Sudbury Cyclones (1976–1980)

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Sudbury Cyclones
Founded1976
Dissolved1981
StadiumQueen's Athletic Field
OwnerWolf Mildenberger
LeagueNational Soccer League

Sudbury Cyclones was a soccer club based in Sudbury, Ontario. The club was formed in 1976 and originally competed in the Second Division of the National Soccer League (NSL). Sudbury played in the National Soccer League for five seasons from 1976 until the 1980 season.[1] The club became the last representative from Northern Ontario to compete in the National Soccer League.[2]

History[edit]

Professional soccer in Northern Ontario and in the city of Sudbury can be traced back to the mining boom of the 1930s where a procession of workers settled in the area, which led to the creation of a Northern Division in the National Soccer League (NSL).[2] The Northern Division would ultimately cease operating, but Sudbury managed to enter another franchise in the NSL in 1965 known as Sudbury Italia, which played for four seasons.[2][3] Further attempts were made in 1973 to organize another franchise in Sudbury, but the bid was rejected by the NSL ownership.[4] After a five-year absence, professional soccer returned to Northern Ontario with Sudbury Cyclones receiving an NSL franchise.[5][6] In the initial years, Sudbury competed in the Second Division of the National Soccer League.[7][8] The Cyclones secured a playoff berth in the 1978 season by finishing third but were eliminated in the semifinals to St. Catharines Roma.[9][10]

In 1979, the club was promoted to the First Division, and finished in the sixth position.[11] In the 1980 season, early reports of financial instability were becoming apparent with Sudbury, but the club managed to complete the season.[12][13] In early 1981, the club announced its departure from the league which marked the final time that a representative from Sudbury competed in the NSL.[14][15] A variety of factors such as travel expenses and failure to attract skilled players to the region contributed to the folding of Sudbury along with dwindling attendance numbers.[3][14]

In the club's fledgling years Sudbury occasionally imported players from Southern Ontario and abroad.[16][6] Later their roster recruitment policy shifted towards solely acquiring players from the local circuits.[17][18] The club ultimately adopted a developmental philosophy by recruiting local younger players due to economical reasons and issues stemming from player commitments and travel expenses.[19][20][21]

Head Coach history[edit]

Seasons[edit]

Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs Ref
1976 National Soccer League (Second Division) 8 7–4–10 6th – [27]
1977 10 6–4–8 6th – [27]
1978 7 6–2–4 3rd Semi-finals [27]
1979 National Soccer League 15 10–3–10 6th – [27]
1980 12 3–6–13 10th – [27]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Litterer, David A. (June 7, 2013). "Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation - Canadian National Soccer League". RSSSF. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  2. ^ a b c Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. pp. 114, 115, 163.
  3. ^ a b Pascal, Randy (June 20, 2020). "The Sudbury Cyclones and their semi-pro soccer stint". Sudbury Star. p. B1.
  4. ^ Waring, Ed (December 10, 1973). "Eight of NSL's ten teams will call CNE Stadium home". The Globe and Mail. p. S2.
  5. ^ Waring, Ed (December 8, 1975). "Meeting recommends NSL commissioner". The Globe and Mail. p. S8.
  6. ^ a b Kruse, Chuck (May 28, 1977). "Cyclones now lose off the field". Sudbury Star. p. 18.
  7. ^ "Panhellenic beats Hamilton". Toronto Star. July 31, 1978. p. B3.
  8. ^ "Croatia extends winning streak to 9 games by blanking Buffalo". The Globe and Mail. June 28, 1976. p. S8.
  9. ^ "Cyclones could file protest after losing playoff to Roma". Sudbury Star. September 18, 1978. p. 13.
  10. ^ Desilets, Peter (September 5, 1978). "Roma nips Cyclones 1-0". Sudbury Star. p. 17.
  11. ^ "1979 NSL Season" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca.
  12. ^ "In trouble". Nanaimo Daily News. March 25, 1980. p. 11.
  13. ^ "Sudbury's NSL Cyclones in deep financial trouble". Toronto Star. March 25, 1980. p. D2.
  14. ^ a b "ROUNDUP: Soccer". The Globe and Mail. February 26, 1981. p. 64.
  15. ^ Labow, Jeffrey (May 6, 1981). "Canadian flavor for new look NSL". The Globe and Mail. p. S4.
  16. ^ Gallagher, Danny (April 21, 1977). "Cyclones import adjusts". Sudbury Star. p. 17.
  17. ^ "Cyclones play league opener". Sudbury Star. May 5, 1979. p. 15.
  18. ^ "Cyclones search for player help". Sudbury Star. June 2, 1979. p. 8.
  19. ^ a b Desilets, Peter (April 25, 1980). "Cyclones will operate this season". Sudbury Star. p. 10.
  20. ^ Desilets, Peter (May 6, 1980). "Cyclones' roster looks sparse". Sudbury Star. p. 6.
  21. ^ "Cyclones hit road in weekend action". Sudbury Star. May 17, 1980. p. 13.
  22. ^ a b c Gallagher, Danny (June 11, 1977). "Stepancich makes return". Sudbury Star. p. 14.
  23. ^ "Knezevich named Cyclones' coach". Sudbury Star. June 4, 1977. p. 18.
  24. ^ Falldien, Jack (August 8, 1977). "Stepancich is cut as Cyclones coach". Sudbury Star. p. 17.
  25. ^ Gallagher, Danny (May 5, 1978). "Czerwinec, Gonko are unsure as Cyclones appear weaker". Sudbury Star. p. 13.
  26. ^ "Meet your 1979 Sudbury Cyclones". Sudbury Star. May 1, 1979. p. 15.
  27. ^ a b c d e "Sudbury Cyclones | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
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