FEATURED PLAYER: GEORDIE LYALL

June 26, 2007 - A familiar face returned to the Vancouver Whitecaps men’s team last week, as defender Geordie Lyall re-signed with Bob Lilley’s side.

The Victoria, BC, native missed the first half of the current USL First Division season after opting last December to try his luck in the lower divisions of English soccer. A successful trial at Walsall FC prompted the 30-year-old to sign a contract until the end of the 2006/07 season with the team known as ‘The Saddlers’. Lyall’s move to the UK came after arguably his best season with the Whitecaps in 2006, as the right fullback earned a spot in the USL-1 All-League First Team and was nominated for the league’s Defender of the Year award.

Yet, despite helping Vancouver to last year’s USL-1 title, Lyall was unable to translate that fortune to his spell at Walsall. He made 11 appearances in the club’s reserves, but was unable to break into Richard Money’s first team, as The Saddlers went on to win the English League Two championship and earn promotion to League One. As a result, Lyall was released by Walsall at the conclusion of the season last month.

Despite enduring a disappointing spell with Walsall, Lyall felt his time in England’s Black Country was a worthwhile experience. “I’m glad I did it,” he told whitecapsfc.com. “It was just unfortunate that I didn’t get to play any first-team minutes. There was probably a lot of reasons for why that happened, but I’m not going to make any excuses. I had a good time over there and we got promoted. I met a lot of good people and played with a lot of really good players. I really saw what English football is all about.”

The former University of Victoria star was amazed by the physical nature of the English game. “It was super physical, as the games were played at 100mph,” he said. “In England, forwards are running at defenders and the soccer is a lot of first touch, knock it long, and battle. In England, everyone tackles, even the skilled players are flying into challenges.”

As for life off the pitch, Lyall admitted the culture amongst his former teammates took some getting used to. “The social aspect is pretty funny because there’s a lot of banter in England,” he said. “If you can’t be a part of the banter, you really can’t fit in. Some people really get grilled, while some people take it well and have a laugh with the boys. Other than that, the Walsall players were some of the funniest people in the locker room.”

Lyall looked at the option of finding a new club in England after leaving Walsall, but he felt the chance to return home and play for the Whitecaps again was too good to pass up. “There were other options in League Two and the money factor was quite appealing, but there’s more to life than money,” he admitted. “It’s nice to come back to Vancouver, where you know everyone on the team. You can play with your friends, play at Swangard Stadium, and play with a team that is trying to get another championship.”

Now entering his ninth season with Vancouver, Lyall knows it will be difficult to re-claim the starting job at right fullback, with teammates Lyle Martin and Narcisse Tchoumi currently in Lilley’s squad. “I don’t want to be stepping on anyone’s feet, but if I play anywhere on the field, I’m going to be happy,” Lyall said. “I think there is going to be a lot of utility positioning for me this year, either at centre back or right back. I may even have a bit of playing time at right midfield because the team has got to look to the future as well, and Lyle Martin and Narcisse Tchoumi have done really well. Those guys are going to be here a lot longer than I am, so that’s totally fine with me.”

With the Whitecaps in the middle of a six-game road trip, Lyall feels it is an opportunity for him to settle back into the team. “I’m just easing my way back, as I haven’t trained for a while,” he said. “I need to train a lot more, if I’m going to get some playing time.”


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