American Soccer League (1975-1981)
Independent (1982)
Tombstone
Born: 1975 – The Cleveland Stars re-brand as the Cleveland Cobras
Moved: January 1982 (Georgia Generals)
First Game: April 26, 1975 (W 3-1 vs. Connecticut Yankees)
Last Game: 1982
ASL Championships: None
Stadium
Finnie Stadium (10,000)11979 American Soccer League Press Radio Television Guide
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owners:
- 1975 – 1978: Howard Collier, et al.
- 1979 – 1981: Miklos Janosi
Trophy Case
ASL Coach of the Year:
- 1975: Herb Haller
Our Favorite Stuff
Cleveland Cobras
Logo T-Shirt
This sharp logo tee from Cleveland’s 2nd division soccer club of the late 1970’s is also available in range of other styles from Old School Shirts, including:
3/4 Sleeve Raglan
Women’s Scoop Neck
Women’s V-Neck
Women’s Racerback Tank
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Background
The Cleveland Cobras were a lower-division American pro soccer club, active through the mid-70’s and into the early 1980’s. The team started out as the Cleveland Stars (1972-1974) before changing to the Cobras name in 1975. The Cobras played their home matches on the campus of Baldwin-Wallace University in suburban Berea. Cobras matches typically drew crowds in the low thousands.
Owner Miklos Janosi sold the franchise in late January 1982 for “nearly $150,000”, per The Cleveland Plain Dealer. New owner Walt Russell immediately moved the club to suburban Atlanta, where it became known as the Georgia Generals. The Generals played only a single season (1982) before folding.
With the original Cobras departed, a new team organized under the Cobras name and announced plans to play a short exhibition schedule against American Soccer League opponents in 1982. The idea was to re-organize the team and apply for reinstatement to the ASL in 1983, but that never came to pass. At least one of these exhibition matches was held in the spring of 1982, but the team faded away quietly later that year, never to be heard from again.
Cleveland Cobras Soccer Shop
Our Favorite Stuff
American Soccer League
T-Shirt
For most of its existence, the American Soccer League was a collection of ethnically-based semi-pro clubs clustered in the northeast. But in the 1970’s, the ASL expanded nationwide and became American’s de facto 2nd Division, underneath the bigger-budgeted NASL. This logo was used by the league from the 1970’s until its demise in 1983.
We like this ASL logo tee from American Retro Apparel (they offer a grey version also) and it’s available today in sizes small through XXXL!
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Editor's Pick
The History of Soccer
in Greater Cleveland
From 1906 until 1981
By Thomas Hatfield
The History of Soccer in Greater Cleveland from 1906 until 1981 covers the Beginnings (1906-1919), the Golden Age (1920-1932), Period of Decline (1933-1945), Period of Revival (1946-1966) and the Early Modern Period (1967-1981).
Hatfield’s research covers Cleveland clubs included here on FWIL such as the Cleveland Stokers of the NASL and the Stars and Cobras of the American Soccer League.
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Downloads
4-24-1976 Cobras Sign Roberto Oliveria Press Release
4-24-1976 Cobras Sign Roberto Oliveria Press Release
4-24-1976 “Cobras Notes” Press Release
Spring 1976 “Cobras Sign Chymovic” Press Release
Spring 1976 “Cobras Sign Leckie and Almeida” Press Release
May 1976 “Cobras Open Season Saturday” Press Release
May 1976 Cobras Prepare To Battle Sacramento Spirits Press Release
5-19-1976 “Tonight’s Opponent: Tacoma Tides” Press Release
1976 “Cobras Take on Chicago Saturday” Press Release
1976 “Cobras Tangle With Skyhawks” Press Release
6-3-1976 “Cobras Play Division Leaders” Press Release
June 1976 “Cobras Challenge Tides” Press Release
June 1976 “Cobras Play Irish” Press Release
Summer 1976 “Cobras To Tangle With The ASL’s High Scorers” Press Release
July 1976 “Cobras Take On The Canadian Olympic Team” Press Release
July 1976 “Cobras Battle Israeli Olympic Team” Press Release
7-16-1976 “Cobras Attendance On The Rise” Press Release
7-23-1976 “Cobras Play For Child Guidance Center” Press Release
7-30-1976 “Cobras Change Schedule” Press Release
8-16-1976 “Cobras Battle For Playoffs” Press Release
1976 Cobras Eliminated From Playoffs Press Release
1976 Player Profile: Vito Colonna
5-17-1980 Newcomers Show Well But Stoners Blank Cobras Again, 1-0 Press Release
5-21-1980 Cobras Seek To Shut Down High-Scoring Gales Press Release
5-29-1980 Cobras Blank Golden Gate, Renew Rivalry With Magic Press Release
5-29-1980 Cobras’ Alex Rosul Named Defensive Player of Week Press Release
5-31-1980 Cobras Blanked By Magic, Host Gold At Finnie Friday Press Release
Links
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3 Responses
I was really hoping to find some information on the Cleveland Cobras. My father would take me to the games on Friday nights in 1977. The guy on the cover of the program was friends with our neighbors, so I was able to go in the locker room after one of the games. If you could answer a few questions, email me.
Thank you.
I played for the Cobras in 1977. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and went on to coach Case Western Reserve Uni in subsequent years. If I can help please email me.
I worked and lived at The Carlyle where Coach Tidley lived and was encouraged to bring as many people I could to the games in the early 80’s and would go to the Mert and Greet after the matches at the Holiday Inn I believe. Would love to see info , pics, rosters from 79-83