San Antonio Thunder

On June 25, 1974, San Antonio, Texas was announced as the location of the North American Soccer League's 17th franchise for the following season,{{cite news |title=San Antonio Joins NASL |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856241/san-antonio-joins-nasl/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=Daily News |agency=Associated Press |issue=June 26, 1974 |location=St. Louis |page=107 |language=en}} with Herman Warden "Ward" Lay Jr. paying a reported fee of $250,000 to join the league.{{cite news |last1=Cross |first1=Jeff |title=Big road test for Whitecaps |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856259/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=The Province |page=16 |language=en}} In late September, the team name of Thunder was chosen from 1,500 suggested{{cite news |title=San Antonio Named Thunder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856298/named-thunder/ |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=The Times |agency=Associated Press |date=September 25, 1974 |page=28 |language=en}} and the team hired former Rochester Lancers and Los Angeles Aztecs head coach Alex Perolli to manage the team.{{cite news |title=San Antonio hires NASL soccer coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856320/perolli-hired/ |access-date=June 13, 2022 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |agency=Associated Press |date=September 26, 1974 |page=4-C |language=en}} Originally slated to play at Alamo Stadium, the team and San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) could not come to a rental agreement and the team signed a lease to play their home games at North East Stadium.{{cite news |title=Thunder has a stadium, 1st player |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856339/thunder-stadium/ |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=December 7, 1974 |page=2-C |language=en}} In Late January 1975 the Thunder traded the contract rights to Sergio Velazquez and their 1976 and 1977 first round draft picks to the Los Angeles Aztecs in return for seven players including Luis Marotte and Renato Costa.{{cite news |title=L.A. Aztecs trade 7 for Velasquez |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856216/ |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=The San Beranrdino County Sun |agency=Associated Press |date=January 22, 1975 |language=en}} The next week the team traded Costa to the Dallas Tornado for Bob Ridley,{{cite news |title=Thunder trade Costa to Dallas for Ridley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856359/ |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=February 6, 1975 |page=1D |language=en}} before acquiring two more Aztec players by trade a few weeks later,{{cite news |title=2 more Aztecs to Thunder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856378/2-more-aztecs/ |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=March 21, 1975 |page=2-D |language=en}} and cutting Ridley by the end of the month.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Outside Interests hurt Ridley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856402/ridley/ |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=April 5, 1975 |page=3-C |language=en}} By mid March it was reported that the team had sold 775 season tickets,{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder practice harder as exhibitions near |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856422/ticket-sales/ |access-date=June 14, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=March 13, 1975 |page=3-E |language=en}} but would end up being fourth in the league in season ticket sales.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Roar Not There |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103857235/roar-not-there/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=August 13, 1975 |page=3-D}} Before the season began, the team added Jado Hasanbegović, Chris Carenza, Dan Counce, and Mark Stahl to the roster.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder, Tornado to hit S.A. tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856441/first-game-preview/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=April 18, 1975 |page=1-D |language=en}}

The Thunder opened their season at home defeating the Dallas Tornado 2–1 in front of 5,142 fans.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder wins opener |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48716686/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=April 19, 1975 |page=1-D |language=en}} It was the first game in NASL history to be decided by a sudden death goal.{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Barry |title=S.A. to have WFL, Toros too? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856469/sudden-death/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=April 28, 1975 |page=1-D |language=en}} In mid May, it was reported that defender Dan Califano quit the team due to a personality conflict with coach Perolli and the team had made a total of eight roster changes, including releasing all of the team's goalkeepers, after just four matches.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder release 2, another player quits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32885812/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=May 13, 1975 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32885812/ 1-D], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856512/ 2-D] |language=en}} On May 22, 1975, team owner Ward Lay announced he was assuming full control of the team and would be responsible for all player decisions.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder falls again, lay assumes control: Says he is not pleased |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856535/lay-assumes-control/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=May 22, 1975 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856535/lay-assumes-control/ 1-E], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856550/lay-assumes-continued/ 2-E] |language=en}} A few weeks later, with the team having lost eight straight games, on June 9 Perolli was replaced as head coach by California State University, Chico Wildcats coach Don Batie .{{cite news |title=Batie is named Thunder Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856583/batie-coach/ |access-date=June 15, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=June 10, 1975 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856583/batie-coach/ 1-D], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856601/batie-coach-continued/ 2-D] |language=en}} After winning four games in six, including a three games in a row,{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Batie is enjoying Thunder's success |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103856905/batie-success/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=July 15, 1975 |page=2-D}} the team won only one more game the rest of the season, ending the season with a six-game losing streak. The Thunder ended the 1975 North American Soccer League season with 6 wins and 16 losses and in last place in the Central Division.{{cite web |title=North American Soccer League |url=https://www.rsssf.org/usadave/nasl.html |access-date=June 16, 2022}} For the team's eleven home games they averaged 4,411 fans, about 2,000 less than the Thunder had expected.

Shortly after the conclusion of the season, it was announced that Don Batie would return to coach the team for the 1976 season having signed a one-year contract.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Batie to return as Thunder boss |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103858192/batie-return/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=August 21, 1975 |page=1-H}} On September 10, the team posted its performance bond with the league confirming it would participate in the 1976 season with team owner Ward Lay stating they team had lost money the previous season, but was on a solid financial footing.{{cite news |title=Thunder to play 1976 season |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103861450/thunder1976/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=September 11, 1975 |page=8-E |language=en}} On December 10, 1975, Jim Smith, General Manager of the Houston Aeros replaced Mike Boyle as Thunder GM.{{cite news |last1=O'Quinn |first1=Karl |title=Jim Smith accepts Thunder GM post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103862464/smith-thunder-gm/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=December 10, 1975 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103862464/smith-thunder-gm/ 1-E],[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103862597/smith-thunder-gm-continued/ 7-E] |language=en}} In late January 1976, Scottish forward Jim Forrest was signed as a player-coach to assist Batie,{{cite news |title=Forrest to assist Batie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103863210/forrest/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=January 25, 1976 |page=3-S |language=en}} the first of several Scottish players who would join the team before the season including Aberdeen F.C. goalkeeper Bobby Clark,{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder inks 'class' goalie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103869663/bobby-clark-signs/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=February 22, 1976 |page=4-S |language=en}} Billy Semple,{{cite news |title=Thunder signs Semple |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103869812/semple/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=February 25, 1976 |page=1-C |language=en}} and captain of the 1966 FIFA World Cup winning England national team Bobby Moore.{{cite news |title=Thunder get Moore kick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103879014/bobby-moore-thunder/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=March 27, 1976 |page=1-C |language=en}} In February 1976 it was announced that the team would play its home matches at Alamo Stadium {{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=New look Thunder gets ready for Pele tilt |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103918634/new-look-thunder-gets-ready-for-pele-til/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=February 8, 1976 |page=4-S}}

Two weeks before the season, the Thunders hosted the New York Cosmos led by Pelé who had signed with the New York team the previous year for $2.8 million for two years,{{cite web |last1=Hirshey |first1=David |title=E-Ticket: When Soccer Ruled The USA |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cosmos |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 17, 2022}} with the San Antonio team reportedly paying $25,000 for the visit.{{cite news |title=Pele to compete in S.A. March 31 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103918467/pele-to-compete-in-sa-march-31/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=January 28, 1976 |page=3-D |language=en}} In what was considered an upset, the Thunder defeated the Cosmos 1–0, with rookie goalie Peter Mannos saving a shot made by Pelé.{{cite news |last1=O'Quinn |first1=Karl |title=Thunder Stops Pele |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50677646/pelo-game-report/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=April 1, 1976 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50677646/pelo-game-report/ 1-F], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50678033/pele-match-report-continued/ 2-F]}} On July 13, 1976, GM Jim Smith stated that unless the SAISD gave the club a say in marketing and concessions at Alamo Stadium that it needed financially that the team would abandon the stadium and probably leave San Antonio.{{cite news |title=Thunder sounds off |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103923891/thunder-sounds-off/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=Austin American-Statesman |agency=Associated Press |date=July 14, 1976 |page=D7}} The Thunder finished the season with a record of 12 wins and 12 losses, finishing fourth in the Pacific Conference Southern Division and missing out on qualifying for the playoffs by one point.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder future brighter |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103937982/thunder-future-brighter/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=August 18, 1976 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103937982/thunder-future-brighter/ 1-D], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103938047/thunder-future-brighter-continued/ 4-D]}} Attendance for the season averaged 5,064

Less than a week after the season had concluded, Don Batie announced his resignation as head coach of the Thunder to return to coaching the California State University Chico Wildcats.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Batie quits as Thunder coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104721481/batie-quits-as-thunder-coach/ |access-date=June 30, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=August 22, 1976 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104721481/batie-quits-as-thunder-coach/ 1S], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104721514/batie-quits-as-thunder-coach-cont/ 9S]}} It was reported the Thunder has lost $600,000 during its two seasons of operations and was considering relocation with Atlanta mentioned as a possible destination for the franchise.{{cite web |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder kitchen needs dough |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104722419/thunder-kitchen-needs-dough/ |website=San Antonio Express |access-date=June 30, 2022 |pages=1-C |date=September 4, 1976}} During a press conference on September 16, 1976, owner Ward Lay announced that GM Jim Smith had resigned and that due to lack of local support were considering a move to Hawaii.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder decision: Honolulu or S.A. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104723374/thunder-decision-honolulu-or-sa/ |access-date=June 30, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=September 17, 1976 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104723374/thunder-decision-honolulu-or-sa/ 1S], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104723398/thunder-decision-honolulu-or-sa/ 12S]}} The following week it was reported that Lay was looking for an investment of $500,000 for a 50% share of the team.{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Barry |title=S.A. due aloha from Thunder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104753904/sa-due-aloha-from-thunder/ |access-date=July 1, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=October 5, 1976 |page=1-D}} In late October, team owner Ward Lay said that he had been approached by governor of Hawaii and the Mayor of Honolulu about moving the team to the island state.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder move could hurt S.A. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103937563/thunder-move-could-hurt-sa/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=October 24, 1976 |page=7-S |language=en}} League sources also stated that, pending the Thunder relocating the owners of the Philadelphia Atoms were interested in relocating their franchise to Texas city.{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Atoms interested in San Antonio? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104754547/atoms-interested-in-san-antonio/ |access-date=July 1, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=October 27, 1976 |page=4-D}} On November 18, 1976, the move to Hawaii was made official, with the club renamed Team Hawaii, with the team public relations director and Ward Lay appearing at an event in Honolulu{{cite news |last1=Chase |first1=Al |title=Pro Soccer Comes To Hawaii |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104761867/pro-soccer-comes-to-hawaii/ |access-date=July 1, 2022 |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=November 19, 1976 |page=D-1}} and posting a sign in its San Antonio office window stating "Mahola, San Antonio. Aloha, Hawaii" (English "Thank you, San Antonio. Hello Hawaii).{{cite news |last1=Hutton |first1=Jim |title=Thunder quietly fade away |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104762805/thunder-quietly-fade-away/ |access-date=July 1, 2022 |work=San Antonio Express |date=November 19, 1976 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104762805/thunder-quietly-fade-away/ 1F], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104762899/thunder-off-to-hawaii/ 9F] |language=en}}

• {{flagicon|England}} Bob McNab (1976)
• {{flagicon|England}} Bobby Moore (1976)
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Tommy Callaghan (1976)
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Bobby Clark (1976)
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Derek Currie (1976)
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Jim Forrest (1975,1976)
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Jim Henry (1976) [http://home.att.net/~nasl/players.htm#H]
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Harry Hood (1976)
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Neil Martin (1976)
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Billy Semple (1976) [http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/billysemple.html]
• {{flagicon|SCO}} Eddie Thomson (1976)

• San Antonio Scorpions of the North American Soccer League
• San Antonio FC of the United Soccer League

{{reflist}}

{{Tulsa Roughnecks}}

{{North American Soccer League (1966–85)}}

Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) teams

Category:Defunct soccer clubs in Texas

Category:1975 establishments in Texas

Category:1976 disestablishments in Texas

Category:Soccer clubs in Texas