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Mike Connell (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Mike Connell is a former professional footballer. He played in his native South Africa as well as in the North American Soccer League
.
, the manager of the professional team brought Mike into the first team squad. His full professional debut was made in 1972 at the age of 16 against Durban City. In 1973 Mike was invited to go on trial with Arsenal
in England. He spent 6 months on trial but was not signed. He returned to Rangers. In 1974 Eddie Firmani
, the new coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Tampa USA, was scouting for players in South Africa. Rangers was playing Arcadia Shepherds who featured Steve Wegerle. After Mike was substituted his father confronted Alex Forbes on the field. An act Eddie Firmani realised gave him opportunity to get Mike. In 1975 at the age of 18 Mike arrived in Tampa Florida USA. He played every season for the Rowdies until the NASL collapsed in 1984. His years with the team included one championship, in 1975, and two runner-ups, in 1978 and 1979. He was a 1979 and 1980 First Team All Star and a 1982 Honorable Mention All Star.
He has a wife, Kim, and a daughter, Ashton, and a son, Michael. They currently reside in Lutz
, Florida.
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
.
Youth
Connell grew up playing street soccer in Mayfair and attending Rangers F.C. games at Bloch Park. Playing in black and white striped shirts of the Rangers Club was a must for any kid from the neighborhood and Connell was no different. Connell spent most Sundays from 9am to 5pm watching and playing pick soccer at Bloch Park. When he was nine, he was recruited into a U-11 team which practiced in the park. As luck had it his first game would be against the rivals of Rangers. Highlands Park was a team from the northern suburbs. The game would be played as a first curtain raiser before a Rangers professional game and it would be played on the Rand Stadium. Although they were beat 9-2 that days Mike scored both goals and so began his journey to becoming a professional soccer player.National team
Through the early 1970s, Connell was selected to the all star teams and in 1971 and 1972 was selected to the South African Schoolboy team. At the time South Africa was suspended from FIFA and no international games could be played.Professional
Alex ForbesAlex Forbes
Alexander Rooney Forbes is a Scottish former footballer.Born in Dundee, Forbes started his career playing wartime matches with Dundee North End, before signing for Sheffield United. He was a regular for United in the first two seasons of competitive football after the war ended, and made his debut...
, the manager of the professional team brought Mike into the first team squad. His full professional debut was made in 1972 at the age of 16 against Durban City. In 1973 Mike was invited to go on trial with Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in England. He spent 6 months on trial but was not signed. He returned to Rangers. In 1974 Eddie Firmani
Eddie Firmani
Edwin Ronald "Eddie" Firmani is a retired football player and manager. He was born in South Africa but represented Italy internationally.-Playing career:...
, the new coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Tampa USA, was scouting for players in South Africa. Rangers was playing Arcadia Shepherds who featured Steve Wegerle. After Mike was substituted his father confronted Alex Forbes on the field. An act Eddie Firmani realised gave him opportunity to get Mike. In 1975 at the age of 18 Mike arrived in Tampa Florida USA. He played every season for the Rowdies until the NASL collapsed in 1984. His years with the team included one championship, in 1975, and two runner-ups, in 1978 and 1979. He was a 1979 and 1980 First Team All Star and a 1982 Honorable Mention All Star.
Coach
In the mid-1980s, Connell became the head coach of the Clearwater Central Catholic High School boys' team.He has a wife, Kim, and a daughter, Ashton, and a son, Michael. They currently reside in Lutz
Lutz
Lutz is a short form of Ludwig and may refer to:-People with the surname Lutz:*Adolfo Lutz, Brazilian physician*Alois Lutz, Austrian figure skater, for whom the Lutz jump is named*Al Lutz, American internet journalist...
, Florida.