Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame inducts three former Whitecaps
May 8, 2007 - Last Saturday, the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame & Museum held its 2007 induction ceremony in Woodbridge, Ontario.
Of the five players, five builders and one team that were inducted, three former Vancouver Whitecaps/86ers individuals were honoured for their contributions to Canadian soccer.
Former NASL Whitecaps owner Herb Capozzi, former Whitecaps striker Glen Johnson, and 86ers goalscoring legend Domenic Mobilio were all added to the Hall of Fame list of inductees.
A well known sports and business personality in British Columbia, Capozzi was instrumental in bringing the North American Soccer League to Vancouver as the original owner of the Whitecaps. A multi-sports star at UBC, Capozzi himself had a rich sporting career that included playing professional football in both the NFL and CFL. He even made two Grey Cup appearances with the Montreal Alouettes.
In his 10 seasons as Whitecaps owner, president and chairman, the Kelowna native was the driving force in making the NASL Whitecaps a championship team, as the club claimed the Soccer Bowl title in 1979 following famous victories over the New York Cosmos and Tampa Bay Rowdies. “He gave me and many others an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Johnson, who was the first player to sign for Capozzi’s team in 1974.
Saturday was also a special evening for Johnson, as he was inducted after a distinguished, yet brief, playing career. The Vancouver native made history as being the first Canadian-born soccer player to play in England's old First Division when he signed for West Bromwich Albion in 1969.
As a member of the Whitecaps, Johnson made 59 appearances and scored 14 goals between 1974 and 1977. In that time, he made nine appearances for Canada and captained the national team in World Cup qualifying in 1972 before retiring at the age of 25 following the tragic death of his son Nathan to leukemia.
For the 56-year-old, the induction dinner was a unique experience. “It gives you a weird feeling, but it was really gratifying and special.” Johnson told whitecapsfc.com. “It kind of affirms the hard work I put into playing.
“The Hall was really exciting and the ceremony was really classy. This experience has reconnected me to a lot of guys.”
Like Johnson, the late Domenic Mobilio was one of the first players to sign for the 86ers (now the current Whitecaps) ahead of the inaugural Canadian Soccer League season in 1987. A prolific marksman, Mobilio was the CSL’s all-time leading goalscorer with 81 goals in 121 league appearances. He continued to play for the club when it changed its name from the 86ers to the Whitecaps, having scored 170 goals during his 15-year career in Vancouver before retiring in 2001.
Of his 25 international caps for Canada, Mobilio scored a famous equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Brazil in Edmonton before the South Americans went on to win the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Sadly, Mobilio’s life was tragically cut short in November 2004 when he died of an apparent heart attack. He was 35.
Saturday also proved to be a very special evening for Coquitlam native Craig Forrest, who was inducted after an exceptional career as a goalkeeper in England and with the Canadian national team. Arguably one of the best talents to come out of Canada, the 39-year-old made over 300 appearances in English league soccer – most notably with his first club Ipswich Town. He also had loan spells at Colchester United and Chelsea before joining West Ham United in 1997, where he remained until his retirement in 2002.
Forrest was a key member of Canada’s national team between 1988 and 2002. He earned 56 caps and helped Holger Osieck’s side unexpectedly win the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup title. He now works as a soccer analyst for Canadian television and is currently based in Toronto.
More News
Return To Whitecaps News
