Hooligans of Toronto Football Club22Sep02

Hooligans Keep Composure and Take 4 points on the Weekend

Friday night saw Hooligans taking on Arriaga United in a battle for one of the last two playoff spots. Some would call it an epic battle. A torrid storm ripped across the pitch which caused the game to be delayed for about ten minutes but once the game finally got going, it was a great game. After a scoreless half, Hooligans opened up the scoring on a goal by Aleks Sui. Sam set up the play by driving hard to the goal and meeting the keeperat about the same time as the ball got to him. The keeper dropped the ball and Sui cooly put the ball into the back of the net. Arriaga came back and eventually took the lead late in the second half. With about 3 to play, Alan Millar chipped the ball in on a free kick from about 30 yards out. A great strike to salvage one point for Hooligans. It was a tough match to play because of the rain and the condition of the pitch. They were happy to get out of there with at least a point.

Sunday's match saw Hooligans take on a winless Renegades club. A number of scoring chances in the first half were squandered by Hooligans who could have easily been up 2 or 3 goals at the half. Instead it was a 1 - 1 and that was a dangerous choice for Toronto side as Renegades took a 2 - 1 lead early in the second half. Fighting back as usual Hooligans eventually won 4 - 3 on a late strike by Alan Millar. A little too close for comfort. Craig Black had a marvelous game scoring on a penalty and once on a free kick from about 20 yards out. Millar and Sam rounded out the scoring. Over all Hooligans had some bad luck in the match and DID play a great game. The rematch will be next Sunday at Eglinton Flats at 3PM.

MAKEUP GAMES ANNOUNCED!!!!!

The last of the makeup games has been officially rescheduled. The away match against Renegades will take place on Sunday September 29th at Eglinton Flates NW. Kick off is slated for 3PM.

Free Hooligans Christmas CD's!!!!!!!!

The last regular season match against Renegades is CD day. The first 8,000 fans into the park on Sunday will receive a free Hooligans Christmas CD featuring many Christmas classics. Aleks Sui and Michael McKenzie to a fantastic rendition of "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", and Craig Black does a beautiful medley which we will keep a secret until you get your hands on one of these disc's. So come out and support Hooligans of Toronto Football Club!

Roster

#?? Alberto

Position: Midfield

Birthdate: ??/??/??

Birthplace: Bogota, Columbia

Alberto was born in Columbia sometime in the 70's. Nobody knew too much about this enigma, until he signed his first contract with Columbian giants Millinarios. Alberto spent 4 years in their Junior ranks before his contract was purchased by Sweden's AIK Stockholm. Alberto played two years in Stockholm racking up 17 goals in a midfield role. Hooligans took notice of this smooth passer in last year's UEFA cup where Alberto led AIK to an astonishing quarter-final run. He signed in early April and looks to lead Hooligans to promotion this year.

#69 Wilson Batista

Position: Fullback

Birthdate: ??/??/??

Birthplace: Toronto, ON, Canada

When asked who the one team Wilson Batista would like to play for before his career ends, the reply was quick and simple; "Hooligans Of Toronto". Batista grew up in Toronto, but spent 6 years in Portugal on the defensive front for F.C. Porto. He lead Porto to 5 league titles in the six years he was there. When Hooligans were formed he made the neccessary steps to become a part of the team in his hometown. Hooligans were happy to hear from Batista and immediately offered him a contract. Unfortunately a torn ACL will keep Batista off the pitch for at least the first half of the season. Hopefully the already strong HFC backfield will hold their own without him.

#12 Peter Bjornson

Position: Midfield

Birthdate: ??/??/??

Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark

Peter Bjornson is a scrappy midfielder who prides himself on his highly rated skills. Bjornson learned his skills while at Brondby in the Danish Super League. Dubbed the "Latino's of the North" it is evident that Bjornson has a bit of a South American style to his play. Although he has yet to win an International cap for his country, Bjornson looks ready to make the jump very soon. Hooligans are happy to have him on the squad.

#4 Adam Bisby

Position: Fullback

Birthdate: ??/??/??

Birthplace: Brixton, England

Adam Bisby is everything Hooligans dreamed of getting. A hard nosed player to suit their style Bisby plays relentless defense and won't hesitate to get physical if needed. Bisby came up through the West Ham United junior ranks. He never made it to the big club because Hooligans had their eye on him for a while . A $1M (USD) transfer to Hooligans over the winter is already paying dividends. Bisby solidifies an already tough HFC backline and hopes to stay in Toronto for a long, long time.

#10 Derek Couch

Position: Midfield

Birthdate: October 20th, 1972

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Derek Couch grew up wanting to star for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. It seems he made a few wrong turns on his way to the NFL and never arrived. Couch did however take up the sport of soccer at the age of 7 and quickly became a star. He realized his potential and put his NFL career on hold. Couch was signed by English Second Division club Brighton to their youth club. His unusually quick speed and dribbling skills prompted some of the larger English clubs to take notice. Manchester United eventually wooed Brighton into selling Couch to the Red Devils. Couch scored 11 goals his first year at Man U, and with the goals came fame and fortune which eventually led to a drug problem which forced him to take some time off. After a much publicised breakup with Supermodel Stephanie Seymour, Couch seems to have hit his stride again, resurfacing in North America with the upstart Hooligan side. Couch insists he is clean and is eager to have a great season with Hooligans FC.

#7 Adrian Dipaolo

Position: Midfield

Birthdate: August 18th, 1972

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Adrian Dipaolo is an experienced Midfielder who expects nothing less then 150% from everyone who wears the HFC kit. Dipaolo started his career at York University in Toronto, Canada. He made the big jump to Juventus of Serie "A" in the mid - nineties. Dipaolo was a force in Turin playing along side the likes of Zinedine Zidane, and Edgar Davids. "I learned a great deal playing with Juventus. Those were some fantastic yeard and I am sorry to hear about their recent financial troubles. It would be a shame to see them move to Milan. I can't worry about that now as I'm a member of Hooligans and we are looking to win promotion this year in the TSSL. Anything less is going to be a disappointment." Dipaolo is recovering from a partially torn ACL and will hopefully be ready for the start of the season.

#15 Steve Gayda

Position: Middle Back

Birthdate: April 1st, 1979

Birthplace: Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Another former member of the Ham Bromwich squad, Gayda is best known for his blinding speed and taking on the task of marking the opposing teams top strikers. The former volleyball star didn't even take up competitive soccer until after his return from the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, at which he accompanied the Canadian Volleyball team...... he was a towel boy.

Gayda has promised to make a fresh start with the new Hooligans side. The past summer and winter seasons were strewn with much tension between himself and the on and off field officials. We received this comment from one indoor referee on the promise that we would keep his identity anonymous. "I hated to walk onto the field with Gayda, because if I make a mistake, he'd let me know it...continuously!" After successful Psycological analysis, and a one-week sabbatical to the southern Caribbean, Gayda will be ready to be a more valuable contributor to the new squad this year.

#26 Stefan Ilskens

Position: Middle Back

Birthdate: August 18th, 1978

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Stefan Ilskens grew up in Richmond Hill playing most of his amateur career playing for the Wexford Raiders. He pulled in League MVP 3 times for Wexford anchoring an intimidating defense that won many trophies and cup honors. Top European clubs scouted Ilskens over the years with Borussia Dortmund finally winning the sweepstakes signing him to a 3 year $31m contract. Ilskens led Dortmund in 1997 to a Champions League title and that is when he decided to make the move to his Father's beloved Bayern Munich. He spent 3 successful years at Bayern before injuring his hamstring which kept him from playing football for the entire 2001 season. The German giants eventually sold Ilskens to Hooligans who were more then happy to sign the brilliant Footballer. Ilskens will most likely make his Hooligans debut either sweeping or playing back somewhere in the middle.

#13 Michael Kadis

Position: Left Back

Birthdate: March 4th, 1978

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Fully recovered from a broken foot and dislocated toe in 2001, Michael Kadis looks to put the past behind him and build for the future. The speedy left back regularly looks to jump up into the rush and is a great asset along the left side. Many compare him to Brazilian superstar Roberto Carlos. Kadis worked hard this Winter to get himself into great shape and is determined to have a fantastic Summer. His goals this Summer are to play great defense and possibly claim a goal or two.

#16 Hal Keller

Position: Midfield

Birthdate: 1967??

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hal Keller is most notable for his Go Leafs Go tatoo on his backside. When asked why he fansies the Professional Ice Hockey team in Toronto so much he simply replied "I AM CANADIAN". Keller uses his Canadian roots to his advantage on the field. He has a rugged style he likes to call "Domiology". Keller is definately a force to deal with on the pitch. He can play on the left or right wing and has a knack for always finding the open player. Keller's main goal in life is to push Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment into purchasing the Hooligans. GO HAL GO!!!

#11 Alan Millar

Position: Sweeper

Birthdate: Sometime in 1972

Birthplace: Harlem, NY, USA

Alan Millar has proved time and time again that he is a great leader. When his mouth opens, people listen. The rugged Sweeper has a hardnosed style of play. Many players have tried to get in Millar's way over the years and have paid a steep price. Millar's early years saw him make a pretty good Charleton Athletic squad who at the time were in the Second Division in the English Nationwide league. A harsh tackle by a teammate in a practice session badly broke Millar's ankle and he was forced to retire from the game prematurely at age 21. Seven years later after several operations and reablilitating his ankle, Millar signed on with HBR (now defunct). A wonderful comeback year ended with Millar leading HBR to their first ever playoff birth (HBR lost in the first round to Westway United). A jump to Hooligans this season was probably the best thing Millar could have done. Hooligans were happy to add him and hopefully he can guide this squad to the playoffs as well.

#8 Aleks Sui

Position: Midfield

Birthdate: August 18th, 1978

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Aleks Sui is a bright young star who is almost ready for the jump to super stardom. Sui is a smart and knowledgeable player who rarely gives up posession. Sui's career started in Estonia with FC Flora. He played 32 matches with the Estonian champions before moving over to the Chicago Fire of MLS. A contract dispute forced Sui to play out last season with Ham Bromwich of the TSSL. Bromwich promptly folded after one season and Hooligans proudly negotiated a deal which could have Sui playing his entire career at Eglinton Flats. Sui definately has nowhere to look but up.

Hooligans of Toronto would like to thank the follwing for their efforts and contribution to the Organization:

Toronto Services Soccer League