The Nova Scotia Clippers were a professional soccer team based in the original Canadian Soccer League. They were based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but played their matches in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia at Beazley Field.[1] They played only a single season in 1991.
 | |
| Full name | The Nova Scotia Clippers |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Clippers |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Dissolved | 1991 |
| Stadium | Beazley Field |
| Chairman | Stan Brechin |
| Head Coach | Gordon Hill |
| League | Canadian Soccer League |
| 1991 | 6th |
History
editIn 1989, an expansion franchise for the Canadian Soccer League was awarded to the Nova Scotia Professional Soccer Society, which would debut two years later in 1991.[2][3] They were the first professional soccer team in the Halifax area.[4]
The club played their home matches at Beazley Field in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, after the city of Halifax was not interested in hosting the team at Wanderers Grounds.[5] Dartmouth spent $25,000 in improvements to the field, in anticipation of the Clippers arrival.[6] Their head coach and general manager was Gordon Hill.[1] They played their first home match on May 26, 1991, against the Vancouver 86ers, in front of a crowd of 1,891 spectators, finishing in a 0–0 draw.[6][7] In September 1991, the club played two exhibition matches against the Bermuda national team.[3]
The club finished their debut season with a record of 7 wins, 7 ties, and 14 losses, finishing sixth in the eight team league.[4][1] The team advanced to the playoffs, losing in the first round to the North York Rockets.[1] The club averaged around 1,500 fans per game, although many tickets were handed out for free.[4] There were discussions about moving the team's home field to Wanderers Grounds in Halifax for 1992,[5] however the team folded after the 1991 season due to lack of interest.[1]
After the team folded, the Halifax region was without professional soccer for 27 years, until HFX Wanderers FC joined the new Canadian Premier League.[8]
Season
edit| Season | Tier | League | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 | Canadian Soccer League | 7–7–14 | 6th | Quarter-Final | [9] |
Players
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Nova Scotia Clippers (1991)". CSL Memories.
- ^ "Canada Soccer honours Tony Waiters with award, inducts Bob Sayer into Hall of Fame". Chat News Today. December 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "Nova Scotia Clippers Results". Maritime Pro Ball. July 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c "The Clip Show". Maritime Pro Ball. February 11, 2016.
- ^ a b "Wanderers Grounds Follies". Maritime Pro Ball. June 20, 2018.
- ^ a b Meister, Craig (May 25, 1991). "Dartmouth welcoming Clippers' arrival". Halifax Daily News.
- ^ "Sports!!!". Nova Scotia Project.
- ^ Molinaro, John. "Something to Cheer For". Sportsnet.
- ^ "Canadian Soccer League Standings Archive". Canada Soccer History Archives.