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CLUB HISTORY
Born in 1974, the Whitecaps grew to the city's top sports franchise by 1978. In 1979, they became Vancouver's only franchise to win a major North American Championship. Due to League instability the Whitecaps folded in 1984.
In 1986, the 86ers were launched and professional soccer was reborn. Over the next 16 years, the 86ers won four CSL (Canadian Soccer League) Championships. In 2001, due to widespread public support, the franchise name was changed back to Whitecaps. In 2002 the Whitecaps launched the Breakers women's team.
Current owner Greg Kerfoot purchased the Whitecaps and Breakers in November 2002. Under Kerfoot the Men's, Women's and Youth teams come together to share a philosophy, logo, and name: Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
In 2004 success began to bloom under the ownership and vision of Greg Kerfoot. The Whitecaps Women won the W-League North American title, and the Whitecaps Men reached the semi-finals of the A-League. Whitecaps Youth sent five teams to the North American Super Y Championships with the U13 boys winning the North American Championship.
With a complete soccer pyramid from youth teams to Men's and Women's professional teams, the Whitecaps Training facility set to open, and talk of a stadium on the horizon, Vancouver is becoming the Soccer Capital of Canada.
- In 1974 Vancouver is awarded a NASL (North American Soccer League) franchise.The name "Whitecaps" is chosen signifying "Whitecaps" on the water and the Mountains.
- A logo is unveiled and the team debuts in front of 18,000 people at Empire Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes losing 2-1 in a shootout.
- By 1978 the Whitecaps had grown to the city's top sports franchise, and soccer had become the most popular sport in the province.
- 1979 was a magical year for soccer in Vancouver. Coming off a record breaking year in 1978 including a 13 game winning streak, and "North American player of the year" honors for Bob Lenarduzzi, the caps were poised to take Vancouver on a magic carpet ride that would go down in history.
The year opened with a new look, and a sign of things to come. After a high flying season, they marched into the playoffs led by "King" Kevin Hector, "Wee" Willie Johnston, Phil "Lofty" Parks, England World Cup hero Alan Ball, and homegrown star Bob Lenarduzzi.
The caps were drawn against the L. A. Aztecs and the great Johan Cruyff in the conference semi-finals. After dropping the first game 3-2 in L. A., the caps needed not only to win the return game at Empire, but also a tie-breaking mini-game. In front of jam packed full house of 32,000, the caps take the opening game 1-0 in a shoot-out, and then in nail biting finale, win the mini-game in a 1-0 shoot-out.
On to the conference finals against a star studded New York Cosmos line-up that included, the "Kaiser' Franz Beckenbauer, and Italian star Georgio Chinaglia. All 32,000 seats sell in "1 hour" for game one at Empire. In a suspense filled game, the caps win 2-0. The return game in New York will go down as one of the greatest games in North American soccer history. The Cosmos take the game to tie the series, but the caps prevailed in 1-0 shoot-out win on a goal by Derek Possee.
The Whitecaps capture the NASL "Soccer Bowl" championship - defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 on goals by Trevor Wymark. The Whitecaps come home to the largest reception in BC history, over 100,000 people.
In 1983 the Whitecaps move into BC Place. The first game, a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders, draws 60,000 fans. The move was short lived however, for in 1984 the NASL and Whitecaps after 10 seasons folded due to league instability.
- In 1986 out of the NASL ashes came the new professional Canadian Soccer League.
Vancouver's new pro team, the "86ERS", are here. An overflow crowd of 7,600 fans jams Swangard Stadium to witness former Whitecap Bob Lenarduzzi coach the club to an emotional 4-2 win over Edmonton with long-time Whitecap Carl Valentine scoring the first goal in club history.
The team goes on to compile a North American record 46-game winning streak over the next 2 seasons and dominate the CSL with 4 consecutive playoff championships (1988–91) and 5 straight regular-season first-place finishes (1988–92).
- Businessman Milan Ilich takes over the team in 1989, and in 1992 the club moves from the floundering CSL to the new (APSL) American Professional Soccer League. The team takes on a new look, logo and colours.
After leading the team to the APSL semifinals, coach and General Manger Bobby Lenarduzzi, steps down after seven seasons to become Canada's National Team coach. Carl Valentine takes over as the club's head coach.
In 1997 the APSL becomes the A-League. That same year the 86ers are purchased by David Braley of the BC Lions. Lenarduzzi returns from the National team to become General Manager, and another former Whitecap Dale Mitchell, takes over from Valentine as the clubs third head coach.
- In August 2000 the club is sold by owner David Braley to local owner David Stadnyk. Under Stadnyk the 86ers revert back to the name Whitecaps. They unveil a new logo and new-look jerseys designed in a tribute to their Soccer Bowl championship of 1979. The new Whitecaps club, playing to record crowds, has an outstanding season, bowing out late in the playoffs.
That same year saw the birth of the franchises new entry on the local soccer scene, the Vancouver Breakers Women's team. The Breakers take on many of the players that played the previous season under the Vancouver Angels Banner. The Breakers, playing in the W-League, capture the imagination of the Vancouver fans with a record setting season leading to a heart breaking loss in the finals.
- 2002 is marked by change and turbulence. As a sign of things to come, popular coach Dale Mitchell leaves the team to coach Canada’s Under 20 team, and is replaced by Tony Fonseca. That is just the beginning.
Citing crippling financial losses, Owner David Stadnyk, walks away from the franchise in mid-season handing the rights over to the USL's A-League. The A-League appoints Bob Lenarduzzi head of a search committee which leads to new owner Greg Kerfoot.
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