Soccer: Canada’s National Sport
Celebrate the launch of SOCCER: CANADA’S NATIONAL SPORT, the new book by our (PHSC) past president Les Jones. He says it is, “a remarkable achievement and the first Canadian coffee-table book on The Beautiful Game.” The launch is in the REAL SPORTS BAR located at the Air Canada Centre and takes place at noon on Monday, November 25th.
Les is a former photographer for the Canadian Soccer Association and has covered soccer for over 30 years, supplying articles and photographs to hundreds of books and magazines. He is a director of the Robbie Soccer Tournament and The Soccer Centre as well as chairman of The Soccer Hall of Fame & Museum.
This book is an attractive, entertaining over-sized publication covering 150 years of soccer in Canada (see canadiansoccerstories.com. It covers “the memorable, the unexpected and the controversial (not to forget the dramatic and humorous)”. The book gives short, punchy articles in storytelling form rather than a dry list of facts. It is very readable and well designed. The 256 colourful pages cover the very first games in Toronto in the 1860s, our first international in 1924, the 1986 World Cup, the 2012 Olympics and everything in between.
All the top players are covered including Dwayne de Rosario, Jason de Vos, Kara Lang and Christine Sinclair. There are features on referees, controversial goals, famous teams, match-fixing, indoor & beach soccer and every aspect of the game. Plus it has great action photos.
For a special introductory price, email Les at lesjones.covershots@gmail.com or call 416 691-1555. All proceeds go to the Soccer Hall of Fame & Museum.
Here are just a few of the books testimonials…
“A great piece of research and a labour of love. The finished product is really impressive.” Paul Beirne, Toronto FC
“He has given former players a place to feel proud and honoured.” Carie Serwetnyk – former international.
“A superb compilation of memorable moments in Canadian soccer.” Paul Dolan – former international
“An insightful and vibrant rendering of soccer’s place in our world of sport.”
“A well-written and witty account of how the round ball has conquered a huge country.” Georges Schwartz – Quebec author and soccer administrator
“A must book for any Canadian soccer fan. Wonderful stories, surprising historical facts and great anecdotes on the long history of soccer in Canada.” Martin Bronstein Founding Editor of Soccer Canada Magazine.
“Without question this book is a must read. Les has captured wonderful, unexpected and dramatic stories in this magnificent work. What a great present for all of the young soccer players and their parents. Les Wilson – Soccer Hall of Fame and former national team manager
