C.B.S. plans to return, Corner Brook, Grand Bank look to join, too
Two new teams, along with Conception Bay South, have expressed interest in joining the Molson Challenge Cup Soccer League in 2015. The new teams interested in joining the league next season are Corner Brook and Grand Bank.
The defending champion Holy Cross Kirby Group Crusaders, St. Lawrence Labatt Laurentians, Mount Pearl First Choice Molson and Feildians Ernst & Young will return.
“The C.B.S situation is a little different than the other two potential new entries,” said Challenge Cup commissioner Gord Dunphy.
Dunphy explained that in April of 2014 at the spring planning meeting, the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association granted C.B.S. Strikers FC a one-year leave with an understanding that the team would be back in 2015.
“However,” Dunphy added “they will still have to prove that they will be ready to compete next season.”
Dunphy said his plan is to meet with all three clubs early in the new year to assess their status and their actual plans for a Challenge Cup team.
He said the NLSA is always looking was to promote the game and have “a true provincial league with as many regions of the province competing as possible.
“However, all new clubs will be informed that there is an application process in place and process that will strictly be adhered to,” said Dunphy.
“Realistically,” added Dunphy, “I feel all new entries will struggle while playing and trying to compete with the four established clubs.”
The C.B.S. club’s record over their four seasons was 16-62-11. The team’s 1-25-1 record two year’s ago was their worst.
Corner Brook and the Harbour Grace Shannons of Conception Bay North were involved in the league in past years but they were not competitive. The Shannons finished 0-20-1 in the 2005 season.
Rugged Edge Western United FC last played in 2010. The Corner Brook-based United, which finished at the bottom of the standings that year with a 3-19-1 record, forfeited its final two games of the regular schedule.
Grand Bank, which hasn’t competed in provincial senior soccer for 20 years, won the Challenge Cup title in 1974.
The Grand Bank Gee Bees F.C. Committee is in place to seek entry into the provincial senior league next summer given the town will celebrate a Come Home Year.
jbrowne@thetelegram.com
“The C.B.S situation is a little different than the other two potential new entries,” said Challenge Cup commissioner Gord Dunphy.
Dunphy explained that in April of 2014 at the spring planning meeting, the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association granted C.B.S. Strikers FC a one-year leave with an understanding that the team would be back in 2015.
“However,” Dunphy added “they will still have to prove that they will be ready to compete next season.”
Dunphy said his plan is to meet with all three clubs early in the new year to assess their status and their actual plans for a Challenge Cup team.
He said the NLSA is always looking was to promote the game and have “a true provincial league with as many regions of the province competing as possible.
“However, all new clubs will be informed that there is an application process in place and process that will strictly be adhered to,” said Dunphy.
“Realistically,” added Dunphy, “I feel all new entries will struggle while playing and trying to compete with the four established clubs.”
The C.B.S. club’s record over their four seasons was 16-62-11. The team’s 1-25-1 record two year’s ago was their worst.
Corner Brook and the Harbour Grace Shannons of Conception Bay North were involved in the league in past years but they were not competitive. The Shannons finished 0-20-1 in the 2005 season.
Rugged Edge Western United FC last played in 2010. The Corner Brook-based United, which finished at the bottom of the standings that year with a 3-19-1 record, forfeited its final two games of the regular schedule.
Grand Bank, which hasn’t competed in provincial senior soccer for 20 years, won the Challenge Cup title in 1974.
The Grand Bank Gee Bees F.C. Committee is in place to seek entry into the provincial senior league next summer given the town will celebrate a Come Home Year.
jbrowne@thetelegram.com
