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
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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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