Whitecaps Lose Family Member

The Vancouver Whitecaps are mourning today at the loss of a former coach and a great teacher of players throughout the many years in Tony Waiters passing away at 83.

The Whitecaps received this news shortly after they had just completed their 2020 season with a victory over the LA Galaxy in what was their final game of the 2020 season.

Tony was a member of Burnley and Liverpool in his playing days in the United Kingdom and a legendary goalkeeper in his playing days and after his playing days he moved into management with Plymouth Argyle of the English first division.

Tony Waiters in his illustrious career in the game of football had a huge impact on the game of soccer in Vancouver leading a bunch of local lads to the North American Soccer League in 1979 with a win over the Tampa Rowdies at Giants Stadium in New Jersey which put Vancouver on the map in the world of football.

Tony came to the Whitecaps in 1977 taking over as coach and on route to winning the North American Soccer League championship defeated the powerful New York Cosmos in a shootout at Empire Stadium to win the western conference championship.

And advanced to the Soccer Bowl 79 defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies by a 3-1 score in the final with Trevor Whymark scoring twice including the game winning goal.

 Tony was inducted into  the Ring of honor by the Whitecaps and his name is in its proper place in his memory today in his passing and for many Whitecaps fans to pay homage to when they attend the games in many years to come.

 Tony and the Whitecaps 1979 championship team were inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame and when you visit the Hall next time at BC Place you can pay your homage to the late Tony Waiters and the team that put Vancouver on the map in North American Sports.

Tony was not just a great teacher but a great humanitarian for the game and the people of Vancouver and wherever he stood on the sidelines for the teams he coached and managed the games in his illustrious career in the game of football and gentleman one of the finest persons you want to meet and courteous.

Besides coaching the Whitecaps, he also managed the Canadian National Team in taking to the World Cup of Soccer to represent this country and is being remembered today in Canada and the United Kingdom for his contributions to the game of football winning the CONCACAF group championship and going to the World’s stage of soccer for Canada.

He was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame as Canada’s National Soccer team Head Coach for which he served the game with dignity and grace.

His insight into the game saw him teach many of the games professionals that are playing today that are making their names in the game for themselves playing the game and those who passed the torch to the new players that would succeed in their careers.

Even After Tony retired from the game’s as a manager and coach he was still active teaching the youth soccer players the skills of the game and how to play the game and be professional about respecting your opponent on the pitch in the local community as an ambassador to the game of soccer.

 In a recent interview asked by reporters to the end a true professional in his field of excellence on and off the pitch it should be noted that he would often take the time to talk to the fans after the game, thereby making him a truly great Ambassador to the game of football in Vancouver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxTq3T136Ho