They wore blue T-shirts with silkscreen junior high school photos of themselves on the front, accompanied by various yearbook-like slogans, some not suitable for this newspaper.
Surrey United were in Vernon to share a few laughs, but they also played some fabulous footy, winning the Men’s 35+ Division in the 35th Annual Vernon National Oldtimers Soccer Tournament.
United brushed back Edmonton Arsenal 3-1 in Monday’s matinee final at MacDonald Park.
Murray Howes, on a header after a feed by Brent Roberts, Mike Evans, after he skinned a defender, and Ricky Sewell, on a 20-yarder, handled the offence for Surrey.
United, who lost last year’s final to Salmon Arm LWO Legends, led 2-0 at the half. They pocketed $500 in prize money.
“We’ve been coming here for 10 years and we love it,” said Surrey captain Mark Avery. “We could have lost all three games (in round-robin), they were so tight. We changed to a 3-5-2 today and it seemed to work. Angelo Bonato (keeper) kept us in the games all tournament.”
Surrey won the Fraser Valley Division 1 (35+) title this season.
Alan Smith replied for Edmonton, who took home $300.
“It came down to energy today,” said Smith. “They made the ball do the work and we ran. They were deserving winners; they were the better team.”
Surrey shaded Edmonton 3-2 to open the tournament Saturday morning at Marshall Field #4. Surrey also toppled Calgary Lads 4-1 and tied Prince George Ole Boys 1-1.
Edmonton shut out the Lads 2-0 and stopped LWO Legends 2-0.
The Legends and Prince George didn’t play the consolation final and split the $200. There were seven teams in the division.
Mission FC clipped the Calgary Chinooks 1-0 in the Men’s 40+ final at Mac Park. Colin Whitworth scored from 18 yards, while Rob Mills posted the clean sheet.
The same two teams tied 3-3 in preliminary action Sunday at Marshall #2. Mission battled Spokane White House Grill to a scoreless draw and defeated Calgary United FC 2-0 in other round-robin games. There were four teams in the category.
Old Growth of North Vancouver brushed off the Southside Rangers of Calgary 1-0 in the Men’s 45+ final Monday morning at MacDonald.
Old Growth earlier blanked the Rangers 1-0, iced the Calgary Red Devils 6-0 and stuffed Sherwood Park Pioneer Hitch 6-0 in the five-team class. The Rangers finished third.
They went to penalty kicks in the Men’s 50+ final with the Delta Stingers stopping Peace Arch of White Rock 1-0 (7-6) with midfielder Dave Ayre nailing the winner.
Peace Arch received the prestigious George Stein Memorial Triple S award for sportsmanship, service and skill. Vernon Secondary School grad Rod Trentini plays for Peace Arch.
The Calgary Lads took third spot amongst a dozen teams.
The Vernon Big O Tire-Turn-Key Controls Ogopogos tied one and lost two, opening with a 2-2 draw against the Stingers. John Matejcka and Ian Murphy had the Vernon goals.
The Ogopogos then lost 2-1 to FC Piasta of Surrey with Murphy converting a penalty kick. Vernon finished by falling 1-0 to Calgary Old Boys.
The North Island Spartans of Nanaimo shaded the Vancouver Nomads of 2-1 (5-4) on penalty kicks to claim the Men’s 55+ title.
The Spartans earlier grounded Edmonton Polonia 4-1, shaded the Nelson-Vernon Gunners 3-2 and tied the Southside Rangers 2-2.
The Trojans placed third by stopping the Rangers 4-3 in penalty kicks. There was a field of nine.
Director Shelly Johnston and her team from the North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association smoothly ran the 55-team tournament. South Hill FC of Vancouver was here for the 35th time.
