Con Jones Park and Vancouver's Soccer Past...

Soccer has a remarkable past in BC, one that's been traced as far back as 1862 when the British Engineers known as the Sappers played the townsfolk of New Westminster during a festival. Since that time, the game has had many homes in Vancouver such as Recreation Park, The Cambie Grounds, Athletic Park and Empire Stadium.

But from 1921 to 1971, the spiritual home of soccer in Vancouver was Con Jones Park, later known as Callister Park. Located on Renfrew, it stood just across the street from where the Pacific Coliseum is today. There's a park there now, with trees, a playground, and it's surrounded by homes. But for 50 years, it played host to the best soccer in the country, and also saw action from some of the giants of the world's game.

Local Teams St.Andrews and Sapperton exit the Tunnel at Con Jones Park

City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 99-990

The story of Con Jones Park is integral to the story of soccer in our city. But, while researching images for  The Village of Vancouver, I hit a roadblock along the way. While there were dozens of archival photographs available from many sources of the sport being played at Con Jones Park, there was absolutely no film footage to be found from the thousands of games played there. I found that hard to believe, as Con Jones Park had hosted the Dominion Championships numerous times, as well as high profile clubs such as Newcastle, Aberdeen, Charlton Athletic, Third Lanark, Scotland & England F.A. All-Stars.

Luckily, E-Bay came to my rescue!

I managed to find a home movie collector in the Southeastern U.S. who had purchased a lot of old home movies from an estate sale. One of the films had documented a trip that the previous owner had taken to Vancouver by train at some point between 1936 and 1939. I was only interested in it originally for the scenic footage of Vancouver from that era. But one of the frames he showed me really caught my eye...it was a soccer game being played at Con Jones Park...and it was a big one at that!

I made the arrangements for the film and waited. A week later, I discovered that the film had been shipped to the wrong address. I literally felt a pit land in my stomach. Quickly, I got in touch with the person living at the address the film was sent to, explaining what had happened and what was in the parcel. They said they'd keep an eye out for it and mail it to me if it arrived. I didn't hold out much hope for it.

Two months later, it was in my mailbox. Many thanks to the person who saved it.

The film was in good shape, but needed some restoration. John Romein at Techno Monkey Media did a fantastic job on the digital restoration and High-Definition transfer.

The entire film I received was only about 1 minute 30 seconds long, but it contains 19 glorious seconds of soccer being played at Con Jones. We don't know who the teams are, and the uniforms don't match those worn by Charlton Athletic or Scotland All-Stars during their tours of the era. But the stands are full...6000 strong at least.

I've slowed the 19 seconds down to stretch to 1 minute. I've also cropped and edited the footage. I hope you enjoy this rare piece of Vancouver Soccer History.



Much of this footage will be used in the film, The Village of Vancouver. Afterwards, I plan to donate the original film reel to B.C. Sports Hall of Fame for permanent preservation. If you're interested in learning more about Con Jones / Callister Park, there's a great article by legendary soccer writer Jeff Cross from 1961 on the Pacific Coast Soccer League site. Enjoy!

Welcome to The Village of Vancouver

Welcome to The Village of Vancouver. My name is Bill Currie, and I'm directing this documentary film on the rich culture and history of soccer in Vancouver. The film is currently scheduled to be completed in Spring, 2010. Please visit this website for future updates.

Soccer has been one of my passions throughout my life. I've been a lifetime fan and recreational player of the beautiful game (although, it doesn't seem to be so beautiful when the ball's at my feet. so I'm told) . I've been a season ticket holder for the Vancouver Whitecaps for many years, and a supporter of the CSL & A-League Vancouver 86ers more than a decade before that. Many of you may know me through Friends of Soccer...a great movement where a lot of people like you and me showed massive support for the Whitecaps' efforts to build a community soccer stadium in Vancouver. It's a cause I'm still committed to today. As long as the Whitecaps work towards it, I will do all I can to help make it happen.

When the rains of winter set in, I wake up early on Saturday & Sunday mornings like thousands of others do to watch the EPL. Sometimes I watch the Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga...but I must confess I've been a incurable Manchester City supporter for a lot of rollercoaster years.

Documentary Film has been another passion; especially sports documentaries. I've been very privileged to have worked on two series and four documentary features on the history of Canadian sports heroes. We have an incredible history of our sports, but few storytellers in our nation. This film can only follow in the footsteps of these Canadian sports filmmakers before, and the historians who have documented our great sports heritage.

The athletes who have not only been able to excite, but engage people in their communities, have been the ones who have interested me the most. There are athletes doing that in North America right now. But experience has taught me that the stories of most athletes are best told when they're finished with their playing careers. They are more introspective after the battles, and every athlete has an appreciation  for all they have accomplished (and in many cases, what they can still accomplish outside of the sport), after reflecting on the years of their playing career. It is my hope that this film reflects the community spirit that many of our local athletes have, and still engage in to this day.

This film project has been actively in development since summer of 2004. Originally, I wanted to capture the passion and the culture that was developing around the game we love in North America. I have travelled throughout Canada and the United States, watching it develop through MLS, USL and the W-League. But it became clear very quickly that what I was seeking was right before my eyes...in my home city. Vancouver was a City of Soccer. Thousands of players, hundreds of matches every week, the most Canadian players who played internationally, the best womens soccer, the most domestic titles and the most city streets closed down at World Cup time. It was all here.

And there's the memory of over 100,000 people lining the streets of Vancouver to celebrate the Whitecaps North American Soccer League title in 1979. No other local sports team had ever created such a spontaneous show of joy and unity before...nor none has since. Legendary ABC sportscaster Jim McKay may have called Vancouver a "Deserted Village" a few days before, but all of the Villagers were out in force that day.

Soccer lives and breathes here.

Soccer is universal...perhaps the only universal recreational pursuit known to humanity. The spirit of the game can certainly be seen in other cities in Canada, such as Toronto and Montreal. And there are certainly American cities where soccer proudly plants its flag as well. These places also have a rich history that should be told.

But this film is about soccer in Vancouver. It is about the game I love in the city that I love.

While Vancouver is not the be-all, end-all of the game, I hope it will help spark some of the passion in soccer that so many of us are looking for in North America. We see it happening at some level in every city. If you are not yet a soccer fan, I hope it will inspire you to explore this global phenomenon.  If you are a supporter from another city or town, I hope it will spur you to explore your own history in the world's game. If you are a Whitecaps supporter, or play the game in British Columbia, I hope this film portrays the game in our city justly and with pride.

Yours in Sport,
Bill Currie