Hamilton Thunder

Hamilton Thunder joined the Canadian Professional Soccer League in 2002, which marked the return of professional soccer to the city of Hamilton since the folding of the Hamilton Steelers of the original Canadian Soccer League in 1991.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl09.htm|title = Hamilton Spectator: Pro Soccer Returns to City|date = May 7, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = The Hamilton Spectator|last = Peters|first = Ken}} The club played its first competitive match on May 11, 2002, in a friendly against the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League. Toronto won the match in a 1–0 victory, but Hamilton managed to attract over 2000 spectators to Brian Timmis Stadium a relatively high number for CPSL standards.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02lynx24.htm|title = Result of the Exhibition game between Hamilton Thunder of the CPSL and Toronto Lynx of the A-League played at 4:00pm at Brian Timmis Stadium in Hamilton.|date = May 11, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}} The club hired Marko Maschke as head coach who previously coached professionally in Germany and China. Maschke brought in several players from the 2001 St. Catharines Wolves playoff champions roster, and signed promising players like Ian Bennett, Miles O'Connor, Matthew O'Connor, Orlin Chalmers, and young goalkeeping prospect Roberto Ferrari. In their debut match the Thunder wrecked the Vaughan Sun Devils in 5–1 victory at home.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl14.htm|title = CPSL First week summary (includes all first week results).|date = May 26, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = CPSL game report}}

Hamilton started off well with a three-game undefeated streak and had four players loaned out to the Calgary Storm of the A-League - Orlin Chalmers, Matthew O'Connor, Salvatore Borgh, and Wojtek Zarzycki.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl41.htm|title = Hamilton Spectator: Hamilton Players Move Up|date = June 29, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = Hamilton Spectator}} After struggling for a bit the Thunder managed to recuperate and finish third in the Western Conference standings, but missed out at the postseason by losing 3–2 to the Mississauga Olympians in a wildcard match.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl1h.htm|title = Result of the Tuesday October 8th, 2002 CPSL game between Mississauga Olympians and Hamilton Thunder played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke at 8:00pm. This was considered the one game playoff of 2nd and 3rd place teams in the Western Conference for a spot in the CPSL Playoffs.|date = October 8, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}} The 2002 season sparked numerous controversies within the club's organization. One incident occurred on September 20, 2002, where most senior players boycotted a match scheduled that day, due to reports of unpaid salaries to players and staff members, and unpaid rent fees for stadium use.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl88.htm|title = September 20, 2002 Rocket Robin's comments about the CPSL Hamilton Thunder situation|date = September 20, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}} The incident resulted in the resignation of head coach Maschke, and the release of several senior players.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl97.htm|title = Insider report on the Hamilton Thunder|date = September 21, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = Voyageurs Soccer Talk}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl98.htm|title = Thunder going UNDER!|date = September 22, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = Voyageurs Soccer Talk}} The CPSL chairman Vincent Ursini responded that conditions will be applied to Hamilton owner Italo Ferrari.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports02/02cpsl1a.htm|title = September 29, 2002 CPSL expansion plans as of this date|date = September 29, 2002|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}}

File:Dave Anthony Simpson.JPG played earlier in his career with Hamilton Thunder.]]

In 2003, Hamilton hired the services of Duncan Wilde as the new head coach with coaching credentials from England.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports03/03cpsl01.htm|title = Details of the CPSL Press Conference held Thursday May 15th, 2003 at Toronto City Hall Members Lounge at 12:00pm.|date = May 15, 2003|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}} Wilde signed several new additions to the squad - acquiring Aaron Steele, Sergio De Luca, and Dave Simpson. The 2003 campaign started off well with a seven-game undefeated streak placing the Thunder on top of the Western Conference. Unfortunately Wilde announced his resignation as head coach after disagreements with team owner Italo Ferrari, and was replaced by Ivan Marković.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports03/03cpsl79.htm|title = Hamilton Spectator: Thunder - 3 coaches out, Lofranco new CEO, A-League 2004|date = July 22, 2003|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = Hamilton Spectator|last = Brown|first = Josh}} Further changes were made by the hiring of former Canadian National Soccer League Commissioner Rocco Lofranco as the club's new CEO, and the signing of Croatian players Petar Dajak, Mario Zupetic, Vedran Bacek, and Zeljiko Dukic.{{Cite news|title = London Free Press: Sports Section - CPSL This Week|website = www.canoe.ca|last = Rumleski|first = Kathy}}

After only two weeks of coaching Markovic decided to return to Croatia due to unexpected health concerns. His replacement was former Portugal national football team and Benfica F.C. assistant coach Manuel Gonçalves Gomes.{{Cite web|url = http://www.thevoyageurs.org/index.php?/topic/772-hamilton-thunder-makes-adjustment-to-leadership/|title = HAMILTON THUNDER MAKES ADJUSTMENT TO LEADERSHIP|date = August 6, 2003|website = Voyageurs|publisher = The Hamilton Spectator|last = Brown|first = Josh}} Hamilton's situation improved under Gomes as he led them to a seven-game undefeated streak to retain their position on top of the standings in their conference.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports03/03cpsl2e.htm|title = Thunder rolling under new coach|date = September 8, 2003|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = The Hamilton Spectator|last = Brown|first = Josh}} On the conclusion of the 2003 season Hamilton clinched their first trophy the Western Conference title and qualified for the postseason.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports03/03cpsl6j.htm|title = THIS IS THE BIG ONE|date = October 2, 2003|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = CPSL new}} Their playoff run came to a conclusion in the semi-finals against Vaughan Sun Devils losing to a score of 2–0.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports03/03cpsl2p.htm|title = Result of the Saturday October 4th, 2003 CPSL semi-final game between Hamilton Thunder and Vaughan Sun Devils played at Cove Road Field in London at 5:30pm.|date = October 4, 2003|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}}

For the 2004 season, the organization brought in former Hamilton Italo Canadian soccer player and Hamilton Steelers VP Frank Riga to manage the team, and former Steelers player John Di Pasquale was hired to coach.{{Cite web |title=2004 Hamilton Thunder roster |url=http://cpsl.ca/gallery/hamilton_thunder.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040620170529/http://cpsl.ca/gallery/hamilton_thunder.asp |archive-date=20 June 2004 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=cpsl.ca}}{{Cite web |last=Balsom |first=Mike |date=9 August 2019 |title=Hall of Fame soccer player to teach summer camp |url=https://www.notllocal.com/local-news/hall-of-fame-soccer-player-to-teach-summer-camp-6248620 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=Niagara-on-the-Lake Local |language=en}} They signed Ottawa Wizards top goalscorer Kevin Nelson, added Charles Gbeke, Blazenko Bekavac, Saša Milaimović and Brazilian Edmilson de Carvalho Barbosa to his roster. Team owner Italo Ferrari fired Di Pasquale in mid-season, and Frank Riga resigned. Italo then brought in former North York Astros coach Jorge Armua.{{Cite news |date=4 August 2004 |title=Thunder host Toronto Supra tonight |work=Hamilton Spectator}} Armua repeated Hamilton's previous success by once again claiming the Western Conference title and securing a playoff berth.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports04/04cpsl1y.htm|title = IT'S PLAYOFF TIME IN THE CPSL|date = October 1, 2004|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = CPSL media}} In the postseason the Thunder faced Toronto Croatia in the semi-finals, but were defeated by a score of 2–0.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports04/04cpsl2h.htm|title = Result of the Saturday October 9th, 2004 CPSL game between Hamilton Thunder and Toronto Croatia played at Victoria Park in Brampton at 1:00pm. This was a semi-final game of the Rogers Cup tournament.|date = October 9, 2004|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}} Armua resumed his duties as head coach for Hamilton for the 2005 season. Where he once again added more silverware to Hamilton's cabinet by successfully defending their Western Conference title for the third year in a row.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports05/05cpwk21.htm|title = October 4, 2005 CPSL Week 20 Standings (Amended) (end of Regular Season)|date = October 4, 2005|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = CPSL media}} The achievement allowed the Thunder Crew a bye to the semi-finals, where the club would face the Oakville Blue Devils - unfortunately Hamilton were deprived of five core players from the starting lineup because the players were affiliated with the Woodbridge Azzuri which consequently discontinued their association with Hamilton resulting in a shortage of players for the club which led to their defeat to Oakville.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports05/05cpsl2f.htm|title = Result of the Saturday October 8th, 2005 CPSL game between Hamilton Thunder and Oakville Blue Devils played at Esther Shiner Stadium in North York at 2:00pm. This was the final of the Western Conference.|date = October 8, 2005|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|last = Glover|first = Robin}} Once more Hamilton was without controversy as the club was forced out of Brian Timmis Stadium due to unpaid rental fees with a debt over $26,074.21 over several years, which resulted in team to relocate to the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports05/05cpsl96.htm|title = September 10, 2005 CPSL story on Hamilton Thunder forced out of town (from Hamilton Spectator)|date = September 10, 2005|website = Rocket Robin`s Home Page|publisher = The Hamilton Spectator|last = Moko|first = Larry}}

During the 2005 playoffs, the Hamilton Spectator revealed that Italo Ferrari, thought to be the owner of the team, was involved in personal bankruptcy proceedings with no assets, and debts of $2 million; Ferrari claimed to in fact not be the owner. Two weeks after the semifinal loss, the league announced the revocation of the franchise. On October 22, 2005, the CPSL Board of Governors revoked the franchise of the Hamilton Thunder Soccer Club as a member of the CPSL.{{Cite web|url = http://nukesoccer.com/hamilton-thunder-franchise-revoked/|title = Hamilton Thunder Franchise Revoked|date = October 22, 2005|website = Nuke Soccer}} Top sales rep of the franchise was Gerry Fonzo, now a successful Director of Business Development and Client Retention at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

• Canadian Professional Soccer League Western Conference Champions/Regular Season
• Champions (3): 2003, 2004, 2005

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20020810173019/http://www.hamiltonthunder.com/ Hamilton Thunder Official website]
• [http://www.thundercrew.com Bhoys of the Hamilton Thunder Crew - supporters' club website]

{{Canadian Soccer League}}

Category:Association football clubs established in 2001

Category:Defunct soccer clubs in Canada

Category:Canadian Soccer League (1998–present) teams

Category:2001 establishments in Ontario

Category:2005 disestablishments in Ontario

Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2005

Category:Soccer clubs in Hamilton, Ontario