While the Vancouver Millionaires, led by Cyclone Taylor, were winning their first and only Stanley Cup against the Ottawa Senators in 1915 another cup was created for soccer supremacy in the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL).
Not to be outdone by hockey’s Lord Stanley, island soccer’s most coveted trophy, the Sir John Jackson Cup, was donated to the league by the knighted engineer who was commissioned to build Ogden Point Breakwater.
The cup has been challenged every year since 1915, with the exception of the World War I and II years, and Powell River Villa has captured four of them.
Powell River soccer players have also been recognized both with Villa and other VISL teams and a special invitation was extended to them to enjoy the centennial celebration in Victoria.
Most valuable player winners Brett Pence, just the second player to win two (Frank Woods being the other), Cam Kleimeer and Doug MacLean were invited along with locals Mario Paul and Mark Cristante who won with other teams.
Members of the soccer community were asked to put together a “Last Half Century” team and Drew Ferguson, Pence and Rob Veenhof were on the 15-member list which is a huge acknowledgement of the talent from Powell River.
A ferry cancellation Sunday morning, March 29, meant that Pence and Kleimeer had to scramble to get to the game between Cowichan FC and Saanich Fusion.
They arrived late but were greeted with loud cheers and an unforgettable 100th Jackson Cup game that ended 2-2 in regulation with Cowichan FC winning 4-3 in overtime.
“It was pretty cool,” said Pence. “There was food and drinks there for us in a VIP area and then we all went to the Strathcona for a few more and a good visit.”
Of being named to the Half Century Team he said, “That was quite a feat really and I was surprised to be even on there.”
The personal recognition was great but Pence was also impressed saying, “They talked about Powell River and how good a club and organization it was.”
Kleimeer echoed those thoughts and added, “It was a good time and good to see some of the guys I played against. It’s pretty special because there are just under a hundred guys who are in this special group of players that you fit into.”
Provincial Cup Update Villa FC was first out of the hat on Monday night’s draw and will be the home team throughout the schedule. They also received a bye in the first round so will play their first game against either Alberni Valley FC or PMO Titans of the Fraser Valley Soccer League on Sunday, April 19 at Cranberry Field.
