North American Soccer League (1971-1974)
Tombstone
Born: 1971 – NASL expansion franchise
Re-Branded: February 5, 1975 (Toronto Metros-Croatia)
First Game:
Last Game:
NASL Championships: None
Stadium
Varsity Stadium (21,753)11973 North American Soccer League Press Guide
Opened: 1911
Demolished: 2002
Marketing
Team Colors: White, Blue & Red21973 North American Soccer League Press Guide
Ownership
Owners: Prosoccer Ltd. (John Fisher, et al.)
Background
The Toronto Metros were a North American Soccer League franchise founded in 1971. The Metros followed closely behind two other failed pro soccer clubs in Toronto during the late 1960’s: Toronto City (1967) and Toronto Falcons (1967-1968).
The club was financially stressed throughout much of its initial four-year run. In early 1975, the Metros merged with Toronto Croatia of Canada’s amateur National Soccer League. Much to the exasperation of NASL officials, the new management imposed a Croat ethnic identity onto the organization and re-branded the club as Toronto Metros-Croatia. Metros-Croatia won the 1976 NASL Soccer Bowl championship but continued to scuffle financially.
The team changed hands again in early 1979. New owner Global Television Network re-named the club the Toronto Blizzard. The Blizzard played on until the demise of the NASL following the 1984 season.
Toronto Metros Shop
In Memoriam
Scottish head coach, Graham Legatt (Metros ’71-’72) passed away on August 29th, 2015. The former Aberdeen and Fulham winger was 81. The Scotsman obituary.
Downloads
8-25-1971 Metros vs. St. Louis Stars Game Program (Complete)
8-25-1971 Toronto Metros Program
Links
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