HFX Wanderers FC

HFX Wanderers
Full name HFX Wanderers Football Club
Founded May 5, 2018 (2018-05-05)
Stadium Wanderers Grounds
Capacity 5,000–7,000
Owner Sports & Entertainment Atlantic
President Derek Martin
Manager Stephen Hart
League Canadian Premier League
Website Club website

HFX Wanderers Football Club, commonly known as HFX Wanderers, and also spoken as Halifax Wanderers,[1] is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The club will compete in the Canadian Premier League in the inaugural 2019 season and play its home games at Wanderers Grounds.

History

In December 2016, Sports & Entertainment Athletic owner Derek Martin met with Canadian Premier League officials to discuss launching a franchise in Halifax.[2] Martin pitched the idea of a pop-up stadium to Halifax City Councillors in March 2017, and approval was given three months later.[3][4] On May 5, 2018, Halifax was one of four groups accepted by the Canadian Soccer Association for professional club membership.[5]

HFX Wanderers was officially unveiled on May 25, 2018, as the third team to join the Canadian Premier League.[6] As well as confirming their place in the league for the 2019 launch season, the club also revealed their crest, colours and branding.[7]

On July 28, 2018, HFX Wanderers fielded an Atlantic Selects team to play a friendly against Fortuna Düsseldorf's under-21 squad at Wanderers Grounds. The Atlantic Selects won on penalties after a 2–2 score in regulation time. The official attendance was 4,809.[8]

Stadium

The club will play their home games at Wanderers Grounds.[9] The modular stadium will have a capacity ranging between 5,000 to 7,000 spectators to meet the demands of the Canadian Premier League.[4] The stadium's design will allow for it to be expanded as required for future growth.[10]

Crest and colours

The shape of the crest takes inspiration from the Halifax Citadel, located near the club's stadium.[6] The crest also includes the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, which connects the Halifax Peninsula and Dartmouth, and an anchor to represent the Atlantic Ocean and Halifax Harbour.[11]

Underneath the club's name reads the Scottish Gaelic motto, Ar Cala, Ar Dachaigh, Ar n-Anam, which translates to Our Harbour, Our Home, Our Soul.[12] Scottish Gaelic is used to signify that Nova Scotia is one of the few places remaining where the language is still spoken.[13]

The crest was created by Canadian graphic designer Mark Guilherme[12] based on consultation and feedback from meetings with supporters, Halifax city leaders and local residents.

The official club colours are aqua ocean, naval grey and harbour blue. They are used to signify the Atlantic Ocean, the Royal Canadian Navy, whose Maritime Forces Atlantic is headquartered in Halifax, and the skies and harbour of the region respectively.[11]

Club culture

Supporters

The first supporters group to lobby for a Halifax team to join the Canadian Premier League was founded in September 2016 under the name Wanderers SG.[14] At the launch event to unveil HFX Wanderers' identity, supporters announced they were changing their name to Privateers 1882 in order for the club to continue the Wanderers name.[12] The 1882 signifies the year of formation for the Wanderers Amateur Athletic Club, who previously competed at the Wanderers Grounds.[15] 'Privateers' refers to the popular regional song Barrett's Privateers.

Staff

Current staff

As of September 11, 2018[16]
Executive
President Derek Martin
General manager Stephen Hart
Coaching staff
Head coach Stephen Hart

Head coaches

As of September 11, 2018
Coach Nation Tenure Record
GWLTWin %
Stephen Hart  Trinidad and Tobago June 27, 2018 – present 0 0 0 0 !—

References

  1. ↑ "Halifax Canadian Premier League team to be called the HFX Wanderers". Sportsnet. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  2. ↑ Smith, Amy (December 9, 2016). "Promoter sees pro soccer in Halifax as sport reaches 'tipping point'". CBC News. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  3. ↑ Boon, Jacob (March 24, 2017). "Pop-up soccer stadium could come together this summer". The Coast. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Halifax approves downtown soccer stadium for new professional league team". The Chronicle Herald. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  5. ↑ "4 clubs get membership from Soccer Canada; expected to join CPL". Sportsnet. May 5, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  6. 1 2 McIsaac, Greg (May 25, 2018). "HFX Wanderers Football Club Joins Canadian Premier League". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  7. ↑ MacDonald, Glenn (May 25, 2018). "HFX Wanderers FC introduced". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  8. ↑ Palov, Willy (July 28, 2018). "Wanderers win shootout thriller over Fortuna Dusseldorf". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  9. ↑ Shaw, Kyle (May 25, 2018). "HFX Wanderers unveiled as Canada's newest professional soccer club". The Coast. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Stadium Profile". hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca. HFX Wanderers FC. May 25, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Emblem Inspiration". hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca. HFX Wanderers FC. May 25, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 "HFX Wanderers FC becomes third club to join the CanPL". The CanPL Hub. May 30, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Keeping Canada's unique Gaelic culture alive". BBC News. October 21, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Who Are We?". Privateers 1882. May 25, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  15. ↑ Kloke, Joshua (May 25, 2018). "The Starting XI: Interview with HFX Wanderers president Derek Martin, examining rumours of Giovinco and Piatti transfers". The Athletic. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Owners Profile". hfxwanderersfc.canpl.ca. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
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