It all began with the simple joy for the game of soccer.

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     The dream idealized in 1975 with final preparation and realization in the year 1976.

 

Founders :  

     Bill Johnstone (President)

     Bill Bradley (Vice President)

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Co-Founders :

     Bob Magee (Club Secretary)

     Bill Johnston (Registrar/Equip.) *no relation to Pres.

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The Beginning :

      The very first registration was actually held in a driveway with pretty good success resulting in approximately 103 players.  By the beginning of the 80's  club registration had increased to around 1,000 players. That was excellent growth!

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     At the start of East Hamilton the specific age classes were: Squirt - Atom - Mosquito - Pee Wee - Bantam.

Later in the years ahead we added a director that was assigned to each division for recording scores and other information.

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     Many members of East Hamilton now call Sam Manson Park home, but in the start of it all we referred to the fields at Elizabeth Bagshaw school on Albright home.  The fields were located behind the school.  At the time this was extremely convenient for players and parents.

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     Finding coaches was never a problem, at the time they were male parents and most of them still actively playing in leagues.  This made for some very competitive coaching, as well as an excellent training platform for the players.  However as it is still endowed today within the club, East Hamilton Soccer mandated respect and fairness as their first and main priority.

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     Finding match officials was just as easy as getting coaches, parents that were knowledgeable to game assisted in calling honest and fair games.

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Club logo :  

     With the club just being established a logo was not the first thing needing to be sorted out.  Like any team though you wanted to be identified on the pitch, so the organizations first logo was that of the City of Hamilton which was used by permission.  After some time a second logo was accepted by the Executive. This logo was actually a new branding for East Hamilton Soccer and was designed by Executive Member Bill Johnston.  Like any design changes are made, this said a third logo was designed. Slightly modified, but still originated from the designer Bill Johnston.  This logo remained our logo right into 2019, with other clubs either merging or modernizing their logo we felt it was our time too.  We wanted to include a lot of the history that made the club what it is.  Our new logo contains the original items with the soccer ball, leaf, banner scroll and startup year.  We also maintained the colours, most of all the new logo for 2019 had to include iconic buildings from from our city skyline.  With this new addition we also introduced two new members to our East Hamilton family, mascots Hamill the Hammer Head and Pen-Shot 76. 

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      Executive meetings were held in the homes of Executive members, usually the Presidents residence.  In the past our coaches were more than just leaders on the field, but as the Club was building stronger they became the mortar that helped hold the structure together.  Coaches held meetings, with great vocal attendance and ideas.  These gatherings were held in the Vlada building located on Parkdale and Queenston.  Decisions within the Club were made based on their votes and their dedicated involvement!

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     Team Sponsorship wasn't always a luxury so the Executive would arrange fund raiser dances at the Chelar Hall which was located on Upper James.  Funds were raised with great successes due the attendance of coaches, parents and many friends.

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     The greatest achievement of the Club, in my opinion, must have been the alliance that was established between East Hamilton S.C., Ontario and Eastlake S.C., Ohio U.S. The two clubs competed in an annual Friendship Soccer Tournament with alternating hosts.  We held the tournament every Labour Day weekend.  With 25 years of lasting success this Friendship Tournament produced great lifelong friendships between players, parents and everyone involved.   

 

     We had caravans of folks heading to Ohio, long before Donald Trump had built his empire.  Players billeted with parents in both cases, and year after year, the kids asked to be billeted with their friends from previous years.   This practice still holds firm when Hamilton competes within the historic CANUSA Games.  The tournament was always attended by Mayor of Eastlake, including when it was held here in Hamilton, Eastlake's Mayor Morris Becker always started off with a joke to tell.  This was continued by his successor Mayor Dan Di Liberto.  Needless to say our Mayors or Representatives did not!

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     This is what soccer is and should always be all about.     This had to be experienced!  Soccer should be simply enjoying the game of soccer and making friends along the way.

 

     Sadly politics and economics brought about the demise of the tournament.

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    Later on as soccer grew our House League Teams were encouraged to participate in tournaments such as Niagara Pioneer and Amherst International held in New York State.  Trust us many of our teams did, and of all ages too. Our Club also attended area tours as well, such as places like Kitchener and Brantford.

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    In 1980 or so, the City of Hamilton organized in conjunction with Hamilton District Soccer Association a celebration of soccer in our City.  A parade of all the local Clubs was held with great pride at Ivor Wynne stadium, teams dressed in their uniforms, and paraded in order of Clubs in front dignitaries such as our Mayor at the time Jack MacDonald and others to much applause.

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Achievements :

    One great team achievement was in the 80's when our Rep. U12 boys won Norway Cup in Blaine, Minnesota U.S. in a truly international competition.  Even overcoming the Mexican team in the semi-finals to make the finals. Today this competition still attracts teams from around the world, now better known as the USA Cup.   Even Canada's own U17 National team competed along with other notable known players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Brianna Scurry. 

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Developments : 

     East Hamilton Soccer Club had a first hand involvement in the formation of a new league, in the early days it was known as Hamilton Wentworth District Youth Soccer Association (HWDYSA), quite a mouthful eh?  This later became Hamilton Wentworth Youth Soccer Association   (HWYSA) and then developed into the present West Wentworth Interlock Soccer League. (WWISL)

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Acknowledgments :

     

• Executive members were awarded OSA Centre Circle Honour for Meritorious Service.

• Club was awarded the OSA Honour for Excellence in Management.

• Hamilton District recognition award for 25 years of continuous service.

• In 2016 East Hamilton Soccer acknowledged 40 years with commemorative gear for the soccer season.

• In 2018 one of our newest Executive members A. Hughes was honoured with the Pearson-Dunn Distinguished Volunteer Award and the Ron Foxcroft Fair Play Award.

• 2019 One of the founders Bill Johnston was honoured beinging entered into the Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame as a Builder inductee. 

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Moving Forward :

     The Club today as in the past has always set its self to  provide fun, safe, affordable, challenging soccer development ,and respect for all.  We have strived the  

importance of team play and membership.  East Hamilton Soccer must always be a warm welcoming place for all, no matter race, nationality, religion or economics.

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     The past is always a strong part of history, but without a growing future it will truly become... History!   With our hard working Executive, consisting of developing members from our past working along side our newer members to keep the Club running strong and up to date with changes.  All the while maintaining the steps created in the minds of those that have allowed us to enjoy the simple game of soccer.  

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