Buffalo Blazers
The Buffalo Blazers were a soccer team in Buffalo, New York. They competed in the National Soccer League[1] in 1976–1978 and 1980.[2][3] They were one of only four American teams (Detroit Besa, Detroit Canadians, and Detroit Vardar) to have competed in the National Soccer League which was based in Canada.
| Full name | Buffalo Blazers |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Stadium | War Memorial Stadium Buffalo, New York Lackwanna Stadium Lackawanna, New York |
| League | National Soccer League |
History edit
The Blazers joined the NSL for the 1976 season and became the first representative from Buffalo to compete in the league.[4][5] The team ownership initially applied for a franchise in the North American Soccer League, but the Upstate New York territorial rights were held by the Rochester Lancers.[6] Buffalo's first home venue was at Lackwanna Stadium in the suburb of Lackawanna, New York where the club averaged an attendance of around 700 to 1,500 spectators.[7]
The club experienced growing pains in their initial run in the Canadian circuit as they struggled to find a suitable head coach throughout the campaign.[8] Originally Al Block served at the helm before being replaced by Vincent Lauricella as interim coach.[9][10] Ultimately the Blazers secured the services of Alex Perolli who had previous experience in the NASL.[11] Perolli led Buffalo to a fourth-place finish in the division and club striker Emmanuel Kulu finished the campaign as the leading scorer in the division.[12][13]
The following season the ownership switched their home venue to War Memorial Stadium to avoid scheduling conflicts and to adhere to the league's stadium standards.[14] Buffalo also managed to secure a television deal to broadcast some of their home matches.[15] Alex Crawley who previously managed the St. Catharines Heidelberg was named the head coach for the season.[16] The Blazers managed to secure promotion to the league's First Division by finishing third.[17][18]
Buffalo struggled to achieve significant results during their run in the league's top division as they finished at the bottom of the standings.[19] The Blazers originally had Sam Buscarino as their head coach but was later replaced by Roberto Lonardo in the capacity of player-coach.[18][20] Midway through the 1978 season, the club owners decided to play out in the suburbs once more as their attendance numbers sharply declined since their move to War Memorial.[21][7] Since their initial move to Buffalo attendance dropped to an average of 300 to 150 in 1978.[21] The organization ultimately transferred its home venue to Hyde Park Stadium in Niagara Falls, New York.[22][23][24]
In 1979, the league went through a period of reorganization which resulted in Buffalo taking a hiatus and operating at the amateur level.[25][26] Stephen Mechtler would serve as head coach and the team would play in a series of friendly matches against NSL clubs..[27][26][28]
In 1980, after a one-year hiatus, the Blazers continued operations in the National Soccer League and returned to play at Lackwanna Stadium.[29][30] The Blazers hired Carlo Del Monte as their head coach who previously managed Hamilton Italo-Canadians.[31][32] Del Monte assembled a roster that consisted of many former Hamilton players.[33][34] The acquisitions proved initially successful as Buffalo produced an undefeated streak of eight matches.[35] Their on-field performance would later produce mediocre results due to internal strife within the organization.[35] One notable departure was head coach Del Monte who resigned in mid-July over disputes with the front office.[36] Following his departure, Del Monte became director of scouting in Canada for the Buffalo Stallions.[36] The club managed to secure the final postseason berth, but the league executive denied participation in the playoffs due to financial and player issues.[37]
In 1981, the club ceased operations and was replaced by Detroit Besa.[38]
Head Coach history edit
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Seasons edit
| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | National Soccer League (Second Division) | 8 | 9–2–10 | 4th | – | [41] |
| 1977 | 10 | 12–3–3 | 3rd | – | [41] | |
| 1978 | National Soccer League (First Division) | 11 | 3–3–14 | 11th | – | [41] |
| 1980 | National Soccer League | 12 | 8–2–12 | 8th | – | [41] |
References edit
- ^ "1977-1980 Buffalo Blazers • Fun While It Lasted". Fun While It Lasted. 2013-09-19. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- ^ "The Canadian National Soccer League". The Canadian National Soccer League. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- ^ "Windsor Stars blank Hamilton for successful debut in division". The Globe and Mail. May 3, 1976. p. S4.
- ^ "Tigers blanked by Hamilton". Ottawa Journal. May 10, 1976. p. 20.
- ^ Waring, Ed (December 8, 1975). "Meeting recommends NSL commissioner". The Globe and Mail. p. S8.
- ^ Byrnes, Kevin (January 30, 1978). "Business Scope Advertising". Buffalo Courier-Express. p. 34.
- ^ a b Jones, Steve (June 9, 1978). "Niagara Falls Makes Pitch for Blazers". Buffalo News. p. 47.
- ^ Drumsta, Peter (26 April 1977). "New Coach, at 39, Is in Top Shape". Buffalo News. p. 15.
- ^ a b "Blazers Open May 1 in Canadian Soccer". Buffalo Evening News. 18 March 1976. p. 16.
- ^ a b "Blazers Play to a Deadlock After Their Coach is Fired". Buffalo News. 1 June 1976. p. 57.
- ^ "Blazers Pick Alex Perolli New Coach". Buffalo News. 16 July 1976. p. 12.
- ^ "Blazers End on High Note". Buffalo News. 4 October 1976. p. 5.
- ^ "Kulu Earned Blazer Kudos in Pro Soccer". Buffalo News. 8 January 1977. p. 21.
- ^ Jones, Steve (17 June 1978). "Blazermania: Why Not?". Buffalo News. p. 35.
- ^ "5 Blazers' Games on Television". Buffalo News. 5 April 1977.
- ^ "Crawley to Coach Blazers". Buffalo Evening News. 21 February 1977. p. 13.
- ^ Munich, John (March 1, 1979). "Let's Talk Sport". Newspapers.com. Sun and the Erie County Independent. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
- ^ a b Billoni, Mike (April 23, 1978). "Buscarino Named Blazers' Coach". Buffalo Courier-Express. p. 47.
- ^ "Blazers End NSL Season With Loss". The Buffalo News. 21 August 1978. p. 32.
- ^ Jones, Steve (5 June 1978). "Blazers: Good First Half". Buffalo Evening News. p. 30.
- ^ a b Jones, Steve (28 June 1978). "Falls is Pleased to Have Blazers". Buffalo News. p. 11.
- ^ "Blazers Set Talks With Falls Brass". Buffalo Courier-Express. June 11, 1978. p. 279.
- ^ "Red tape idles Stars". Windsor Star. July 17, 1978. p. 30.
- ^ Jones, Steve (6 July 1978). "Blazers Really Believe Fans Are in Niagara Falls". Buffalo Evening News. p. 29.
- ^ Jones, Steve (7 January 1979). "Blazers Find Travel Rocky On the Road". Buffalo News. p. 24.
- ^ a b "Blazers Schedule Open Tryouts Today". Buffalo News. 12 May 1979. p. 47.
- ^ "Blazers Play As Amateurs". Buffalo Courier-Express. May 1, 1979. p. 26.
- ^ Kelley, Jim (13 May 1979). "Blazers Open 4-Year Plan". Buffalo News. p. 23.
- ^ "Return Chartered for Blazers". Buffalo Courier-Express. October 5, 1979. p. 38.
- ^ "Blazers Planning Soccer Return". Buffalo News. 21 March 1980. p. 5.
- ^ "1981 Hamilton Steelers - Team of Distinction". from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ "Blazers Ink DelMonte". Buffalo Courier-Express. April 1, 1980. p. 55.
- ^ "Sudbury Cyclones lose as Albuquerque scores". Sudbury Star. May 12, 1980. p. 13.
- ^ "Cyclones hit road in weekend action". Sudbury Star. May 17, 1980. p. 13.
- ^ a b Falldien, Jack (August 18, 1980). "Cyclones blank Buffalo squad". Sudbury Star. p. 9.
- ^ a b Jones, Steve (30 July 1980). "Sal Eyes New Faces". Buffalo News. p. 14.
- ^ "Playoff chances good after Cyclones win". Sudbury Star. September 8, 1980. p. 13.
- ^ Labow, Jeffrey (May 6, 1981). "Canadian flavor for new look NSL". The Globe and Mail. p. S4.
- ^ "Blazers Pick Alex Perolli New Coach". Buffalo News. 16 July 1976. p. 12.
- ^ Billoni, Mike (April 23, 1978). "Buscarino Named Blazers' Coach". Buffalo Courier-Express. p. 47.
- ^ a b c d "Buffalo Blazers | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2021-08-14.