California Sunshine (soccer)
Encyclopedia
The California Sunshine was an American soccer club based in Fountain Valley, California
that was a member of the American Soccer League
. The team was owned by Dr. Robert Everakes and his wife Alexandra, who was the general manager. Their home games were held at Chapman University in Orange, California
and Eddie West Field at Santa Ana Stadium (aka Santa Ana Bowl) in Santa Ana, California
but had exhibition games at the University of California in Riverside, California
and Palm Springs Stadium in Palm Springs, California
. Their first season was 1977, but the team folded in 1981 after four seasons. The head coach was Derek Lawther
.
The California Sunshine Soccer Team was founded in 1977 by Warren Hoffnung (a nuclear physicist, aerospace executive and entrepreneur - currently CEO of MyWrapper, a software company that sells software for creating personalized candy wrappers) and Lee Andrews (a financial advisor). They acquired the Orange County, California territorial rights in the American Soccer League, the oldest U.S. professional soccer league. The commissioner of the ASL at the time was basketball great Bob Cousy and there were teams spread across the U.S. A little known fact is that the California Sunshine approved the move of the Quicksilver to Anaheim Stadium where it was renamed the California Surf. The California Sunshine was founded with two major philosophies: To field as many American players as possible and to keep profanity off the playing field. The goal was to encourage American youth to be able to attend the matches and see how soccer could be an important part of their sports participation. In fact, all but one of the players were American.
(1978–79) 48 Apps 24 Goals Tony Douglas
(1977–78) 41 Apps 24 Goals Joey Fink
(1979) 23 Apps 15 Goals Poli Garcia
(1977–79) 56 Apps 50 Goals John Lowey
(1978) 21 Apps 10 Goals Ramon Moraldo
(1979) Tom Reynolds
(1979) Jimmy Rolland
(1980) 18 Apps 8 Goals Don Tobin
(1978–80) Dean Wurzberger
(1977–79)
Coach of the Year
First Team All Star
Fountain Valley, California
Fountain Valley is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 55,313 at the 2010 census. A classic bedroom community, Fountain Valley is a middle-class residential area.- History :...
that was a member of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. The team was owned by Dr. Robert Everakes and his wife Alexandra, who was the general manager. Their home games were held at Chapman University in Orange, California
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
and Eddie West Field at Santa Ana Stadium (aka Santa Ana Bowl) in Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
but had exhibition games at the University of California in Riverside, California
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
and Palm Springs Stadium in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
. Their first season was 1977, but the team folded in 1981 after four seasons. The head coach was Derek Lawther
Derek Lawther
Derek Lawther is a soccer coach and businessman. He began his career in professional soccer as a player in Northern Ireland. After immigrating to the United States, he developed his coaching talents and went on to coach the US Olympic team as well as several professional American soccer teams...
.
The California Sunshine Soccer Team was founded in 1977 by Warren Hoffnung (a nuclear physicist, aerospace executive and entrepreneur - currently CEO of MyWrapper, a software company that sells software for creating personalized candy wrappers) and Lee Andrews (a financial advisor). They acquired the Orange County, California territorial rights in the American Soccer League, the oldest U.S. professional soccer league. The commissioner of the ASL at the time was basketball great Bob Cousy and there were teams spread across the U.S. A little known fact is that the California Sunshine approved the move of the Quicksilver to Anaheim Stadium where it was renamed the California Surf. The California Sunshine was founded with two major philosophies: To field as many American players as possible and to keep profanity off the playing field. The goal was to encourage American youth to be able to attend the matches and see how soccer could be an important part of their sports participation. In fact, all but one of the players were American.
Players
Andy ChapmanAndy Chapman
Andrew "Andy" Chapman is a retired English-American soccer player who saw his greatest success as an indoor player in the United States...
(1978–79) 48 Apps 24 Goals Tony Douglas
Tony Douglas
Tony Douglas is a retired professional football forward from Trinidad & Tobago. He spent his professional career in the United States, playing in the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
(1977–78) 41 Apps 24 Goals Joey Fink
Joey Fink
Joey Fink is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent six seasons in the North American Soccer League, two in the American Soccer League and seven in Major Indoor Soccer League. He also earned six caps with the U.S. national team between 1973 and 1975.-Youth and college:Fink played youth soccer...
(1979) 23 Apps 15 Goals Poli Garcia
Poli Garcia
Jose “Poli” Garcia is a former U.S. soccer player. He spent at least four seasons in the American Soccer League, three in the North American Soccer League and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
(1977–79) 56 Apps 50 Goals John Lowey
John Lowey (soccer)
John Lowey is a retired English football forward. Aside from three seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the American Soccer League and one in Australia, Lowey spent the majority of his career in the 2nd division with Blackburn Rovers in England.In 1978, he signed with the...
(1978) 21 Apps 10 Goals Ramon Moraldo
Ramon Moraldo
Ramom Moraldo is a retired Trinidad and Tobago football defender. He played as a defender.-External links:**...
(1979) Tom Reynolds
Tom Reynolds (soccer)
Tom Reynolds is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played two seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the Major Indoor Soccer League and at least four in the American Soccer League....
(1979) Jimmy Rolland
Jimmy Rolland
Jimmy Rolland was an English football forward who spent four seasons in the American Soccer League. He was the 1978 league leading scorer and MVP....
(1980) 18 Apps 8 Goals Don Tobin
Don Tobin
Don Tobin is a retired English football midfielder. Since 1995 he has been Director of Coaching at the Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club in the US. He is also assistant coach of the University of Tampa's soccer team, the Tampa Spartans....
(1978–80) Dean Wurzberger
Dean Wurzberger
Dean Wurzberger is a U.S. soccer coach who was a reserve team player with the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League. He later spent three seasons in the American Soccer League and most recently served as Head Coach for the University of Washington men's soccer team, a position he...
(1977–79)
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 2 | ASL | 3rd, West | 1st Round | Did not enter |
| 1978 | 2 | ASL | 2nd, Western | Semifinals | Did not enter |
| 1979 | 2 | ASL | 1st, Western | Semifinals | Did not enter |
| 1980 | 2 | ASL | 2nd, American | Playoffs | Did not enter |
Honors
MVP- 1979 Poli GarciaPoli GarciaJose “Poli” Garcia is a former U.S. soccer player. He spent at least four seasons in the American Soccer League, three in the North American Soccer League and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
Coach of the Year
- 1978 Derek LawtherDerek LawtherDerek Lawther is a soccer coach and businessman. He began his career in professional soccer as a player in Northern Ireland. After immigrating to the United States, he developed his coaching talents and went on to coach the US Olympic team as well as several professional American soccer teams...
First Team All Star
- 1977 Tony DouglasTony DouglasTony Douglas is a retired professional football forward from Trinidad & Tobago. He spent his professional career in the United States, playing in the North American Soccer League, American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League...
- 1979 Tom ReynoldsTom Reynolds (soccer)Tom Reynolds is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played two seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the Major Indoor Soccer League and at least four in the American Soccer League....
, Ramon MoraldoRamon MoraldoRamom Moraldo is a retired Trinidad and Tobago football defender. He played as a defender.-External links:**...
, Don TobinDon TobinDon Tobin is a retired English football midfielder. Since 1995 he has been Director of Coaching at the Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club in the US. He is also assistant coach of the University of Tampa's soccer team, the Tampa Spartans....
, Poli GarciaPoli GarciaJose “Poli” Garcia is a former U.S. soccer player. He spent at least four seasons in the American Soccer League, three in the North American Soccer League and four in the Major Indoor Soccer League...