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History, glory and jerseys of the Canadian Soccer League from 1987 to 1992
Toronto Blizzard
(1987-92)
Rising from the ashes of the demise of the NASL in 1985, the Toronto Blizzard reformed when they purchased Dynamo Latino of the Canadian National Soccer League. They spent the following season, 1986, playing as the Toronto Blizzard winning the League Championship and the NSL Cup. They would then go on to join the CSL in 1987 and dissolving in 1993 (post CSL).
Playing out of Lamport Stadium, they were runners up to the league title once (1991 season) and fielded the likes of Pat Harrington, Ace Ntsoelengoe, Lyndon Hooper, Trevor McCallum, Hector Marinaro, Branko Segota, David Byrne, Paul Peschisolido, Pat Onstad, Alex Bunbury, Lex Baillie, Dale Mitchell and Justin Fashanu.
Inaugural 1987 Season
That season Toronto placed 3rd (out of 4) in the Eastern Division. They beat Ottawa 2-1 in the quarter finals and lost to Hamilton 1-0 in the semis.
That season their shirt was made by Italian company Ennerre (NR). Home was white with red stripes and sleeves, Pop 84 and Pantofola D'oro on the chest. Away was the same but red with white stripes and sleeves.
1987 Toronto Blizzard Home #3 Gameworn Peter Roe
1987 Toronto Blizzard Home #3 Gameworn Peter Roe
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1987 Toronto Blizzard v Hamilton Steelers (care of Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
1987 Toronto Blizzard Away
1987 Toronto Blizzards Roster (c/o Sean Holmes)
CSL 1987
1987 Toronto Blizzards v National Capital Pioneers (c/o Peter Mackie)
1988
Toronto placed second in the Eastern division (of 5 teams). They beat heated rivals North York 2-1 in the quarter finals and lost again to Hamilton 1-0 in the semis.
That season their jersey was made by Brazilian company Campea. Home jerseys were white with red collars, stripes and cuffs. La Molisana was a chest sponsor at some points. Away was reverse, red with white cuffs, stripes and collar. On the sleeves Belloti Italia, TUGA Sport were sponsors. There is some footage to suggest there were some all red campea jerseys worn at some point unfortunately the circumstances surrounding this are uncertain at this time.
1989
That season the Blizzard were top of the east, skipping to the semi finals. There they met Hamilton, who bested them 3-2 over two legs.
That season their jersey was made by Brazilian company Campea. Home was red with white stripes on chest and shoulders, away jersey was white chest with red slashes as the chest sponsor. There is some footage to suggest there were some all red and all white campea jerseys worn at some point, most notably in a game vs Hamilton and in a friendly against Flamengo
1989 Toronto Blizzard Home Gameworn #19 Joe Corapi
1989 Toronto Blizzard Home Gameworn #19 Joe Corapi
1989 Toronto Blizzard Squad Home
1989 Toronto Blizzard line up vs North York Rockets
1989 Toronto Blizzard Away
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1989 Toronto Blizzard 3rd jersey v Hamilton Steelers (c/o Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
Toronto Blizzard v North York Rockets (c/o Robin Glover)
North York Rockets vs Toronto Blizzards June 18 1989 rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
Toronto Blizzard vs CR Flamengo July 7 1989 (c/o Robin Glover)
Toronto Blizzard vs CR Flamengo July 7 1989 (c/o Robin Glover)
North York Rockets vs Toronto Blizzard Sept 10 1989 Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
1989
The Blizzard also played Flamengo in a friendly on Canada day, known as the Canada Day Cup. Despite their best efforts they lost 2-0.
1989 CSL Semi Final 2nd leg
1990
High scoring Toronto was once again top of the eastern division as their roster included future stars Paul Peschisolido and Alex Bunbury. This time they played new comers Kitchener Spirit in the quarter finals. Toronto would be booted from the playoffs after losing 3-2 over two legs.
That season their jersey was made by Swiss company Blacky. The home was a mix of red and white fractal designs. Excelsior Coffee and Italiadesign were the chest sponsor.
1991
Rather than play divisions one table was played. Toronto placed a very distant second behind Vancouver (16 points!). They would meet in Torontos first final. Toronto would lose 5-3.
It appears that Toronto wore Blacky throughout the start of the season. Home and Away made by Campea were worn in the final against Vancouver. Home was white with red collar and shoulders, away was the reverse (red with white shoulders and collar). Excelsior coffee was the chest sponsor.
1992
Rough final season for Toronto in the CSL. They placed last in the table and did not make the play offs.
Home and Away were made by Campea. Home was white with red collar and shoulders, away was the reverse (red with white shoulders and collar). Excelsior coffee was the chest sponsor.
Blizzard Stats
