History, glory and jerseys of the Canadian Soccer League from 1987 to 1992
North York Rockets (1987-92)
Playing out of Esther Shiner stadium, North York was a founding member of the CSL in 1987. Their best result league wise was in 1991 when they beat Nova Scotia Clippers 9-1 to go to the semi finals vs eventual finalists and rivals Toronto Blizzard. They fielded names such as David Byrne, Eddie Berdusco, Tony Pinatiello, Victor Quni, Peter Zezel, Gino Di Florio, Pat Onstad and Tony Nocita.
1987
North York struggled that season, with one win, placing last in the eastern conference (out of 4 teams). They would not make the play offs.
That season their jersey was made by Umbro. Home was blue top with white bottom and away was blue top with white bottom.
No idea what season it is from, could be newer. Local maker. If you have any information please let me know. THinking its from a preseason friendly in the first two seasons. Maurice Amar wore #15 those years.
No idea what season it is from, could be newer. Local maker. If you have any information please let me know. THinking its from a preseason friendly in the first two seasons. Maurice Amar wore #15 those years.
No idea what season it is from, could be newer. Local maker. If you have any information please let me know. THinking its from a preseason friendly in the first two seasons. Maurice Amar wore #15 those years.
Mayor Mel Lastman receiving a North York Rockets Home jersey (c/o Pat Carrasco)
1987 North York Rockets Roster
1987 North York Rockets (c/o Frank Riga)
1987 Hamilton Steelers v North York Rockets Rosters (c/o Frank Riga)
1987 North York Rockets Home v Edmonton Brickmen
1987 North York Rockets v Toronto Blizzard (c/o Peter Mackie)
1988
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North Yorks second season showed greater promise than their first. They placed 3rd out of 5 teams in the eastern division. They would make play offs but were knocked out in the quarter finals by Toronto Blizzard.
That season their jersey was made by local company Rossi Di Italia, home was blue with white cross checking and Leon's furniture company as chest sponsor. Away was white.
1989
Once again North York saw greater success with an increase in wins (from 10 in the 88-89 season, to 12 in the 89-90 season). They once again placed 3rd and went to the play offs. In the play offs they played a dominant Hamilton and lost 2-1 over two legs.
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That season their jersey was made by Brazilian company Campea. Home was dark blue with white collar and trim. Away was White with blue. Chest sponsor was Siena.
1989 North York Home
1989 North York Rockets Away #10 Hector Marinaro
1989 North York Rockets Away #10 Hector Marinaro
1989 North York Away Jens Kramer
1989 North York Rockets Away
1989 North York Rockets v Montreal Supra June 4 1989 (c/o Robin Glover)
1989 North York Rockets v Montreal Supra June 4 1989 Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
1990
The 1990 season was not as successful as the previous season, with the Rockets accruing 23 points and sitting 5/7 in the eastern conference. They played a dominant Vancouver 86ers team, who beat them 4-0 over two legs in the Quarter finals.
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That season their jersey was made by Italian company ABM. Home blue with white sashes across the shoulders and chest and Coffee Time as the chest sponsor. Away was white with tiger striped shoulders, Leons furniture was the chest sponsor.
1990 North York Rockets Home
1990 Rockets Away
1990 Rockets Away Steve Jansen v Vancouver 86ers
1991 North York Rockets Gameworn Tracksuit Marco Antonucci (c/o Marco Antonucci)
1991 North York Rockets Gameworn Tracksuit Marco Antonucci (c/o Marco Antonucci)
1990 Rockets Training Jacket c/o Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame
June 13 North York Rockets v Ottawa Intrepid (c/o Robin Glover)
June 13 Rockets v Intrepid Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
June 17 1990 North York Rockets v Montreal Supra (c/o Robin Glover)
June 17 1990 North York Rockets v Montreal Supra Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
July 1 1990 North York Rockets v Toronto Blizzard (c/o Robin Glover)
July 1 1990 North York Rockets v Toronto Blizzard Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
July 4 1990 North York Rockets v London Lasers (c/o Rocket Robin)
July 4 1990 North York Rockets v London Lasers Roster (c/o Rocket Robin)
july 8 1990 North York Rockets v Hamilton Steelers (c/o Rocket Robin)
july 8 1990 North York Rockets v Hamilton Steelers Rosters (c/o Rocket Robin)
July 14 1990 North York Rockets v Edmonton Brickmen (c/o Robin Glover)
July 14 1990 North York Rockets v Edmonton Brickmen Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
July 29 1990 North York Rockets v Kitchener Spirit (c/o Robin Glover)
July 29 1990 North York Rockets v Kitchener Spirit Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
Aug 5 1990 North York Rockets v Hamilton Steelers (c/o Robin Glover)
Aug 5 1990 North York Rockets v Hamilton Steelers Roster (c/o Robin Glover)
Aug 8 1990 North York Rockets v London Lasers Roster (c/o Robin Glover)
Aug 22 1990 North York Rockets v Vancouver 86ers Roster
Sept 9 1990 North York Rockets v Winnipeg Fury Rosters
Sept 12 1990 North York Rockets v Vancouver 86ers play off Rosters
1991
This season North York placed 3rd in the table (East/West divisions now solidified into one table). They made the play offs beating the Nova Scotia Clippers 5-1 over two legs. They then played second place rivals the Blizzard in the semis where they were knocked out.
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Jerseys were once again made by ABM, blue for home, white away. Leons was the chest sponsor. It would appear that jerseys werent necessarily home and away specific. In some cases theyd wear away home and home away. Away appeared to remain the same from the previous season.
1992
North York placed 2nd, 6 points out of 1st meeting eventual winners Winnipeg in the play offs. Winnipeg won 2-1 over 2 legs and went on to beat the 86ers over 2 legs, 3-1.
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As of right now it looks as if ABM continued to do Rockets jerseys with blue being the home color, white as the away. Coffee time as the chest sponsor.
"Thats Ian Carter battling for us. Im actually in behind him there. It was a big win for us because it obviously set us up to be in the final against Vancouver. But i think it was extra special for Ian and Peter Sarantopolous. A bit of revenge, as they had just been traded to us from North York. Always nice to knock off your old team" - Steve Millar, Captain of Winnipeg Fury.