National Soccer League
Season1962
Champions
  • FC Olympia-Harmonie Toronto (regular season)
  • Toronto Italian Virtus (playoffs, 1st title)
Top goalscorerDave Hutchinson (22)[1][2][3]
← 1961
1963

The 1962 National Soccer League season was the thirty-ninth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in early November with Toronto Italian Virtus defeating reigning champions Toronto Ukrainia for the NSL Championship.[4][5] The regular-season title was clinched by FC Olympia-Harmonie Toronto.[1][6]

Overview

There was a major reshuffle in the league's membership due to competition from the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League (ECPSL).[7] Two of the National Soccer League's (NSL) major clubs Polish White Eagles and Toronto Roma were accepted into the ECPSL.[8][7] The league also lost its final representative from Quebec with the departure of Montreal Concordia.[9] The rivalry between the two leagues began to have a financial strain on the NSL, which caused a major decrease in their gate earnings at Stanley Park Stadium.[10][7] Since the creation of the ECPSL in 1961, the NSL's annual average attendance record dropped from 231 000 in 1960 to 35 000 in 1962.[11] The average attendance at Stanley Park was around 1000 throughout the 1962 season.[12]

Despite the departure of some of the league's top clubs, the membership increased to 12 members.[13] The new entries were primarily former members of the Toronto and District Soccer League.[14][15] The new additions were Hellenic, Toronto Italian Virtus, Queen City, Toronto Croatia, Toronto Estonia, and Toronto Macedonians.[8][16] The city of Oshawa was added to the circuit with the acceptance of Oshawa Hungarians, and Oshawa Italia.[13][15] Toronto Italian Virtus was granted a franchise with the hopes of attracting the Italian diaspora, which fan support the league had lost due to the departure of Toronto Italia and Toronto Roma to the ECPSL.[14]

Several league members capitalized on the usage of ECPSL players as the ECPSL season concluded earlier around August.[17][18][19] The procession of ECPSL players to the NSL caused issues with the Canadian Soccer Football Association and Ontario Soccer Association over the control of player registrations.[20] In an attempt to curb the free movement of players the governing bodies issued fines to clubs and barred players that failed to obtain permission from their parent clubs.[20][21]

Teams

Team City Stadium Manager
Hellenic Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15]
Italian Virtus Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15] George Stellyn[22]
Oshawa Hungarians Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa Italia Oshawa, Ontario
Queen City Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15]
Toronto Croatia Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15]
Toronto Estonia Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15]
Toronto Hungaria Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15]
Toronto Macedonians Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15] Imre Dora[23]
FC Olympia-Harmonie Toronto Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15] Jimmy Lauder[24]
Toronto Ukrainia Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15]
Toronto Ulster United FC Toronto, Ontario Stanley Park Stadium[15] Steve Koltati[25]

Coaching changes

Team Outgoing coach Manner of
departure
Date of
vacancy
Position in table Incoming coach Date of
appointment
Toronto Macedonians Alex Skorek[26] replaced Imre Dora[23]

Playoffs

The preliminary round of the playoffs was contested in a round-robin style with two separate groups where the two group winners would qualify for the final. The championship final was contested in a two-game series. Toronto Ulster United later withdrew from the playoffs due to financial issues.[27] The top six teams qualified for the playoffs.[28]

Group A

October 9, 1962 FC Olympia-Harmonie Toronto 0–2 Toronto Italian Virtus Stanley Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
[[29] Report] Egidio Papais
Frank Rosati
October 12, 1962 FC Olympia-Harmonie Toronto 1–0 Oshawa Italia Stanley Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
Klaus Woitschatzke 46' [[30] Report] Referee: Derek Gardner
October 14, 1962 Oshawa Italia 0–4 Toronto Italian Virtus Oshawa, Ontario
[[31] Report] Frank Rosati 10', 50'
Giuseppe Tonani
Angelo
October 18, 1962 Toronto Italian Virtus 1–0 FC Olympia-Harmonie Toronto Stanley Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
Giuseppe Tonani 35' [[32] Report]
October 21, 1962 Toronto Italian Virtus 3–0 Oshawa Italia Stanley Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
Emilio Daddato
Sebastin Fronte
Gus Tonani
[[33] Report]

Toronto Italian Virtus advances to the final.

Group B

October 8, 1962 Toronto Ukraina 4–0 Toronto Ulster United Stanley Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
Paul Dowhaluk , ,
Leo Dowhaluk
[[34] Report] Attendance: 700
October 11, 1962 Toronto Ukraina 4–0 Toronto Estonia Stanley Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
[[35] Report]
October 19, 1962 Toronto Estonia 0–1 Toronto Ukraina Stanley Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
[[36] Report] Paul Dowhaluk 3' Referee: Bobby Reid

Toronto Ukrainia advances to the final.

Finals

October 28, 1962 Toronto Ukrainia 0–2 Toronto Italian Virtus Toronto, Ontario
[[37] Report] Gus Tonani 38'
Frank Rosati 62'
Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
November 4, 1962 Toronto Italian Virtus 2–3 (a.e.t.) Toronto Ukrainia Toronto, Ontario
Frank Rosati 67'
Joe Tonani 102'
[[5] Report] George Crook 10'
Leo Dowhaluk 17'
Paul Dowhaluk 83'
Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Referee: Phil McKay

Toronto Italian Virtus won the series 4-3 on goals on aggregate.

References

  1. 1 2 Waring, Ed (September 22, 1962). "NSL Pennant Is Captured By Olympia". The Globe and Mail. p. 29.
  2. Taylor, Joe (October 4, 1962). "National Loops Changes Mind". Toronto Daily Star. p. 17.
  3. "Virtus Pin 2-0 Defeat On Olympia". The Globe and Mail. October 10, 1962. p. 20.
  4. Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 116.
  5. 1 2 Waring, Ed (November 5, 1962). "Italia Wins Crown in Overtime". The Globe and Mail. p. 25.
  6. "CSL Past Champions" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Waring, Ed (February 5, 1962). "Large Decline In Attendance; NSL Continues". The Globe and Mail. p. 19.
  8. 1 2 "Ukrainians, Oshawa In Opener". The Globe and Mail. April 28, 1962. p. 32.
  9. Gillespie, Norman (April 10, 1962). "Germania Kickers Bow To Luxembourg 3 To 2". Montreal Gazette. p. 39.
  10. Waring, Ed (July 20, 1962). "Goal in Waning Minutes Gives Macedonians Draw". The Globe and Mail. p. 23.
  11. "Pro Soccer League Rejects Plan For Merger With NSL Teams". The Globe and Mail. March 20, 1963. p. 24.
  12. Waring, Ed (September 12, 1962). "League Still Solvent NSL Official Claims, Only Owe Bank Loan". The Globe and Mail. p. 17.
  13. 1 2 Waring, Ed (April 30, 1962). "Ukrainians Victorious Against Oshawa Team In Soccer Opener 4-1". The Globe and Mail. p. 17.
  14. 1 2 Waring, Ed (February 19, 1962). "More Woes: Thirkettle Will Quit Soccer League Post". The Globe and Mail. p. 16.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Taylor, Joe (April 28, 1962). "Soccer Season Starts". Toronto Daily Star. p. 41.
  16. Waring, Ed (April 10, 1962). "Local Opening Of Soccer Loop Set for May 8". The Globe and Mail. p. 41.
  17. Waring, Ed (August 1, 1962). "National League Hopes To Gain Players, Fans When Pro Season Ends". The Globe and Mail. p. 15.
  18. Waring, Ed (September 26, 1962). "Liipere Scores Pair of Goals In Estonia Win". The Globe and Mail. p. 33.
  19. Waring, Ed (August 28, 1962). "Top Roma Stars Join Ukrainia Team". The Globe and Mail. p. 27.
  20. 1 2 Waring, Ed (September 19, 1962). "Jumped From ECPSL, Five Players Barred By National League". The Globe and Mail. p. 16.
  21. "Ontario Soccer Group, Fines Seven Clubs Over Player Signings". The Globe and Mail. October 20, 1962. p. 33.
  22. Macdonald, John (November 1, 1962). "Conditioning Is Key to Virtus Success". Toronto Daily Star. p. 15.
  23. 1 2 "N.L. Teams Tie". The Globe and Mail. July 11, 1962. p. 27.
  24. "Olympia Reluctantly Uses Pros, Estonia Beaten in NSL Tilt 7-0". The Globe and Mail. September 7, 1962. p. 27.
  25. Taylor, Joe (June 15, 1962). "Ulster Weakness Shows". Toronto Daily Star. p. 19.
  26. Waring, Ed (June 29, 1962). "Soccer Ref Assailed In Season's First Tiff". The Globe and Mail. p. 23.
  27. "Need Police Escort For Soccer Referee". Toronto Daily Star. October 15, 1962. p. 11.
  28. Waring, Ed (October 8, 1962). "Toronto Hungarians Defeat Macedonians In Final Soccer Tilt". The Globe and Mail. p. 16.
  29. "Italian Virtus Blanks Olympia". Toronto Daily Star. October 10, 1962. p. 19.
  30. Waring, Ed (October 13, 1962). "Referee Sends Player From Soccer Match After Linesman Hit". The Globe and Mail. p. 25.
  31. Waring, Ed (October 15, 1962). "Police Protect Ref: Caledonians Tumble Italia for Consols Cup". The Globe and Mail. p. 28.
  32. "Italian Virtus Clinches Berth In Soccer Final". Toronto Daily Star. October 19, 1962. p. 14.
  33. "Italian-Virtus Is Unscored On In 4-Tilt Playoff". Toronto Daily Star. October 22, 1962. p. 14.
  34. "Only 700 Fans Watch Ukes Win Opener". Toronto Daily Star. October 9, 1962. p. 13.
  35. "National League". The Globe and Mail. October 12, 1962. p. 29.
  36. "Ontario Soccer Group, Fines Seven Clubs Over Player Signings". The Globe and Mail. October 20, 1962. p. 33.
  37. Waring, Ed (October 29, 1962). "Italian-Virus Blanks Ukes 2-0 To Capture Lead in NSL Final". The Globe and Mail. p. 22.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.