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Canadian soccer history in photos: 1920s to 1960s

Next time your parents want to haul out the old baby photos, send them to Canada Soccer’s Flickr page. It’s a massive database of images across just about every decade Canadian soccer was able to be photographed.

It’s an eerie experience at times. Seeing a sun-sweat Atiba Hutchinson arguing “the offside” or teenage Christine Sinclair in high definition creates an uncanny feeling, bringing experiences seen on a TV back to life again.

But before soccer even graced TV, we had the early 20th century. Club soccer was scattered across the country, national teams were smaller in scope.

Here are the most interesting early-to-mid 20th-century photos from Canada Soccer’s extensive archive, which we’d recommend you check out for yourself.


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Canada under a different banner, 1957

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 30 June 1957 - México, DF, MEX Photo by Frank Bain Canada flag and national anthem Normie McLeod, Gogie Stewart, Art Hughes, Brian Philley, Gordon Ion, Doug Greig, Pat Philley, Jack Steele, Roy Cairns, David Stothard, Ken Pears
CanMNT stands for the national anthem before a 1958 World Cup qualifier vs Mexico. (Canada Soccer)

Canada’s FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign looked much, much different in 1957. Here, Les Rouges stand under the Canadian Red Ensign, ironically wearing blue, before a match with Mexico at Estadio Olímpico. Canada dropped two matches in Mexico City and finished second in the group.

Picturesque Pacific Coast Soccer League match, 1932

Pacific Coast League 1932 - Vancouver, BC, CAN Westminster Royals in action
Pacific Coast Soccer League action at Con Jones Park in 1932. (Canada Soccer)

Westminster Royals take on an unknown foe at a packed Con Jones Park in 1932. Later renamed Callister Park, the stadium hosted Pacific Coast Soccer League matches for over three decades before being torn down in 1971. Also, do you see those mountains? Eat your heart out, Pacific FC.

Dustbowl football Vancouver, 1935

Scottish FA Tour in Canada 1 June 1935 - Vancouver, BC, CAN Vancouver All-Stars v Scottish All-Stars action
A Vancouver All-Stars team hosts a Scottish FA selects team. (Canada Soccer)

One more from what’s more-than-likely Con Jones Park in 1935: A Scottish all-star group battles the hometown Vancouver selects side for the ball.

‘Columbus! Go, Go, Go,’ 1960

1959-60 Pacific Coast League Anderson Cup Final winners Vancouver Columbus FC. (Canada Soccer)
1959-60 Pacific Coast League Anderson Cup Final winners Vancouver Columbus FC. (Canada Soccer)

Vancouver Columbus FC was a staple in the Pacific Coast Soccer League’s early 20th-century iteration, winning several league and national titles. Here we see Columbus celebrate winning the Anderson Cup final in 1960 – their first season in the PCSL.

‘See you this Thursday,’ 1961

An advertisement for Concordia FC taking on Brazilian side Bangu in Montreal, 1961. (Canada Soccer)
An advertisement for Concordia FC taking on Brazilian side Bangu in Montreal, 1961. (Canada Soccer)

A friendly for the ages. The short-lived International Soccer League brought European and Southern American sides to Montreal for a series of friendlies in 1961. The Concordia University squad went on to beat AS Monaco in the tournament, which was hosted at Molson Stadium.

English giants collide in Toronto, 1952

Tottenham Hotspur takes on Manchester United at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, 1952. (Canada Soccer)
Tottenham Hotspur takes on Manchester United at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, 1952. (Canada Soccer)

A soldout Varsity Stadium in Toronto witnesses a midsummer friendly between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in 1952.

The original Centre Circle, 1968

(Canada Soccer)
(Canada Soccer)

Former Canada under-23s coach Terry Weatherall instructs tactics during a national soccer “leadership clinic” in 1968.

A young Bruce Wilson scores, 1967

A young Bruce Wilson scores during a youth tournament in Vancouver, 1967. (Canada Soccer)
A young Bruce Wilson scores during a youth tournament in Vancouver, 1967. (Canada Soccer)

A Vancouver youth tournament from 1967 shows future Canada men’s team legend Bruce Wilson scoring for either Burnaby Norburn or Victoria Gorge FC. Little did Bruce know, he’d play a big role in Canadian soccer’s future.