 | |||
| Full name | California Surf | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Surf | ||
| Founded | 1978 | ||
| Dissolved | 1981 | ||
| Stadium | Anaheim Stadium 69,008 Indoor: Anaheim Convention Center 5,400 (1979–80) Long Beach Arena 10,600 (1980–81) | ||
| League | North American Soccer League | ||
TheCalifornia Surf was an Americansoccer team that competed in theNorth American Soccer League (NASL) from1978 to1981. The team was based inAnaheim, California and played their home games atAnaheim Convention Center and theLong Beach Arena during the indoor seasons andAnaheim Stadium for outdoor matches. Originally founded as theSt. Louis Stars, the team relocated to Anaheim after the1977 NASL season. The team disbanded after the 1981 NASL season.
The team that would become the Surf was originally founded as theSt. Louis Stars in 1967 as a charter member of theNational Professional Soccer League. When theNPSL andUnited Soccer Association merged to form theNorth American Soccer League (NASL), the Stars moved to the new league and competed in an additional 10 seasons.[1] After the conclusion of the1977 season, team president Ted Martin announced that unless other adequate stadium facilities could be secured, asFrancis Field on the campus ofWashington University-where the team has played its home games for the previous three seasons-was too small to accommodate the larger crowds attending it games and the team's inability to useBusch Memorial Stadium because of scheduling conflicts withMajor League Baseball'sCardinals, the team would have to relocate to another city.[2] In late September 1977, General Manager Case Frankiewiez announced the team would leave the city withAnaheim, California andColumbus, Ohio name as likely destinations.[3] A week later on October 7, 1977, the NASL officially approved the team's move pending a lease withAnaheim Stadium.[4] Two months later, it was announced that the nameSurf has been chosen from 350 public suggestions.[5]
The Surf opened the1978 North American Soccer League season at home with a 1–0 victory against thePortland Timbers on April 1, 1978.[6] The team finished the season in second place in the Western Division of the American Conference with 13 wins and 17 losses and losing to theSan Diego Sockers in the first round of the playoffs.[7] After a 4–4 start to the1979 season,John Sewell, who had managed the team in St. Louis, was fired as head coach and replaced byPeter Wall.[8] The Surf finished the season with a record of 15 wins and 15 losses, tied for first place of the American Conference, Western Division on points with San Diego, but losing the division title ongoal differential.[9] For the second year in a row, the team exited the playoffs after losing to San Diego in the first round.[7] The team reported an official average attendance of 10,330 for the season; however, it was midway through the following season, it was reported that the Surf had been inflating their attendance totals.[10] In September 1979 it was announced that the Surf would be one of ten teams to participate in the1979–80 NASL Indoor season. During the league's first ever full indoor season, the Surf compiled a record of four wins and eight losses and failed to qualify for the playoffs.[11] In thefollowing outdoor season, the Surf compiled a record of 15 wins and 17 losses while finishing in second place in the Western Division of the American Conference. The team was defeated in the first round of the playoffs by theFort Lauderdale Strikers.[7] After the season, it was announced that the team had ranked 20th in league attendance and was rumored to have lost nearly $7.5 million.[10] The Surf competed in the1980–81 NASL Indoor season finishing first in the Southern Division, but again bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, this time to theVancouver Whitecaps.[7] After opening the1981 NASL season, with a 4 – 3 record, Peter Wall resigned as head coach[12] and was replaced byLaurie Calloway.[13] The team finished the season with a record of 11 wins and 21 losses and did not qualify for the playoffs.[7] On September 15, 1981, it was announced the team was ceasing operations.[14] The next day, the league announced the Surf were one of five teams that failed to post the required $150,000 bond to participate in the1981–82 NASL Indoor season, confirming the team has folded.[15]
John Sewell (1978–1979)Peter Wall (1979–1981)Laurie Calloway 1981| Year | League | W | L | Pts | Regular season | Playoffs | Avg. Attend. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | NASL | 13 | 17 | 115 | 2nd, American Conference, Western Division | Lost 1st Round (San Diego) | 11,171 |
| 1979 | NASL | 15 | 15 | 140 | T1st, American Conference, Western Division | Lost 1st Round (San Diego) | 10,330 |
| 1979–80 | NASL Indoor | 4 | 8 | — | 4th, Western Division | did not qualify | 3,181 |
| 1980 | NASL | 15 | 17 | 144 | 2nd, American Conference, Western Division | Lost 1st Round (Ft. Lauderdale) | 7,593 |
| 1980–81 | NASL Indoor | 10 | 8 | — | 1st, Southern Division | Lost 1st Round (Vancouver) | 4,249 |
| 1981 | NASL | 11 | 21 | 117 | 3rd, Western Division | did not qualify | 8,299 |
NASL Division titles
NASL All-Star First Team
U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
Canada Soccer Hall of Fame
Indoor Soccer Hall of Fame
