North American Soccer League (1968-1970)
Tombstone
Born: January 1968 – The Chicago Spurs relocate to Kansas City, MO
Folded: February 4, 1971
First Game: March 31, 1968 (L 3-0 @ San Diego Toros)
Last Game: August 29, 1970 (L 3-1 @ Rochester Lancers)
NASL Champions: 1969
Stadia
1968-1969: Municipal Stadium
Opened: 1923
Demolished: 1976
1970: Pembroke Stadium
Marketing
Team Colors:
Cheerleaders: The Spurettes
Ownership
Owners: John Latshaw, Leon Karosen, et al.
Attendance
The 1968 Spurs drew 129,236 for NASL action in 1968 and a total of 166,414 after international friendlies against Dunfermline (Scotland), Borussia Dortmund (West Germany) and Santos (Brazil) were factored in. This was tops in the NASL, edging out the Atlanta Chiefs overall total of 165,732.11969 Kansas City Spurs Program
Background
The Kansas City Spurs soccer team enjoyed a three-year run and a few moments of greatness during the early days of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The NASL formed in 1968 as a merger between two rival leagues – the National Professional Soccer League and the United Soccer Association. Both circuits had a Chicago franchise, so the Spurs of the NPSL left town in January 1968, headed to Kansas City under a new ownership group headed by John Latshaw, a local executive with the E.F. Hutton stock brokerage.
The NASL kicked off the 1968 season with 17 franchises. The Spurs were among the strongest clubs in the league, winning the Gulf Division with a 16-11-5 record. They lost to the San Diego Toros in a two-leg semi-final playoff series. At the box office, the Spurs were the class of the NASL, leading the loop with attendance of 8,510 fans per game, nearly 2,000 more than the 2nd best Washington Whips.
In addition to their NASL calendar, the 1968 Spurs hosted international exhibitions against Dunfermline of Scotland, Borussia Dortmund of Germany and Santos of Brazil, featuring Pele.
1969 NASL Contraction
Disaster struck after the 1968 season. A crisis of confidence among NASL investors saw the league shrink from seventeen clubs to just five survivors for the 1969 season. Meanwhile, Major League Baseball’s expansion Kansas City Royals franchise began play in 1969, pushing the Spurs to the back of the pack among the city’s summer sports options.
The NASL opted for a strange split season format as it struggled to re-organize in 1969. May 1969 brought the “International Cup”, an eight-match round robin format where imported English and Scottish teams stood in for the familiar rosters of the league’s five remaining clubs. Wolverhampton Wanderers suited up to represent Kansas City and won the International Cup with a 6-2 record.
One week later, the NASL kicked off its sophomore voyage with conventional rosters. Kansas City brought back head coach Janos Bedl and numerous players from the 1968 Spurs squad. The Spurs won the league NASL championship with a 10-2-4 record. There were no playoffs. Spurs forward Cirilo “Pepe” Fernandez was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Goalkeeper Leonel Conde earned First Team All-Star honors. Kansas City led the league in attendance for a second straight year, but the NASL’s chaos and the arrival of the Royals conspired to cut crowds in half, down to 4,273 per game.
Demise
The Spurs returned for a third and final campaign in the spring of 1970. The team was in serious cost-cutting mode by this point, abandoning Municipal Stadium to the Royals and setting up shop at a high school stadium at the Pembroke County Day School.
The 1970 Spurs finished 8-10-6. The club officially folded in February 1971.
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
North American Soccer League
The NASL Collection is coming soon to Royal Retros
In Memoriam
Head Coach Janos Bedl (Spurs ’68-’69) died on December 9, 1987 at age 58.
Spurs owner John Latshaw passed away on July 28, 2010 at age 88. Kansas City Business Journal obituary.
Forward Eric Barber (’68-’69) died on August 20, 2014 at the age of 72. Irish Independent obituary.
Downloads
1968 Playboy Bunnies to Face Radio Station DJs during Halftime of Spurs-Mustangs Match Press Release
1968 Playboy Bunnies to Face Radio Station DJs during Halftime of Spurs-Mustangs Match Press ReleaseJune 1969 Kansas City Spurs Roster
Links
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