PROFOUND INFLUENCERS
It is a strange set of circumstances that has led to my journey into football. As spouses, parents, siblings, and as friends we have an unspoken duty to inspire those around us. It is, however, sometimes the act of a stranger, outside the sphere of our tight circles, that generates direction and change.
Back in ’82 I became very smitten with the round ball. It was a courtship that began years before ’82 but it was a single incident, perpetrated by the generosity of spirit of one professional athlete, that set the course for a mad love affair that keeps burning to this day.
Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Tony Chursky, a veteran NASL goalkeeper who plied his trade in Seattle, California, Chicago and Toronto, was the facilitator of my obsession. Back in ’82 he responded to my request for information about purchasing a goalkeeper jersey within the Greater Toronto Area. Goalkeeping was a different animal back in the 80s as keepers outfitted themselves. Not only did the former Canadian International send me one of his own jerseys but the the card that accompanied the package was most inspiring. It depicted a cartoon character chasing a rainbow with the message scribbled inside: ” always chase your dreams.”
After a rather insignificant goalkeeping career that saw this writer toil with several teams throughout Toronto and the Garden City I turned my attention to writing about the game. I have enjoyed spinning a few tales about soccer/ football/ futebol / fusball / calcio from Halifax to Happy Valley and many places in between. I was even fortunate enough to have some of my scribbling featured at Football Expo in Cannes, France. I have since reinvented myself from being a soccer scribbler to that of a visual story teller. My template of story-telling is inspired by the reputed magazine ‘ When Saturday Comes’ and yes, I have a bias, for the goalkeeping tribe.
Tony Chursky is now living in Washington State and retired from a decorated career in teaching as well as coaching soccer. My bucket list included contacting him, something I accomplished a few years ago. His hand- me down jersey hangs in one of my closets as a reminder of generosity of spirit and inspirational actions.
In my travels across League1 Ontario I have seen many, young and old, who are inspiring others. Just like the Professional and the wannabe keeper did decades ago.
Back in ’82 I became very smitten with the round ball. It was a courtship that began years before ’82 but it was a single incident, perpetrated by the generosity of spirit of one professional athlete, that set the course for a mad love affair that keeps burning to this day.
Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Tony Chursky, a veteran NASL goalkeeper who plied his trade in Seattle, California, Chicago and Toronto, was the facilitator of my obsession. Back in ’82 he responded to my request for information about purchasing a goalkeeper jersey within the Greater Toronto Area. Goalkeeping was a different animal back in the 80s as keepers outfitted themselves. Not only did the former Canadian International send me one of his own jerseys but the the card that accompanied the package was most inspiring. It depicted a cartoon character chasing a rainbow with the message scribbled inside: ” always chase your dreams.”
After a rather insignificant goalkeeping career that saw this writer toil with several teams throughout Toronto and the Garden City I turned my attention to writing about the game. I have enjoyed spinning a few tales about soccer/ football/ futebol / fusball / calcio from Halifax to Happy Valley and many places in between. I was even fortunate enough to have some of my scribbling featured at Football Expo in Cannes, France. I have since reinvented myself from being a soccer scribbler to that of a visual story teller. My template of story-telling is inspired by the reputed magazine ‘ When Saturday Comes’ and yes, I have a bias, for the goalkeeping tribe.
Tony Chursky is now living in Washington State and retired from a decorated career in teaching as well as coaching soccer. My bucket list included contacting him, something I accomplished a few years ago. His hand- me down jersey hangs in one of my closets as a reminder of generosity of spirit and inspirational actions.
In my travels across League1 Ontario I have seen many, young and old, who are inspiring others. Just like the Professional and the wannabe keeper did decades ago.