Memories keep flooding back in this week, as the 'Caps get ready for their NASL Soccer Bowl Championship anniversary match at BC Place.
A lifelong 'Caps fan, Vancouver police officer Sergeant Gerry Proctor had a surprise reunion 40 years in the making when he picked up his tickets for Friday night's match.
Here's his first-person account of a chance meeting that brought back flashbacks to 1979.
I came to your office on Wednesday to pick up tickets for my son’s team, Coastal 05 boys, who won the BCSPL league cup back in the fall. I was expecting a quick visit but was ‘frozen’to the spot’ when I saw Willie Johnston there in the office. The last time I saw him in person was when I was 12 years old in 1979.
I started going to the games in 1977 with my uncle. In 1978, I recall the players coming to my elementary school in a program called ‘Socceramma’ where they showed their skills and promoted the team. They handed out brochures for seasons tickets, I think they were $50 for youth, and I begged my Mum for tickets. This was a lot of money for my family and I was thrilled to receive season tickets for Christmas (still my favourite Christmas gift). I went on to be a ‘superfan’ and never missed a match from 1977 until the team folded in the 80’s.
My parents emigrated from Scotland in 1966 and the family back home were huge Rangers fans, so when Willie Johnston was signed it was a big deal. When my grandparents came for their usual summer visit in ’79, they were excited to go to the games. That year the team hosted a supporters night following a practice session where the fans could meet the players and get photos. The picture of my grandmother and Willie was blown up to poster size and still hangs on my uncles wall in Scotland.
In 1979 my uncle, John Bullions, travelled to New York for the final match and brought me back a few souvenirs including a pennant, match program and the ticket stub (face value $8). He is featured in your pre-game retrospective video (on the plane) and was well known for his ‘Ogy Ogy Ogy' chants.
My Mum, Janet Proctor, was awesome with the knitting needles and she designed and made me a custom Vancouver Whitecaps sweater. I wore it proudly over my Admiral jersey to every game. In recent years, my sons James and Kian have worn it to games. We always get a great reaction, particularly from the older fans. (In the middle of the ball it is meant to read "#1 'Caps" , didn’t work out so well).
As you can appreciate, seeing Willie in your office yesterday brought back so many good memories for me.
Thank you for letting me share in that moment and to share my story with you.
Best regards,
Gerry Proctor
