Calgary to launch bid for NASL team - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

shermanator · 02-10-2014, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

SAIT Field has amazing views of downtown and the mountains.

I would agree with this. A big downside is that seating is limited, and you can't really expand the seating. The last PDL team drew crowds of 2000 regularly, and SAIT does not have that capacity.

I haven't heard any more on the potential NASL team starting up. Perhaps the PDL team announcement is a precursor (ie. see how the city supports the PDL team and go from there)

Matty81 · 02-10-2014, 02:03 PM

Good to hear. The main issue for high level soccer in Calgary, the lack of a facility is still there though.

Muta · 02-10-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

Calgary Foothills SC will field a team in the PDL starting in 2015. It's not NASL, but it's a start.

Perhaps that Calgary Puck Supporters Group can be fielded after all!

http://calgaryfoothillssoccer.com/fi..._-_revised.pdf

Terrific to hear! Now, to get them a real graphics designer / marketing guy (ahem, ahem)... I just about lost my lunch looking at that.

shermanator · 04-12-2014, 09:30 AM

The yet-to-be-named-but-probably-Calgary-Foothills-SC team is playing their first exhibition game against the FC Edmonton Reserves. April 26, 5pm at Hellard Field. Don't know about ticket prices yet, but I encourage anyone that could be interested to swing by and check it out.

I think there is a small supporters group starting up as well if that tickles anyone's fancy. They will be meeting at Pazzer's pub before the game.

MillerTime GFG · 04-12-2014, 11:54 PM

Sask pub! That's our go-to spot after games!

This will be a fun game to watch, the skill on these kids will amaze you...and their quickness.

Bill Bumface · 04-14-2014, 03:15 PM

Gah, wish I was in town. Hopefully there is a decent turnout!

cam_wmh · 04-14-2014, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

The yet-to-be-named-but-probably-Calgary-Foothills-SC team is playing their first exhibition game against the FC Edmonton Reserves. April 26, 5pm at Hellard Field. Don't know about ticket prices yet, but I encourage anyone that could be interested to swing by and check it out.

I think there is a small supporters group starting up as well if that tickles anyone's fancy. They will be meeting at Pazzer's pub before the game.

At Hellard eh. Did they fix it?

God I hate the gridiron lines.

I think they should splash some dollars for grass at that location, and make it the top pitch in this city.

MillerTime GFG · 04-14-2014, 03:58 PM

With it being used for football, I can't see them turning it into a grass pitch.

M*A*S*H 4077 · 04-14-2014, 04:17 PM

It'll never be a grass pitch with it being the primary field for football in the city.

Hopefully they fixed it and it no longer looks like the ocean with waves running across the field. So dangerous for athletes

Mango · 04-19-2014, 10:58 AM

Tickets are $15. You can pick them up at the Foothills SC office.

http://calgaryfoothillssoccer.com/pa...?page_id=38909

Locke · 04-19-2014, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mango

Tickets are $15. You can pick them up at the Foothills SC office.

http://calgaryfoothillssoccer.com/pa...?page_id=38909

I might try and make it to this, its highly unlikely as its a Saturday during tax season, but I'll give it a try. Do you know if we can buy tickets at the field?

Mango · 04-19-2014, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I might try and make it to this, its highly unlikely as its a Saturday during tax season, but I'll give it a try. Do you know if we can buy tickets at the field?

Off hand, not sure.

They are now on Twitter and may post further info there: http://www.twitter.com/FoothillsFCU23

CorbeauNoir · 04-19-2014, 03:37 PM

Having just completed a SAIT program, I personally don't see their field working at all for NASL. People have mentioned the lack of room for additional seating, but because it's the roof of a building there's also a noticeable outward slope to the field. Probably not an issue for a small polytechnic college team, likely a much bigger issue for a pro league.

I've seen burns filed mentioned maybe once in this thread but personally I think it could be an intriguing option. As is it's an awkward fit but it seems to have worked well for the Timbers with some modifications. It has the same location benefits as Macmahon, has a much more reasonable size, and would provide a new tenant for what is effectively a dead facility.

More than the stadium, the complete lack of any news about this proposal is what worries me. MLS often runs stories on emerging franchises in lower leagues but I've never seen them breathe a word about a Calgary NASL bid even though this has apparently been in the pipe for quite some time. From the conversations I've had with others about expansion markets it's been complete news for them as well. I've wanted some kind of local team here since the Whitecaps entered MLS, and I only came across news of it being a possibility by googling it out of sheer personal curiosity. Have they even tried probing the public to gauge local interest, or even to provoke some discussion? A team isn't going to survive if people aren't even going to be aware it exists.

Johnny199r · 04-19-2014, 05:32 PM

I'm a FC Edmonton season ticket holder. Their home opener is sold out tonight. Hopefully fans get behind the team this year. NASL is a really good standard and the games are fun. Better yet, it gives young players something to aspire to. I hope Calgary can come through with a team. A turf field with temporary bleachers installed to 5,000 capacity is ample enough (Clarke field has this set up for the Eddies)

shermanator · 04-21-2014, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I might try and make it to this, its highly unlikely as its a Saturday during tax season, but I'll give it a try. Do you know if we can buy tickets at the field?

Sounds like if there are any tickets left, they will be available at the gate. And just to confirm, I asked them on Twitter. This is what they said.

Foothills FC‏@FoothillsFCU2317m
Yes, we will have tickets at the gate. Bring a friend

Mango · 04-23-2014, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shermanator

Sounds like if there are any tickets left, they will be available at the gate. And just to confirm, I asked them on Twitter. This is what they said.

Foothills FC‏@FoothillsFCU2317m
Yes, we will have tickets at the gate. Bring a friend

And to add, season tickets cost $50. You can get them through 403-225-9388 or email foothills@telus.net. It sounds like they are planning on 15 games this season, which most of them being in Calgary with Hellard as their home field. Any away games will likely be to Edmonton.

They'll play the Whitecaps Reserves June 8th at Encana Field. Should be a good one.

MillerTime GFG · 05-12-2014, 12:17 PM

Had an interesting, and rather disappointing conversation with an old buddy/teammate of mine who still plays and is in a higher-up position with one of the major clubs in Calgary. Apparently Foothills isn't getting much support from all the other clubs in Calgary. The majority of their players are coming from the AMSL, and they could allow their players to sign with their respective AMSL and be released for the PDL games (which the clubs would have no issues with), but they're telling the guys not to sign with any AMSL teams.

I think having a PDL team is great for the city and hopefully it transitions into something else some day (NASL/MLS), but they need to be doing it in cooperation with the Calgary clubs. You definitely want to have support from the soccer community, as that may be the only support you get in this city judging by the past failures. At this rate, it is going to kill the AMSL, as there are already rumors that two of the major league teams will be dropping out after this season. I wouldn't be surprised to see that league folding in the near future, and that would be a real shame.

Locke · 05-12-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Had an interesting, and rather disappointing conversation with an old buddy/teammate of mine who still plays and is in a higher-up position with one of the major clubs in Calgary. Apparently Foothills isn't getting much support from all the other clubs in Calgary. The majority of their players are coming from the AMSL, and they could allow their players to sign with their respective AMSL and be released for the PDL games (which the clubs would have no issues with), but they're telling the guys not to sign with any AMSL teams.

I think having a PDL team is great for the city and hopefully it transitions into something else some day (NASL/MLS), but they need to be doing it in cooperation with the Calgary clubs. You definitely want to have support from the soccer community, as that may be the only support you get in this city judging by the past failures. At this rate, it is going to kill the AMSL, as there are already rumors that two of the major league teams will be dropping out after this season. I wouldn't be surprised to see that league folding in the near future, and that would be a real shame.

Oh my God, I totally forgot how much I dont miss the political BS that is soccer in Calgary.

MillerTime GFG · 05-12-2014, 12:26 PM

Yep, there certainly is a lot of it. Unfortunately, some of the guys in charge of Foothills are amongst the worst of them.

You have to admit, losing the AMSL would be a shame. It sounds like it's not just an unsubstantiated rumor either.

Locke · 05-12-2014, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

Yep, there certainly is a lot of it. Unfortunately, some of the guys in charge of Foothills are amongst the worst of them.

You have to admit, losing the AMSL would be a shame. It sounds like it's not just an unsubstantiated rumor either.

They are. Its hard to blame them because of the structure of soccer in Calgary, its too fractured to the point where every club has to look out for themselves and so they cant come together and try and focus on the greater good.