Westcoast Reign: the British Columbia Soccer Championships, 1892-1905 (book)

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2013-01-18 20:29:12

Westcoast Reign Book Launch

Tuesday, April 10, 7:00 p.m.
Level 3 Meeting Room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Admission is free. Seating is limited. All are welcome.

Westcoast Reign: the British Columbia Soccer Championships, 1892-1905

Westcoast Reign gives a historical account of the early days of soccer in British Columbia, spanning the period from 1888 to 1905. The first players and organizers came from all walks of life; miners, indigenous people, students, clergymen, sailors and soldiers. They are introduced chronologically, as are the fields they played on and the modes of transportation that were used to get to these venues. The game quickly emerged as a popular pastime and practitioners in Nanaimo organized the first provincial association in 1891. However, this governing body's dictatorial rule did not go over well with enthusiasts in other parts of the province and their growing frustrations eventually resulted in a political power struggle of mutinous proportions.

Downtown Eastside historian Robert Janning has had a life-long passion for soccer. Janning’s new book, Westcoast Reign gives a unique historical perspective of British Columbia as seen through the lens of soccer.

The book launch will be held at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 10, in the Level 3 Meeting Room of the Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. This will be an opportunity to meet a resident from a community more commonly known for its struggles rather than its accomplishments. The author will share about his personal background, discuss what motivated him to write the book, and read selected passages from Westcoast Reign.

In appreciation of the local media’s interest and support, every newspaper, radio and television broadcaster represented at the launch by an accredited journalist will receive one complimentary copy of Westcoast Reign.

For further information please visit http://www.ballboypress.ca
Written enquiries may be sent to soccerbook@hotmail.com
Or contact Robert by phone at 604 338 7475

Seathanaich

Sounds interesting. So much information from back then on the early clubs is lost.

Blueprint

A friend of mine grabbed a copy of this book for me from his cab driver a couple of weeks ago (I'm assuming it was the author). It's great - fantastic archival record of local football. Lots of great island content as well.

Brenton

Yep, Robert is a cab driver. I'm very interested in this. Anyone else care to join me?

Blue_and_White_Army

I expect to be there.

Bistchen

Somebody on the old forum a few years back put up some archive videos of soccer being played in old Vancouver. It was league play. From what I can remember it was in the 20's or maybe even earlier, or later? I cant even remember where they played (PNE coliseum area????)

Can anyone post these clips again?

Blue_and_White_Army

Bistchen

Thank you B&W Army.

Brenton

Everything else being equal, was that the absolute worst ever camera work at a soccer game?

vancouversoccerman · Post edited by vancouversoccerman at 2012-04-07 10:03:59

Brenton said: Everything else being equal, was that the absolute worst ever camera work at a soccer game?

It's not good. From the original reel, I was able to figure out that it was likely an amateur film, or possibly b-roll outakes from a newsreel. There were some more shots of Vancouver on the reel, but they were equally poor. The reel did help identify the time period (likely 1936-39), as the Hotel Vancouver was mostly finished by then.

However, it does appear to be the only soccer footage available from the original Con Jones (Callister) Park. If anyone else knows of any other, I'd definitely be interested.

Blue_and_White_Army

vancouversoccerman said: However, it does appear to be the only soccer footage available from the original Con Jones (Callister) Park. If anyone else knows of any other, I'd definitely be interested.

We owe you a thanks for saving it and putting it onto YouTube.

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2012-04-09 22:29:31

One final reminder that this event is tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 7:00 pm. West Coast Weekly, the BC soccer podcast that GoF is involved with, interviewed the author earlier today.

Brenton

One final final reminder that this is at 7pm tonight.

Blue_and_White_Army

Enjoyable event with a good turnout. I'll have some photos tomorrow.

GoF

Really enjoyed listening to Robert speaking tonight.

He's going to be a guest on our podcast this week, so yiou'll be able to hear that for yourself.

Definitely recommend getting hold of the book.

Brenton

Great stories, and his story is pretty great to, from his first match 47 years ago (Feyenoord lost to Madrid 5-0) to researching and finishing the book after struggling with alcoholism.

A signed copy of the book will hopefully be one of our raffle prizes on the 21st.

Lord_Jord

Hey Everyone,

How did this event go? And will the book be available in stores? Or do we order from ballboy press?

Lord_Jord

Ok I see you can order direct from Ballboy Press.

Another question. Was there anyone who picked up a copy of the book at the event? I was wondering whether there was anything in the book about Robert Gemmell? (I believe he was voted the top player in BC at least one year) I am close friends with their family (Robert passed away a couple of years ago), and if he there is anything in there about him, I would love to buy them a copy of the book as well.

Brenton

I'll check re: Gemmell.

Decent turn-out at the event. Robert introduced the book, talked about the process of writing it, added some very amusing anecdotes, and answered a ton of questions. Michael (AFTN) will be reviewing it for the Metro.

ynwasouthside

Sadly couldn't make it. I was very interested to hear Robert speak. He's been treated as something of an "Old Fan" or worse on the Vs board for many years. I don't think anyone took this book very seriously over there, though I know he's very appreciative of the support he's received from the Southsiders. I have to admit he always struck me as anti-CSA zealot type which has often made me ignore his posts. Did that come accross at all, or was it all about the history of Vancouver football?

vancouversoccerman

Looking forward to buying a copy myself...

Brenton

More BC than Vancouver. And he did talk a bit about the CSA and such, but came across as intelligent and thoughtful, not ranty.

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2012-04-11 13:39:28

ynwasouthside said: I have to admit he always struck me as anti-CSA zealot type which has often made me ignore his posts. Did that come across at all, or was it all about the history of Vancouver football?

He came across as extremely level-headed, in my opinion. During the Q&A session, he mentioned his desire to see the amateur and professional ranks of Canadian football move closer to each other, and he mentioned the CONCACAF Champions League as a way to do this (I believe he meant having the Canadian Challenge Trophy winner enter the Voyageurs Cup).

His book (and his presentation yesterday) isn't Vancouver-dominated; if anything, it's Vancouver Island-heavy (albeit with lots of Vancouver content), as that's where the sport took off here in B.C. initially.

ynwasouthside

Interesting. Thanks guys.

FYI, Robert is running a contest on the Vs board to win a copy of his book:

http://www.cansoc.org/showthread.php?43993-WCQ-Pool-Predictions

Blue_and_White_Army

Photos from Westcoast Reign book launch event

Blue_and_White_Army

For those of you who missed the book launch last year, Robert Janning will be giving his book presentation an additional three times. Definitely worth attending, and the book is an interesting read.

Thursday, January 31, 2013, 7-8:30 pm
Lynn Valley Main Library Community Room, Lynn Valley Village 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 7-9 pm
New Westminster Public Library Auditorium, 716 – 6th Avenue, New Westminster
Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 7:30-9:00 pm
West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

Brenton

I feel guilty - still haven't cracked it.

vancouversoccerman

It's a good history worth picking up.

piltdownman

Author Robert Janning will read and discuss his book, WESTCOAST REIGN, a historical account of the early days of soccer in British Columbia, spanning the period from 1888 to 1905.

Thursday, January 31, 2013, 7-8:30 pm
Lynn Valley Main Library Community Room, 1277 Lynn Valley Road
Free; registration required. To register, call 604-984-0286, ext. 8144.

Anyone purchasing a book who is wearing a SOUTHSIDERS scarf will receive a 30% discount.

http://www.nvdpl.ca/adults/events/lynn/bc’s-soccer-heritage

Brettness37

Pffff. Books are always 30% off on Amazon.

vancouversoccerman

Mr. Janning has put a lot of effort into publishing his book. You won't find such a local history for 30% off at Amazon...or anywhere!

Lord_Bob

Brettness37 said:

Pffff. Books are always 30% off on Amazon.

Except for West Coast Reign, which isn't on Amazon.

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