Calgary Villains FC News
James Dobson
The Villains sadly announce the passing of one of the club’s long time members, James Dobson.
James was a Villain for 15 years and played for the club through it’s formative years from 1990 – 2000
in a period which saw the club rise from a recreational team in the Commercial League to a highly competitive team in the Alberta Major League,
and proliferate from one team to the current 11 teams, including youth and ladies teams.
James was a tough, non-compromising central defender, who will be remembered for his awesome power in the air and his sweeping slide tackles.
James scored arguably the most important goal in Villains history in the Black Cup Final in 1995.
3 – 0 down to the Dinos with less than fifteen minutes to go we staged an amazing comeback through goals from Kevin Methot and Blair McComb.
With on minute left we had a corner on the right which James climbed to meet and headed down towards the goal.
The opposition goalkeeper made half a save but James followed up and rammed the ball (and the keeper) into the net.
One minute into extra-time Kevin Methot scored to make it 4 – 3 and the team held out to win the cup in one of the proudest moments of its history.
This never-say-die competitiveness typified James’ life.
James travelled a lot with the team and, even though he liked to party a little, he was always the ultimate gentleman and represented the club with class.
He would be the perfect role model for many of our young players of today.
In this vane the Villains Elite Club will be presenting a trophy annually to honour James’ name.
The trophy, the “James Dobson Trophy for Leadership and Example” will be presented to a youth player who best exemplifies the clubs values, at home and on the road.
This player will be forgiven his club fees for the following outdoor and indoor season.
In addition the Villains Alumni will be offering a scholarship in James’ name to a Villains player to attend a local college or university.
This player again will be chosen for his commitment, example and class.
James was 40 years old and left us way too early but he will never be forgotten in the Villains club.
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