Pelé and the Cosmos come to Vancouver June 30, 1977

In a time when soccer coverage is saturated on television and the Internet, where you can watch games from all over the world, in the 1970s to see some of the best players in the world on television let alone live was a very rare opportunity in Vancouver. The old North American Soccer League (NASL) offered such an opportunity to see the likes of Pele, Johan Cruyff, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer and many more play. Such players may have been over their prime but they did show some of their amazing skill. Considering some of the playing surfaces they had to play on you had to give them respect as many players of today's era would never consider playing on astro-turf.

Vancouver Whitecaps defeat the New York Cosmos 5-3
June 30, 1977 at Empire Stadium

In 1977, the Vancouver Whitecaps played their fourth season in the old NASL. They had a decent season with 14 wins and 10 losses but unfortunately lost to the Seattle Sounders in the first round of the playoffs. The most famous team in the league was the New York Cosmos. They were a glamorous team with such world class players as  Pelé, Giorgio Chinaglia and Franz Beckenbauer. In the history of the league they won 5 Soccer Bowls. Games between the Caps and the Cosmos were always entertaining and often played with an edge. The only year the Caps won the Soccer Bowl was in 1979 and they had to beat the Cosmos in a two game semi-final to make it to the finals. It was in the game in Vancouver that ABC Sports Commentator Jim Mckay referred to Vancouver as "the village of Vancouver".

On Thursday June 30, the Whitecaps defeated the Cosmos 5-3 before 30,277 fans at Empire Stadium. It was an electric atmosphere. I was very fortunate to go to this game and to have the opportunity to see Pelé play was special.

Whitecaps vs Cosmos Match Summary
St. Petersburg Independent Newspaper

Whitecaps Match Summary

White Lunch Restaurant Annual Picnic at Peace Arch Park- June 21, 1953

The White Lunch Cafeterias were popular in Vancouver up to the 1970s.  My Grandfather was a Manager of the White Lunch on Hastings Street near the Army and Navy store. He retired in 1970. In his time working on Hastings Street he really saw how the neighbourhood dramatically changed especially in the late 1960s. The picture below is from the White Lunch Annual Picnic at Peace Arch Park in June 21, 1953. This picture shows the formality of the day. Look at how many men are wearing suits and ties and women wearing dresses. I can't imagine a picnic today where people are dressed in such a formal way. There was no one in this picture wearing shorts, t-shirt and flip flops as you would see at a company picnic in this era. Peace Arch Park hasn't changed that much over the years. If you look closely at the photo you will see some children doing funny faces.

White Lunch Annual Picnic at Peace Arch Park - June 21, 1953

Fog in Stanley Park

With a mini-heat wave hitting Vancouver this weekend, maybe this would be the perfect time to cool down and look at cool winter days. Vancouver may not be as famous as San Francisco or London when it comes to fog, but there are a few months of the year where fog adds a dramatic touch to the city.

Fog Engulfing the Lions Gate Bridge - January 1994

Fog Engulfing the Lions Gate Bridge - January 1994

Lions Gate Shrouded in Fog - January 2015

Fog Blanketing the Lions Gate Bridge - January 2016

Fog over the west end of Vancouver - January 2016 

 

Fog in Coal Harbour - January 1994

Fog over the west end of Vancouver - January 2016

 

Fog over the west end of Vancouver - January 2016