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.

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

History

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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

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Seasons

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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

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  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.