Churchill Arms FC
Encyclopedia
Churchill Arms FC is a senior men's amateur soccer club from Charlottetown, PEI. The team is composed mainly of current and former UPEI Men's Soccer players. They were the 2008, 2009 and 2010 provincial representative for Prince Edward Island
at the BMO Canadian National Soccer Championships and were the 2010Challenge Cup champions .
In 2007 and 2008 the team played in the Nova Scotia Soccer League due to a lack of a premier league on Prince Edward Island. As Avondale Islanders
, the team finished 3rd (2007) and 4th (2008) in the NSSL, did not compete in playoffs, and represented PEI at the BMO National Championships. In 2008, the Islanders defeated Nova Scotia representative Halifax City in a shootout to advance to the bronze medal game. Avondale then won the club's first national medal with a 3-2 victory over BC's Gorge FC.
to form a Maritime Senior Soccer League. In its inaugural season, the PEI and NB Canada Games teams also entered the league to gain experience for the 2009 Canada Games
. The Islanders again represented PEI at the national championships, winning their second bronze medal in as many seasons with a shootout win over the defending national champion, Calgary Callies
. The score was 0-0 at the end of regulation and overtime.
, thus Prince Edward Island (as host) had the right to send a second team. The PEISA scheduled a 2-game series to determine the "representative" team and the "host" team. The series was played on August 22 and 25, 2010. Churchill Arms defeated PEI Selects (later named Hunter's Ale House) 2-1 in the first match and 1-0 in the second match. Josh Vessey scored the winning goal in both Challenge Cup matches.
At the BMO Canadian National Soccer Championship tournament, third-ranked Churchill Arms was in Group B with (2)Royal Select Beauport from Quebec, (5)Holy Cross/Kirby from Newfoundland & Labrador, (6)Halifax Dunbrack from Nova Scotia, and the host (10)Hunter's Ale House. In the opening match, Michel Daoust came on as a substitute in the second half and scored two goals to lead Churchill to a 2-0 victory over Holy Cross. Matt Lally recorded the clean sheet after having to stop two half-breakaways in the first half. The Islanders continued strong the following day with a hard-fought 1-0 win over rival Halifax Dunbrack in windy conditions, placing the PEI team atop Group B with six points. Veteran midfielder Brett Norton headed home a perfectly-placed Ken Morrison free-kick in the 11th minute, and solid play from the Churchill backline and keeper Matt Lally ensured the clean sheet. An uneventful scoreless draw with Royal Select from Quebec the following night left only provincial rivals Hunter's Ale House standing in the way of Churchill's first appearance in a national gold-medal match. Hunter's came prepared to play on a bitterly-cold Sunday afternoon, but a second-half goal from Ryan Anstey
sealed the victory and sent Churchill Arms to the national final. Keeper Andrew MacCormack recorded the clean sheet.
Churchill Arms FC finished the 2010 tournament by winning the first national championship in Prince Edward Island soccer history. The Islanders met strong Gorge FC squad from British Columbia in the final, the same club they had defeated in the 2008 bronze medal match in St. John's. Both teams were very strong defensively, and it was no surprise that, despite a few scattered scoring chances from both sides, the gold medal would be decided in overtime. The first fifteen-minute OT period saw some good possession from Churchill, but it was Gorge FC that almost had the go-ahead goal as Michel Daoust had to head a shot off Matt Lally's goal line to preserve the 0-0 score. As both teams seemed to be preparing for an upcoming shootout, fullback Graham Ashworth was able to break through the Gorge midfield and slide a through-ball to an on-running Brett Norton, who made no mistake in pushing the ball past the BC keeper to make it 1-0 for the PEI squad. As Gorge pushed to find an equalizer, Ryan Anstey
was able to make a fast counter-attack and tuck home Churchill's second goal, ensuring a 2-0(OT) victory for the Islanders. Team captain Jonathan Vos accepted The Challenge Trophy, and keepers Matt Lally and Andrew MacCormack shared the BMO Top Goal Saver award. Churchill Arms FC did not allow a single goal all tournament.
2008-2009: Avondale Golf Club (Avondale, PE)
2010: Churchill Arms (Charlottetown, PE)
2011-present: Soccerstop (Charlottetown, PE)
Sport PEI Team of the Year
(tie with Team PEI Women's Curling, silver medallists at the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
- Kathy O'Rourke
, Tricia Affleck
, Erin Carmody
and Geri-Lynn Ramsay)
Sport PEI Coach of the Year (John Diamond)
PEI Soccer Association Team of the Year
PEI Soccer Association Coach of the Year (John Diamond)
PEI Soccer Association Senior Male Player of the Year (Jonathan Vos)
PEI Soccer Association Team of the Year (Avondale Islanders)
PEI Soccer Association Senior Male Player of the Year (Paul Craig)
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
at the BMO Canadian National Soccer Championships and were the 2010Challenge Cup champions .
NSSL
From 2000-2007, the team was known as Breakers FC/VUFC.In 2007 and 2008 the team played in the Nova Scotia Soccer League due to a lack of a premier league on Prince Edward Island. As Avondale Islanders
Avondale Islanders
Avondale Islanders is the former name of a senior men's amateur soccer club from Charlottetown, PEI. They were the 2008, 2009 and 2010 representative for Prince Edward Island at the Canadian National Challenge Cup and are now known as Churchill Arms FC....
, the team finished 3rd (2007) and 4th (2008) in the NSSL, did not compete in playoffs, and represented PEI at the BMO National Championships. In 2008, the Islanders defeated Nova Scotia representative Halifax City in a shootout to advance to the bronze medal game. Avondale then won the club's first national medal with a 3-2 victory over BC's Gorge FC.
MSSL
In 2009, there was a move away from the Nova Scotia Soccer League due to travel concerns between provinces. The team joined with Moncton and Fredericton Picaroons RedsFredericton Picaroons Reds
The Fredericton Reds is a senior men's soccer team from Fredericton, New Brunswick and currently play in the New Brunswick Premier Soccer League...
to form a Maritime Senior Soccer League. In its inaugural season, the PEI and NB Canada Games teams also entered the league to gain experience for the 2009 Canada Games
2009 Canada Games
The 2009 Canada Summer Games were held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island from August 15 to 29.-Events:*Athletics*Baseball*Basketball*Canoe/Kayak*Cycling*Diving*Golf*Rowing*Rugby*Sailing*Soccer*Softball*Swimming*Tennis*Triathlon...
. The Islanders again represented PEI at the national championships, winning their second bronze medal in as many seasons with a shootout win over the defending national champion, Calgary Callies
Calgary Callies
The Calgary Caledonian Football Club is better known as the Calgary Callies, which plays in the Alberta Major Soccer League.-History:This soccer club was founded in April, 1904. Over the years they have become a dominant club in Alberta and Canadian soccer.In 2007, the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame...
. The score was 0-0 at the end of regulation and overtime.
National Championship
In 2010, the Maritime League folded and the Islanders were left to play an exhibition schedule and league games versus the PEI Selects. The PEI Selects team had been created because New Brunswick was not able to send a representative to the 2010 BMO NationalsCanadian National Challenge Cup
The Challenge Trophy is a national amateur football cup in Canada contested by the champions of individual provincial soccer competitions. It is one of the oldest football competitions in Canada, being held since 1913...
, thus Prince Edward Island (as host) had the right to send a second team. The PEISA scheduled a 2-game series to determine the "representative" team and the "host" team. The series was played on August 22 and 25, 2010. Churchill Arms defeated PEI Selects (later named Hunter's Ale House) 2-1 in the first match and 1-0 in the second match. Josh Vessey scored the winning goal in both Challenge Cup matches.
At the BMO Canadian National Soccer Championship tournament, third-ranked Churchill Arms was in Group B with (2)Royal Select Beauport from Quebec, (5)Holy Cross/Kirby from Newfoundland & Labrador, (6)Halifax Dunbrack from Nova Scotia, and the host (10)Hunter's Ale House. In the opening match, Michel Daoust came on as a substitute in the second half and scored two goals to lead Churchill to a 2-0 victory over Holy Cross. Matt Lally recorded the clean sheet after having to stop two half-breakaways in the first half. The Islanders continued strong the following day with a hard-fought 1-0 win over rival Halifax Dunbrack in windy conditions, placing the PEI team atop Group B with six points. Veteran midfielder Brett Norton headed home a perfectly-placed Ken Morrison free-kick in the 11th minute, and solid play from the Churchill backline and keeper Matt Lally ensured the clean sheet. An uneventful scoreless draw with Royal Select from Quebec the following night left only provincial rivals Hunter's Ale House standing in the way of Churchill's first appearance in a national gold-medal match. Hunter's came prepared to play on a bitterly-cold Sunday afternoon, but a second-half goal from Ryan Anstey
Ryan Anstey
Ryan Anstey is a Canadian former professional soccer player. He played in 2006 for Toronto Lynx.Before turning pro Anstey played 5 years for the UPEI Panthers...
sealed the victory and sent Churchill Arms to the national final. Keeper Andrew MacCormack recorded the clean sheet.
Churchill Arms FC finished the 2010 tournament by winning the first national championship in Prince Edward Island soccer history. The Islanders met strong Gorge FC squad from British Columbia in the final, the same club they had defeated in the 2008 bronze medal match in St. John's. Both teams were very strong defensively, and it was no surprise that, despite a few scattered scoring chances from both sides, the gold medal would be decided in overtime. The first fifteen-minute OT period saw some good possession from Churchill, but it was Gorge FC that almost had the go-ahead goal as Michel Daoust had to head a shot off Matt Lally's goal line to preserve the 0-0 score. As both teams seemed to be preparing for an upcoming shootout, fullback Graham Ashworth was able to break through the Gorge midfield and slide a through-ball to an on-running Brett Norton, who made no mistake in pushing the ball past the BC keeper to make it 1-0 for the PEI squad. As Gorge pushed to find an equalizer, Ryan Anstey
Ryan Anstey
Ryan Anstey is a Canadian former professional soccer player. He played in 2006 for Toronto Lynx.Before turning pro Anstey played 5 years for the UPEI Panthers...
was able to make a fast counter-attack and tuck home Churchill's second goal, ensuring a 2-0(OT) victory for the Islanders. Team captain Jonathan Vos accepted The Challenge Trophy, and keepers Matt Lally and Andrew MacCormack shared the BMO Top Goal Saver award. Churchill Arms FC did not allow a single goal all tournament.
Team Sponsors
2001-2007: Breakers/Velvet Underground (Charlottetown, PE)2008-2009: Avondale Golf Club (Avondale, PE)
2010: Churchill Arms (Charlottetown, PE)
2011-present: Soccerstop (Charlottetown, PE)
Year-by-Year
| Year | Division | Team Name | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Nationals Venue | Nationals Canadian National Challenge Cup The Challenge Trophy is a national amateur football cup in Canada contested by the champions of individual provincial soccer competitions. It is one of the oldest football competitions in Canada, being held since 1913... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | n/a | ||||||
| 2002 | Senior Amateur | Breakers | PEI Challenge Cup | 2nd | Runner-up | St. John's, NL | n/a |
| 2003 | Senior Amateur | Breakers | PEI Challenge Cup | 1st | Champions | Quebec City, QC | 8th |
| 2004 | Senior Amateur | Velvet Underground FC | PEI Challenge Cup | 1st | Champions | Charlottetown, PE | 7th |
| 2005 | Senior Amateur | Velvet Underground FC | PEI Challenge Cup | 2nd | Runner-up | Calgary, AB | n/a |
| 2006 | Senior Amateur | Velvet Underground FC | PEI Challenge Cup | 1st | Champions | Surrey, BC | 5th |
| 2007 | Senior Amateur | Velvet Underground FC | NSSL | 3rd | n/a | Halifax, NS | 9th |
| 2008 | Senior Amateur | Avondale Islanders | NSSL | 4th | n/a | St. John's, NL | Bronze |
| 2009 | Senior Amateur | Avondale Islanders | MSSL | 1st | n/a | Saskatoon, SK | Bronze |
| 2010 | Senior Amateur | Churchill Arms FC | PEI Challenge Cup | 1st | Champions | Charlottetown, PE | Gold |
| 2011 | Senior Amateur | Soccerstop Edge FC | PEI Challenge Cup | 1st | Champions | Brossard, Qc | 8th |
Current roster
Former players
- Brett Norton (2004-2010)
- Jordan Chandler (2004-2010)
- Andrew MacCormack (2004-2010)
- Nathan Beck (2008-2010)
- Paul CraigPaul Craig (soccer)Paul Craig is a Canadian soccer player currently playing for FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and amateur:...
(2008-2010) - Morgan DesRoches (2008-2010)
- Michel Daoust (2007-2010)
- Mark MacGillvary (2007–2008)
- Jeff Ellis (2005–2006)
- Timma Kalinowski (2007–2009)
- Ben Paynter (2007–2009)
- Mozzi GyorioMozzi GyorioMozesh "Mozzi" Gyorio is a Serbian-born Canadian soccer player currently playing for FC Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
(2006-2007) - Bart Vermunt (2005–2009)
- John Smith (2002–2009)
- Tim McLeod (2007–2009)
- John Sutton (2003–2004)
- John Andrew Rousseau (2003–2004)
2010
BMO Challenge Cup ChampionsSport PEI Team of the Year
(tie with Team PEI Women's Curling, silver medallists at the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women's national curling championship, was held from January 30 to February 7 at the Essar Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario....
- Kathy O'Rourke
Kathy O'Rourke
Kathleen "Kathy" O'Rourke is a retired Canadian curler from Summerside, Prince Edward Island. She is a six-time provincial champion and is a former Canadian Mixed Champion....
, Tricia Affleck
Tricia Affleck
Tricia Affleck is a Canadian curler. She currently plays third for Meaghan Hughes out of the Charlottetown Curling Club in Charlottetown....
, Erin Carmody
Erin Carmody
Erin Carmody is a Canadian curler from Prince Edward Island. A native of the town of Summerside, Carmody was a biology student at the University of Prince Edward Island when she broke onto the curling scene by winning three consecutive provincial junior championships, twice with an undefeated record...
and Geri-Lynn Ramsay)
Sport PEI Coach of the Year (John Diamond)
PEI Soccer Association Team of the Year
PEI Soccer Association Coach of the Year (John Diamond)
PEI Soccer Association Senior Male Player of the Year (Jonathan Vos)
2008
Sport PEI Team of the Year (Avondale Islanders)PEI Soccer Association Team of the Year (Avondale Islanders)
PEI Soccer Association Senior Male Player of the Year (Paul Craig)