Club History
Sapperton Rovers FC History
Soccer in the Sapperton Community goes back to the mid to late 1800s. In fact the first soccer game in BC took place in 1862 in New Westminster between the Royal Engineers, or Sappers and the city town's folk. The past and present has seen many organized teams carry the Sapperton name; showing great pride in the community they represented. One such person was the late, great Don Smith.
Don Smith was well known in the local soccer community. The founder of Sapperton FC in the 1970's, Don had a great passion for soccer and his passion attracted many young players to play for his winter and summer teams for over two decades.
In 1994, the relationship established by Don Smith and several talented young players acuminated into the formation of Sapperton Rovers FC. The Rovers purchased a withering team in the league's 1st division and began playing in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League in the fall of 1994. In the 1995-96 season, Sapperton tore up the 1st division, going undefeated and easily winning their well deserved promotion into the VMSL's top flight division. Led by Sapperton first coach Dave Corr and key players Kevin Hearne, Brian & Gary Donald, Brian Wilms, Bryan Wevers, Mike Araszewski, Kent Waechter and Sean Flynn, Sapperton's hey days were on the rise.
After winning their 4th consecutive tournament (Kelowna May 1995, 1996; Deep Cove April 1996; Seashelt September 1996) the Rovers were well prepared for the league's Premier division. Local scoring legend Arnie Meers, goalie Craig Edwards, and mid-fielder Lee Sullivan bolstered the Sapperton lineup for the 1996-97 season. The Rovers came flying out of the gate; going undefeated in the first 8 games of the campaign. With their tight defensive play, grit and unparalleled determination, the Rovers finished their first year in the elite premier division in 1st place. Winning the League Cup in Sapperton's first year in the premier division is a feat accomplished by no other team in the history of the league.
Over the next few years, Sapperton maintained their perennial spot in the premier division. During which time, a minor youth movement at Sapperton introduced new young players to the club's culture and style. In 2000, Sapperton formed a developmental team which strengthened and help preserve the senior team's presence in the VMSL. As well, Sapperton established a working relationship with the Royal City Youth Soccer Association to assist in the development of local players and their graduation to the senior men's level. This commitment helped the Rovers solidify its reputation as the toughest team to beat on any given weekend for years to come.
2002 saw the rebirth of Sapperton's fortunes as the Rovers caught a hot streak and rode it all the way to the Provincial Cup semi-finals, the farthest the Rovers have ever been. A tough Victoria Gorge side proved too much as the Rovers lost 3-2 on an extra time free kick goal. The 2005 squad, arguably the best Sapperton team ever, emerged as one of the top teams in the province. New young talent and veteran leadership guided Sapperton to the provincial semi-final play downs. But the luck of a penalty shootout left a very bitter taste with the Rovers once again.
But in May 2006, Sapperton got its just reward. With timely goals in every provincial cup game; Ryan McNabb, Srdjan Biljetina, Cory Breure (from his own goal!), and Jeff Rogers in the final, Sapperton claimed its 1st Provincial title. The 1-0 victory in the final against Firemen FC was one of dramatic acclaim. After 87 minutes of pressure-cooker soccer, Jeff Roger's knuckling shot from 25 yards out found the far top corner of the goal. Sapperton managed to hold off a surging Firemen squad for the final 3 minutes in a great Provincial Cup final. Once the final whistle blew, the celebrations lasted through the entire weekend.
In the fall of 2005, club executive member Peter Vranjkovic spearheaded the amalgamation of Sapperton with three new teams. The newly formed Sapperton Rovers Soccer Association consists of 4 men and 2 women teams and over 120 members.
A firm commitment to top-flight soccer and youth player development, Sapperton has positioned itself as a powerful club for years to come. Just as their colourful past, the future will remain bright for the Sapperton Rovers.
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