Toronto Blizzard petition.....

[CANADA]

There aren't many bright spots in Canada's soccer history, but the Toronto Blizzard were one of the few golden moments.

A petition has been started to call the new club the only name that makes sense, The Toronto Blizzard:

http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/blizzardsoccer/

The Toronto Blizzard played in the NASL and CSL, and were the most popular soccer team in Toronto & Canadian history. They played many high profile internationals thoughout the 80's and 90's, defeating some of the biggest names in the soccer world.
They were known and respected across North America, Europe and the world. Proof of their popularity is that their jerseys are still sold today in Europe.

For more information, check this recent article by the CBC. The mainstream media is now supporting the rebirth of Canada's greatest soccer team via MLS, The Toronto Blizzard:



http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/ml...o/blizzard.html

**

[Captain Canuck]

I think a few Whitecaps fans might take issue with the statement that the Blizzard were the most popular team in Canadian soccer history......

[CANADA]

I think a few Whitecaps fans might take issue with the statement that the Blizzard were the most popular team in Canadian soccer history......

HA, of course they would !

It is just further proof of the great Canadian rivalry between the two clubs that we saw in both the NASL and my beloved CSL.

Just another great reason to resurrect the Toronto Blizzard for MLS. In a few short years both clubs will continue their fierce rivalry in MLS.

[CANADA]

Anyone have any good Toronto Blizzard memories or stories to tell ?

My fondest memory of the Torornto Blizzard was how they continually destroyed my beloved Winnipeg Fury in the CSL. They were coached by Tony Taylor and were clearly a class above the Fury. They were also a hotbed for young Canadian talent, and every season had a new young Canuck to showcase.

The one player that stands out in my mind was Canadian Paul Peschisolido. He was only 15 or 16 yrs old playing with men, but he was pure magic with the ball. Every time he touched the ball he would absolutely cut right through the team. Small wonder that he won the CSL Rookie of the Year and went on (continuing today with Derby County) to have a long brilliant career in England.

[CanadaKicks]

Anyone have any good Toronto Blizzard memories or stories to tell ?

The first play-off game at Exhibition Stadium vs the Cosmos - mid-week, late afternoon no body knew what to expect.... the result over 30,000 passionate supporters in the stands.

Another the 84 Soccer Bowl even though we lost.

[Blizzard]

The first play-off game at Exhibition Stadium vs the Cosmos - mid-week, late afternoon no body knew what to expect.... the result over 30,000 passionate supporters in the stands.

Another the 84 Soccer Bowl even though we lost.

I was at that Cosmos game and I was at that very last NASL match.

I was also at the very first Blizzard home game on April 2, 1979, at the Ex, in the snow, versus the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. I was in a cheap seat high in the west grandstand. Peter Lorimer hit the bar at the other end. I thought he`d scored. No such luck. We lost 2-1. Lorimer did score for us though. There were over 18k in the stands for that one. Not bad considering the weather. Too bad we didn`t have Big Luke from the beginning of the season. We`d have had a much better year. Lorimer was good with nine goals but Luke scored 12 in only 20 games. Cliff Calvert scored eight that season.

[CANADA]

Posted in another forum, it illustrates why the Toronto Blizzard are still well known and respected throughout Europe and the world. Not a complete list, but certainly a good portion of their international matches and a good indication of the quality of the Blizzard with victories over some legendary names:

Toronto Blizzard

3/05/80 L Portimonense 2 Toronto Blizzard 1 (Portugal Tour)
3/10/80 L Othanense 2 Toronto Blizzard 0 (Portugal Tour)
5/29/80 W Toronto Blizzard 2 A.S. Roma 1
7/31/80 L Toronto Blizzard 1 Nottingham Forest 3
3/11/81 W Somerset Trojans 0 Toronto Blizzard 1 (Bermuda Tour)
3/16/81 W Pembroke-Hamilton Club 0 Toronto Blizzard 2 (Bermuda Tour)
3/18/81 W Somerset Trojans 2 Toronto Blizzard 5 (Bermuda Tour)
3/21/81 W Bermuda Selects 2 Toronto Blizzard 6 (Bermuda Tour)
5/30/82 W Toronto Blizzard 1 Juventus of Turin 0
7/06/82 L Toronto Blizzard 0 Sporting Cristal 1
7/08/82 W Toronto Blizzard 2 Aris 1
5/31/83 W Toronto Blizzard 2 Nottingham Forest 1
8/07/83 W Toronto Blizzard 1 Benfica 0
8/11/83 T Toronto Blizzard 0 Juventus of Turin 0
4/04/84 T Juventus of Turin 0 Toronto Blizzard 0 (Italy Tour)
4/07/84 L Sampdoria 3 Toronto Blizzard 2 (Italy Tour)
4/10/84 L Inter Milan 2 Toronto Blizzard 0 (Italy Tour)
4/12/84 L Triestina 3 Toronto Blizzard 0 (Italy Tour)
4/18/84 L Livorno 4 Toronto Blizzard 2 (Italy Tour)
5/21/84 L Toronto Blizzard 0 Ajax Amsterdam 1
6/13/84 W Toronto Blizzard 2 VfB Stuttgart 0
6/15/84 W Toronto Blizzard 2 Glasgow Rangers 0
8/05/84 W Toronto Blizzard 2 Benfica 0
8/08/84 L Toronto Blizzard 1 Juventus of Turin 2
?/??/85 ? Toronto Blizzard ? Everton ?
5/18/86 L Toronto Blizzard 1 River Plate 4
8/03/86 L Toronto Blizzard 0 Avellino 1
8/10/87 L Toronto Blizzard 1 Benfica 2
5/06/89 L Toronto Blizzard 0 Flamengo 2
5/24/92 ? Toronto Blizzard ? Inter Milan ?

[mrdeeds]

Just signed it. I liked the Blizzard so much from the old days that I named my Fantasy Football team after them!

[CANADA]

Former Toronto Blizzard and South African international star, Ace Ntsoelengoe, endorses the rebirth of the Toronto Blizzard via MLS:



Luis,
Thanx for your email. Sorry that I'm responding so late. I've been caught up with a busy schedule. As per your Toronto Blizzard petition, I've signed it and I'm also giving it my blessings and my full support. The memories of the Blizzard still remain within my heart. I still hold a guilty conscience that we were unable to win those 2 soccer-bowl championships. I just hope that the supporters have forgiven us. Please let me know the outcome, and on my side of the world I will pray for the reinstatement of the Blizzard name.
God bless you... Ace.

[ManU62280]

With the current trend of MLS teams changing their names to be more european (FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake) why would they name the Toronto club the Blizzard? Plus with how the NASL failed why relive those memories. That is why the Metros were not named the Cosmos.

[CANADA]

With the current trend of MLS teams changing their names to be more european (FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake) why would they name the Toronto club the Blizzard? Plus with how the NASL failed why relive those memories. That is why the Metros were not named the Cosmos.


Being an American, I don't expect you to comprehend why the Blizzard name is important for Canadian soccer. That said, the reasons are obvious and outlined above.

[kuhnscoot]

With the current trend of MLS teams changing their names to be more european (FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake) why would they name the Toronto club the Blizzard? Plus with how the NASL failed why relive those memories. That is why the Metros were not named the Cosmos.


Then why did San Jose change their name to the Earthquakes? Their former NASL team? Because of the history the name has with the city.

And the main reason for the Metros not being the Cosmos is because the guy that owns the naming rights to Cosmos wanted a lot of money that MLS was not willing to pay for the name Cosmos.

[CANADA]

Then why did San Jose change their name to the Earthquakes? Their former NASL team? Because of the history the name has with the city.

And the main reason for the Metros not being the Cosmos is because the guy that owns the naming rights to Cosmos wanted a lot of money that MLS was not willing to pay for the name Cosmos.


And let's not forget the Sounders, Timbers and Whitecaps, three former NASL clubs that have been around for decades.

I think it's safe to say that these former NASL clubs have been in existence longer than any other professional clubs in North America.

[sanariot]

Being an American, I don't expect you to comprehend why the Blizzard name is important for Canadian soccer. That said, the reasons are obvious and outlined above.


Yes, but will you bring back Peter Zezel?

[CANADA]

Ha !!

Yes, PZ was an accomplished soccer player from Toronto and drafted back in the CSL.

[CANADA]

Time for another Toronto Blizzard story, and this one is very recent !

I was doing some on-line Christmas shopping this week, and decided to purchase the wife and mother some Royal Doulton fine china. I had trouble ordering on-line, so simply called the Royal Doulton Canadian outlet in Toronto.
The manager helped me process the on-line order, and when she asked me my on-line password, I was met with stunned silence. You guessed it, she had the same password ! She stated that she and her family used to follow the Blizzard & Whitecaps, and attended many NASL matches in the past.
I told her that Toronto was awarded an MLS franchise and there was a drive to bring back the Toronto Blizzard. She was extremly pleased, stating her husband also used to be a Blizzard fan and all her children played soccer.
Needless to say the Royal Doulton was ordered and she signed the Toronto Blizzard petition.

[jpg75]

8/08/84 L Toronto Blizzard 1 Juventus of Turin 2

i was at this game when i was 9 years old with my dad and his girlfriends dad...i can still taste the zesty cheese doritos :o

[sanariot]

Ha !!

Yes, PZ was an accomplished soccer player from Toronto and drafted back in the CSL.


He also played for the old NASL Blizzard...

Don't let anybody tell you what you should call your team.

[kuhnscoot]

And let's not forget the Sounders, Timbers and Whitecaps, three former NASL clubs that have been around for decades.

I think it's safe to say that these former NASL clubs have been in existence longer than any other professional clubs in North America.

Exactly, it immediately creates a history for the team. I'm all for Toronto being named the Blizzard

[CANADA]

http://www.canadakicks.com/blizzard/

A Toronto Blizzard tribute site has been created. It's still in it's early stages, but worth checking out.