Vancouver Columbus
Encyclopedia
Vancouver Columbus F.C., is a Canadian
Soccer Club
based in Vancouver
, British Columbia
. Currently the club plays in the Premier Division of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League.
By 1957, the team name changed to Columbus and was under the guidance of Peter Mainardi. As president, Mainairdi gave the club stability and strong leadership and paved the way for Columbus' future successes. In the 1960s, Columbus was a dominant team. Their domination on the field captured the imagination of the Italian soccer community in particular. The team played at Callister Park the soccer mecca in Vancouver at that time.
In 1973 for having played in a unsactioned tournament, the club and its owner Peter Mainardi were suspended.
Therefore for a few years the same players played under the Vancouver Italia name until coming back with
the Columbus name in 1976.
Following the death of Mainairdi, the club came under the guidance of Paul Anthony who had joined the team as a player in 1954.
Anthony continued on as secretary and team manager and played a key role in the evolution of the club until his death in 1982. From 1982-87, the administration of the club was under the leadership of Eugenio Vazzoler, Peter Greco and General manager Charlie Cuzzetto.
In 1985 Columbus entered the newly formed semi-professional Pacific Rim Soccer League with Joe Tinucci as president and Mike Bernardis as coach. Columbus as a Semi-Professional Club, quickly became League and Cup Champions and well as National Finalists with Toronto Blizzard
.
After an absence of 10 years Columbus reemerged in 2003 under the direction of Rob Mascitti, Carmen D'Onofrio and Joe Papa. Although the passing of years has seen the influx of non -Italian players, the major part of the team still hold fast to its Italian roots, a tribute to past Coaches Gianni Azzi, Jack Hobbs 1964 (Canadian Champions) Joe Csabai 1969 (Canadian Champions), Tony Canta 1977, 1978 (Canadian Champions).
Columbus has been at the forefront of Canadian soccer and has planted deep soccer roots in Canada over the past 58 years. The team has provided more players then any other amateur club in Canada to Canada's Professional, Provincial , Olympic and National Team rosters as well as supplying Universities
and Colleges. Columbus also holds the distinction of having the most players in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame with eleven players. After the Westminister Royals, Columbus is the most successful amateur club in Canada having appeared in 6 National Finals and winning 4.
To compliment the Columbus Premier men's team , the Masters over 35's and over 55's, the club is excited with the latest additions to the Columbus family a Women's Premier Team and a over 40's men's team.
Off the field the Columbus Alumni have influence across the country and play a major role in Canadian soccer as evidenced by the following;
In addition to winning numerous League Championships, Kennedy Cups, Imperial Cups and Provincial Cups, Columbus has won the National Challenge Trophy
four times: 1964, 1969, 1977 and 1978 and were Finalists in 1968 and 2007.
In addition, Columbus Masters Over 35's also won a National Championship in 2003 and Western Championship in 2009. Since 2003, Columbus plays in the VMSL and have won a Provincial Cup, two Imperial Cups, Western Canadian Champions and a Canadian National Trophy Cup Finalist.
1964, 1969, 1977, 1978
National Challenge Runners-Up 1968, 2007
Provincial Cup Winners 1964, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1978, 2007
Provincial Cup Finalist 2011
National Soccer League Cup (Semi-Pro) Finalists 1986
Open Canada Cup National Runners-Up 2007
Open Canada Cup Western Champions 2007
VMSL Imperial Cup Winners 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 2006, 2007
Pacific Coast League Cup Winners 1984, 1988
Pacific Coast League Champions 1964, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1978, 1988, 1989
Pacific Coast League Junior Division Winners 1965
Pacific Rim League President's Cup 1972, 1985
Pacific Rim League Champions 1985, 1986
Anderson Cup (PCSL) 1960
JFK Kennedy Cup Winners 1989
BC Masters Provincial Cup Champions(Over 30/35) 1994, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2009
BC Masters Provincial Cup Finalists(over 30/35) 1995, 1997, 2007
National Masters Trophy Winners 2003
Western Masters Trophy Winners 2009
Peter Greco 3, 1969,1977,1978,
Sergio Zanatta 3, 1969,1977,1978,
Vanni Lenarduzzi 3, 1969,1977,1978,
Steve Djoric 2, 1964,1969,
Bob Hazeldine. 2, 1964, 1969
Jim Berry 1, 1969,
Carlos Franco 1, 1964,
John Camuzzi 1, 1964,
Sam Lenarduzzi 1, 1969,
Roy Nosella 1, 1964,
Gogie Stewart 1, 1964,
Ken Pears 1, 1964,
Normie Macleod 1, 1964,
Errol Crossan 1, 1964,
Barry Ihaski 1, 1964,
George Zambrano 1, 1964,
Peter Simpson 1, 1969,
Victor Kodelja 1, 1969,
Elio Ciaccia 1, 1978
Joe Cuzzetto 1, 1978
Gianni Azzi,
Tony Canta,
Jack Hobbs,
Mike Bernardis,
Steve Djoric,
Eugenio Vazzoler,
Peter Greco,
Sam Lenarduzzi
Peter Mainardi,
Frank Iuele,
Joe Iuele,
Paul Anthony,
Luciano Montagliani,
Tony De Benedetto
Tom Bresciani,
Eugenio Vazzoler,
Rino Orsato,
Umberto Menghi,
Carmen D'Onofrio Sr,
Tony Funaro,
Joe Tinucci,
Charlie Cuzzetto,
Aldo Staniscia
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...
Soccer Club
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
based in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Currently the club plays in the Premier Division of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League.
History
Father Joseph Scanagatta founded the team in 1953 as Sacred Heart soccer team, with the goal of providing a team for the many Italian immigrants who settled in the east side of Vancouver.By 1957, the team name changed to Columbus and was under the guidance of Peter Mainardi. As president, Mainairdi gave the club stability and strong leadership and paved the way for Columbus' future successes. In the 1960s, Columbus was a dominant team. Their domination on the field captured the imagination of the Italian soccer community in particular. The team played at Callister Park the soccer mecca in Vancouver at that time.
In 1973 for having played in a unsactioned tournament, the club and its owner Peter Mainardi were suspended.
Therefore for a few years the same players played under the Vancouver Italia name until coming back with
the Columbus name in 1976.
Following the death of Mainairdi, the club came under the guidance of Paul Anthony who had joined the team as a player in 1954.
Anthony continued on as secretary and team manager and played a key role in the evolution of the club until his death in 1982. From 1982-87, the administration of the club was under the leadership of Eugenio Vazzoler, Peter Greco and General manager Charlie Cuzzetto.
In 1985 Columbus entered the newly formed semi-professional Pacific Rim Soccer League with Joe Tinucci as president and Mike Bernardis as coach. Columbus as a Semi-Professional Club, quickly became League and Cup Champions and well as National Finalists with Toronto Blizzard
Toronto Blizzard
The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that played in the North American Soccer League.-History:The Toronto Metros joined the NASL in 1971. Their home field was Varsity Stadium....
.
After an absence of 10 years Columbus reemerged in 2003 under the direction of Rob Mascitti, Carmen D'Onofrio and Joe Papa. Although the passing of years has seen the influx of non -Italian players, the major part of the team still hold fast to its Italian roots, a tribute to past Coaches Gianni Azzi, Jack Hobbs 1964 (Canadian Champions) Joe Csabai 1969 (Canadian Champions), Tony Canta 1977, 1978 (Canadian Champions).
Columbus has been at the forefront of Canadian soccer and has planted deep soccer roots in Canada over the past 58 years. The team has provided more players then any other amateur club in Canada to Canada's Professional, Provincial , Olympic and National Team rosters as well as supplying Universities
and Colleges. Columbus also holds the distinction of having the most players in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame with eleven players. After the Westminister Royals, Columbus is the most successful amateur club in Canada having appeared in 6 National Finals and winning 4.
To compliment the Columbus Premier men's team , the Masters over 35's and over 55's, the club is excited with the latest additions to the Columbus family a Women's Premier Team and a over 40's men's team.
Off the field the Columbus Alumni have influence across the country and play a major role in Canadian soccer as evidenced by the following;
- Victor Montagliani (Vice President of Canadian Soccer Association)
- Charlie Cuzzetto (President of British Columbia Soccer Association)
- Bobby Lenarduzzi (President of Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
In addition to winning numerous League Championships, Kennedy Cups, Imperial Cups and Provincial Cups, Columbus has won the National Challenge Trophy
Canadian National Challenge Cup
The Challenge Trophy is a national amateur football cup in Canada contested by the champions of individual provincial soccer competitions. It is one of the oldest football competitions in Canada, being held since 1913...
four times: 1964, 1969, 1977 and 1978 and were Finalists in 1968 and 2007.
In addition, Columbus Masters Over 35's also won a National Championship in 2003 and Western Championship in 2009. Since 2003, Columbus plays in the VMSL and have won a Provincial Cup, two Imperial Cups, Western Canadian Champions and a Canadian National Trophy Cup Finalist.
Honours
National Challenge Trophy WinnersCanadian National Challenge Cup
The Challenge Trophy is a national amateur football cup in Canada contested by the champions of individual provincial soccer competitions. It is one of the oldest football competitions in Canada, being held since 1913...
1964, 1969, 1977, 1978
National Challenge Runners-Up 1968, 2007
Provincial Cup Winners 1964, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1978, 2007
Provincial Cup Finalist 2011
National Soccer League Cup (Semi-Pro) Finalists 1986
Open Canada Cup National Runners-Up 2007
Open Canada Cup Western Champions 2007
VMSL Imperial Cup Winners 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 2006, 2007
Pacific Coast League Cup Winners 1984, 1988
Pacific Coast League Champions 1964, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1978, 1988, 1989
Pacific Coast League Junior Division Winners 1965
Pacific Rim League President's Cup 1972, 1985
Pacific Rim League Champions 1985, 1986
Anderson Cup (PCSL) 1960
JFK Kennedy Cup Winners 1989
BC Masters Provincial Cup Champions(Over 30/35) 1994, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2009
BC Masters Provincial Cup Finalists(over 30/35) 1995, 1997, 2007
National Masters Trophy Winners 2003
Western Masters Trophy Winners 2009
Famous Players (includes Premier, Masters & Seniors)
- Carlo Alberti, Dino Alberti , Ivano Belfiore, Luca BellisomoLuca BellisomoLuca Bellisomo is a South African-born Canadian soccer player who plays for Finnish Veikkausliiga club IFK Mariehamn.-Youth and College:...
, Chris BennettChris BennettChris Bennett may refer to:* Chris Bennett , Grammy-nominated singer, dancer and composer* Chris Bennett , former Canadian international and NASL soccer player...
, Jim BerryJim BerryJim Berry is an American comic strip artist.Berry was born in Chicago on January 16, 1932 and attended Dartmouth University and Ohio Wesleyan.In 1961, Berry began working for the Newspaper Enterprise Association....
, Tony Canta, John Camuzzi, Elio Ciaccia, Frank Ciaccia, Kevin Colbow, Eroll Crossan, Joe Cuzzetto, Domenic DeMarco, Steve Djoric, Carmen D'Onofrio Jr., Neil EllettNeil EllettNeil Ellett was a Canadian soccer player who spent his career with Vancouver teams, including the Vancouver Whitecaps of the North American Soccer League. He also played for the member of the Canadian national and Olympic soccer teams.-Club career:Ellett graduated from Burnaby North Secondary...
, Tony Fonseca, Carlos FrancoCarlos FrancoCarlos Daniel Franco is a Paraguayan professional golfer. He is the brother of golfer Angel Franco.Franco was born in Asunción, Paraguay. He comes from a poor background and grew up in a one-room, dirt-floor home. His father was a greenkeeper and caddy, and he has five brothers, all of whom...
, Graziano Franzon, Peter GrecoPeter GrecoPeter Greco was a Canadian soccer player who earned three caps for the national team in 1968. He played club football for Vancouver Columbus and the Vancouver Whitecaps.-External links:**...
, Bob Hazeldine, Gerry HeaneyGerry HeaneyGerry Heaney is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a full back. After playing youth football with Hamilton Academical, Heaney played in the Scottish league for Third Lanark, and in the North American Soccer League for the Vancouver Whitecaps.-References:...
, Frank Iuele, Glen Johnson, Barry Ihaski, Ottorino Infanti, Steve KindelSteve KindelSteve Kindel is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Surrey United Firefighters.-Club:...
, Victor KodeljaVictor KodeljaVictor Kodelja is a former member of the Canadian national soccer team and North American Soccer League.-Professional:...
, Garret KuschGarret KuschGarret Andrew Kusch is a Canadian former soccer player who played at both professional and international levels as a striker. After retiring as a player, Kusch became a Chiropractor.-Club career:...
, Daniel Lenarduzzi,
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...
, Vanni Lenarduzzi, John MilnerJohn MilnerJohn David Milner was an American first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up a huge Hank Aaron fan, even appropriating his idol's nickname, "The Hammer." He was a member of the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates team that won the World Series...
, Vittorio Montagliani, Normie McLeod, Wes McLeodWes McLeodWes McLeod is a retired Canadian soccer player who earned eighteen caps with the Canadian national soccer team.-Professional:...
, David McGillDavid McGillDavid McGill is a Canadian former professional soccer player who played in the North American Soccer League between 1979 and 1981 for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Detroit Express and Washington Diplomats. McGill also earned four caps for the Canadian under-20 side in 1979, and participated at the 1979...
, Mike McLenaghenMike McLenaghenMike McLenaghen is a former North American Soccer League player and member of the Canadian national soccer team....
, Steve NesinSteve NesinSteve Nesin is a Canadian former soccer player who played at both professional and international levels as a striker.-Early and personal life:Nesin was born in Novi Sad, SFR Yugoslavia.-Club career:...
, Roy Nosella, Rino Orsato, Buzz Parsons, Ken PearsKen PearsKen Pears is a former Canadian elite professional soccer player.Pears was the top goalkeeper in Canada in the 1950s and early 1960s...
, Danny Pighin, Tyler Roselund, Daryl Samson, Peter SimpsonPeter SimpsonPeter Simpson may refer to:*Peter Simpson , Scottish football striker who played for Crystal Palace in the 1920s and 1930s*Peter Simpson , English football defender who played for Arsenal in the 1960s and 1970s...
, Gogie StewartGogie StewartGordon "Gogie" Stewart was a star Canadian soccer player of the 1950s.Beginning his senior soccer career with North Shore United while still in high school, Stewart played the 1953 season for the famous English club Everton's second team...
, Gary ThompsonGary ThompsonGary Thompson may refer to:*Gary Thompson , former Canadian international and North American Soccer League player*Gary Scott Thompson , American TV producer*Gary Thompson , journalist with Philadelphia Daily News...
, Guido TitottoGuido TitottoGuido Gino Titotto is a retired Canadian association football player who earned 1 cap for the Canadian national side in 1989. He played club football for Vancouver 86ers and Cliff Avenue United....
, Eugenio Vazzoler, Ken Whitehead, 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...
, Davide XausaDavide XausaDavide Antonio Xausa is a Canadian footballer, currently playing for amateur side Columbus Clan.-Club career:...
, Giorgio Zambrano, Sergio ZanattaSergio ZanattaSergio Zanatta is a retired Italian-born Canadian association football player who earned 3 caps for the Canadian national side in 1968. He played club football for Vancouver Columbus and Vancouver Whitecaps.-External links:* *...
,
National Trophy Winners By Player For Columbus FC Only
Eugenio Vazzoler 4, 1964,1969 1977,1978,Peter Greco 3, 1969,1977,1978,
Sergio Zanatta 3, 1969,1977,1978,
Vanni Lenarduzzi 3, 1969,1977,1978,
Steve Djoric 2, 1964,1969,
Bob Hazeldine. 2, 1964, 1969
Jim Berry 1, 1969,
Carlos Franco 1, 1964,
John Camuzzi 1, 1964,
Sam Lenarduzzi 1, 1969,
Roy Nosella 1, 1964,
Gogie Stewart 1, 1964,
Ken Pears 1, 1964,
Normie Macleod 1, 1964,
Errol Crossan 1, 1964,
Barry Ihaski 1, 1964,
George Zambrano 1, 1964,
Peter Simpson 1, 1969,
Victor Kodelja 1, 1969,
Elio Ciaccia 1, 1978
Joe Cuzzetto 1, 1978
Notable Coaches
Joe Csabai,Gianni Azzi,
Tony Canta,
Jack Hobbs,
Mike Bernardis,
Steve Djoric,
Eugenio Vazzoler,
Peter Greco,
Sam Lenarduzzi
Builders
Father Joseph Scanagatta,Peter Mainardi,
Frank Iuele,
Joe Iuele,
Paul Anthony,
Luciano Montagliani,
Tony De Benedetto
Tom Bresciani,
Eugenio Vazzoler,
Rino Orsato,
Umberto Menghi,
Carmen D'Onofrio Sr,
Tony Funaro,
Joe Tinucci,
Charlie Cuzzetto,
Aldo Staniscia