Columbus Clan F.C.

Columbus F.C.

Full name	Columbus F.C.
Founded	1953
League	Vancouver Metro Soccer League
Home colours Away colours

Vancouver Columbus F.C., is a Canadian Soccer Club based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Currently the club plays in the Premier Division of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League.

History

Father Joseph Scanagatta founded the team in 1953 as Sacred Heart soccer team, with the goal of providing a team for the many Italian immigrants who settled in the east side of Vancouver.

By 1957, the team name changed to Columbus and was under the guidance of Peter Mainardi. As president, Mainairdi gave the club stability and strong leadership and paved the way for Columbus' future successes. In the 1960s, Columbus was a dominant team. Their domination on the field captured the imagination of the Italian soccer community in particular. The team played at Callister Park the soccer mecca in Vancouver at that time.

In 1973 for having played in a unsactioned tournament, the  club and its owner Peter Mainardi were suspended. 
Therefore for a few years the same players played under the Vancouver Italia name until coming back with
the Columbus name in 1976.

Following the death of Mainairdi, the club came under the guidance of Paul Anthony who had joined the team as a player in 1954.

Anthony continued on as secretary and team manager and played a key role in the evolution of the club until his death in 1982. From 1982-87, the administration of the club was under the leadership of Eugenio Vazzoler, Peter Greco and General manager Charlie Cuzzetto.

In 1985 Columbus entered the newly formed semi-professional Pacific Rim Soccer League with Joe Tinucci as president and Mike Bernardis as coach. Columbus as a Semi-Professional Club, quickly became League and Cup Champions and well as National Finalists with Toronto Blizzard.

After an absence of 10 years Columbus reemerged in 2003 under the direction of Rob Mascitti, Carmen D'Onofrio and Joe Papa. Although the passing of years has seen the influx of non -Italian players, the major part of the team still hold fast to its Italian roots, a tribute to past Coaches Gianni Azzi, Jack Hobbs 1964 (Canadian Champions) Joe Csabai 1969 (Canadian Champions), Tony Canta 1977, 1978 (Canadian Champions).

Columbus has been at the forefront of Canadian soccer and has planted deep soccer roots in Canada over the past 58 years. The team has provided more players then any other amateur club in Canada to Canada's Professional, Provincial , Olympic and National Team rosters as well as supplying Universities and Colleges. Columbus also holds the distinction of having the most players in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame with eleven players. After the Westminister Royals, Columbus is the most successful amateur club in Canada having appeared in 6 National Finals and winning 4.

To compliment the Columbus Premier men's team , the Masters over 35's and over 55's, the club is excited with the latest additions to the Columbus family a Women's Premier Team and a over 40's men's team.

Off the field the Columbus Alumni have influence across the country and play a major role in Canadian soccer as evidenced by the following;

• Victor Montagliani (Vice President of Canadian Soccer Association)
• Charlie Cuzzetto (President of British Columbia Soccer Association)
• Bobby Lenarduzzi (President of Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

In addition to winning numerous League Championships, Kennedy Cups, Imperial Cups and Provincial Cups, Columbus has won the National Challenge Trophy four times: 1964, 1969, 1977 and 1978 and were Finalists in 1968 and 2007.

In addition, Columbus Masters Over 35's also won a National Championship in 2003 and Western Championship in 2009. Since 2003, Columbus plays in the VMSL and have won a Provincial Cup, two Imperial Cups, Western Canadian Champions and a Canadian National Trophy Cup Finalist.

Honours

National Challenge Trophy Winners 1964, 1969, 1977, 1978

National Challenge Runners-Up 1968, 2007

Provincial Cup Winners 1964, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1978, 2007

Provincial Cup Finalist 2011

National Soccer League Cup (Semi-Pro) Finalists 1986

Open Canada Cup National Runners-Up 2007

Open Canada Cup Western Champions 2007

VMSL Imperial Cup Winners 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 2006, 2007

Pacific Coast League Cup Winners 1984, 1988

Pacific Coast League Champions 1964, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1978, 1988, 1989

Pacific Coast League Junior Division Winners 1965

Pacific Rim League President's Cup 1972, 1985

Pacific Rim League Champions 1985, 1986

Anderson Cup (PCSL) 1960

JFK Kennedy Cup Winners 1989

BC Masters Provincial Cup Champions(Over 30/35) 1994, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2009

BC Masters Provincial Cup Finalists(over 30/35) 1995, 1997, 2007

National Masters Trophy Winners 2003

Western Masters Trophy Winners 2009

Famous Players (includes Premier, Masters & Seniors)

• Carlo Alberti, Dino Alberti , Ivano Belfiore, Luca Bellisomo, Chris Bennett, Jim Berry, Tony Canta, John Camuzzi, Elio Ciaccia, Frank Ciaccia, Kevin Colbow, Eroll Crossan, Joe Cuzzetto, Domenic DeMarco, Steve Djoric, Carmen D'Onofrio Jr., Neil Ellett, Tony Fonseca, Carlos Franco, Graziano Franzon, Peter Greco, Bob Hazeldine, Gerry Heaney, Frank Iuele, Glen Johnson, Barry Ihaski, Ottorino Infanti, Steve Kindel, Victor Kodelja, Garret Kusch, Daniel Lenarduzzi, Sam Lenarduzzi, Vanni Lenarduzzi, John Milner, Vittorio Montagliani, Normie McLeod, Wes McLeod, David McGill, Mike McLenaghen, Steve Nesin, Roy Nosella, Rino Orsato, Buzz Parsons, Ken Pears, Danny Pighin, Tyler Roselund, Daryl Samson, Peter Simpson, Gogie Stewart, Gary Thompson, Guido Titotto, Eugenio Vazzoler, Ken Whitehead, Bruce Wilson, Davide Xausa, Giorgio Zambrano,, Sergio Zanatta,

National Trophy Winners By Player For Columbus FC Only

Eugenio Vazzoler 4, 1964,1969 1977,1978,

Peter Greco 3, 1969,1977,1978,

Sergio Zanatta 3, 1969,1977,1978,

Vanni Lenarduzzi 3, 1969,1977,1978,

Steve Djoric 2, 1964,1969,

Bob Hazeldine. 2, 1964, 1969

Jim Berry 1, 1969,

Carlos Franco 1, 1964,

John Camuzzi 1, 1964,

Sam Lenarduzzi 1, 1969,

Roy Nosella 1, 1964,

Gogie Stewart 1, 1964,

Ken Pears 1, 1964,

Normie Macleod 1, 1964,

Errol Crossan 1, 1964,

Barry Ihaski 1, 1964,

George Zambrano 1, 1964,

Peter Simpson 1, 1969,

Victor Kodelja 1, 1969,

Elio Ciaccia 1, 1978

Joe Cuzzetto 1, 1978

Notable Coaches

Joe Csabai, Gianni Azzi, Tony Canta, Jack Hobbs, Mike Bernardis, Steve Djoric, Eugenio Vazzoler, Peter Greco, Sam Lenarduzzi

Builders

Father Joseph Scanagatta, Peter Mainardi, Frank Iuele, Joe Iuele, Paul Anthony, Luciano Montagliani, Tony De Benedetto Tom Bresciani, Eugenio Vazzoler, Rino Orsato, Umberto Menghi, Carmen D'Onofrio Sr, Tony Funaro, Joe Tinucci, Charlie Cuzzetto, Aldo Staniscia

References

External links

• Club website