30 years.
That’s how long it’s been since the Vancouver 86ers were born, kicking off an important era in the history of the club. And to celebrate the occasion, alumni of the 86ers will descend upon BC Place on Saturday afternoon to take part in a charity alumni match vs. a Whitecaps FC alumni team that features the likes of Jay DeMerit, Robert Earnshaw, Young Pyo-Lee, and Andy O’Brien.
But who exactly were the 86ers? Let’s take a closer look.
THE 86ERS ARE FORMED
The demise of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1984 resulted in the formation of a new league, the Canadian Soccer League (CSL), in 1986.