SURREY CLASSICS FC - 2007-2008

PLAYING SQUAD

Gary Lineker: "Trevor Brooking is in the Sapporo Bowl. What's it like, Trevor?"
Trevor Brooking: "It's a bowl shape, Gary."

Squad Number 1 - Garry Hackel The "Hack" (or "El Loco") is one of the best goalkeepers in the league, and is the best one-on-one stopper around. Garry has made 17 successful penalty saves including 4 consecutively. He has made over 370 appearances for the club and has even popped six goals in at the other end. Here is a some rare footage of "The Hack" in training when he was a young kid growing up in Richmond.

Squad Number 2 - Al Burton "Budgie" has been with the team since 1990 and retired in the 2003-04 season due to injuries. He came out of retirement for the 2006-07 season to reinstate the famous 'Budgie Pirouette', his invention for turning on a threepenny bit. Winner of the MVP award on many occasions, Al has now played over 340 games, scoring over a century of goals with almost 30 match winners.

Squad Number 4 - Jim Eden Jim is the Team Coach and has been with the club since 1992. He is the currently vying to be the all time leading goalscorer with over 130 goals for the club. "I came to Canada in 1974 and signed for Wesburn in the Pacific Coast League. After several seasons, moved to North Delta and became player/coach for North Delta United in the Fraser Valley Premier League. Retired for about 5 years and then found my real calling by playing with this team. Highlights of career are winning and losing with the best bunch of guys that play this game and to have held the leading scorer of all time for the Classics was the icing on the cake."

Squad Number 5 - Dave Moore Dave is the General Manager of the club and began his career in England with Glodwick Athletic. He then played for Queen Street Congs. in the Oldham Sunday School League. After several years of retirement he was enticed back to the game when he signed for Parkside in the Oldham Sunday League. His first stint of management was when he jointly took over Netherhey FC with Phil Stevenson. Netherhey used to have double figures against almost every game but the dynamic due made them a success. In 1990 Dave moved back to Canada to return to Semiahmoo for whom he played one season in 1987-88 when they were an over 30's team. Dave's highlights include scoring one of the goals in a shock 4-1 OSL shield win over favourites Cannon Street Rangers and playing on Boundary Park, home of his beloved Oldham Athletic. The holder of many club records, his feats include the most own goals conceded (10) and the most penalties conceded (10)!

Squad Number 6 - Pat Rohla Pen pics to follow.

Squad Number 7 - Billy Ranger A prolific scorer who averages better than a goal every two games, Billy has lightening speed and can turn players at will. "I started playing with South Burnaby Men’s Club, and played all my soccer until age 19 with Royal Oaks. After taking about five years off I helped form a club called Westminster United which played in the Richmond League. We played for about five years and won several league titles, winning most Sundays. We joined forces with Royal Oaks for the summers. One of my highlights was a series we played against Odessa, a crew team from the cruise ship Odessa, from the Soviet Union. Odessa played mostly against National teams and hadn’t lost for three years. We won two and tied the other in front of sidelines jammed with spectators and reporters. After another retirement I played for Dutch Lions and then Killarney. I joined the Classics in the summer of 1996 and it has been a great move as I really enjoy this group of guys. I look forward to playing over 60’s with Classics. Don’t laugh it’ll be sooner than you think."

Squad Number 8 - Larry Thorlakson Larry retired from the game but was enticed back although he found the electrifying pace difficult to handle. The club physio pieced him back together with the use of duct tape and he never looked back. He has now returned to his best form and has made more than 140 appearances for the club.

Squad Number 9 - Tony Short Tony (five alive) has seen his appearances restricted recently due to knee surgery. He has recently taken over the role as team photographer and can usually be found flashing at the side of the field. Rumours that Grimsby Town are after his services as a keeper are unconfirmed. Tony has made more than 280 appearances with over 50 goals to his credit.

Squad Number 10 - Danny Jensen Danny played for North Shore Pegasus FC for over 18 years. Most of his career was at left back before moving into center midfield. He then signed for the Langley over 30's where he was slotted in as a sweeper and his next progression was to the over 35 Langley Golden Oly's. Danny has also coached for over 30 years, with two Provincial Cup Championships being the highlights. He signed for the Classics at the start of the 2006-07 season in a record deal but the record got scratched and had to be thrown away. He now owns an iPod.

Squad Number 11 - Chas Jones Chas, a keen Spurs supporter, has been around a long time and plays left back. He's been left back in the dressing room many times but he keeps finding the field although it's usually as the team is kicking off. Alarm clocks can be donated through the e-mail address. Chas has made over 360 appearances for the Classics.

Squad Number 12 - Bruce Cook Bruce has been with the Classics on and off since records have been kept at the club. He holds the all-time record for scoring goals with 138 goals. He also has the dubious record of having conceded the most yellow cards in a season when he received 8 yellows in the Summer of 92. Now that Bruce is back at his roots he will no doubt be chasing records again.

Squad Number 13 - Chuck McGill Chuck signed in the 1997-98 season and quickly established himself as a 'twin tower' at the centre of defence. Nicknamed "Aladdin" because of his giant curly shoes he is a hard man, difficult to beat in the air, and a strong tackling player who uses his height well. "I graduated from Semiahmoo High School and played for the team in the BC Championships. My juvenile soccer was with the Peace Arch Soccer Association and I was selected to play on the Under 18 Select team that won the BC Championships. I also played for a number of Premier clubs in the Vancouver Area. I was fortunate to win the Bradner and Packingham Cups on a number of occasions and played in the BC Summer Games and Provincial Men's finals as well. After a stint in Australia, where I played for a Perth team, I signed for the Classics and have been playing for them since. I enjoy the camaraderie and competitiveness that the Classics are well known for."

Squad Number 14 - Alfie Deglan Alfie (the beetroot) can be seen puffing up and down the field from his midfield position. A fierce competitor who previously worked for NASA as a tester. They had watched him shooting at a previous game and decided that he could kick a rocket higher than they could fire one. Alfie has made over 140 appearances with a creditable 50 goals being contributed.

Squad Number 15 - Chris Arcari A member of the Classics youth policy, Chris originally made his debut for the Classics back in the summer of 1996 when his hat-trick helped the Classics to a 4-2 win over Stingers #2. His return to the team has been a welcome addition and he now has over 40 goals in just over 70 appearances.

Squad Number 16 - Bill McAuley "I am a product of the Riverdale Soccer Association which started in the early 60's by a local Scottish baker and an English prison guard. I was seven when I started. I played for the Riverdale Knights until the age of 16 and then signed for South Burnaby Men's Club who in 1969-70 were runners up for the District Champions, won the Seggie Cup and played in the first soccer game televised from Swanguard Stadium. Quite a year. I also played for BCIT in an inter collegiate league. After working in Alberta I signed for Sapperton from 1974-82 and then tried out for Semiahmo Saints with whom I stayed until eventually fading into retirement. The spirit is ever willing so every two or three years I come out of retirement until injuries dictate another sabatical. The Classics are a great team to play for and I hope to continue through to Over 60's."

Squad Number 17 - Jim Butler Jim played for the Richmond Olympics, Club Ireland and various Richmond Select teams including the Richmond Rockets. Notable players that he has played with/against included Randy Samuels (Captain of Team Canada), Ted Hamilton and Chris Cheudin (both ex-pros). Jim is another product of the Classics Youth Academy.

Squad Number 18 - Fisher Crockett Fisher has been with the club longer than anyone on the team. He knows everyone in the league as he has either played with or against them at some time in his career. A reliable full back who has made over 500 appearances for the club.

Squad Number 19 - Mike Snow Mike had made over 130 appearances for the club and has scored almost 20 goals. He is a powerful midfielder with a blistering shot as well as phenominal long throw ins.

Squad Number 20 - Ray Marrington Ray has had several spells with the club and amassed over 220 appearances, scoring 25 goals in the process. Ray's agent, Betty, sometimes accompanies him to his games. A versatile player who is equally at home in defence, midfield or forwards. He has scored some important goals for the Classics over the years.

Squad Number 21 - Rick Geary Rick made his debut for the Classics against South Hill on the opening day of the 1994 season but that was his only appearance until he returned for the 1995 summer season. One of the original 'twin towers' when he played at centre back, Rick is now more of a central provider and scorer of goals from a midfield role and has now amassed over 220 appearances, hitting over 20 goals in the process.