Victoria AC

Victoria Athletic Club is a professional association football club based in Victoria, British Columbia and presently playing in the BC Football League's Division Two. It is one of fifteen clubs never to have been relegated from the BC Football League since its establishment in 1929.

Rivalries
Rivalry with all clubs in Victoria is strong, but the most intense is that with Royal Oak Hotspur; matches between the two are called the Battle of Victoria.

As representatives of the two capital cities of BC, the A's have had a deep rivalry with Royal City of New Westminster, especially in the early days; known as the Capital Cities Derby, this rivalry has been dormant since the Athletics' relegation from Division One.

The rivalry with Wellington FC dates back to the 1902 FA Cup final, which required a replay to decide, with Wellington winning 2:1 away at Victoria, and which has been enthusiastically cultivated by the two supporter camps ever since. Other rivalries originating with FA Cup meetings - in each of these cases due to frequent defeats at their hands - are with Nanaimo Thistle, Vancouver United, and, perhaps surprisingly, Barriere Railway, by whom the A's were knocked out of the Cup in both the 2000 and 2001 competitions.

History
Established in 1872 as a multi-discipline sports club, the football section of Victoria AC was formed in 1889 and entered the Vancouver Island Football League's Second Division when the VIFL was created in 1890. By 1915 the Athletics had established themselves as a major power in the First Division, and in 1928, the last season of VIFL play, the A's won the league title, earning a spot in Division One of the new BC Football League for the inaugural season in 1929.

From 1902 to 1974 the A's played in their own stadium on Sinclair Road in Cadboro Bay, Victoria; this had a stated capacity of 22,500 standing spectators, but on derby days there were frequently crowds numbering in the thirty thousands - the record high being 34,101 against Victoria rivals Oak Bay Wanderers on opening day of the 1946 season - the first season after football competition was suspended in 1942 due to the Pacific War. Built for the 1975 Pan Am Games, the A's moved into the 41,423-seat Centennial Stadium in Victoria for the 1975 season and have played there ever since.

In 1952 the football section of Victoria AC was split from the other sports, retaining the Victoria Athletic Club name; the other sections passed to a new entity called the Victoria Amateur Athletic Club.

League competition
After a sixth place finish in the inaugural season in 1929, the Athletics won their first, and so far only, League championship in 1930. This was followed up by a second-place finish in 1934 and third place in 1935, but they have never finished in the top three since then. After the good performance of 1935, the 1936 season was a debacle, ending in Athletic's first relegation from the top flight. They remained in Division Two until play was suspended in 1942 due to the outbreak of the Pacific War.

Competition was resumed in 1946, and the A's earned promotion back to Division One as runners-up behind first-placed Burnaby Albion. For the remaining years of the 1940s they finished tenth every year, barely avoiding relegation. However, after a few mid-table finishes in the early 1950s, 1953 saw the Athletics finish eleventh to drop out of the top flight once again. The stay in the second tier was brief, though, as they finished runners-up behind - once again - Burnaby Albion, and returned to the top level. This sequence was repeated several times over the next several years as the A's yoyoed between Divisions One and Two: they finished last in 1955 to drop to Division Two, then won the Division title in 1956 to win promotion yet again. But in 1957 they finished last and were once more relegated. There was another one-seasons stay in Division One in 1960, but in 1965 they were promoted once again after winning the Division Two championship, and in 1966 the A's broke the vicious cycle, avoiding relegation with a tenth-place finish in Division One. Athletic remained in the top flight for the next eight years, finishing mostly in the lower half of the table; the highlights of this period were fourth-place finishes in 1967 and 1968. There was no threat of relegation in the 1973 season, as the league was to be restructured for 1974: Division One and Division Two were to expand to eighteen teams each, thus none were relegated from Division One and six were promoted from Division Two; in the event, the A's' eighth-place finish would have been enough to avoid dropping out anyways.

The new era in BC football made little difference to Athletic's fortunes, as they were relegated at the end of the 1974 season. The A's moved into the new Centennial Stadium at the start of the 1975 season, and celebrated their new home by winning the Division Two to secure a return to D1 in 1976. Sixteenth-place finishes in 1976, 1977, and 1978 allowed the A's to (barely!) avoid relegation for three years, but an abysmal performance in 1979 saw them finish last, setting an all-time club record number of matches lost (25) and a league-record high for goals conceded with 92 - an average of 2.7 per game.

The 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s saw the A's play the role of the "perpetual bridesmaids", qualifying for the promotion play-offs five times in the ten years between 1981 and 1991, finishing in the top five of the table in each of those years, but failing to win promotion. A fifth place finish in 1992 saw the Athletics qualify for the play-offs once again, but this time they won the group and secured their return to Division One after a thirteen-year absence. However, their stay at the top was brief, being relegated once again in 1994; it seemed the team was returning to their previous status as the "lift-riders" of the league. Another fourth place finish in 1997 qualified the A's for the Play-offs, which they won, and returned to Division One. And yet again, they survived one season in the top flight only to be relegated again after finishing last in 1999.

The bridesmaids returned in the 2000s, reaching the promotion play-offs four years in a row from 2004 to 2007 - finishing third overall in each year from 2005 to 2007 - but each time failed to win the play-off group, leaving the A's stuck in Division Two. They reached the play-offs two more times, in 2009 and 2012, falling short on both occasions, after which the team's performances took a turn for the worse; the most worrisome period for supporters was the five-year stretch from 2015 through 2019, when the A's finished no higher than twelfth, having to fight hard to avoid relegation from Division Two. 2020, however, saw a turnaround, with the A's finishing 5th, but missing the play-offs.

Season-by-season
This is a complete listing of the club's performances in British Columbia Football League competition.

FA Cup
Victoria Athletic have participated in the BC FA Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1891, in which they reached the final but ultimately lost 0:2 to Royal City at Brockton Oval in Vancouver, then the largest stadium in the country. In the years prior to the reform of the competition in 1929, the A's made eleven appearances in the final, winning four times (1895, 1909, 1914, 1920) and losing six times (1891, 1894, 1898, 1902, 1908, 1913, 1928). Since the restructuring of football in BC they have had less success, reaching the finals only thrice since 1929, in 1932, 1972, and 2011.

The A's reached the semi-finals in 1931 to face local rivals Langford Highlanders, losing 0:1 away in the first leg; despite dominating the return leg at home, they were unable to score and the match ended 0:0, sending Langford through to the final with a 1:0 aggregate score. The following year they reached the semis once again, this time facing Division Two side Courtenay Athletic. After dropping the first leg 1:2 at Courtenay, the A's comprehensively defeated the Letics 3:0 at home to earn a berth in the final with a 4:2 aggregate win. The final turned out to be another edition of the Battle of Victoria, as Royal Oak defeated Kamloops City in the other semi-final to reach the deciding game. It was a tight affair, the two Division One sides evenly matched, but Spurs managed a late goal to secure a 2:1 victory over the Athletics in front of 42,193 spectators at Windsor Park in Victoria. 1935 saw another return to the semi-finals, this time to be defeated by Cranbrook North Side with a 2:1 aggregate score.

In 1942, competition was suspended due to the outbreak of the Pacific War. After the resumption of play in 1946, the Athletics' first visit to the semi-finals came in 1951. After needing a replay in the fifth round to eliminate Kitimat City, the Vics defeated Quesnel United in the quarter-finals to secure a spot in the semis against Port Alberni. After a lacklustre performance in a 0:2 away loss in the first leg the Vics played better in the return leg and won 3:2 at home, but it wasn't enough, and Port Alberni won with a 4:3 aggregate score to leave Athletic with yet another disappointing semi-final exit.

In the twenty years between 1951 and 1971, the Athletics never made it beyond the quarter-finals. For three straight seasons, Nanaimo Thistle were the cause of the Athletics' exit: in 1968 and 1969 in the fourth round, and in 1970 in the quarter-finals. In 1972 the A's reached the semi-finals once again, defeating Canyon United of Lytton 2:0 away in the fourth round, Fort George 2:1 away in the fifth, and Kelowna Central 3:2 away in the quarter-final. For their semi-final matchup the A's were drawn with Nanaimo Thistle, and the squad was eager for retribution. Thistle held the A's to a 1:1 draw in Victoria, but in the return leg in Nanaimo Athletic were able to avenge the defeats of the previous years with a solid 2:1 win to take the series with a 3:2 aggregate score. For the first time in exactly forty years, Athletic were in the FA Cup final to meet Dinas Blaenau, who had thrashed their archnemesis Llangefni in their semi-final matchup with a 5:2 aggregate score. Unfortunately for the A's, the Welshmen continued their excellent form, comfortably defeating Athletic 2:0.

Although relegated to Division Two, the Athletics made a great Cup run in 1975, passing through D3 Penticton Shamrocks and non-league Vernon City easily in the second and third rounds before pulling off a stunning 5:0 win over old rivals Wellington in the fourth. Extra time was insufficient to decide the fifth round matchup with Nanaimo City, the A's winning the penalty shootout 6:5; extra time was necessary in the quarter-final as well to defeat Division Three's Clinton Town in a wild 4:3 victory. In the semi-final the A's met Division One regular Vancouver United, losing 0:2 at Empire Stadium in the first leg. Athletic put on a brave showing in the return leg at home, but managed only a 1:1 draw, allowing Van United to head to the final with a 2:1 aggregate score.

It was another fifteen years until Athletic reached the semi-finals again. The A's defeated cross-town rivals Victoria United (who had dropped out of the League after being relegated from Division Three in 1989) 1:0 in the second round, but the win was a difficult one, as United had the best of the match for most of the ninety minutes. Equally uninspiring was the third round tie against Gibsons Athletic - the A's needed to win the penalty shoot-out with a 4:2 score to defeat their Division Three opposition. The discouraging performances in the previous two rounds made the fourth round tie against Van United seem a hopeless cause; at the time, United were in heated battle for second place in Division One. The Vancouverites' focus on their league campaign worked to Athletic's advantage on the day, as United opted to rest several key players, and through disciplined, aggressive play - very much unlike the previous Cup ties, but more like the form they'd been showing in league play - the A's managed a 2:0 upset win over the heavily favoured Printers. This was followed up with an equally convincing victories of 4:0 over Rapid Vienna of Prince George in the fith round and of 2:0 win over Division One's Cassiar City in the quarter-final, securing a semi-final berth for the A's. The draw was an unlucky one for Athletic, as they were paired with Quesnel United - the team whom Van United were battling for second place; the other pairing was Secwépemc United against Richmond United, who were engaged in a tight struggle of their own to avoid relegation. Luck had indeed run out for the A's, as Quesnel won both legs by two goals to one, advancing to the final thanks to a 4:2 aggregate score.

Thereafter, the Athletics managed to advance to the quarter-finals only once, in 1996 when they lost 2:5 to Richmond United; the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century were filled with disappointing performances in the FA Cup, usually advancing past lower-level opposition only to falter in the fourth or fifth round. 2011 started out similarly, as the Vics defeated Smithers & Telkwa United, who had been relegated from the League eight years earlier, by taking advantage of a red card handed to Smithers in the first minute of play; the Vics scored in the 4th and 16th minutes to take a 2:0 lead, but then had a sending off of their own in the 40th minute. It wasn't a pretty win, but it did send the side through to the third round to face Division Three side Inv & Ath United; here, the A's needed to come from behind to secure a 2:1 extra-time victory, the deciding goal being scored in the 108th minute. The fourth round draw filled Victoria, and BC football fans in general, with excitement, as the A's were drawn with Victoria United, whom they'd last played in a Cup tie in 1990; United at that time had been a non-league side, but in the intervening twenty years they'd rebuilt and re-established themselves as a Division One regular. Still, A's fans took it as a good omen, since in 1990 they reached the semi-finals after defeating United in the second round. Over forty thousand spectators were on hand at Centennial Stadium to watch a closely-fought match which ended in a 1:0 victory for Athletic. The team was clearly still riding the high of the win over United as they went in to their fifth round match against D1 opponents Yellowhead playing confident, attacking football that earned them a 1:0 lead in the 27th minute. A bad tackle by Yellowhead's Colombian internation defender Stefan Medina inside the penalty area drew a red card just before the hour mark, and the A's converted the subsequent eleven-yarder to take a 2:0 lead on 59'. Yellowhead cut the lead in half on 66', but three minutes from time Athletic bagged one more goal to seal the 3:1 victory and a spot in the quarter-finals - where there opponent was none other than Richmond United, who had eliminated them the last time the A's reached the quarters. This time, however, the result was a 1:0 win for Athletic; it may not have been exciting to watch for the spectators, but it was a masterful defensive performance that sent the Athletics into the semi-finals for the first time since 1990 for another date with their mainland Cup rivals Van United. The first leg was played at BC Place in Vancouver, where United put on their own clinic on precise, defensive football as they flummoxed Athletic entirely on their way to a 1:0 win. Down a goal, the A's entered the return leg at home with determination, and a new 4-5-1 V formation with the midfield stacked up as one defensive midfielder in the middle behind two central midfielders, who were in turn behind two attacking wingers; in the back were four defenders and up front was a single striker. This new setup disoriented the Printers and the A's ran circles around them as they cruised to a 3:0 win - and their first trip to the FA Cup Final in 39 years. As the Athletics worked their way through the rounds, the most remarkable story in all of FA Cup history was unfolding as non-league Vernon City defeated opponent after opponent, including the likes of First Division clubs Fort George and Liverpool VLW, to become the first non-league side to ever reach the FA Cup Final. The A's took control of play early on the day, taking a 1:0 lead in the 9th minute of play. However, having dispatched several stronger opponents, the "Glorious Greens", as Vernon supporters had come to call their squad, remained undaunted and continued to press on defence and exploit the speed of their attackers on the counter - which led to an equaliser on 66'. Neither side was able to break the deadlock, however, so the stage was set for a Final Replay, which proved to be one of the most memorable Cup finals of all time. Once again the A's took an early lead, scoring from 25 yards in the 17th minute; the 1:0 lead held until the first minute of time added on, as Vernon equalised just before the half-time whistle. Reinvigorated, the Greens came out flying to start the second half, going up 2:1 on 50'. This lead lasted until 75', when the A's scored off a free kick just outside the Vernon box, but Vernon came back almost instantly, restoring their lead two minutes later. But once again, there were injury time heroics as Athletic managed to equalise on 90+2' to force extra time. As brilliant as regular time was, nobody foresaw what the extra period would bring. Six minutes in, Vernon went ahead again, only for the A's to level the score at 4:4 on 102'. Yet again Vernon came up with a quick response, restoring their lead in the 105th minute. But the A's were in no mood to give up, and dominated play in the second half of extra time. They finally equalised yet again on 115' but proved unable to find a winning goal, and after 120 minutes of play the score was level at 5:5: this Final would be decided on penalty kicks. After both kickers scored on their first attempts, nerves got the better of the next two Athletics as they both missed, whilst Vernon's attempts were both converted, giving the Greens a 3:1 lead. A's midfielder and one-time BC international Robert Sing needed to score to keep Athletic's hopes alive, and though he sent Vernon's 20-year-old keeper Mark Village - one of the stars of the Greens' Cup run - the wrong way, the shot bounced off the post and away: Vernon City had won the FA Cup. This match has the distinction of being the first BC domestic match to be shown live in the United Kingdom.

The A's have not advanced beyond the fifth round since then, losing to Regatta Club in 2012, Division Three side Langley City in 2014, and to Fort Nelson RBCAF in 2017. In 2020 the Athletics did manage to avenge the 2011 Cup loss to Vernon City by defeating the Greens - who had by then entered the League and were playing in Division Three - 2:1 in the third round, but then lost to Trail City 4:5 on penalties after playing to a 2:2 draw after extra time.

Season-by-season
This is a listing of the club's performances in FA Cup competition since 1929.

Honours and records

 * FA Cup
 * Winners: 1895, 1909, 1914, 1920,
 * Runners-up: 1891, 1894, 1898, 1902, 1908, 1913, 1928, 1932, 1972


 * Division One
 * Winners: 1930
 * Runners-up: 1934
 * Third placed: 1935


 * Division Two
 * Winners: 1956, 1965, 1975
 * Runners-up: 1946, 1954, 1960, 1964
 * Third placed: 1981, 1988, 1995, 2005, 2006, 2007


 * Highest league position: 1st
 * D1 (1930)


 * Lowest league position: 15th
 * D2 (1996)


 * Most points in a season: 68
 * D1, 1930


 * Fewest points in a season: 21
 * D1, 1957
 * D1, 1961
 * D1, 1979


 * Most goals scored in a season: 84
 * D2, 1975


 * Fewest goals scored in a season: 22
 * D2, 2016


 * Most goals conceded in a season: 92
 * D1, 1979


 * Fewest goals conceded in a season: 14
 * D2, 2006


 * Most wins in a season: 21
 * D1, 1930


 * Fewest wins in a season: 4
 * D1, 1957
 * D1, 1961
 * D1, 1994
 * D1, 1999


 * Most draws in a season: 19
 * D2, 2020


 * Fewest draws in a season: 3
 * D2, 1937
 * D3, 1979


 * Most losses in a season: 25
 * D1, 1979


 * Fewest losses in a season: 4
 * D2, 1975


 * Most games won in a row (to 2001): 6
 * D2, 1990


 * Most games lost in a row (to 2001): 8
 * D1, 1974


 * Most games without losing (to 2001): 13
 * D2, 1975


 * Most games without winning (to 2001): 18
 * D1, 1999


 * Biggest win: 6 goals
 * 6:0 v Kitsilano, D2, 1962
 * 6:0 v Grand Forks, D2, 1986


 * Biggest league win (to 2001): 6 goals
 * 6:0 v Kitsilano, D2, 1962
 * 6:0 v Grand Forks, D2, 1986


 * Biggest defeat: 6 goals
 * 0:6 v Nanaimo Thistle, 1991 FA Cup 4th Round


 * Highest scoring game: 10 goals
 * 5:5 v Nanaimo Thistle, D1, 1952
 * 5:5 v Vernon City, 2011 FA Cup Final


 * Highest scoring league game (to 2001): 10 goals
 * 5:5 v Nanaimo Thistle, D1, 1952


 * Deepest cup run: Final - 1891, 1894, 1895 (winners), 1898, 1902, 1908, 1909 (winners), 1913, 1914 (winners), 1920 (winners), 1928, 1932, 1972, 2011