TheCalgary Boomerswere a Canadiansoccerteam that competed in theNorth American Soccer League (NASL)for the1980–81 Indoorand1981 outdoorseasons. The team was based inCalgaryand played their home games atStampede Corralduring the indoor season andMcMahon Stadiumfor outdoor matches. Originally founded as theMemphis Rogues,the team relocated to Calgary when it was purchased byNelson Skalbaniaafter the1980 season.After loses of over $2 million during its operations, the team was placed intoreceivershipand its assets sold.
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| Full name | Calgary Boomers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Boomers | ||
| Founded | 1980 | ||
| Dissolved | 1981 | ||
| Stadium | McMahon Stadium Stampede Corral(indoor) | ||
| Capacity | 32,454 6,475 | ||
| Chairman | Nelson Skalbania | ||
| Head coach | Al Miller | ||
| League | North American Soccer League | ||
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History
editFounded as theMemphis Roguesin 1978, the team was purchased for $1.2 million byNelson Skalbania,during the1980 North American Soccer League seasonwith the intention of moving the team toCalgary,as Skalbania did theAtlanta Flameswhich he purchased five months previously.[1][2]The team debuted in the1980–81 NASL Indoor seasonfinishing its initial campaign with a record of 10 win and 8 losses with an average attendance of 4,672 and only missing out of a playoff berth base on goals scored.[3]The Boomers finished the1981 outdoorin second place in Northwest Division with 17 wins and 15 losses and a season average attendance of 10,501.[3]The number 8 seed in the playoffs, the Boomers lost to theFort Lauderdale Strikersin best of three games first round 3–1 on August 23 and 2–0 on August 26.[4][5]
At a press conference on September 16, 1981, owner Nelson Skalbania announced that unless the team could sell 6,500 indoor season tickets and a local ownership group found to purchase the team, the organization would cease operations the following Monday.[6]The next day, the league announced the Boomers were one of five teams that failed to post the required $150,000 bond to participate in the1981–82 NASL Indoor season.[7]The following week, it was reported that GM Rudi Schiffer had delivered the $150,000 performance bond nine days after the deadline while attending the NASL meetings in Toronto[8]and that a group of local businessmen had conditionally purchased the team in an effort to keep it Calgary.[9]A few days later on September 28, 1981, it was announced that the Boomers would merge with theEdmonton Drillerswith Skalbania selling his interest in the team toEdmonton OilersownerPeter Pocklington.[10][11]The following day, however, the team which recorded loses over $2 million, was placed intoreceivership,the deal fell through and the Boomer players were released to other team via adispersal draft.[12][13][14]Skalbania was later order by theSupreme Court of British Columbiato pay Memphis Rogues ownerAvron Fogelmanthe $1.1 million balance of the team's original purchase price, having only paid the initial $125,000 down payment.[2][15]
Coach
edit
Year-by-year
edit| Year | League | W | L | Pts | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–81 | NASL Indoor | 10 | 8 | — | 3rd, Northern Division | did not qualify |
| 1981 | NASL | 17 | 15 | 151 | 2nd, Northwest Division | Lost 1st Round (Ft. Lauderdale) |
Honors
editAll-Star Second Team Selections
- 1981Franz Gerber
Indoor All-Star Selections
- 1980–81Juan Carlos Molina[17]
Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
- 2011Victor Kodelja
U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
- 2024Francisco Marcos
References
edit- ^"Rouges Wallop Hurricanes 6–1".Sarasota Herald-Tribune.August 24, 1980. p. 6c.RetrievedDecember 16,2021.
- ^abKonotopetz, Gyle (October 6, 1981)."Boomer Saga Continues".The Calgary Herald.p. A16.RetrievedDecember 16,2021.
- ^ab"North American Soccer League".RSSSF.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^"Whitecaps thumped by Rowdies".The Montreal Gazette.August 24, 1981. p. 15.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Thuma, Cindy (August 27, 1981)."Bye-Bye, Boomers".Boca Raton News.p. B1.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Rauw, Murray (September 17, 1981)."Calgary too expensive for Skalbania".The Calgary Herald.p. C15.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^"Five NASL teams out".The Leader-Post.September 17, 1981. p. B4.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Konotopetz, Gyle (September 25, 1981)."Boomer's day of judgement arrives".The Calgary Herald.p. B11.
- ^Rauw, Murray (September 21, 1981)."Boomer sale has cautious elements".The Calgary Herald.p. C1.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^"Bommer to merge with Drillers".The Montreal Gazette.September 28, 1981. p. 41.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^"Mergers Reported".The New York Times.September 28, 1981. p. C6.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Rauw, Murry (September 30, 1981)."A padlock slapped on a coffin".The Calgary Herald.p. D1.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Francis, Diane; Parrish, Wayne (May 12, 1982)."Nelson Skalbania".The Leader-Post.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Beamish, Mike (May 20, 1982)."Skalbania's full Nelson has slipped".The Vancouver Sun.p. 6.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^"Skalbania Loses Court Battle".Youngstown Vindicator.March 3, 1982. p. 24.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Scheiber, Dave (April 16, 1982)."Rowdies have found new mover and shaker".St. Petersburg Times.p. 9C.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Henderson, Jim (April 21, 1981)."For Keith Bailey, The Long Wait Is Finally Over".The Tampa Tribune.p. 5-C.RetrievedJanuary 6,2021.