Aurora FC (Canada)

Aurora FC is a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Aurora, Ontario. The club was founded in 1964 as a youth soccer club and added its semi-professional club in League1 Ontario in 2016. The team was initially known as Aurora United FC during their debut season, before changing their name to Aurora FC beginning in 2017.[1] The team plays home games at Stewart Burnett Park,[2] which was opened in 2018.[3]

Aurora FC
Nickname(s)Aurora Stingers
Founded1964
StadiumStewart Burnett Park
LeagueLeague1 Ontario
2019League1 Ontario, 10th
Playoffs: DNQ
WebsiteClub website

History
Club logo used in 2016

The club's foundation dates back to 1964, when they were founded as a youth club under the name Aurora Youth Soccer Club.[4]

In 2015, while playing in the amateur Ontario Soccer League, the team was invited by the Peru Olympic football team to play an exhibition match, after Peru had finished playing in the 2015 Pan American Games.[5]

The team added its semi-professional teams in League1 Ontario in the women's and men's division in 2016 under the name Aurora United FC.[6] The men's team announced former Canadian national team and Toronto FC player Jim Brennan as the club's first head coach.[7] They played their inaugural match on April 29, 2016 on the road against Durham United FC, which ended in a 2–1 defeat.[8][9] The women's team debuted on May 7 against Vaughan Azzurri with a 1–1 draw.[10]

In 2017, the semi-professional club and youth club decided to formally adopt the same Aurora FC name and logo to better unite the two and to remove the Youth term association with the semi-professional club, while maintaining their connection to the team nickname Aurora Stingers in the new club crest.[11] At the end of the season, head coach Jim Brennan left the team to join the new top tier Canadian Premier League,[12] becoming the coach of York9 FC.[13][14]

Seasons

Men
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs League Cup Ref
2016 League1 Ontario 16 4–3–15 8th, Eastern (13th) Did not qualify Quarter-finals [15]
2017 16 2–2–17 8th, Eastern (15th) Did not qualify Round of 16 [16]
2018 17 3–3–10 15th Did not qualify Round of 16 [17]
2019 16 6–3–6 10th Did not qualify – [18]

Women
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs League Cup Ref
2016 League1 Ontario 9 5–3–8 6th – Quarter-finals [19]
2017 11 9–2–9 6th – Round of 16 [20]
2018 13 2–2–8 11th Did not qualify Quarter-finals [21]
2019 14 1–2–10 13th Did not qualify – [22]

Notable former players

References
  1. John Cudmore (February 14, 2017). "New look, name awaits Aurora Stingers for 2017 soccer season". Aurora Banner.
  2. Amanda Persico (March 14, 2017). "New Aurora pitch brings respect to soccer: ex-TFC player Jimmy Brennan". Aurora Banner.
  3. John Cudmore (June 26, 2018). "Stewart Burnett turf field newest member of Aurora's facilities lineup". Aurora Banner.
  4. "About Us". Aurora Youth Soccer Club.
  5. Michael Hayakawa (July 25, 2015). "Aurora United Football Club hosts Peruvian men's soccer team for friendly match". Newmarket Era.
  6. John Cudmore (December 18, 2015). "Soccer's League 1 Ontario adds Aurora sides to 2016 roster". Aurora Banner.
  7. John Cudmore (May 13, 2016). "League1 brings new level of play to Aurora soccer pitch". Aurora Banner.
  8. John Cudmore (March 28, 2016). "Aurora teams open inaugural seasons in League1 on road". Aurora Banner.
  9. "Durham United FA Lay Down Marker In 2016 Opener". League1 Ontario. April 30, 2016.
  10. John Cudmore (May 8, 2016). "Aurora United women draw in League1 soccer debut". Aurora Banner.
  11. John Cudmore (February 14, 2017). "New look, name awaits Aurora Stingers for 2017 soccer season". Aurora Banner.
  12. John Cudmore (December 30, 2017). "Former TFC captain Jimmy Brennan steps down as Aurora FC executive director". Aurora Banner.
  13. Peter Galindo (July 27, 2018). "Jim Brennan named head coach of CPL's York 9 FC". Sportsnet.
  14. John Cudmore (July 27, 2018). "York9 hands Jimmy Brennan head coaching duties for CPL debut season". Newmarket Era.
  15. "2016 Men's Standings". League1 Ontario.
  16. "2017 Men's Standings". League1 Ontario.
  17. "2018 Men's Standings". League1 Ontario.
  18. "2019 Men's Standings". League1 Ontario.
  19. "2016 Women's Standings". League1 Ontario.
  20. "2017 Women's Standings". League1 Ontario.
  21. "2018 Women's Standings". League1 Ontario.
  22. "2019 Women's Standings". League1 Ontario.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.