B13 - Wednesday, April 13, 1983 - North Shore News Vancouver Whitecaps ’83 AN ELITE GROUP International experience second to none When it comes to ex- perience, the Whitecaps are second to none in the league. Based on international experience, this is a team which has seen a total of 12 players and coaches who have played for their country. And if that statistic doesn’t make an impression, try and imagine the difficulty of being among the best 1! or 15 in your particular profession in Canada. Starting with Head Coach, John Giles, the 'Caps have a winner in the international wars. Not only has Giles been capped for the Republic of Ireland some 60 times, a record that will hold for some years, but he has also managed the national side. And handling the youth section of Whitecaps is Giles close friend — and brother- in-law - Nobby Stiles. Stiles played for England 23 times, including the long run of the 1966 World Cup team which won the world's most illustrious sport honor. Stiles was always known for his toughness and desire, something he'll be imparting to the youngsters coming up through the reserve and youth system. On the field the ageless wonder, assistant coach Peter Lorimer, represented his native Scotland 21 times including the 1974 World Cup in Munich, Germany where the flying Scot was determined to have . the hardest shot of any player in that tournament. Pierce O'Leary is the quiet young Irsh centre back, who, though looking so young, has had seven ap- pearances for the Republic under his belt. And the newcomers also fit the International mold. Fran O'Brien is another Republic of Ireland in- ternational with plenty of NASL experience. Coming from Montreal where he played the past two seasons and was a first team all-star last year, O’Brien previously had three years’ with Attendance stats REGULAR SEASON TOTALS 1974: 101,190 (10 Games, unverified) Average 10,119 1975: 83,369 (11 Games) Average 7,579 1976: 104,001 (12 Games) Average 8,666 1977: 154,660 (13 Games) Average 11,896 1978: 236,046 (15 Games) Average 15,736 1979: 344,436 (15 Games) Average 22,964 1980: 429,341 (16 Games) Average 26,833 1981: 371,530 (16 Games) Average 23,220 1982: 291,593 (16 Games) Average 18,224 Philadelphia Fury. And the Dutch con- tribution to the Whitecaps, Frans Thijssen has been a solid fixture on the stylish Dutch teams over the past number of years. Pleming Lund is a tireless midfielder from Denmark who in addition to playing in the German Bundislegia before coming to the NASL, represented his country 26 times in the international soccer wars. And on the Canadian side of the Whitecap ledger, Tino Lettieri appears tobe a solid fixture in the goalkeeping area for some time to come. Many expect the Roman Pony to be in Montreal next year playing for the Team Canada entry in the North American Soccer League. Bobby Lenarduzzi is a veteran of the national team at full-back, although it is doubtful he will head off for Montreal at the end of the current season. Mike Sweeney, the tireless midfielder who served three seasons with the Drillers made his full international debut for Canada in the last World Cup preliminaries, where he earned himself a regular place. Sweeney is enthusiastic about the Team Canada concept and could easily be one of those in La Belle Province come next season. But no one can talk about Canadian internationals without mentioning Sam Lenarduzzi and Buzz Par- sons, the two veterans of the Canadian soccer wars. While no longer con- sidered as active, Sam holds the record for appearances with 42 while Buzz is right behind him with 40 games. To play for his country is the highest goal a soccer player aspires to, and for the Vancouver Whitecaps, a considerable percentage of them have reached the pinnacle of being selected as being the best in their country. Besides the pride these players have, they have the experience of playing at the top levels, a valuable asset in the heavy action of a long season. NEWS photos Eric Eggertson Nine- Year Total: 2,116,166 (124 Games) Average 17,065 PLAYOFF SEASON TOTALS 1974: No Games 1975: No Games 1976: No Games 1977. 1 Game Total 21,915 Average 21.915 1978: 2 Games Total 63,077 Average 31,538 1979. 3 Games Total 95,577 Average 31,859 1980: 1 Game Total 27,231 Average 27,231 1981 1 Game Total 28,896 Average 28,896 1982) 1 Game Total 18,253 Average 18,253 Nine year Total 255,149 (9 Games) Average 28.349 INTERNATIONAL TOTALS 1974 No Games 1975S) No Games 1976 3 Games Total 40.87’ Average 13,625 1977) 2 Games Total 26, 394 Average |}, 197 1978 1 Game Total 6,784 Average 6,784 1979 1 Game Total 13,624 Average 13,628 1980) J} Gyames Total 78.790 Average 26,263 [981 4 Games Lotal 78.995 Average 19 748 1942) ¥QGsames Lotal 32.705 Average 10 901 Nine Year Total 2/8 17301) Games) Average 16 303 OVERALL NINE SRASON TODLAL 2 059 209 (150 Gsames) Average |) 728 Atan Lavtor THUNDERBIRD LANES 120 W. 16th St. N.Van REGISTER NOW For Spring Leagues Starting First Week in May 2 & 10 pin. 985-6104 READY FOR ANOTHER campaign is the ageless Peter Lorimer. 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