Three U.S. major professional sports leagues add support to LA's bid for 2024 Olympic Games
LOS ANGELES, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Three of major professional sports leagues in the United States voiced Sunday their support for Los Angeles' bid for the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games while the race between Los Angeles and Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games is entering the home stretch.
Major League Baseball(MLB), Major League Soccer(MLS) and the National Football League(NFL) have joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in support of Los Angeles' bid, according to a statement released by LA 2024.
What: This week, MLS regained 25% of Soccer United Marketing shares owned by Providence Equity Partners.
Why it Matters: The transaction was in the works for about for a year. The soccer league finally managed to take the plunge, giving the capital equity firm a payout that was three times what it had invested, according to calculations made by Bloomberg.
ASN Morning Read: N.Y. Times Covers the Red Bulls!
A derby in New York City catches the eye of the most prominent paper in the United States. Other MLS matches on tap fall a bit short, but hey, at least we have the Gold Cup roster to get excited about.
Vinoy resort will ask St. Petersburg voters to approve new parking garage (with tennis courts on top)
"There's only benefits to this for the city" said Debra Feldman, vice president of capital transactions at FelCor Lodging Trust, the owner of the resort. "It doesn't change the geographic footprint of the hotel.
"We're not asking for any tax dollars and it'll keep parking off the streets and open up some new options." [ . . . ]
The Vinoy acquired the land that the tennis courts currently sit on in a swap with the city in 1984. The resort traded some of its waterfront property to the city in exchange for a parcel of land behind the hotel. The land the city got from the resort is now part of Vinoy Park.
FelCor Lodging Trust said it is funding the entire project, which includes renovating the spa, fitness center, golf course clubhouse and public restaurant facilities.
This isn't the first time the Vinoy has needed voters' approval for a project. Because the hotel is part of historic downtown St. Petersburg, parts of its property are subject to deed restrictions and needs approval from city residents for construction.
In 1997, 69 percent of voters approved allowing the Vinoy to build an $8.5 million convention center, which included a ballroom, meeting and parking. In 2007, 52 percent of voters approved construction of a two-story, 17,000 square-foot health club on the property northeast of the hotel.
But past referendums have been complicated affairs in St. Petersburg.
In 2008 the Tampa Bay Rays shelved plans to hold a referendum on the team's plans to build a $450 million waterfront stadium on top of city-owned Al Lang Stadium. There was so much opposition that team officials decided to not even put it on the ballot.
Then in 2015, the $50 million Lens project was rejected by 63 percent of voters who opposed the replacement for the old St. Petersburg Pier.
But those referendums involved tax dollars. The most recent referendum to pass did not: In May, 87 percent of city voters overwhelmingly approved allowing the city to negotiate a 25-year lease with Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards to upgrade Al Lang in a bid to attract a Major League Soccer expansion team. No city money would be used to renovate the stadium, and nothing would be negotiated until MLS actually awards St. Petersburg a team.
The Rowdies paid $271,000 to hold the May 2 referendum, which attracted 28,403 voters. Vinoy officials said their referendum will cost $75,000 to $100,000.
Local leaders from the City Council and Mayor Rick Kriseman's office have been receptive to the plans for the project, Feldman said. Next the resort will conduct a campaign to educate voters and stakeholders such as local businesses before the Nov. 7 vote.
"We think we'll be successful," Feldman said.
A City Council committee is also scheduled Thursday to discuss another Nov. 7 referendum. This one would ask votes to approve giving the St. Petersburg Baseball Commission a 10-year lease for Walter Fuller Baseball Park with the option of a 10-year renewal.
Major project at the Vinoy will require St. Pete voter approval
A portion of the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club's $50 million renovation plan will need voter approval before construction can begin. [ . . . ]
If approved, the garage would be built immediately behind the hotel where eight existing tennis courts are located. A 1984 city charter requires construction on historic locations in downtown St. Pete to receive voter approval. A similar rule forced the Tampa Bay Rowdies to put its renovation plans on downtown waterfront land before voters, which was successful earlier this year.
This Sleepy Florida Beach Town Is Home to the Most Amazing Architectural Hideaways
St. Petersburg may have been born in the Gatsby era, but its Mediterranean Revival styles withstand the test of time
While many believe Palm Beach, Florida—with its grand Addison Mizner mansions and Spanish Colonial–style clubs—is the only destination for design lovers in the Sunshine State, there’s another beachside town that holds the key to secret architectural sanctuaries. Most of St. Petersburg, which is located in northwestern Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, was built during the 1920s by local developer Perry Snell. Snell placed his personal stamp on the city by constructing Mediterranean Revival homes and public spaces that feature stucco walls, lush gardens, and red-tiled roofs. The developer’s penchant for Spanish stylings influenced other architects’ visions around the charming beach community, and, together, they created a cluster of design gems that dot the oceanfront. Read on as AD uncovers the city’s hidden treasures.
The Don Cesar
Often referred to as the “pink palace,” the Don Cesar is something of an icon on the Gulf Coast. When it was first built in 1928, by architect Henry H. Dupont, the hotel acted as a playground for the elite, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Clarence Darrow, who would roam the baroque hallways and dance on the marble floor of the King Charles Ballroom. During the 1940s, the hotel was converted into a hospital for airmen returning from their World War II tour. Fast-forward three decades and the beloved pink lady has retained its lavish roots, while reopening as a luxury hotel with the same Moorish flair, including horseshoe arches, decorative tiles, and beautiful courtyards. 3400 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, FL.
Salvador Dali Museum
If you’re not captivated by the 2,100 works of artist Salvador Dali, then you will definitely be blown away by the building’s perplexing shape. The museum, which was redesigned in 2011 by architect Yann Weymouth of HOK, features a whimsical geodesic glass bubble, also known as the “enigma.” The bubblelike structure is constructed from 1,062 pieces of glass and pays homage to the dome at the Dali museum in Spain. Inside, guests are greeted with a helical staircase that reflects Dali’s obsession with the shape of DNA molecules. 1 Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, FL.
The Post Office
Built in 1916, the town’s post office was the nation’s first open-air concept. Throughout the downtown landmark, you will find the original intricate metalwork on the arches and staircases, as well as carved stone details that provide a glimpse into the heart of the Mediterranean Revival era. 400 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL.
Princess Martha
This redbrick building is the city’s prime example of 1920s Neoclassical architecture. The former hotel first opened its doors during the Florida land boom era to accommodate the burgeoning number of tourists, adding hundreds of suites to the area. During that time, notable guests like Jimmy Carter and Babe Ruth stayed in the Rocco-designed rooms with sculpted windows and decorated gold columns. 411 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL.
Admiral Farragut Academy
Previously known as the Jungle Country Club Hotel, the Academy catered to wealthy Northerners during their summer vacations back in the Jazz Age. In 1945, the textured stucco structure was sold to Admiral Farragut Academy, which uses the building's two wings as part of its military campus. Today, the main entrance is still easily recognized by its two-story sopraporta, capped by four urns. 501 Park Street North, St. Petersburg, FL.
Boyce Guest House
Located in the North Shore area, one of St. Petersburg’s oldest neighborhoods, this landmarked home retains its original charm with six bedrooms and seven baths spread across three stories. In a break from the city’s Spanish influences, the cozy residence is a mix between Prairie and Craftsmen architectural styles, with decorations kept to a minimum. If you happen to be in the market for a new home, the former carriage house is currently available for $1.59 million. 635 Bay Street North East, St. Petersburg, FL.
D.C. United lands $120M from two banks to cover some of its stadium costs
The Major League Soccer club goes to Wall Street and a Greater Washington bank for a healthy chunk of its anticipated $150 million share of the $300 million Audi Field.
Diageo to buy George Clooney's tequila brand Casamigos for up to $1 billion
Diageo, which has arrangements with other celebrities including David Beckham and Sean Combs, said Casamigos will be neutral to earnings for the first three years and add to earnings thereafter.
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 21, 2017) US Soccer Players - The original version of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers might not have been as famous as the Cosmos or the Rowdies. That doesn’t mean they didn’t make a mark during the heyday of the original North American Soccer League. In the late-70s and early-80s, the Strikers were not only the club of famed English goalkeeper Gordon Banks, German great Gerd Mueller, and a host of other European stars. Their captain was American soccer institution Ray Hudson. During his playing days in Fort Lauderdale, Hudson led the Strikers to the playoffs in every season of their existence.
The name resonated in South Florida. When the original Miami FC moved north to Fort Lauderdale and Lockhart Stadium following the 2010 USL season, the club decided to resurrect the Strikers name. Like similar NASL brand revivals across American soccer in the first decade the 21st century, trading on the former existence of an NASL gave new soccer clubs a bit of a head start. For an older generation, nostalgia pulled them to the team. For those too young to remember NASL 1.0, there was no stigma from that league’s failure.
The modern Fort Lauderdale Strikers (actually the third incarnation of the name, if we’re being technical--a second Strikers team played in the ASL and APSL from 1988-94) had a rocky existence. “Had” is appropriate. As of Tuesday morning at 10am Eastern Time, any chance that the latest version of the Strikers might return to the field in the modern version of the NASL died. The club's assets went for a paltry $5,100 at auction.
That’s how much Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards paid for the Strikers’ naming rights, trademarks, customer and vendor lists, and any remaining contracts held by the team. Edwards, who had recently won a summary judgement against the Strikers in a lawsuit over several loans Edwards issued the Strikers’ ownership, was the club’s largest creditor and cannot, by virtue of the ruling, revive the club in NASL. The Strikers’ membership interest in that league was specifically excluded from the assets available in the public auction.
Not that Edwards would want to have anything to do with NASL at this point. After floating loans to the Strikers to keep that team - and by extension, the NASL itself - alive in 2016, he moves his team to for the USL this season. Edwards clearly saw his interests better served by a league with a connection to MLS and his expansion push in Tampa Bay. A man who had once been one of the leading figures of the new NASL’s independent spirit came to the realization that the lower divisions of American soccer are chaotic, unsteady, and potentially ruinous.
MLS Expansion Update: Miami, San Diego, Cincinnati, Phoenix, St. Louis, Nashville
The latest news on cities and teams trying gain MLS Expansion in 2017 and beyond including updates on Miami, San Diego, Cincinnati, Phoenix, St. Louis, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Tampa Bay and Sacramento.
MLS buys out only outside investors in media and marketing arm
Major League Soccer on Monday bought out the only outside investors in its media and marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing.
In 2012, Providence Equity Partners bought 25 percent of SUM for $150 million. The company tripled its initial investment, according to Bloomberg.
SUM handles media, promotions and marketing for MLS, the U.S. Soccer Federation, Mexico games played in the U.S. and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and has helped organize U.S. tours for top foreign clubs and national teams.
Last Monday, along with many of our season ticket holders, we returned to Over-the-Rhine's Woodward Theater for another major league announcement: the unveiling of our stadium proposal for Major League Soccer.
‘When I arrived in Tampa there were people who still remembered Hull City’s visit’
Will Jackson speaks to Beverley-born Hull City fan Stuart Dobson about cracking the playing and coaching world of American soccer.
Thirty-three years ago this week, Hull City went stateside to play Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second leg of the Arrow Air Anglo-American Cup.
The Tigers picked up a 3-1 aggregate victory over the Florida side in a game that will live long in the memory of those old enough to witness it.
However, despite the game taking place over three decades ago, the two clubs still have a connection.
The Rowdies are hoping to be awarded a franchise into the MLS, the American top flight, over the coming months and Beverley-born Hull City fan Stuart Dobson will be helping them do it.
Dobson has been working as Tampa's goalkeeping coach for three seasons after moving out to the States in the early nineties to follow his dream of being a professional footballer and crack America.
A promising goalkeeping career fell by the wayside in the United Kingdom, as opportunities at Hull City and Reading came and went. The former Longcroft School pupil was offered a 'soccer' scholarship in Portland while playing for Goole Town and he hasn't looked back. [ . . . ]
However, the Beverley lad's big break came when Stuart Campbell was appointed as head coach of the Rowdies and keeping things inherently British gave Dobson his first outdoor chance.
"It was a good connection at Tampa, the head coach here is an English guy, Stuart Campbell, he played for Leicester City for a few years and me and him hit it off. [ . . . ]
It seems almost an odd twist of fate that the Tampa Bay Rowdies should continue their connection with the city of Hull, 33 years after their first meeting.
The Tigers put the Americans to the sword in the first leg at Boothferry Park, as goals from Garreth Roberts, Steve McLaren and Steve Massey sealed a 3-0 win, and even after a 1-0 loss in Florida, it was enough to win the series.
Dobson was at Boothferry Park on the day the Americans came to town and admits that people in Tampa still remember.
"When I moved here to Tampa, when I said I was from Hull, there was a few people from my generation who remembered the Hull City game," he said.
"There are a few people in town who still know of City from that match back in the day.
"I actually went to the game at Boothferry Park and I remember they had cheerleaders there and I think Don Robinson came onto the pitch on a horse.
"It was wild, they did a whole American theme and I was there.
"So it was weird that I watched them back then and now I'm coaching here.
"They've done away with all that now of course here, they're trying to make it the real game. We've got a few English guys here, Joe Cole and Martin Peterson who played for Burnley, they've got a good British influence here. [ . . . ]
The likes of David Beckham, Kaka and Andrea Pirlo have all helped the game grow and it now seems that football is starting to resonate with the American public, in fact, Dobson not only believes is it serious league but football in the States is the best it has ever been.
"It's a very different league and you have to perform to a high standard and the travel takes its toll," he added.
"When the league first started the games were tough to watch, they didn't flow but now you can actually sit and get enthralled and the public are educated enough now that they are fine with a 0-0 draw. They just didn't get it before because there wasn't enough points on the board.
"If you go to Orlando City down the road, the fans are ridiculous. They stand the whole game and there's the wall based on Borussia Dortmund – and it's worked very well.
"We have a great following as well, our hard-core fans get together hours before the game, they'll sit outside in the car park, drinking, they have smoke bombs, they sing, it's pretty good."
Few MLS expansion prospects have their bid locked up
Tampa/St. Pete
The Tampa Bay Rowdies of USL and their owner, Bill Edwards, moved one step closer to joining MLS when they won a May referendum in a landslide (87 percent). It allows the St. Petersburg city council to negotiate a long-term stadium lease with the club.
Edwards stands ready to spend his own $80 million to expand waterside Al Lang Stadium to 18,000, with the only question now facing MLS: Is it comfortable (or maybe does it prefer for rivalry purposes) putting a second team 100 miles away from highly successful Orlando City?
Food Issue 2017: The 10 essential Cubans in Tampa Bay
Who makes the best version of Tampa's iconic sandwich? Start here.
Meaghan Habuda
Jun 15, 2017 4 AM
But, really. There’s no way to properly execute this year’s Food Issue without paying a little extra homage to the sandwich that keeps Tampa Bay — and its visitors — coming back for more: the Cuban, traditionally composed of roast pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, mustard and, yes, salami.
Food Network star Alton Brown was remarkably unsatisfied with the four Cuban sandwiches his fans suggested he try while in the neighborhood a couple months ago (though he did take Tampa’s side in the never-ending argument about the not-Miami birthplace of the sando.) I believe he said, “In reality, I don’t have a perfect Cuban,” after completing his blind tour-bus taste test.
Luckily, this rundown of our 10 favorite Cubans around the region, as chosen by CL staff and readers, offers options with both classic elements of the local staple and some rule-breaking dressings, including tomato, lettuce and avocado. It’s a list that everyone, no matter where they fall on the that’s-not-a-true-Tampa-Cuban spectrum, can enjoy.
AGUILA SANDWICH SHOP
No list of beloved Cubanos is complete without a visit to this West Tampa mainstay. Here, the sandwich, which you should order traditional style (aka no mayo, lettuce or tomato), is how you’d imagine the Cuban’s inventors intended it to taste those many years ago, and considering Aguila has been around for 30 years, I’d say the place has pretty good authority. 3200 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-876-4022. —Chris Fasick
THE BRICKS
Ybor City is lacking in true veggie options. But at this hip spot, the veggie Cuban dazzles. Vegans need to ask for it without cheese or honey mustard — and even without those two ingredients, the sandwich is still pretty tasty. Admittedly, it’s the honey mustard and avocado slices that really hit the spot. 1327 Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1785, thebricksybor.com. —Kate Bradshaw
CITGO
When Gulfport elected Mayor Sam Henderson the first time, he served the Citgo Cuban at his victory party. Sammy (no need for a last name — locals know him and his now-famous Cuban) makes a fresh batch every morning, pressing them to order, and come lunchtime, you’ll find a crowd waiting for perfectly smushed compilations of ham, bread, mustard and all the rest of your traditional Cuban fixin’s. I’d say this is not only the best local gas-station Cuban, it’s the best Cuban I’ve tasted. Ever. 5227 22nd Ave., Gulfport, 727-328-9178. —Cathy Salustri
FLORIDA BAKERY
Ordering your sandwich Cubano, or con todo (with everything), from Florida Bakery is just about as fun as taking a seat on a barstool and people-watching as you eat. The portion is probably one of the heartiest in the area, and while there isn’t anything particularly jaw-dropping about individual elements, the sandwich as a whole (lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, ham, pork, Swiss and perfectly pressed Cuban bread) is one of the most glorious things that could ever land in a hungry belly. Factor in a fast-paced, take-no-shit staff and what you have is a must-do West Tampa experience. 3320 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa, 813-870-0756, floridabakerytampa.com. —Ray Roa
HAVANA HARRY’S
Now here’s a proper Cuban. Thirty-odd miles removed from Ybor City, Largo is home to Havana Harry’s, a market and café that houses arguably the best-crafted Cuban on the peninsula. The pork is second-to-none. The ham is perfecto. And in true Tampa fashion, it’s equipped with salami. Swiss, mustard, pickles and not-so-Tampa mayo, all loaded and toasted on bread delivered straight from Ybor’s La Segunda Central Bakery. 13932 Walsingham Road, Largo, 727-596-5141, havanaharrysmarket.com. —Colin O’Hara
LA SEGUNDA CENTRAL BAKERY
It’s the bread, stupid — the bread (see last item) that has launched countless Cubanos since the Moré family set up shop in Ybor more than a century ago. The rest of the ingredients ain’t too shabby, either, the pork, salami, ham, swiss, pickle and special sauce all in order and all fresh and delicious. But a warning: If the cashier asks if you want everything on your Cuban, and you say yes, then expect to get (“Horrors!” scream the traditionalists) lettuce and tomato. You’ll still want to eat the whole thing anyway. 2512 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-248-1531, lasegundabakery.com. —David Warner
LA TROPICANA CAFÉ
There’s a breakfast Cuban here, but go for the O.G., even if it’s 8 a.m. Lightly toasted Cuban bread, a thin slice of Swiss and moist jamón, plus authentic and charmingly wizened roast pork, come together with dabs of mayo, mustard and the cutest little pickle slices for a sandwich that goes great with the Ybor joint’s fantastic Spanish bean soup. 1822 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-247-4040. —Ray Roa
LATIN AMERICAN SUPERMARKET
A white paper bag printed with the word “Delicious!” contains your mix of ham, pork, salami and Swiss — all freshly sliced — from the Latin American Supermarket. Authentic is the first thing that comes to mind for this Cubano and the grocery store, complete with meat market and deli. The sandwich tastes better than it looks (and really, as a rule, if it looks a bit iffy, that’s actually a good sign) and yes, it highlights a few American embellishments. But the meat is flavorful and fresh and the bread is undeniably Cuban: not too doughy, crunchy yet soft, and ever-so-lightly grazed with hints of butter. 7601 Palm River Road, Tampa, 813-623-3701. —Lis Casanova
MICHELLE FAEDO’S ON THE GO
If I had to pick one word to describe what sets apart Michelle Faedo’s celebrated traditional Cuban from the others locally, it’d simply be: taste. A fixture of this now-mobile mainstay, Michelle Faedo’s Cuban is packed with flavor all the way through, from the fresh herbs pressed onto the bread to the uber-juicy, piled-high pork. Various locations, Tampa Bay, 813-784-6933. —Chris Fasick
WEST TAMPA SANDWICH SHOP
In the shadows of what seems like a picture of every politico in Tampa, a very unique (and now presidential) take on the city’s beloved sandwich, the Honey Cuban “Obama Sandwich,” lives to make sandwich-eaters smile. As the story goes, former President Obama ordered the house specialty — a Cuban with a brush of honey on one bun — on a September 2012 afternoon, and the West Tampa Sandwich Shop subsequently named it after him. With its juicy sliced ham and moist roast pork, all buoyed by a healthy slathering of mayo, it’s truly one of the best Cubans in town no matter who you voted for. 3904 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-873-7104, westtampasandwichshoprestaurant.com. —Ray Roa
What did Alton Brown think of four Tampa Cuban sandwiches? (with video)
The Food Network star said he was surprised by his blind taste test.
Meaghan Habuda
Apr 23, 2017 6 PM
Alton Brown trusts his fans to tip him off to stellar places for grub while he's on the road. So after the Food Network star reached out to Tampa for recommendations on where to get the best Cuban sandwich via social media, he put four of their suggestions to a blind taste test.
The evaluation — conducted and filmed on Brown's tour bus Friday ahead of his Eat Your Science appearance at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts — highlighted Cubans from the West Tampa Sandwich Shop, La Segunda Central Bakery, Brocato's Sandwich Shop and Columbia Restaurant, anonymously labeled with the letters A, B, C and D.
But they weren't what the culinary personality and James Beard Award-winning author expected.
"I've gone on the record many times as saying that the Cuban sandwich is my favorite sandwich on earth," says Brown in the video before breaking down the ingredients that define a Tampa Cuban (roast pork, salami, ham, Swiss, pickles and mustard), and briefly touching on the iconic sandwich's hotly debated birthplace.
Among the highlights, which include critiques as well as praise: Brown calls out two Cubanos for their "greenery," a.k.a. lettuce and tomato. Mayo — or maybe butter? — is found on one sandwich that's decided to skip the salami. And he ultimately proclaims that there isn't a perfect Cuban in front of him.
Ouch.
"So I'm gonna have to go with the most classic sandwich that I see here, and that is going to be I think probably C. I'm gonna give this another bite," he says.
"C is what I would call the most classic Cuban here. None of them are the best Cuban that I've ever had, which surprises me just a little bit."
Which food spot was behind sandwich C? Ybor City's Columbia.
According to Brown, he was intrigued by A, built by the West Tampa Sandwich Shop, but the sandwich was missing "too many of the elements of a true Cuban."
On Facebook, the video, which you can check out in full below, earned nearly 2,000 shares, 400,000 views and more than 1,000 comments as of Sunday night.
Emeril Lagasse visits one of the most respected and popular steakhouses in the world, Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa. While Bern’s Steakhouse is known for steaks, they’re just as well known for their wines. They have the largest wine collection of any restaurant in the world with over 600,000 bottles. In this segment, Emeril tours both the restaurant and the wine cellars.
Best Cuban Sandwich Tampa, Florida Brocato's Sandwich Shop
We're the Russos
Published on Jan 23, 2016
Brocato's Sandwich Shop in Tampa, FL has the best Cuban sandwich and potato balls. The price is right and the food is delicious. A six inch sandwich with chips and an 8oz beer costs $7.99. Use cash to save $.99 on the credit card fee. There is plenty of parking in their lot and we hear the lines can get long so try to go during off peak hours.
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Saint Petersburg's Bodega restaurant is a strong contender in the battle between Tampa Bay and Miami for which city has Florida's best Cuban sandwich. Take a peek to learn more about how Bodega creates its classic version.
Stuart Dobson spreading the good word of Hull City in Florida
Beverley-born Tampa Bay Rowdies coach Stuart Dobson admits to spreading the good word about Hull City in Florida.
Although he has lived and worked in the United States for 25 years, Dobson remains a fan of his boyhood club, despite only being able to get back at Christmas.
USOC: Miami FC and Orlando City set to battle for Florida crown
Miami FC of the NASL is set for a first ever meeting against Orlando City SC of MLS. The Open Cup showdown will determine the last Florida team to move on.
The Tigers lifted silverware on this day 33 years ago – with a 3-1 aggregate victory over North American Soccer League side Tampa Bay Rowdies to secure the Arrow Air Anglo-American Cup.
The two-legged friendly fixture formed part of an end-of-season tour following a traumatic finish to the 1983/84 campaign. Having missed out on promotion to the Second Division by the narrowest of margins – just one goal – an outcome which sparked the resignation of manager Colin Appleton – meaning the Tigers headed to America without a boss!
The tour consisted of just two games and kicked off with a 1-0 victory over Fort Lauderdale thanks to a goal from City skipper Garreth Roberts. Next up was a trip to the Tampa Stadium to face the Rowdies – who were managed by former Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City man Rodney Marsh – in what formed the second leg of the Arrow Air Anglo-American Cup.
The Tigers held a 3-0 lead going into game with Roberts, Steve McClaren and Steve Massey on the scoresheet at Boothferry Park in April 1984, although the on-the-pitch events that day were overshadowed by the sight of then Chairman Don Robinson riding around the pitch on a horse wearing a stetson!
City had a new manager in charge for the game following the appointment of Brian Horton – who even paid his own fare to join up with his new squad stateside - as player/manager. And although his first game in charge ended in a 1-0 defeat – with Serbian defender Refik Kozic scoring the only goal of the game for the Rowdies – it wasn’t enough to prevent the Tigers from lifting the trophy.
We look back at the Club’s end-of-season tour to Florida in June 1984 with the help of three ex-Tigers – John Davies, Pete Skipper and Stan McEwan.
The Tigers embarked on their end-of-season tour to Florida following one of the most famous tales in their history. Just a few weeks earlier, they had missed out on promotion to Division Two by the narrowest of margins – just one goal! That sparked the resignation of manager Colin Appleton, which resulted in the City squad boarding their flight to the US without a boss.
The tour consisted of just two games. First up was a friendly against Fort Lauderdale, which was won 1-0 courtesy of a Garreth Roberts goal. Next up was a game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, which formed the second leg of the Arrow Air Anglo-American Cup. City went into the game with a 3-0 lead following the first leg at Boothferry Park two months earlier. The second leg went in favour of the hosts by a single goal, meaning the Tigers took the trophy with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline in front of almost 5,000 fans at the Tampa Stadium.
Of course, football was the main focus for the squad but there were one or two interesting stories that came out of the Tigers’ USA trip. Former goalkeeper and current Tigers Sport and Education Trust Manager John Davies was on the tour and recalled: “Don Robinson (the then Hull City chairman) suggested, or rather insisted, that we all wore these particular sweatshirts and shorts – things that players certainly wouldn’t wear in today’s game!
“We also had to walk around Disneyland wearing bowler hats and carrying umbrellas for some reason. It made us part of the attraction. It was all to do with publicity and Don was very good at that type of thing. It got us in all of the local papers over there and people in Florida certainly knew who Hull City were during that three-week period!”
Pete Skipper – who made over 300 career appearances for the Tigers in two spells at Boothferry Park – was also on the tour and has one or two fond memories from it involving a nightclub and a birthday party.
“We used to go in a nightclub called ‘Confettis’ and it was so called because every now and again these machines in the ceiling would pump out confetti, covering the whole place,” remembered Skipper. “When it started to happen we would all put our hands over the top of our glasses to stop the confetti getting into our drinks.
“But one player – who I wouldn’t want to name and shame – didn’t get the hang of it and would turn round and say ‘who’s put this in my drink?’ He just didn’t have a clue what was happening and the rest of us looked at him as if to say ‘why do you think we’re stood here with our hands on our glasses?’
Two of the City squad, Billy Whitehurst and Stan McEwan, celebrated their birthdays whilst out in Florida and that is another occasion that Skipper remembers well.
“Don (Robinson) held a joint party for Billy and Stan at his luxury apartment. Everyone was stood around having a laugh and a drink when suddenly there was a knock at the door. Someone opened it and there was a woman stood in a police uniform. She said that the police had received complaints from the neighbours about the noise and that she needed to come in. We could see that she had a mini ghetto blaster behind her back so we all clicked as to what was going on.
“Once inside the apartment, she said she needed to speak to Mr Whitehurst and Mr McEwan and asked them both to assume the position. So they were both up against the wall being frisked when the music came on and she started to take her clothes off. I have to say though – she only stripped down to her underwear – she didn’t do the whole lot!”
McEwan remembers the incident – and the tour – well and admits that he and Whitehurst were completely taken in by the whole prank.
“Myself and Billy really didn’t have a clue what was going on,” he laughed. “The apartment was plush with big security gates outside so it looked like the kind of place where a bit of noise would draw a few complaints. When the woman came in she’d completely got me and it was only when drugs were mentioned that I realised it was a wind-up. But it was brilliant the way the lads set it all up.”
Brian Horton was introduced to the squad as the Tigers’ new Player/Manager midway through the tour and, as you would expect, things stepped up a little bit following his arrival. Training became slightly more intense and McEwan recalls one session in particular which resulted in one of his team-mates feeling a little ill.
“We weren’t expecting as tough a session as we got and Brian Horton really ran us. None of us were expecting it and Mick Hollifield ended up being sick. He told the gaffer that it was something that he’d eaten the night before but it was probably more to do with the number of pints he’d had!”
When it came to the game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Americans added their own special off-the-pitch features which McEwan admits were rather strange.
“There was a guy on the tannoy who was commenting all the way through the game. They also had some organ music, which would be blaring out every time anything happened. They even played it when there was a throw-in for either side!
“But the biggest thing was the smoke cannons which went off when Tampa scored the goal. There was an enormous ‘bang’ followed by loads of smoke and we just didn’t have a clue what it was or where it’d come from! The smoke was still hanging about for some time after they’d scored. But the whole trip was a great experience and one that I’ll never forget.”
