1963 National Soccer League season

Football league season

National Soccer LeagueSeason| 1963

|

Champions|

* Italian Virtus (regular season)
* Toronto Ukrainia (playoffs, 4th title)

← 1962

1964 →

The 1963 National Soccer League season was the fortieth season under the National Soccer League (NSL) name. The season began in late April and concluded in late October with Toronto Ukrainia defeating Toronto Hakoah for the O’Keefe Trophy (NSL Championship).[1][2][3] The regular-season title was won by Italian Virtus by finishing first throughout the regular season.[4][5]

## Overview

[edit]

The creation of the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League (ECPSL) in 1961 directly affected the National Soccer League (NSL) financially.[6] The competition including the defection of the top NSL clubs to the ECPSL caused a major decrease in their match attendance throughout the early 1960s.[7] Their drop-in the gate earnings at Stanley Park Stadium contributed to their failure in fully paying their tax and loan payments.[8] The club members successfully managed to pay off their taxes from the 1961 season and received an extension from the Toronto Board of Control for the remainder of their debt.[6][8] The Board of Control further intervened by volunteering to serve as a mediator between the ECPSL and NSL, with intentions of merging both leagues as a solution to the NSL's financial issues.[9] The NSL had hoped to create a two-tiered league with a promotion and relegation format, but the proposal was rejected by the ECPSL ownership.[10]

League membership decreased from twelve to eight members with several notable clubs departing.[7] A keynoted departure was charter member Toronto Ulster United, which decided to join the amateur ranks in the Toronto and District Soccer League due to financial difficulties.[11] Oshawa Italia and Oshawa Hungaria also returned to the amateur level and Queen City disbanded their team.[12][13] Toronto Hakoah, a Jewish-sponsored team was the sole addition to the circuit.[14] Though the season began with eight members Toronto Macedonians withdrew from the competition, due to financial difficulties and the inability to afford quality players to remain competitive.[15] Several of the top players in the NSL were reported to have been earning $100 a week while in the ECPSL top players were earning about $200 per week.[16]

Changes occurred at the administrative side midway through the season as Walter Freer resigned as league president and was succeeded by vice-president Bill Boytchuk.[17][10] A league scoring record was also recorded by Toronto Ukrainia after defeating Toronto Macedonians by a score of 16-1.[18]

## Teams

[edit]

Team  | City  | Stadium  | Manager

|
|
|

Italian Virtus  | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] |
Toronto Croatia | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] |
Toronto Estonia  | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] | Bruno Gerzeli[19]
Toronto Hakoah  | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] |
Toronto Hungaria  | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] |
Toronto Macedonians[note 1] | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] |
Toronto Olympia  | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] | Harry Bogdanow[20]

Wally Mrusic[20]

Toronto Ukrainia | Toronto, Ontario | Stanley Park Stadium[12] |

1. ^ Toronto Macedonians withdrew from league

## Standings

[edit]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Italian Virtus (C) | 18  | 12  | 3  | 3  | 53  | 13  | +40  | 27  | Qualification for Playoffs
2  | Toronto Hakoah  | 18  | 11  | 4  | 3  | 50  | 17  | +33  | 26
3  | Toronto Ukrainians (O) | 18  | 11  | 2  | 5  | 46  | 27  | +19  | 24
4  | Toronto Hungaria  | 18  | 10  | 1  | 7  | 42  | 32  | +10  | 21
5  | Toronto Olympia  | 18  | 7  | 3  | 8  | 32  | 40  | −8  | 17  |
6  | Toronto Estonia  | 18  | 3  | 4  | 11  | 23  | 47  | −24  | 10
7  | Toronto Croatia | 18  | 0  | 1  | 17  | 17  | 87  | −70  | 1

Updated to match(es) played on October 1, 1963. Source: NSL Standings
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners

## Playoffs

[edit]

### Semifinals

[edit]

Toronto Hakoah v Toronto Hungaria October 1, 1963 |  Toronto Hakoah | 3–2|  Toronto Hungaria | Toronto, Ontario

|
|
|
|

| Lefkos 4',  70'
Lou Wolanski  65' | [[21] Report] | Frank Kili  27'
Vic Ivonyi  77' | Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Referee: Bobby Reid

Toronto Hungaria v Toronto Hakoah October 4, 1963 |  Toronto Hungaria | 0–5|  Toronto Hakoah | Toronto, Ontario

|
|
|
|

|  | [[22] Report] | Lefkos , ,
Noel Di Castro ,  | Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium

Toronto Hakoah won the series 2-0.

Italian Virtus v Toronto Ukrainia October 3, 1963 |  Italian Virtus | 0–1|  Toronto Ukrainia | Toronto, Ontario

|
|
|
|

|  | [[23] Report] | Leo Dowhaluk  10' | Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Referee: Hugh Morrow

Toronto Ukrainia v Italian Virtus October 6, 1963 |  Toronto Ukrainia | 1–0|  Italian Virtus | Toronto, Ontario

|
|
|
|

| Jackie O'Neill  82' | [[24] Report] |  | Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Referee: Kelly Haupt

Toronto Ukrainia won the series 2-0.

### Finals

[edit]

Toronto Hakoah v Toronto Ukrainia October 13, 1963 |  Toronto Hakoah | 0–2|  Toronto Ukrainia | Toronto, Ontario

|
|
|
|

|  | [[25] Report] | Jackie O'Neill
John Ihnatowych  | Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium

Toronto Ukrainia v Toronto Hakoah October 20, 1963 |  Toronto Ukrainia | 3–2|  Toronto Hakoah | Toronto, Ontario

|
|
|
|

| Fred Patterson
Leo Dowhaluk
John Ihnatowych  | [[26][2] Report] | Lefkos
Noel Di Castro  | Stadium: Stanley Park Stadium
Attendance: 1200
Referee: Hugh Morrow

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Jose, Colin (2001). On-Side - 125 Years of Soccer in Ontario. Vaughan, Ontario: Ontario Soccer Association and Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. p. 116.
2. ^ a b Waring, Ed (October 21, 1963). "Ukes Capture NSL Laurels On 3-2 Victory". The Globe and Mail. p. 21.
3. ^ Zwadiuk, Oleh (October 26, 1963). "Sports Scene - Toronto Ukraina On Top" (PDF). Ukrainian Weekly. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
4. ^ "CSL Past Champions" (PDF). canadiansoccerleague.ca. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
5. ^ Waring, Ed (September 27, 1963). "Italia-Virtus Victory Clinches NSL Pennant". The Globe and Mail. p. 40.
6. ^ a b "Pro Soccer League Rejects Plan For Merger With NSL Teams". The Globe and Mail. March 20, 1963. p. 24.
7. ^ a b Waring, Ed (April 27, 1963). "NSL Opens Tomorrow: Can Soccer Pay Its Way This Year?". The Globe and Mail. p. 26.
8. ^ a b "Soccer Settle Tax Bill". Toronto Daily Star. April 23, 1963. p. 13.
9. ^ "Soccer Merger No Soap-EPSL". Toronto Daily Star. March 20, 1963. p. 15.
10. ^ a b Waring, Ed (July 12, 1963). "NSl Favors Partnership With ECPSL". The Globe and Mail. p. 34.
11. ^ Waring, Ed (May 2, 1963). "Once-Powerful Ulster United in Decline". The Globe and Mail. p. 25.
12. ^ a b c d e f g h i "NSL Plans to Operate, President Announces". The Globe and Mail. January 10, 1963. p. 22.
13. ^ "Kingston Eliminated by Oshawa". Kingston Whig-Standard. July 20, 1964. p. 8.
14. ^ "Green Light For National Soccer Loop". The Globe and Mail. April 23, 1963. p. 30.
15. ^ Waring, Ed (June 29, 1963). "Macedonians Quit NSL, Player Costs Major Factor". The Globe and Mail. p. 34.
16. ^ "High Price Tags May Slow Canadian Soccer". The Sun Times (Owen Sound). June 29, 1963. p. 20.
17. ^ Waring, Ed (July 13, 1963). "Ukes Lose To Hakoah, Drop Lead". The Globe and Mail. p. 22.
18. ^ Waring, Ed (June 7, 1963). "Ukes Set Scoring Record, Blasting Macedonians 16-1". The Globe and Mail. p. 37.
19. ^ Waring, Ed (May 8, 1963). "Canada Impressive, Scottish Soccer Star To Make Home Here". The Globe and Mail. p. 14.
20. ^ a b Taylor, Joe (April 29, 1963). "Soccer Opener Draws 1,200". Toronto Daily Star. p. 11.
21. ^ Waring, Ed (October 2, 1963). "Hakoah Wins NSL Playoff Tilt". The Globe and Mail. p. 30.
22. ^ "3 for Lefkos As Hakoah Wins Berth in Final". The Globe and Mail. October 5, 1963. p. 28.
23. ^ Waring, Ed (October 4, 1963). "Ukes Play Different Tune Now, Upset Italian-Virtus Club 1-0". The Globe and Mail. p. 46.
24. ^ Waring, Ed (October 7, 1963). "Ukrainian Eleven Beats Italia-Virtus To Advance to Final". The Globe and Mail. p. 32.
25. ^ Waring, Ed (October 14, 1963). "Ukes Blank Hakoah In NSL Final Opener". The Globe and Mail. p. 25.
26. ^ Taylor, Joe (October 21, 1963). "National Soccer loop faces forbidding financial future". Toronto Daily Star. p. 13.

## External links

[edit]

* RSSSF CNSL page
* thecnsl.com - 1963 season

* v
* t
* e

Canadian National Soccer League

Clubs|

* Bradford Marshlanders
* Brampton Kicks
* Brantford City
* Brantford Cockshutts
* Buffalo Blazers
* Canadian National Railway
* Chile Lindo
* Corinthians
* Detroit Besa
* Fergus
* General Motors
* Guelph Taylor-Forbes
* Hamilton Austins
* Hamilton British Imperials
* Hamilton Cougars
* Hamilton Croatia
* Hamilton Homer
* Hamilton Hungaria
* Hamilton Italo-Canadians
* Hamilton Primos
* Hamilton Steelers
* Hamilton Stelcos
* Hamilton Thistles
* Hamilton Westinghouse FC
* Hamilton White Eagles
* Kenwoods
* Kitchener Concordia
* Kitchener Kickers
* Kitchener Maple Leafs
* Kosova Albanians
* Liptons
* London City
* London CNR
* London German Canadians
* London Marconi
* McKinnons
* Montreal Alouettes
* Montreal Cantalia
* Montréal Carsteel
* Montreal Castors
* Montreal CNR
* Montreal Concordia
* Montreal Hungaria
* Montreal Maroons
* Montreal Sparta
* Montreal Stars
* Montreal Ukrainians
* Nacional Latino
* North York Rockets
* North York Talons
* Oakville CW
* Oshawa Italia
* Ottawa Sons of Italy
* Ottawa Tigers
* Quebec Selects
* Queen City
* Richmond Hill Kick
* Scarborough Astros
* Serbian White Eagles FC
* Soccer Portugais du Quebec
* St. Andrews/Earlscourt
* St. Catharines Heidelberg
* St. Catharines (Roma) Wolves
* Sudbury
* Sudbury Cyclones
* Sudbury Italia
* Toronto Abruzzi
* Toronto Azurri
* Toronto Blizzard
* Toronto British Consols
* Toronto Canadian Scots
* Toronto Canadians
* Toronto City
* Toronto CNR
* Toronto Congasco
* Toronto Croatia
* Toronto East End Canadians
* Toronto England United
* Toronto Estonia
* Toronto Falcons
* Toronto First Portuguese
* Toronto Greenbacks
* Toronto Hakoah
* Toronto Hellas
* Toronto Hungaria
* Toronto Inter-Roma
* Toronto Italia
* Toronto Italian Virtus
* Toronto Jets
* Toronto Macedonia
* Toronto Macedonians
* Toronto Malta United
* Toronto Maple Leafs
* Toronto Maroons
* Toronto Melita
* Toronto Mississauga Hungaria
* Toronto Oakwoods
* Toronto Olympia
* Toronto Panhellenic
* Toronto Polish White Eagles
* Toronto Polonia
* Toronto Scottish
* Toronto Serbians
* Toronto Sparta
* Toronto Supra
* Toronto St. Andrews
* Toronto Transit Commission
* Toronto Tridents
* Toronto Ukrainians
* Toronto Ulster United
* Toronto White Eagles
* Le Tricolore de Montréal
* Welland
* Welland Lions Croatia
* Willy Overland
* Windsor Rovers
* Windsor Stars
* Windsor Teutonia
* Windsor Wheels
* Winnipeg Fury
* Woodbridge

Seasons|

* 1926
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997

Miscellaneous|

* Rogers Cup
* Open Canada Cup
* CSA
* CSL Reserve Division

*[Pos]: Position
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template