What is The BC Soccer Web all about?

The BC Soccer Web seeks to offer an eclectic mix of current local, national and international soccer news, views and information from a British Columbia perspective as well as links to a wide variety of soccer resources with a British Columbia focus.

We strive to cover all aspects of the beautiful game, from competitive youth soccer, especially as it pertains to coaching and development of young athletes in preparation for the adult game, through the senior amateur competitive game including college and university soccer, to the highest levels of professional soccer both local and international. Relevant news, reports, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, event announcements and other submissions to the BC Soccer Web are always welcome and will be published in whole or in part at the editor's discretion.

The BC Soccer Web is supported solely through advertising. All advertising on this website is done in conjunction with the Soccer Ads BC with the sole exception of the Classifieds service which is offered free by the BC Soccer Web to the local amateur non-commercial soccer community. Please visit the Classifieds or Advertising pages for more information.

If you find we have missed including in our Directory a link to your club, association, soccer school or other favourite soccer website please click here to contact us.

Is The BC Soccer Web a part of the British Columbia Soccer Association?

No! The BC Soccer Web has no connection or affiliation with the British Columbia Soccer Association (BCSA) or any other organisation except Soccer Ads BC, our advertising cooperative. The British Columbia Soccer Association (BCSA) official web site can be found at www.bcsoccer.net.

Then who owns The BC Soccer Web?

This website is 100% independently owned, operated and edited by Richard Howes of Surrey, British Columbia. Richard has a longstanding association with soccer in British Columbia and previously in Ontario. He has been involved with the game of soccer for the past 25+ years, has served in various administrative and executive roles with teams, clubs and leagues in Ontario and British Columbia from club house-league to national team level and is currently a member of the board of directors for the Pacific Coast Soccer League.

History

The BC Soccer Web was the brainchild of soccer enthusiast Martin Rose. Martin started the site in 1996 and continued as sole owner and editor until November 2005 when ownership and operation was assumed by Richard Howes. Martin also served as a Director, Secretary and League Scheduler for the Vancouver Metro Soccer League and as a Director of the British Columbia Soccer Association.  Martin now lives with his wife in London, England.

Richard Howes came on board as a volunteer at the beginning when, as a frequent visitor to the site he could see that Martin needed some technical and graphic design help although Martin quickly developed the skills necessary. Richard also took on the project of creating the original Vancouver 86ers fan page hosted by The BC Soccer Web. This eventually evolved into the first official Vancouver 86ers (now Whitecaps FC) web site which Richard continued to maintain on a volunteer basis at the request of the club for a number of years. Richard also designed, built and maintained the original BC Soccer Web hosted sites for the Vancouver Metro Soccer League (VMSL), Metro Women's Soccer League (MWSL), Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL), Mid Island Soccer league (MISL), Fraser Valley Soccer League (FVSL) and Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL). Whilst all of these organisations eventually assumed responsibility for their own websites, Richard continues as webmaster for the PCSL.

Alan Douglas was the main Lower Mainland correspondent for and a prolific contributor to the BC Soccer Web until his mostly volunteer role of Media Relations and later Statistician for the Vancouver 86ers and later the Vancouver Whitecaps FC consumed what time he had to devote to soccer.

An Invitation

We are always looking for community contributions from all around the province and further afield. Don't be shy. If you've got a soccer story or would like to express your opinion about something soccer related tell us about it. Click here to contact us.