Buffalo Blazers

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Full nameBuffalo Blazers
Founded1976
StadiumWar Memorial Stadium
Buffalo, New York
Lackwanna Stadium
Lackawanna, New York
LeagueNational Soccer League

The Buffalo Blazers were a soccer team in Buffalo, New York. They competed in the National Soccer League[1] in 1976–1978 and 1980.[2][3] They were one of only four American teams (Detroit Besa, Detroit Canadians, and Detroit Vardar) to have competed in the National Soccer League which was based in Canada.

History[edit]

The Blazers joined the NSL for the 1976 season and became the first representative from Buffalo to compete in the league.[4][5] The team ownership initially applied for a franchise in the North American Soccer League, but the Upstate New York territorial rights were held by the Rochester Lancers.[6] Buffalo's first home venue was at Lackwanna Stadium in the suburb of Lackawanna, New York where the club averaged an attendance of around 700 to 1,500 spectators.[7]

The club experienced growing pains in their initial run in the Canadian circuit as they struggled to find a suitable head coach throughout the campaign.[8] Originally Al Block served at the helm before being replaced by Vincent Lauricella as interim coach.[9][10] Ultimately the Blazers secured the services of Alex Perolli who had previous experience in the NASL.[11] Perolli led Buffalo to a fourth-place finish in the division and club striker Emmanuel Kulu finished the campaign as the leading scorer in the division.[12][13]

The following season the ownership switched their home venue to War Memorial Stadium to avoid scheduling conflicts and to adhere to the league's stadium standards.[14] Buffalo also managed to secure a television deal to broadcast some of their home matches.[15] Alex Crawley who previously managed the St. Catharines Heidelberg was named the head coach for the season.[16] The Blazers managed to secure promotion to the league's First Division by finishing third.[17][18]

Buffalo struggled to achieve significant results during their run in the league's top division as they finished at the bottom of the standings.[19] The Blazers originally had Sam Buscarino as their head coach but was later replaced by Roberto Lonardo in the capacity of player-coach.[18][20] Midway through the 1978 season, the club owners decided to play out in the suburbs once more as their attendance numbers sharply declined since their move to War Memorial.[21][7] Since their initial move to Buffalo attendance dropped to an average of 300 to 150 in 1978.[21] The organization ultimately transferred its home venue to Hyde Park Stadium in Niagara Falls, New York.[22][23][24]

In 1979, the league went through a period of reorganization which resulted in Buffalo taking a hiatus and operating at the amateur level.[25][26] Stephen Mechtler would serve as head coach and the team would play in a series of friendly matches against NSL clubs..[27][26][28]

In 1980, after a one-year hiatus, the Blazers continued operations in the National Soccer League and returned to play at Lackwanna Stadium.[29][30] The Blazers hired Carlo Del Monte as their head coach who previously managed Hamilton Italo-Canadians.[31][32] Del Monte assembled a roster that consisted of many former Hamilton players.[33][34] The acquisitions proved initially successful as Buffalo produced an undefeated streak of eight matches.[35] Their on-field performance would later produce mediocre results due to internal strife within the organization.[35] One notable departure was head coach Del Monte who resigned in mid-July over disputes with the front office.[36] Following his departure, Del Monte became director of scouting in Canada for the Buffalo Stallions.[36] The club managed to secure the final postseason berth, but the league executive denied participation in the playoffs due to financial and player issues.[37]

In 1981, the club ceased operations and was replaced by Detroit Besa.[38]

Head Coach history[edit]

Seasons[edit]

Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs Ref
1976 National Soccer League (Second Division) 8 9–2–10 4th – [41]
1977 10 12–3–3 3rd – [41]
1978 National Soccer League (First Division) 11 3–3–14 11th – [41]
1980 National Soccer League 12 8–2–12 8th – [41]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "1977-1980 Buffalo Blazers • Fun While It Lasted". Fun While It Lasted. 2013-09-19. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  2. ^ "The Canadian National Soccer League". The Canadian National Soccer League. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  3. ^ "Windsor Stars blank Hamilton for successful debut in division". The Globe and Mail. May 3, 1976. p. S4.
  4. ^ "Tigers blanked by Hamilton". Ottawa Journal. May 10, 1976. p. 20.
  5. ^ Waring, Ed (December 8, 1975). "Meeting recommends NSL commissioner". The Globe and Mail. p. S8.
  6. ^ Byrnes, Kevin (January 30, 1978). "Business Scope Advertising". Buffalo Courier-Express. p. 34.
  7. ^ a b Jones, Steve (June 9, 1978). "Niagara Falls Makes Pitch for Blazers". Buffalo News. p. 47.
  8. ^ Drumsta, Peter (26 April 1977). "New Coach, at 39, Is in Top Shape". Buffalo News. p. 15.
  9. ^ a b "Blazers Open May 1 in Canadian Soccer". Buffalo Evening News. 18 March 1976. p. 16.
  10. ^ a b "Blazers Play to a Deadlock After Their Coach is Fired". Buffalo News. 1 June 1976. p. 57.
  11. ^ "Blazers Pick Alex Perolli New Coach". Buffalo News. 16 July 1976. p. 12.
  12. ^ "Blazers End on High Note". Buffalo News. 4 October 1976. p. 5.
  13. ^ "Kulu Earned Blazer Kudos in Pro Soccer". Buffalo News. 8 January 1977. p. 21.
  14. ^ Jones, Steve (17 June 1978). "Blazermania: Why Not?". Buffalo News. p. 35.
  15. ^ "5 Blazers' Games on Television". Buffalo News. 5 April 1977.
  16. ^ "Crawley to Coach Blazers". Buffalo Evening News. 21 February 1977. p. 13.
  17. ^ Munich, John (March 1, 1979). "Let's Talk Sport". Newspapers.com. Sun and the Erie County Independent. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  18. ^ a b Billoni, Mike (April 23, 1978). "Buscarino Named Blazers' Coach". Buffalo Courier-Express. p. 47.
  19. ^ "Blazers End NSL Season With Loss". The Buffalo News. 21 August 1978. p. 32.
  20. ^ Jones, Steve (5 June 1978). "Blazers: Good First Half". Buffalo Evening News. p. 30.
  21. ^ a b Jones, Steve (28 June 1978). "Falls is Pleased to Have Blazers". Buffalo News. p. 11.
  22. ^ "Blazers Set Talks With Falls Brass". Buffalo Courier-Express. June 11, 1978. p. 279.
  23. ^ "Red tape idles Stars". Windsor Star. July 17, 1978. p. 30.
  24. ^ Jones, Steve (6 July 1978). "Blazers Really Believe Fans Are in Niagara Falls". Buffalo Evening News. p. 29.
  25. ^ Jones, Steve (7 January 1979). "Blazers Find Travel Rocky On the Road". Buffalo News. p. 24.
  26. ^ a b "Blazers Schedule Open Tryouts Today". Buffalo News. 12 May 1979. p. 47.
  27. ^ "Blazers Play As Amateurs". Buffalo Courier-Express. May 1, 1979. p. 26.
  28. ^ Kelley, Jim (13 May 1979). "Blazers Open 4-Year Plan". Buffalo News. p. 23.
  29. ^ "Return Chartered for Blazers". Buffalo Courier-Express. October 5, 1979. p. 38.
  30. ^ "Blazers Planning Soccer Return". Buffalo News. 21 March 1980. p. 5.
  31. ^ "1981 Hamilton Steelers - Team of Distinction". Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  32. ^ "Blazers Ink DelMonte". Buffalo Courier-Express. April 1, 1980. p. 55.
  33. ^ "Sudbury Cyclones lose as Albuquerque scores". Sudbury Star. May 12, 1980. p. 13.
  34. ^ "Cyclones hit road in weekend action". Sudbury Star. May 17, 1980. p. 13.
  35. ^ a b Falldien, Jack (August 18, 1980). "Cyclones blank Buffalo squad". Sudbury Star. p. 9.
  36. ^ a b Jones, Steve (30 July 1980). "Sal Eyes New Faces". Buffalo News. p. 14.
  37. ^ "Playoff chances good after Cyclones win". Sudbury Star. September 8, 1980. p. 13.
  38. ^ Labow, Jeffrey (May 6, 1981). "Canadian flavor for new look NSL". The Globe and Mail. p. S4.
  39. ^ "Blazers Pick Alex Perolli New Coach". Buffalo News. 16 July 1976. p. 12.
  40. ^ Billoni, Mike (April 23, 1978). "Buscarino Named Blazers' Coach". Buffalo Courier-Express. p. 47.
  41. ^ a b c d "Buffalo Blazers | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
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