Yes I am 30 but I have been to a few wings games back in the day. Awesome team in that small nice arena The turd
Of course everybody remembers the Wings (well people on this board). They had some great teams and nice crowds. The death of the Wings was a shame. Heck I even remember the old dignified W logo that looked the the Whataburger chain logo versus the silly little airplane logo they had towards the end (kind of like the classy old Steamers logo versus the flying sperm they have now in St. Louis!). And the orange and blue uniforms!
When the Chicago Sting moved from the Chicago Stadium to the Rosemont Horizon, their first game was against the Wings. Nice crowd of around 11K. I believe the Wings won that one.
I remember them cuz they were my home team. I really wish we could get them back, because we were in the league for over 20 years, but we never got closer than the semi finals. (AGH!)
I remember Norman Piper, and a couple of Danes that I can't remember their names. I remember going to see them when they would be in town to play the Spirit. They always seemed to play an attacking style of indoor soccer. I think their coach Roy Turner still lives in the Whicita area. A friend of mine worked for them in the late 80s, he told me what a great supporters club that they had and things that they did for the club.
Yeah. I remember when they used to come to town to play the Baltimore Blast back in the day...A lot of times they had some good teams and good players...
Sure I remember them well. Around the league HQ the owners were called mom and pop. When it all finally came crashing down Steve Ryan went into damage control mode. 1/ phone media and say everything is fine. 2/ call mayor and ask if mayor knew of anyone in town who may be interested in owning an exciting opportunity in professional sports. (this was called "tapping") 3/ the league office would then call the team about every hour on the hour. They learned during the San Francisco Fog's demise that the team went belly up when the league office called and the phone had been disconnected. So HQ will phone the team about double/triple/quadruple check the arrangements for important and also inane things like the arrival of the visiting teams bus and the rooms of the hotel and to see if the team merchandise outlet needed more media guides. 4/ fly out to Wichita 5/ re-assure media 6/ ask current owners to reconsider. Supposdedly Mom and Pop told him they were tired of losing money and cutting into their descendants inheritance. 7/ ask owners if they had anyone lined up to sell the team too...... (this is a classic, the team is bankrupt but has value to sell to someone else) 8/ tap that mayor again 9/ have meetings with the supporters group (the death rattle of any indoor soccer team)
My favorite Wichita unis were the white shorts/tops combo with the Taco Bell sponsor and the huge Reebok logo over the shoulder and orange socks during the mid 90s in the NPSL. Not a lot of people liked them but I thought they were cool.
By the way, does anyone know what happened to the players? Im assuming that the Dutch players went back home, and I know where Delveski went (darn it, if we'd had a few more seasons, we might have gotten a title...) but I havent found the Dunn brothers, Cloutier, or any of those guys. Just wondering.
I know that Erik Rasmussen and Jorgen Kristiensen went back home to Denmark, Kim Roentved owns a company in the Kansas City, Mike Dowler is back in Wales, and I "think" the Dunn brothers went back to Seattle. The Shelts...I was reading your post...and I have to ask "What the hell are you smoking?" 1-the San Francisco Fog did not meet it's "Demise", they moved to Kansas City in May of 1981. 2-There WERE no media guides in 2000-01. I know this because I have all the Wings' guides going back to the first season, and "Mom and Pop" decided not to print one that year.
The Wings (or what's left of them) are playing some of the Kansas City Wizards tonight. I'l report back on score when I get it.
Cloutier is living in Orange County CA, coaching youth soccer and playing for the Orange County Blue Star of PDL.
Never heard of them. The score was [RESULT]9-0 Wizards[/RESULT] And some more Wings players from the past that haven't been mentioned: Kevin Kewley Terry Rowe (my favorite player growing up) Kris Peat Omar Gomez Dale Ervine Terry Nichol
I believe Len Salvemini spent some time with the Wings, too, didn't he? I ask because I knew his brother, Dan, who played in the old NASL for the Philly Fury, Washington Diplomats and later the San Jose Earthquakes.
Sonofa.... Neither Salvemini brother played for the Wings. I think Len played for the SF Fog, KC Comets, and the Philadelphia Fever. If I remember correctly, Dan also played for the Memphis Americans at one point. I'm doing this all from memory, since it's too early to dig out my reference materials.
WELL WHADAYA KNOW! Found 'nother Wings fan! ^_^ Thanks, I couldn't go to the game. Ugh, 9-0? I wished they'd have stayed in town. Have you seen the pathetic excuse of a wikipedia entry they have? I'm gonna type up an essay about them.
Right, you are, Rich P....KC Comets! That's what I was thinking of. I also remember the Fog. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Terry Rowe is representing players in England and selling coaching facilities. Dale Ervine is in Southern California and owns his own car dealership - www.executiveautohaus.com I heard he can ship nationwide
I believe Mr Rich P. has one better--a Wings jersey when they were sponsored by Hooters and Terry Woodbury nickname,"Woody" on the back....
Keith Gehling, a former player from the heyday of the Wings, is from Granite City, and coaches my nieces softball team. He has fond memories of the MISL back then & speaks highly of the guy he played with.