trophy finalists Toronto West Indies United.

The 1972 National Soccer League season was the forty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in October with the Canadian Open Cup final. Toronto Croatia successfully defended its regular-season title for the third consecutive season with an undefeated regular season streak. Toronto would also defeat the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Cup. The Croatians would secure a treble by winning the Open Canada Cup against Vancouver Columbus. In the playoffs, Toronto Italia defeated the Serbian White Eagles for the NSL Championship.

The 1971 National Soccer League season was the forty-eighth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in early May and concluded in October with the Canadian Open Cup final where Toronto Croatia defeated Challenge Trophy champions Vancouver Eintracht. The Croatians would secure a treble by successfully defending their regular-season title, and defeating Toronto First Portuguese for the NSL Championship. The NSL Cup was successfully defended by Toronto First Portuguese who defeated Sudbury City.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Brown, Stewart (May 27, 1995). "White Eagles to fly in professional league". Hamilton Spectator . p. C5.
  2. 1 2 Nolan, Dan (August 17, 1996). "Crowd to be separated at Serb-Croat soccer game". Hamilton Spectator . p. C2.
  3. "The pros brought promise that never came to fruition". Hamilton Soccer. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019.
  4. "Canadian National Soccer League 1993 to 1997" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  5. Brown, Stewart (August 25, 1995). "White Eagles play host to London City squad". Hamilton Spectator . p. C5.
  6. Brown, Stewart (September 23, 1995). "White Eagles eager to put sorry season behind them". Hamilton Spectator . p. C5.
  7. 1 2 3 McGill, Aldwyn. Aldwynable - Vintage Midget. Star Soccer Review. p. 89.
  8. Herron, Shaun (June 25, 1996). "Bad blood sparks row : Violence explodes at Brian Timmis soccer meeting". Hamilton Spectator . p. B1.
  9. "Violence erupts at soccer game". Hamilton Spectator . June 24, 1996. p. B2.
  10. Da Costa, Norman (June 22, 1996). "Rivals bury hatchet on the pitch". Toronto Star . p. B1.
  11. Jeanneret, Mark (April 19, 1997). "Soccer: CNSL picks up three teams". St. Catharines Standard . p. C3.
  12. Da Costa, Norman (May 28, 1997). "CNSL AT 76". Toronto Star . p. B13.
  13. 1 2 Jeanneret, Mark (August 14, 1997). "Two teams given the boot". St. Catharines Standard . p. C1.
  14. Jeanneret, Mark (August 16, 1997). "White Eagles, Talons officially suspended; Wolves near title". St. Catharines Standard . p. D3.
  15. Dickins, Jeff (August 7, 1998). "Lynx prowl into Hamilton". Hamilton Spectator . p. F7.
  16. "Canadian National Soccer League 1995 Season Summary | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2021-01-18.