Memories of Callister - Con Jones Park/Callister Park: 1921-1970 Vancouver Soccer's Spiritual Home - BC Soccer Hall of Fame and Heritage ...
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A BC Soccer History Series Report
Memories of Callister
Con Jones Park/Callister Park: 1921-1970
Vancouver Soccer’s Spiritual Home
The history, photographs and personal memories of playing soccer at
Con Jones Park / Callister Park, Vancouver’s home of soccer for 50 years.
Prepared to mark the centenary of the first soccer game at the Park on June 23rd, 1921
BC Soccer Heritage: June 23rd, 2021
Memories of Callister
Con Jones/Callister Park: Vancouver Soccer’s Spiritual Home: 1921-1970
Contents In 1904 John Callister acquired forest land in
Hastings Townsite across from today’s PNE,
The History of the Park 2–5
where he built his home.
Archival Photographs 6 – 12
Personal Memories 13 – 16 In 1903, Con Jones, a flamboyant Australian,
Notes & Credits, Further Information 16 arrived in Vancouver. He would be a driving
force in soccer in BC for the next 25 years. Little
Con Jones/Callister Park is known about Con Jones’ early
As BC’s most popular sport, soccer now takes life, other than he was born in
place at parks throughout the City of Vancouver Sydney, Australia in 1869 and
and Lower Mainland. But for many lifelong may have been a bookie. Jones
soccer players and supporters, the home of proved to be an impressive
soccer in Vancouver is a park which has not Vancouver entrepreneur,
seen a game since 1970. Across from the PNE, opening a chain of tobacconists,
at Oxford Street and Renfrew Street, lies pool halls and a bowling alley,
Callister Park. From 1921 to 1942 as Con Jones and becoming one of the city’s
Park and from 1942 to 1970 as Callister Park, most successful sports Con Jones
the stadium on this land was home to much of promoters ever.
the storied history of soccer in Vancouver.
While the phrase “hallowed turf” cannot be Early Soccer Stadiums in Vancouver
used to describe what became a dirt pitch with The City of Vancouver was incorporated in 1886,
hardly a blade of grass, many still regard this as following the initial development around Stamp’s
Vancouver soccer’s spiritual home. Lumber Mill in 1867 and the completion of the CPR in
1871. The city grew rapidly on land within the traditional
Con Jones and John Callister territory of the Coast Salish peoples. It reached a
The history of the park is wrapped up in the population of 14,000 by 1891.
stories of two men, Australian Con Jones, and The sports community also grew quickly, as many of the
Manxman (Isle of Man, UK) John Callister. early settlers came from the UK and Europe, where
organized sports were very popular. In 1889, sports fields
John Callister arrived in Vancouver in 1885. were built at today’s New Brighton Park, at the Cambie
Leaving the Isle of Man, he had been a Street Grounds (Larwill Park) and in 1890 at Brockton
carpenter and builder in Chicago and San Point in Stanley Park. In 1899 the Vancouver AFC club
Francisco, came to Vancouver and lost cleared the Powell Street Grounds (Oppenheimer Park).
everything he owned a year later in 1886 in
In 1905 the first field enclosed with covered stands,
Vancouver’s “Great Fire” that Recreation Park at Smithe and Homer downtown, was
destroyed the city. He went built for baseball and other sports, holding 6,000
on to success as a Vancouver spectators. In 1913, the park was closed when CPR sold
builder/ developer, including the land for development. Bob Brown moved his
building the "Ellesmere baseball team to Athletic Park, a new facility he built at
th
Rooms" at Pender and Hemlock and 5 Avenue, again used by numerous other
Homer, and a supporter of sports including lacrosse and soccer. In 1892, a racetrack
the Vancouver Reading Room had been built at Hasting Park, later with an athletic park
on Cordova. with sports fields inside the racetrack oval.
By 1920, a booming population, limited facilities and a
John Callister growing interest in watching sports created the need
2 and
business opportunity for more spectator sports facilities.
At that time, lacrosse (field) was more popular Con Jones Park 1921 - 1942
than hockey. Jones promoted a BC Lacrosse
There were two demonstration ‘test’ soccer
Professional League featuring his team, the
games at the new park on May 28th and June
Vancouver Athletic Club. Jones recruited players
4th, and a professional lacrosse game between
from Eastern Canada to compete against the
Jones’ Vancouver team and Victoria. While the
champion New Westminster Salmonbellies. His
Newcastle tour did not materialize, a men’s
Vancouver AC won the national championship
Scottish FA team did tour Canada that summer.
Minto Cup in 1911 with attendance of 14,000,
The first significant soccer game at Con Jones
at Recreation Park. Lacrosse was a huge
Park was on June 23rd 1921 between the
commercial and sporting success for Jones.
Scottish FA and the BC All-Stars, the Scots
To replicate his lacrosse success, Jones winning 3-0 in front of 5,000 spectators.
promoted and started a professional soccer
league, which operated occasionally in 1910
and 1911, before fading away. ~---SOCCER----~
Moving to Hastings
Up to 1912, Jones’s lacrosse team played at
SCO S vs B. C.
Recreation Park downtown. When this was sold Thur day Evenin , 6:30, Con. Jon s' P rk
Admwton 100, Boy, 250
for development, Jones moved his team out to
a facility inside the Hastings Park Race Course.
In 1920, Jones purchased Callister’s “Lot 5” land The next week, on July 1st, 1921 the opening
across Renfrew from Hastings Park for $10,000. game of Jones’ latest men’s professional soccer
By this time, Jones was promoting professional league took place at the park, Nanaimo beating
soccer a second time. In 1920 he persuaded the Vancouver Celtics 2-1. This league did not catch
national Canadian soccer body to recognize the on and very few other pro soccer games are
new provincial association he had set up to recorded at that time. Con Jones Park became
allow professional play, with a promise to bring the home of amateur and semi-pro soccer,
England’s Newcastle United to tour Canada. lacrosse, baseball and other sports.
In the space of a year, on “Lot 5”, Jones built a Jones died in 1929 following a stroke while
fully-enclosed sports stadium named for watching a soccer game at his park. In June
himself, with seating for 6,000 plus more 1934, the park’s grandstands burned down, but
standing, primarily as a home for his lacrosse were quickly rebuilt by his two sons who had
and soccer ventures, supported by extensive taken over running the park.
on-site advertising for his tobacco business.
Con Jones Park 1924
3
1942 - 1970: Callister Park English FA 4-4 in front of 9,200 spectators. This
was the first time in 30 years of such games that
Upon his death in 1934, John Callister, a a BC team had tied a visiting team of
bachelor, left his property to two nieces. After professional players, and this FA team included
the death of her sister, Mrs. Ada M. Stevenson the famed Stanley Matthews and Nat
inherited all of the property. In 1942, Stevenson Lofthouse. “Weekend Boys take the FA Apart”
reclaimed the “Con Jones Park” land, as Jones proclaimed the Vancouver Sun.
and his sons had only made three payments of
In 1951 BC All-Stars defeated AIK of Sweden at
$1,000 on the $10,000 purchase, and had not
Callister, shortly after Victoria All-Stars had
paid city taxes. To settle matters with the city,
registered BC’s first victory over touring
Mrs. Stevenson then gifted the park to the City
professionals by beating Fulham 1-0. In 1953,
of Vancouver on condition it be renamed
BC Mainland All-Stars defeated the Northern
"Callister Park" in her uncle’s honour.
Irish FA visitors. In 1959, in the last All-Star
From 1942, managed by the PNE Association, game at Callister, BC All-Stars defeated
Callister Park continued to host the same sports Municipal of Peru by 5-3.
and became Vancouver’s premier soccer venue.
Once Empire Stadium was built, its capacity led
Callister Park would close before women’s/girls’
such games to be switched across Renfrew.
soccer was established in the 1970s, but it
hosted games between BC All-Stars and touring
European professional men’s teams, was home Con Jones/Callister Park All-Star Games
to Canada’s premier men’s soccer league, the Year All-Stars Visitors Score
Pacific Coast League, and was the primary host 1921 BC Scottish FA (Third Lanark) 0-3
of men’s and boys’ Provincial Cup finals 1924 Vancouver Corinthians (**) 1-1
1924 Canada Corinthians (**) 1-2
All-Star Games at Con Jones/ Callister Park 1935 Vancouver Scottish FA 0-1
The highlights of each BC soccer season from 1937 Vancouver Charlton Athletic 2-3
1938 Vancouver Islington Corinthians (**) 2-2
the 1920s to the 1970s were the visits of
1938 Vancouver Islington Corinthians (**) 3-0
touring men’s professional club and national
1939 Vancouver Scottish FA 1-4
association teams. The touring teams played 1939 Vancouver Scottish FA 2-3
games in Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo as 1949 BC Newcastle United 2-5
part of cross-Canada tours. The local amateurs 1949 BC Newcastle United 1-8
always had a tough time, but thousands came 1950 BC English FA 4-4
out to see the pride of BC pit their wits against 1950 BC English FA 1-7
the world’s professionals. In the 20s and 30s, 1950 BC Atlas Club, Mexico 1-1
crowds reached 5,000 -7,000. In the 40s and 1950 BC Atlas Club, Mexico 3-4
50s, All-Star crowds topped 8,000, the highest 1951 BC Fulham 0-2
1951 BC Fulham 0-2
being 9,600 watching Tottenham Hotspurs play
1951 BC AIK (Sweden) 3-2
the BC Mainland All-Stars in 1952.
1952 BC Mainland Tottenham Hotspur 2-9
From 1921 to 1959, 28 games against visiting 1952 BC Mainland Tottenham Hotspur 2-8
touring teams were played at Con Jones/ 1953 BC Mainland (Northern) Irish FA 1-3
Callister Park, of which 24 were against 1953 BC Mainland (Northern) Irish FA 3-2
1954 BC Mainland Glasgow Rangers 0-9
professionals. Not all of these visitors were
1954 BC Mainland Glasgow Rangers 0-3
impressed with the conditions: Newcastle
1955 BC Mainland Huddersfield Town 2-4
United called the dirt pitch “a disgrace”. 1955 BC Mainland Huddersfield Town 1-4
There were some notable local All-Star 1956 BC Aberdeen 2-2
performances. In 1950, the BC All-Stars tied the 1959 BC Municipal FC (Peru) 5-3
** Corinthians were touring English amateur teams.
4
Provincial Cups at Con Jones/ Callister Park grass field, but not in its later years, and it could
be hard or waterlogged. But as the pitch was
As the premier Vancouver soccer stadium, Con
closely hemmed in by the seating, it had a
Jones/Callister Park hosted innumerable
superb atmosphere. Referees entered and left
Mainland Cup, Provincial Cup and Canadian
through a tiny “mousehole” in the boards.
Club Championship qualifying games. Between
1924 and 1968, Con Jones/Callister Park hosted Other local leagues were amateur, but the PCL
the BC Men’s Provincial Cup Final 37 times, with was openly semi-pro, players supplementing
some stand-out teams. their day jobs with soccer income at nights and
weekends, getting maybe $15 if their team
In 1929 to 1931, Westminster Royals, the club
won. (In 1965 construction trades earned $2.50
with more national titles (eight) than any other,
an hour). Spectators in their thousands paid 25
were at their peak, winning three straight men’s
cents in the 1940s, 50 cents in the 1950s and a
BC Province Cups at Con Jones Park. Dominant
$1 or $1.25 in the 1960s.
in the 1940s, North Shore United won eight BC
championships at this park from 1937 to 1966. In the 1940s, North Shore United “Reds” and St.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Vancouver Firefighters Andrews dominated the PCL, followed by
won eight provincial titles at Callister, including Westminster Royals and Vancouver City/Hale-
five in the seven years from 1961 to 1967. Co. In the 1960s Vancouver Firefighters, Victoria
and Columbus held sway, Columbus being
In 1953 the Vancouver Sun launched the “Sun
avidly supported by the East Side Italian
Tournament of Champions”, to find the best
community.
youth (boys at that time) teams from Under 11
to Under 18 (and Junior). In effect this was the All Good Things Come to an End
BC Juvenile Soccer Provincial Cup. The inaugural In 1954, Empire Stadium was built at the nearby
Sun Tournament was held at Callister Park in PNE grounds for the British Empire and
May 1953, as were all first five tournaments, Commonwealth Games, with a capacity of
and those held in 1959, 1960 and 1963. Each 35,000. Empire then became the venue for
Sun Tournament, the MVP was awarded the major audience soccer games in the city. In
“Soccer Boy” Rose Bowl trophy. Powell River 1969, the City of Burnaby opened Swangard
boys excelled at Callister, winning the “Soccer Stadium nearby.
Boy” title five times, starting with Metro Gerela
in 1953 through to Larry Louie in 1963. Callister’s infrastructure had deteriorated. The
pitch was chewed up even more than usual by
Pacific Coast League 1939 - 1972 rodeos and the regular Demolition Derbies held
During the 1940s to 1960s, Callister Park hosted at the park.
various men’s local leagues, but was the prime Callister continued as the home of the Coast
home of the Pacific Coast League, the top semi- League until 1970, the league itself ending in
pro league in Canada. Con Jones’s tobacco 1973. In 1970 the City of Vancouver
slogan was “Don’t Argue”, and no-one can decommissioned Callister Park as a stadium.
argue BC soccer was the best in Canada at that The facilities were
time. BC teams won the Canadian Club demolished, with
championship 18 times in the 30 years from 350,000 board feet of
1950 to 1979. In 1957, every single player in the lumber from the stands
starting XI for Canada’s first ever FIFA World sold off.
Cup qualifying game played in the Coast League.
Callister Park became a
The playing conditions at Callister were neighbourhood park,
regarded as poor or worse by locals and visitors which it remains today.
alike - usually bare sand/dirt. It had been a good
5
CON JONES PARK / CALLISTER PARK
BC SOCCER HERITAGE PHOTO GALLERY
The Referee “Mousehole”
Columbus Keeper
David Stothard and Normie McLeod
6
SCOU IOUD AT OLD COlf )011£5 PAD In 1926 Cr lg,
I ,ltd aomo fomou aoec:er namt ■ 01 St. At1drow' 1 and Wl11on, In Sapperlon ltne•up tbal day ""'" Aubrey
Sopperton trolled out on field lor a 9ame SI . An- Sanford, a 1lant bu1ln•11 mono;,, of NW Royab,
drew '• playou w•re. lrom I It. Colin Campb.11 , Ila•• and tho lat Dou9 Grim1lon -Sluarl Thom1on pholo.
I 1926 – Sapperton vs. St. Andrews
1932 - Nanaimo City vs. Westminster Royals
7
1921 – Coin Toss at Con Jones Park
Vancouver & District League
Ken Pears (GK), Tony Crisp
Free Seat Section
8
Neil McEachnie (heading)
Circa 1960
2021
9
10
AN~UAL SUN socc,rn SHOW W,~5 STRICTLY FOR THE KIDS
SEVENTH ANNUAL SUN
TOURNAMENT of SOCCER
CHAMPIONS
CAL~ISTER PARK MAY 9th and 10th, 195S
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Photos: NIJfbS NCCT I AI.I. Vltb :♦JUI i,.,--,,.'llnl n,,,.,._u,. '-um '/i,;l~•M 0111, l111
k:11 81.(11...,.........,,...::.:..-., , . 11,.r·.. lh•ft C.t'.::io" lb CPERSONAL MEMORIES OF CALLISTER
100 Years Later… June 2021
The first major soccer game at Con Jones/Callister Park took place on June 23rd 1921 and in 1970,
Callister Park’s soccer stadium closed for ever. Recollections of Callister have not diminished among
Vancouver’s soccer community. Thirteen BC soccer community members who played at or went to
games at Callister recall their fond, and not-so fond, memories of the ground (Comments edited).
Geoff McCormick: Burnaby Villa, North Shore bespoke tailor became the sponsor. My
Pauls, Westminster Blues, Lobbans favourite Pauls team memory at Callister was
I arrived at the old Vancouver airport from our 1-0 win over Columbus before 1000 fans in
Manchester in September 1967 and lived in East the Province Cup Semi-final. This closed the
Vancouver. I was assigned to Ken Howarth’s door on Columbus’s most successful winning
Burnaby Villa of the Coast League until the run ever in BC history, over 30 games. NS Pauls
Vancouver Royals training camp in February. post game celebration was held at the Gallo
D’Oro restaurant, in Columbus territory on
I used to practice at Templeton High School - Commercial Drive, where we to sipped
one of the first persons I met was Sergio champagne and ate spaghetti. The teams based
Zanatta of Columbus. Curious of the recent out of Callister Park had a fierce rivalry but had
arrival, he showed me his competitive side by a tremendous amount of respect for each other
making sure I could not sprint as fast as him. both on and off the field.
We played a few league games, one at Royal Kjeld Brodsgaard: Victoria O’Keefe’s, London
Athletic Park in Victoria. I was very impressed Boxing Club, BC Soccer
with the league and the facilities so far.
I have fond memories of playing at Callister
I was anxiously awaiting my first home game at Park, which was the home field of Columbus of
Callister Park versus the tough Vancouver old. Columbus fans were abusive to all visitors
Firefighters. I walked to the ground along and the abuse you would take when you ran on
Oxford Street, passing many young Italian to the field was something else. At one point a
children playing soccer and arrived at the fan was trying to hit one of our players with an
ground. Outside appearances, though obviously umbrella at halftime.
fairly old, had stands on three sides of the
ground much like semi-pro clubs in the UK. As keeper, I would get a tetanus shot just to
play on that field and the cuts you would get
It was not until I got inside that I saw that the would be infected by the time we got to the
pitch had no grass but was a mixture of sand ferry on our return trips. We used to think that
and shale, as the PNE was using the pitch for the field was used as a site for demolition
rodeos, demolition derbies and parking. derbies, then the seagulls would move in and
The ground that initially shocked me ultimately "fertilize" the field, then a soccer game would
became one of my favourite places to play and be played. But what a great atmosphere...
watch soccer. I have many memories of Sunday Bruce Wilson: Columbus, Vancouver Whitecaps,
afternoons there, with two distinct memories. Chicago Sting, New York Cosmos, Toronto Blizzard,
In my first ever game there in 1967 for Burnaby Canada (BC Soccer Hall of Famer)
Villa, we beat the mighty Vancouver Firefighters
4 – 1 in a typical Vancouver winter rainstorm. Callister Park was legendary. My Dad and
Bobby Robson of the Vancouver Royals was in brother pretty much went every weekend to
attendance. The next year our team became NS watch games. We would come to our own
Pauls, when Paul Minichello the North Shore
12juvenile game and then to my grandparents for Columbus in the PCL for 1961 – 1962, aged 20.
lunch and then off to Callister. Callister would be packed with up to 4,500
spectators. The seats started only two feet from
Even though it was a sand based field with very
the pitch on three sides. It was like playing
old bleachers it was iconic. We always sat
professional soccer; you felt you were like kings.
behind the West goal. We could watch plays
develop. It really was fantastic: Westminster My biggest memory of Callister is playing in goal
Royals, Columbus, Croatia, North Van. You for the Mainland League Italian-Canadians in
name it - we watched them all. Both my the Province Cup final in May 1963, up against
brother and I have very fond memories of the Coast League Firefighters. There was no
Callister, and that background growing up really score at full-time, with both teams missing a
lit a fire for us to continue on playing. penalty kick earlier in the game. With only a few
minutes to go, Firefighters were awarded
Neil Ellett: St. Andrews, North Shore United,
another penalty kick. Our defender was alleged
Eintracht, Croatia, Inter-Italia, Vancouver Whitecaps,
Canada. (BC Soccer Hall of Famer)
to have tripped a Firefighter, although I could
see from behind that he was three feet away
I lived in North Burnaby so used to walk to from him at that time. They scored the PK and
Callister. There were games every Saturday and the crowd went haywire. They broke boards off
Sunday, and if you didn’t go to play, you went the stands, invaded the pitch and chased the
down to watch. As you got closer you heard the referee around the park. Police with dogs had
Sousa marches playing and then got to smell to be called in to restore order.
the OXO drinks at the concession.
Callister was special; the games were never the
Coming out of the dressing room underneath, same after it was closed. It should have been
you walked into this gravel pit. When it was kept, it would have been better for soccer.
sunny, you saw the pieces of glass from the
demolition derby glittering. You were still Bobby Lenarduzzi: Callister Ball Boy, Columbus,
picking it out of your legs on Monday. Reading, Vancouver Whitecaps/86ers, Canada. (BC
Soccer Hall of Famer)
There were big crowds when the Italian teams
I grew up a half block away from Callister and
played, and when I joined Croatia with Colin
spent most of my time there as a fan/ball boy
Atkinson, there would be 5,000 when we played
inside Callister. Outside there was a slanted
Columbus. Croatia treated us excellently. As
grass area at the east end where I and others
long as we kept winning, we would go back to
would play pickup games.
the Croatian Church for a big BBQ, with a whole
pig roasting and all the wine we could drink. But My two older brothers, Vanni and Sam played
on a losing streak – no BBQ! for Columbus, although I think Vanni defected
one year to the New Westminster Royals.
It was intimidating for the referees with the
Columbus games always had a great
crowds. I remember referee Ed Boland running
atmosphere. I’m not sure what the capacity of
for the safety of the Press Box, just getting in
Callister was. I’ve heard 2,000 and up to 5,000
and slamming the door shut before the chasing
which is hard to believe. Regardless it was noisy
fans could reach him. The linesmen had a good-
and a great environment, even more so when
sized broomstick for their flagstick – in case
Columbus played the Firefighters. The stands
they needed it for self-defence.
were a little more than an arm’s length away
Danny Pighin: Italians, Friuli, Columbus from the clay field. On at least one occasion the
fans invaded the pitch, and the riot squad were
Playing at Callister was something special,
called in.
something you never forget. I played keeper
with Italian-Canadians/Friuli, going up to
13In my ball boy days, I was responsible for laughed out loud. I do not know if they ever
getting the ball back in play ASAP. However, came back to officiate again. I am glad that I
when the ball inadvertently was kicked over the was too young to officiate in those days.
high fence it was my job to retrieve it. On a
Larry Louie: Powell River Legion, NV Burdetts,
couple of occasions, I had to run down kids, in
North Shore United, BC Team – Canada Games,
to the PNE grounds, my age and sometimes
Tla’amin Nation (formerly Sliammon) Braves.
older, who were looking to steal the ball. I took
my job very seriously! The best part about being My first memory of Callister Park was the large
a ball boy was half-time, when me and the crowd at the Sun Tournament. It was such a
other two ball boys would take shots on each thrill to see how many people were watching
other. We were the half time show! compared to the small stand we had at Powell
River.
On one occasion I turned up to do my normal
duties and found myself as a sub for a team that At the Sun Tournament, I was asked to go into
Joe Csabai was coaching (Eintracht Frankfurt I the stands as someone wanted to talk to me. He
believe). One of their players hadn’t turned up had a large bag with a pair of brand new boots,
so I was in. I got on for the last 15 minutes as a good studded boots with a hard cap, which he
14 year old on the left wing. My only memory is exchanged for mine. (Note: New soccer boots
being knocked on my backside and staring up at were awarded to the All-Star Team. Larry was
the blue sky wondering what had hit me. also the 1963 MVP “Sun Soccer Boy”.
I don’t ever recall going to a demolition derby, I then moved to North Vancouver for high
but we heard the sounds of the cars clattering school, attending St. Thomas Aquinas, then
into each other from my Mum and Dad’s house. graduated from Carson Graham, and played
soccer with Burdett Beavers. I played at Callister
Bob Hope: Peninsula SC, Lower Island SA, BC Soccer in the Coast League for North Shore United
My memory of Callister Park was 1963/1964 - I (Friuli/Labatt’s) getting an allowance of $15 a
would pick up my girlfriend who worked in the game. It was very exciting to play as a teenager
concession stand after the game. (We married with the adult, senior players such as Roy
in 1967!) I usually arrived well before the end of Nosella and Jeff Hastings, who became
any games and witnessed the games and some mentors, along with others I played with, such
brawls in the stands. as Glen Johnson and Metro Gerela.
Don Dancey: Vancouver Youth, BC Soccer Les Wilson: Westminster Royals, Wolverhampton
Wanderers, Bristol City, Norwich City, Vancouver
I will never forget when I was very young and Whitecaps (BC Soccer Hall of Famer)
my father and uncle took me out to games.
There was a great deal of atmosphere as the A trip down memory lane. Yes for some of us in
game was about to start. our 70s how could we ever forget our memories
of the amazing Callister Park? Where on earth
I remember a game being played and at the end do the decades go”!
the home team was very upset with the game
officials. The whistle blew to end the game. The Not far from the PNE - this small stadium
officials were surrounded. The officials thought became a serial manufacturing plant for so
that they were faster so they took a run many players, coaches and managers in BC
towards the small entrance at the end of the Soccer. I played there after being signed (and
field. We called it the mousehole. They ended paid) by Westminster Royals in 1963 aged 16. In
up getting to the hole before being caught. They 1964 I was presented with the Ed Bayley trophy
were bombarded with soccer balls, water for top BC rookie at Callister, when I went on
bottles and boots. Everyone around us my career in England and North America.
14Callister provided so many with great and stampedes, this glorious field had been
opportunities. The atmosphere was brilliant. downgraded to sand, with, of course, all the
The crowds, the flood lights, how compact it glass, nuts and bolts you could find.
was. I remember the packed house games on a
Probably the most exhilarating moments I had
Sunday against Columbus. I remember playing
at Callister was when I was the playing coach of
against the Firefighters. What a class group the
Croatia and we fought tooth and nail with the
Firemen were – first class players and first class
always powerhouse Columbus for the league
people – a great example for a 16 year old
title. Both teams had massive fan support.
playing against them and then with them for
Each of the two games we had against each
the BC All-Stars against Liverpool and Red Star.
other drew more than 3,200 loud and
Peter Greco: Burnaby Villa, Columbus, enthusiastic supporters.
Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada. The league management caught on to the
I played at Callister in 1967-68 for Burnaby Villa energy in the stadium and for the second game,
and from 1968 with Columbus. I remember had the PA announcer try to introduce each
playing there every Sunday with Columbus player onto the field. But there was so much
before 2,000 to 3,000 fans. The atmosphere cheering and booing the players could not hear
was great - something I had never experienced the loudspeaker so didn't know when to enter
before. This died when games moved to Empire. on to the field. Those two games at Callister
had to be the most enthusiastically supported
Besides soccer, Callister had the rodeo and after
local games I have been involved in.
that the demolition derbies. This destroyed the
field, from grass to dirt. As a goalie I would find Callister was built like a typical old country
bolts, glass or nuts buried in the ground. I joked stadium from Europe with the grandstands only
that at the end of season I could open my own 10 yards from the edge of the field. You could
used car parts shop! Now I am surprised more definitely hear comments from the stands.
players did not get infected body parts playing -
David Stothard: Westminster Royals, Hale-Co,
we should have asked for danger pay. Victoria United, Victoria O’Keefe, Canada. (BC Soccer
I heard stories from the mid-60s, when Hall of Famer)
Columbus and Firefighters played great games, My first visit to Callister Park was in 1949, when
with the Firemen winning most of the time. Newcastle United played the BC All Stars. My
Finally after Columbus did win, some of their Dad, George, was a soccer player and fan who
fans came out on field carrying a coffin. This had encouraged my interest in the game, and
showed how frustrated they were. we took the streetcar out to Renfrew and
Colin Atkinson: North Shore Youth, North Shore Hastings. There was a long line-up at the ticket-
United, UBC, Croatia, Columbus. booth entrance but as we walked around
outside, on the NE section of the Park, someone
I actually played at Callister Park when it had had slung a thick rope down from the top of the
grass! I was playing in the Sun Tournament for stands. My Dad and I joined the free-entry rope-
a North Vancouver team in the 50s. My main line-up and climbed in to enjoy the game.
recollection of Callister Park at that tournament
was how pristine and lush the grass was. I only At that time, and indeed for decades after,
got on the pitch part-way through the second there was no extensive coverage of professional
half, so for me to still remember that beautiful soccer on TV, so local games involving traveling
grass it must have been pretty good. pro teams were a real highlight. Photos of the
crowds during those years show mainly adult
But, alas, my next time on that pitch was very male fans, some standing at field level in front
disturbing. Due to the PNE demolition derbies of completely-filled seating areas.
15In 1955 I was signed by New Westminster Stubby had arranged for us to go by air and stay
Royals and was on the Park for the first time as in a hotel before the game - this may be
a player. During my playing career at Callister I unremarkable these days, but at the time it was
enjoyed a few highlight occasions: an adventure of the first magnitude for us boys
from East Vancouver. So when Stubby came to
- In 1956, selected to the All Star team to play
see me play at Callister it gave me a chance to
against Aberdeen, my first game playing
go into the stands and finally acknowledge, in
professionals (a 2-2 draw);
person, my thanks for all his efforts. (Fellow Hall
- In 1956, awarded the Ed Bayley Memorial
of Famer Normie McLeod, the 1957 Ed Bayley
Trophy as the top rookie of the year;
trophy winner, was also on this team).
- In 1959, played against another touring pro
team, we won 5-3 against Peru’s Municipal FC;
- In 1966, presented with the league MVP NOTES & CREDITS
award for 1965-66, at half-time during a game. Author: Roger Barnes June 2021
From 1955 to 1967, I played many games at This history has been completed to celebrate the
Callister. Some of these were played on a centenary of one of BC’s most important soccer
muddy and uneven surface, as it was used for stadiums. It is one of a series of articles on the history of
other, non-sporting events which damaged the soccer in BC, available at the BC Soccer Heritage web-site
grounds. In spite of the poor playing surface, I https://heritage.bcsoccer.net
thought the Park architecture and size was very Primary sources for this report are:
appropriate for the sport in Vancouver.
• BC Soccer Heritage Archives
One special occasion - for me at least - • Original research with Newspapers.com
happened at Callister in the early '60s. Coming • Canada Soccer: Story of the Pacific Coast League
out of the dressing room to warm-up before a • Colin Jose: The Story of Soccer in Canada
game, I noticed Mr. & Mrs. Donald McLean • Robert Janning: West Coast Reign
sitting in front seats. Donald "Stubby" McLean • Dave Fryatt: Various articles
had been my coach in Juvenile soccer from the • Vancouver City Archives
late 1940's. In 1950-51, we won the 4th Division • Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame
BC Championship. The final was in Victoria, and • Archival material and history provided by Dan
Jukich, Ken Lind, Les Wilson, Columbus FC, Colin
FURTHER READING/RESEARCH/INFORMATION Atkinson, Canada Soccer, Geoff McCormick, Bob
Allen, Vancouver Firefighters and many others.
In addition to the sources listed, more resources/
• Further research by Rob Brown
information can be found at the BC Soccer Heritage
web-site: https://heritage.bcsoccer.net. Photo Credits: BC Soccer Archives, Vancouver City
Use the search utility at the Heritage web-site for Archives, Vancouver Sun, Sapperton Rovers, Ralph
‘Documents’, ‘Stories’ and ‘Photos’ sections under Bower, Stuart Thomson, Danny Scott, Joe di Tosto,
“Heritage Archive”. Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and others.
Check the programs for all the Sun Tournaments and Cover Photo: Vancouver City Archives: Feb 1932 -
All-Stars games against visiting teams, including Nanaimo City vs. Westminster Royals (PCL)
1949 Newcastle United, 1954 Glasgow Rangers and Personal memories are from written comments and
1955 Huddersfield Town. notes from conversations, and have been edited.
Click on these links for related BC Heritage articles: The report may have errors and omissions, and we need
BC Takes on the World: BC All-Stars Games help identifying who is in some photographs. If you have
information to improve this report, contact Roger Barnes
History of BC Adult Provincial Cups at 604-803-2956 or roger@rogerbarnes.ca
BC Youth Sun Tournament of Champions Winners
BC Soccer is compiling its heritage to document and
In April Global News ran a 2.5 minute video feature celebrate the history of soccer in BC. If you have
on Callister, featuring BC Soccer Heritage photos. programs, reports or memorabilia you can share, please
Click here to watch the Global News video contact archives@bcsoccer.net. 16You can also read
