Toronto Falcons (NSL)

Toronto Falcons Soccer Club (Polish: Toronto Sokoły) was a Canadian soccer club founded in 1975 that operated in the National Soccer League The club won the NSL Cup in 1978, and the regular season championship in 1980.

Toronto Falcons
Full nameToronto Falcons Soccer Club
Nickname(s)Toronto Sokoły
Founded1975
Dissolved1982
GroundLamport Stadium
Capacity9,600
OwnerJan & Zdzisław Rygiel
LeagueNational Soccer League

History

The club was created in 1975 under the name Falcons (Sokoły for the Polish diaspora) and was based in Toronto. The team operated as professional club in the National Soccer League, and was formed by brothers Jan and Zdzisław Rygiel.[1] In their debut season the Falcons began play in the second division in 1976 finishing second last in the standings. In 1977, the club finished first in the standings claiming the second division championship, and reached the finals of the NSL cup, but were defeated by Toronto Panhellenic. In the 1978 season, the Falcons were promoted to the First Division where they finished third in the standings. The Toronto side would defeat the Hamilton Italo-Canadians for the NSL Cup.[2][3]

Their next piece of silverware was in the 1980 season where they clinched the regular season title.[4] They also featured in the NSL Cup final, but were defeated by Toronto Italia.[5][6] The club faced financial difficulties which forced the club to withdraw from the league after the 1982 season. In 1983, the Falcons played at the amateur level at the Liga Hispanoamerica de Football Amateur (LHFA).[7][8] Notable players which featured with the club were Janusz Zmijewski, Zygfryd Szołtysik, Janusz Wójcik, Tadeusz Polak, and Jerzy Patoła.

Seasons
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs Ref
1976 National Soccer League (Second Division) 8 4–2–15 7th – [9]
1977 10 15–2–1 1st – [9]
1978 National Soccer League (First Division) 11 10–5–5 3rd – [9]
1979 15 16–3–4 3rd – [9]
1980 12 18–3–1 1st – [9]
1981 11 7–10–3 4th – [9]
1982 10 4–10–4 9th – [9]

Honors

References
  1. "Jerzy Patoła nie żyje". July 4, 2016. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  2. Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 117.
  3. "Falcons gain soccer final with 0-0 tie". Toronto Star. September 21, 1978. p. B1.
  4. "CSL Past Champions – Canadian Soccer League". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  5. Campbell, Neil A. (September 8, 1980). "Commercials anger fans durina Italia's 2-0 victory". The Globe and Mail. p. S6.
  6. "Mike Burke sparks Italia". Toronto Star. September 8, 1980. p. B6.
  7. "20 Equipos Participaran en el Proximo Torneo de la Liga Hispanoamericana". El Popular. April 6, 1983. p. 10.
  8. "Notas Del Futbol Latino". El Popular. May 11, 1983. p. 11.
  9. "1921-1992 NSL Seasons" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
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