History, glory and jerseys of the Canadian Soccer League from 1987 to 1992
Hamilton Steelers (1987-91)
Hamilton Steelers were a charter member of the CSL in 1987. They existed in previous Canadian leagues including the NSL and the CPSL. During their time in the CSL, they placed as runners up to the title 4 out of 5 seasons and played out of Brian Timmis Stadium. The Club fielded the likes of Alex Bunbury, Paul James, Oscar Albuquerque, Billy Domazetis, Geoff Aunger, Lucio Ianneiro and Justin Fashanu.
Special thanks to the Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame for the info and the pics, youve been a great help in preserving CSL history. Please check them out.
1987
In Hamiltons inaugural season they did well to win their conference 3 points ahead of Ottawa. They jumped to the semi finals where they faced and beat Toronto 1-0. They then faced Calgary in the finals where Calgary beat them 2-1.
That season their jersey was made by Ennerre (NR). Home was yellow, with Pantofola Doro as a chest sponsor. Their away jersey was White with a yellow band across the chest, Fortinos grocery store was the sponsor.
1987 Hamilton Steelers Home jersey (c/o Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
1987 Hamilton Steelers Away v Edmonton Brickmen (c/o Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
1987 Hamilton Steelers Away v Edmonton Brickmen (c/o Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
1987 Hamilton Steelers Home (c/o Frank Riga)
1987 Hamilton Steelers Home Team (C/O Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
Canadian Soccer League 1987
1987 Hamilton Steelers (home) vs North York Rockets (c/o Frank Riga)
1987 Hamilton Steelers Roster (c/o Sean Holmes)
1988
In their second season Hamilton dominated the eastern division. Hamilton had 18 wins, 6 draws and 4 losses. Once again they skipped to the semi finals where they faced and beat Toronto, 1-0. They would then face Vancouver in the finals. Vancouver had lost only 1 game all season, the final would be no different. Vancouver bested Hamilton 4-1
That season their jersey was made by Brazilian company Campea. Home was yellow with black stripes at the shoulders, campea across the chest. Away was white with stripes across the entire shirt.
1988 Hamilton Steelers Home Gameworn and signed by #12 Larry Pretto, #5 John Di Pasquale, #12 Dino Perri, #13 Lucio Ianiero and Bob Pretto
1988 Hamilton Steelers Home Gameworn and signed by #12 Larry Pretto, #5 John Di Pasquale, #12 Dino Perri, #13 Lucio Ianiero and Bob Pretto
1988 Hamilton Steelers Home Gameworn and signed by #12 Larry Pretto, #5 John Di Pasquale, #12 Dino Perri, #13 Lucio Ianiero and Bob Pretto
Hamilton Steelers 1988
Hamiltion Steelers v Ottawa Intrepid Rosters
North York Rockets v Hamilton Steelers June 9 1988 Roster (c/o Robin Glover)
North York Rockets v Hamilton Steelers July 17 1988 Roster (c/o Robin Glover)
Hamilton Steelers vs Red Star Belgrade (c/o Sasha Pavic)
1989
Hamilton placed second, two points from first, this season. They would meet North York in the Quarter Finals, beating them 2-1 over two legs. In the Semis they would beat Toronto (first place in the east) 3-2 over two legs. Yet again Hamilton would face a seemingly invincible Vancouver in the finals. Vancouver had run away with their division (42 points, second place Edmonton with 21). Vancouver would beat Hamilton 3-2 over a two leg final.
That season their jersey was made by Brazilian company Campea. Home was yellow with black stripes at the shoulders, their team name across the chest. Away was white with stripes across the entire shirt. Super Carnaval was briefly a shirt sponsor.
1989 Hamilton Steelers Home with alternate sponsor
1989 Hamilton Steelers Home
1989 Hamilton Steelers Home
1989 Hamilton Steelers Home
Worn in the 89 CSL finals between Hamilton Steelers and the Vancouver 86ers.
1989 Hamilton Steelers Away Gameworn #3 Tom Panhuyzen
1989 Hamilton Steelers Away Gameworn #3 Tom Panhuyzen
1989 Hamilton Steelers Home Colin Miller
1989 Hamilton Steelers Billy Johnstone
1989 Hamilton Steelers Home Team
1989 Hamilton Steelers Away Alex Bunbury
Hamilton Steelers v Ottawa Intrepid Rosters 1989
North York Rockets vs Hamilton Steelers June 11 1989 Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
North York Rockets vs Hamilton Steelers July 26th 1989 Rosters (c/o Robin Glover)
North York Rockets vs Hamilton Steelers Replay Aug 8th 1989 Roster (c/o Robin Glover)
Hamilton Steelers vs Ottawa Intrepid 1989
1989 Canadian Soccer League Championship Hamilton Away to Vancouver 86ers
1989 Hamilton Steelers Home (C/O Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
1989 Hamilton Steelers (C/O Hamilton Soccer Hall of Fame)
1990
Hamilton would place 3rd (out of 7) in the east. They would first face Montreal Supra (3-1) in the Quarter finals, Kitchener Spirit (3-1) in the semis. Again it would seem that Hamilton would face Vancouver (who once again ran away with the west). Vancouver would win the series 6-1.
That season their jerseys were made by Umbro. Fractal designs were incorporated. Manchester City and Lazio both had the same template at the time. Home was yellow, away was white. Chest sponsors were Homes by DeSantis.
1991
Hamilton would place 4th (out of 8 teams) in the table (the league switched from conferences to one table) . They would meet Montreal Supra for a best of 3 games in the quarters (Hamilton won, 5-3), then the ever dominant Vancouver 86ers in the semis where they lost 3-1. It would be their final year in the CSL due to financing.
That season their jersey was made by Umbro. Chest sponsor was Homes by DeSantis.
1991 Hamilton Steelers Home Davor Cepo vs Vancouver 86ers John Catlif
1991 Dutch masters of Soccer vs Hamilton All Stars (c/o Frank Riga)
1991 Dutch masters of Soccer vs Hamilton All Stars (c/o Frank Riga)
1991 Dutch masters of Soccer vs Hamilton All Stars (c/o Frank Riga)