Ulh′katcho FC

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Ulh′katcho FC
Full name Ulh’katcho Football Club
Short name Ulh’katcho
Nickname(s) U's
Founded 1950
Ground Hudson Road
200 Hudson Road
Ulh′katcho U1 1CA
Capacity 2,108
Division BCFA Regional Northwest
Kit

Ulh′katcho Football Club is a professional association football club based in Ulh′katcho, British Columbia and presently playing in the BCFA Regional Championship Northwest.

Rivalries

Ulh′katcho's most important rivalry is with Bella Coola United of Bella Coola, located 87 miles to the west; this rivalry is known as the Chilcotin Derby. Equally important is the rivalry with Lake City FC of Williams Lake, located 199 miles to the west; these are the two cities closest to Ulh′katcho.

History

The Anahim Lake Football Club was established in 1950, beginning play the following year in the Regional Northwest Division Three. The club was renamed Ulh′katcho Football Club in 1973.

League competition

Having spent the better part of three decades playing in the various tiers of the Regional Championship Northwest, Ulh’katcho finally qualified for the Division Three Qualification after finishing as runners-up in the Northwest Division One in 1979. Failing to finish in the top four, they entered the D3 Relegation Play-offs, defeating Heather Park of Prince George in the first round and Division Three relegation candidates Cumberland Collieries in the quarter-finals before losing 1:2 at home to Tofino Village. A fourth-place finish in the Northwest returned them to the D3QC in 1981; this time they advanced successfully through the Relegation Play-off, defeating Pemberton Town in the semi-final to secure promotion to the League for the first time, in their thirtieth anniversary season.

By any standard, Ulh′katcho's first season of League football was a success, finishing twelfth in Division Three B, eight points clear of direct relegation and three clear of the play-off spot. They quickly established themselves as an upper table side, ultimately finishing first in D3B in 1985 to earn direct promotion to Division Two, and defeating D3A winners Silver King 7:3 on aggregate to win the Division Three title honours for the year. The U's survived for three seasons in Division Two, finishing seventeenth in 1988 to be demoted back to Division Three. They then battled to keep their League status for several years, ultimately finishing fourteenth in 1992; entering the Relegation Play-offs in the quarter-finals, they managed, with difficulty, to defeat Skaha Rovers 6:5 on penalties, but succumbed in the semis to Skwxwú7mesh and were relegated from the League.

After an absence of three years, the U's returned to the League in 1996, after finishing second in the Regional Northwest and advancing through the Relegation Play-offs to secure promotion to Division Three in 1995. Their first season back in the League was a smashing success, finishing first in Division Three B six points in the clear, then winning the Division Three Final with a 4:2 aggregate score over Courtenay Athletic, sending them back up to Division Two after a single season in Division Three. They stayed up for three seasons, being relegated again in 1999 after finishing seventeenth. The U's didn't stay down long, winning the Division Three title again in 2000 with a 2:1 aggregate score over Cranbrook City, but were immediately relegated again from Division Two in 2001. In 2004 they qualified for the D2 Promotion Play-offs, reaching the final but losing to Invermere & Athalmer United, but following that very good season the U's collapsed, finishing sixteenth in 2005; this sent them to the D3 Relegation Play-offs, in which they lost 0:1 in the quarter-finals to Golden, and were once again relegated from the Football League. The U's have qualified for the D3 Qualification Competition eight times since then - most recently in 2020 - but have been eliminated in the D3 Relegation Play-offs each time.

Season-by-season

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

Season Division Rank GP W D L GF GA Pts Notes
1979 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Heather ParkUlh’katcho 0:1
Quarter-finals: Ulh’katchoCumberland Collieries (D3) 3:1
Semi-finals: Ulh’katcho–Tofino Village 1:2
Failed to achieve promotion
1981 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Ulh’katchoGingolx 3:2
Quarter-finals: TahsisUlh’katcho 1:2
Semi-finals: Ulh’katchoPemberton Town
Promoted to Division Three
1982 Division Three B 12th 30 7 9 14 35 58 30
1983 Division Three B 4th 30 17 2 11 60 48 53
1984 Division Three B 6th 30 14 7 9 42 34 49
1985 Division Three B 1st 30 22 5 3 56 25 71 Qualified for D3 Final
D3 Final Final Leg 1: Ulh’katchoSilver King 4:1
Final Leg 2: Silver King–Ulh’katcho 2:3
Ulh’katcho won 7:3 on aggregate
Promoted to Division Two
1986 Division Two 12th 34 11 7 16 45 60 40
1987 Division Two 15th 34 9 11 14 48 50 38
1988 Division Two 17th 34 4 10 20 42 76 22 Relegated
1989 Division Three B 12th 30 9 8 13 33 41 35
1990 Division Three B 13th 30 9 6 15 50 56 33 Tied for 14th on points with Dawson Creek, Ulh’katcho had better goal differential
1991 Division Three B 7th 30 14 7 9 54 40 49 Tied for 6th with Clinton Town, Clinton had better goal differential
1992 Division Three B 14th 30 8 2 20 49 65 26 Entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs Quarter-finals: Skaha RoversUlh’katcho (D3) 2:2 (5:6 p)
Semi-final: Ulh’katcho (D3)–Skwxwú7mesh 1:2
Relegated
1995 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: GoldenUlh’katcho 0:4
Quarter-finals: Comox RoversUlh’katcho 2:5
Semi-finals: Ulh’katchoFalkland 2:1
Promoted to Division Three
1996 Division Three B 1st 30 19 6 5 64 31 63 Qualified for D3 Final
D3 Final Final Leg 1: Ulh’katchoCourtenay Athletic 3:1
Final Leg 2: Courtenay Athletic–Ulh’katcho 1:1
Ulh’katcho won 4:2 on aggregate
Promoted to Division Two
1997 Division Two 13th 34 10 5 19 50 61 35
1998 Division Two 14th 34 9 10 15 35 42 37
1999 Division Two 17th 34 5 6 23 31 59 21 Relegated
2000 Division Three B 1st 30 20 5 5 50 28 65 Qualified for D3 Final
D3 Final Final Leg 1: Cranbrook CityUlh’katcho 0:1
Final Leg 2: Ulh’katcho–Cranbrook City 1:1
Ulh’katcho won 2:1 on aggregate
Promoted to Division Two
2001 Division Two 17th 34 8 6 20 22 48 30 Relegated
2002 Division Three B 9th 30 10 11 9 41 36 41 Four-way tie for 7th place, Ulh’katcho had 3rd-best goal differential
2003 Division Three B 10th 30 11 7 12 41 35 40
2004 Division Three B 2nd 30 16 11 3 46 19 59 Qualified for D2 Promotion Play-offs
D2 Promotion Play-offs QF Leg 1: Silver KingUlh’katcho 0:1
QF Leg 2: Ulh’katcho–Silver King 0:0
Ulh’katcho won 1:0 on aggregate

SF Leg 1: Port Edward–Ulh’katcho 1:1
SF Leg 2: Ulh’katcho–Port Edward 3:0
Ulh’katcho won 4:1 on aggregate

Final: Inv & Ath Utd (D2)–Ulh’katcho (D3) 0:3
Failed to achieve promotion
2005 Division Three B 16th 30 8 9 13 40 44 33 Entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs Quarter-finals: Ulh’katcho (D3)–Golden 0:1 Relegated
2007 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Tsawwassen TownUlh’katcho 2:1 Failed to achieve promotion
2009 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Ulh’katchoChetwynd Railway 2:0
Quarter-finals: FalklandUlh’katcho 0:2
Semi-finals: Vernon City–Ulh’katcho 1:1 (4:3 p)
Failed to achieve promotion
2010 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: BeaverleyUlh’katcho 1:3
Quarter-finals: Hope Town–Ulh’katcho 4:2
Failed to achieve promotion
2011 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Courtenay AthleticUlh’katcho 0:2
Quarter-finals: Ulh’katcho–Valemount City 1:2
Failed to achieve promotion
2013 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Ulh’katcho–Smithers & Telkwa Utd 1:3 Failed to achieve promotion
2014 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Ulh’katchoBoston Bar 2:1
Quarter-finals: Port Moody–Ulh’katcho 2:1
Failed to achieve promotion
2019 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Beaverley–Ulh’katcho4:3 Failed to achieve promotion
2020 D3 Qualification Competition xth Failed to achieve promotion, entered D3 Relegation Play-offs
D3 Relegation Play-offs 1st round: Ulh′katcho–McBride 1:1 (3:4 p) Failed to achieve promotion

FA Cup

As Anahim Lake FC, the club first qualified for the FA Cup First Round proper in 1954 and were eliminated in the first round by Invermere & Athalmer United; they returned the following year, forcing a replay of the First Round fixture after drawing Skaha Rovers of Penticton 1:1 at home. They came close to success, but unfortunately lost 1:2 in extra time and were again eliminated. The club didn't reach the First Round proper again until after the renaming, reaching the First Round in 1974. This time they won their first-ever Cup match, an upset win via a penalty shootout against South Hazelton of Division Three after playing to a 0:0 draw after ninety minutes; in the second round the faced D2 Ashcroft United, and were defeated 0:2 at home. They qualified again in 1975, but were again eliminated in the first round. After another first-round exit in 1978, the U's won their first-round tie with Division Three side New Aiyansh 2:1 away to advance to the Second Round for the second time; once again they had the misfortune of being drawn with a Division Two team, losing 1:3 away to Fort St John.

The 1980s started with another first-round exit in 1980, and in 1981 they again advanced to the Second Round, this time dropping a 1:4 decision at home against Grand Forks; they reached the second round again the following year, and were once again eliminated. They finally advanced past the second round in 1983 by defeating Silver King on penalties, then heartbreakingly losing 5:6 on penalties after a fine performance in drawing 1:1 through 120 minutes against D2 side Prince George City. They went well beyond that in 1984: they defeated Golden 1:0 away in the first round, crushed Aberystwyth 6:2 in the second, then emerged on top of a wild seven-goal cracker to defeat Courtenay Athletic 4:3 after extra time in the third, to advance to the fourth round for the first time ever. They travelled to Blaenau to face Division One side Llangefni and played one of the best games in club history, defeating the title-hunting Cymru Newydd side 2:0 at Stadiwm Ylesylywêt in a remarkable upset victory. The U's, however, weren't yet done, and in the fifth round they manhandled another Division One side, defeating Quesnel United 3:0 before a small but raucous crowd at Hudson Road to reach rarefied atmosphere of the quarter-finals - the only Division Three side to do so that year, earning their Cup campaign official recognition as a Cinderella run. Of the eight teams in the quarter-finals, six were from Division One; the U's drew the only Division Two side left, Nanaimo Thistle; Thistle were in fine form at the time, sitting comfortably atop the D2 table, and were too much for the U's, who were eliminated after a 0:2 home loss. Even so, the supporters were jubilant after a monumental and improbable run.

Almost as if to prove something, the U's put in another great run in 1985, though with a relatively easier path in facing - and defeating - only non-league and Division Three opposition in the first three rounds. They were drawn with Merritt City in the fourth round, beating them 1:0 at home; in the fifth round, however, Division One's Vancouver United were a step too far for Ulh′katcho, who lost 0:2 at home.

The next significant Cup run made by the U's came in 1993, the year after they were relegated from Division Three as they overcame two Division Two sides, defeating Kitsilano 2:1 at home in the third round before dismissing Yellowhead with a 3:2 win at Hudson Road in the fourth; unfortunately, Sooyoos United, also in Division Two at the time, outclassed the U's and won easily with a 4:2 final score. Since then, they have reached the fourth round only twice, in 2002 and 2010.

Season-by-season

This is a listing of the club's performances in FA Cup competition.

Season Round Home side Score Away side Venue (Attendance) Notes
1951–1953
Did not qualify
1954 1st Anahim Lake 0:3 Inv & Ath Utd Hudson Road
1955 1st Anahim Lake 1:1 Skaha Rovers Hudson Road
1st Re Skaha Rovers 2:1
(a.e.t.)
Anahim Lake
1956–1973
Did not qualify
1974 1st South Hazelton (D3) 0:0
(0:2 p)
Ulh’katcho Aldous Street
2nd Ulh’katcho 0:2 Ashcroft Utd (D2) Hudson Road
1975 1st Clinton Town (D3) 5:2 Ulh’katcho
1976–1977
Did not qualify
1978 1st Cranbrook City (D3) 1:1
(2:0 p)
Ulh’katcho Baker Park
1979 1st New Aiyansh (D3) 1:2 Ulh’katcho
2nd Fort St John (D2) 3:1 Ulh’katcho
1980 1st Ulh’katcho 0:4 Liverpool VLW Hudson Road
1981 1st Ulh’katcho 2:1 Oak Bay Wanderers (D3) Hudson Road
2nd Ulh’katcho 1:4 Grand Forks (D2) Hudson Road
1982 1st Ulh’katcho (D3) 3:1 Victoria Utd Hudson Road
2nd Similkameen Utd (D3) 2:1 Ulh’katcho (D3)
1983 1st Ulh’katcho (D3) 3:2 Gitsegukla Hudson Road
2nd Silver King (D3) 1:1
(2:3 p)
Ulh’katcho (D3)
3rd Ulh’katcho (D3) 1:1
(5:6 p)
Prince George City (D2) Hudson Road
1984 1st Golden 0:1 Ulh’katcho (D3)
2nd Ulh’katcho (D3) 6:2 Aberystwyth (D3) Hudson Road
3rd Ulh’katcho (D3) 4:3
(a.e.t.)
Courtenay Athletic (D2) Hudson Road
4th Llangefni (D1) 0:2 Ulh’katcho (D3) Stadiwm Ylesylywêt
5th Ulh’katcho (D3) 3:0 Quesnel Utd (D1) Hudson Road
QF Ulh’katcho (D3) 0:2 Nanaimo Thistle (D2) Hudson Road
1985 1st Nakusp 2:2
(3:4 p)
Ulh’katcho (D3) Boatsmen's Park
2nd Kamloops City (D3) 1:2 Ulh’katcho (D3) Brandt Stadium
3rd Fernie Town (D3) 0:2 Ulh’katcho (D3)
4th Ulh’katcho (D3) 1:0 Merritt City (D2) Hudson Road
5th Ulh’katcho (D3) 0:2 Vancouver Utd (D1) Hudson Road
1986 2nd Ulh’katcho (D2) 0:2 Kitsumkaylum Hudson Road
1987 2nd Ulh’katcho (D2) 2:0 Pemberton Town Hudson Road
3rd Castlegar United (D3) 0:2 Ulh’katcho (D2) Kinnaird Park
4th Ulh’katcho (D2) 1:2 Regatta Club (D1) Hudson Road
1988 2nd Ulh’katcho (D2) 2:1 100 Mile House (D3) Hudson Road
3rd Ulh’katcho (D2) 0:1 Rapid Vienna (D3) Hudson Road
1989 1st Ulh’katcho (D3) 2:1 Kitsumkaylum Hudson Road
2nd Hudson's Hope (D3) 2:0 Ulh’katcho (D3)
1990 1st South Hazelton 2:4 Ulh’katcho (D3) Aldous Street
2nd Tahsis 1:0 Ulh’katcho (D3)
1991 1st Ulh’katcho (D3) 2:0 Vavenby Town Hudson Road
2nd Ulh’katcho (D3) 3:2 Castlegar Utd (D3) Hudson Road
3rd Tofino Village (D2) 3:0 Ulh’katcho (D3)
1992 1st Keremeyus Albion 2:3 Ulh’katcho Pine Park
2nd Ulh’katcho (D3) 3:2 Prince George Army (D3) Hudson Road
3rd Ulh’katcho (D3) 0:1 Royal Oak Hotspur (D2) Hudson Road
1993 1st Quatsino Navy (D3) 2:3 Ulh’katcho Kagoagh Field
2nd Victoria West (D3) 1:2 Ulh’katcho Royal Athletic Park
3rd Ulh’katcho 2:1 Kitsilano (D2) Hudson Road
4th Ulh’katcho 3:2 Yellowhead (D2) Hudson Road
5th Sooyoos Utd (D2) 4:2 Ulh′katcho
1994 1st Ulh′katcho 2:0 Sooyoos Utd (D3) Hudson Road
2nd Ulh′katcho 0:2 Nanaimo City (D2) Hudson Road
1995 1st Tahsis 0:1 Ulh′katcho
2nd Ulh′katcho 2:3 Hudson's Hope (D2) Hudson Road
1996 1st Vavenby Town 0:1 Ulh′katcho (D3) Vavenby Community Park
2nd Fernie Town (D2) 1:0 Ulh′katcho (D3)
1997 2nd Creston Utd 3:2 Ulh′katcho (D2)
1998 2nd Ulh′katcho (D2) 0:1 Quatsino Navy (D3) Hudson Road
1999 2nd Vanderhoof Utd (D3) 3:2 Ulh′katcho (D2) Nechako Valley Stadium
2000 1st Tahsis 1:5 Ulh′katcho (D3)
2nd Nanaimo City (D2) 2:1 Ulh′katcho Rotary Bowl
2001 2nd Alberni Town (D3) 1:2 Ulh′katcho (D2)
3rd Gitlaxt′aamiks (D3) 2:2
(2:0 p)
Ulh′katcho (D2)
2002 1st Ulh′katcho (D3) 4:1 Pemberton Town Hudson Road
2nd Ulh′katcho (D3) 4:0 Liverpool VLW Hudson Road
3rd Prince George City (D3) 2:5 Ulh′katcho (D3)
4th Quesnel Utd (D1) 2:0 Ulh′katcho (D3) Reynard Street
2003 1st Nelson City 1:2 Ulh′katcho (D3)
2nd Hudson's Hope (D2) 2:1 Ulh′katcho (D3)
2004 1st Merritt City 1:2 Ulh′katcho (D3) Voght Park (4,114)
2nd Ulh′katcho (D3) 2:4 Richmond Utd (D2) Hudson Road (2,098)
2005 1st Ulh′katcho (D3) 0:0
(6:5 p)
Coquitlam Town Hudson Road (2,106)
2nd Cassiar City (D2) 2:1
(a.e.t.)
Ulh′katcho (D3) Cassiar Sports Ground (2,819)
2006 1st Ulh′katcho 0:1 100 Mile House Hudson Road (1,391)
2007 1st Meziadin City (D3) 2:2
(4:3 p)
Ulh′katcho Nass Street (3,921)
2008 1st Sooyoos Utd 0:2 Ulh′katcho Kingfisher Drive (2,624)
2nd Dinas Blaenau (D2) 1:0 Ulh′katcho Parc Canmlwyddiant (11,384)
2009 1st Gibsons Athletic 2:2
(4:3 p)
Ulh′katcho Sumac Place (2,208)
2010 1st Ulh′katcho 0:0
(4:2 p)
Prince George Army Hudson Road (2,107)
2nd Ulh′katcho 2:1 Inv & Ath Utd (D3) Hudson Road (1,930)
3rd Ulh′katcho 2:2
(4:2 p)
Regatta Club (D2) Hudson Road (2,089)
4th Ulh′katcho 2:2
(3:4 p)
Royal City (D1) Hudson Road (2,103)
2011 1st Ulh′katcho 2:1 Burns Lake Hudson Road (2,072)
2nd Ulh′katcho 1:3 Cranbrook City (D2) Hudson Road (2,097)
2012 1st Hope Town 3:2 Ulh′katcho Kawkawa Lake Stadium (2,285)
2013 1st Ulh′katcho 1:1
(4:3 p)
Bella Coola Utd (D3) Hudson Road (2,108)
2nd Ulh′katcho 1:0 Cranbrook City (D2) Hudson Road (2,073)
3rd Ulh′katcho 0:1 Rowing Club (D2) Hudson Road (2,101)
2014
Did not qualify
2015 1st Mackenzie (D3) 4:0 Ulh′katcho Stuart Road (6,642)
2016 1st Ulh′katcho 1:2 Fernie Town (D3) Hudson Road (2,066)
2017 1st Comox Rovers (D3) 2:0 Ulh′katcho Snowberry Road (5,939)
2018 1st Kimberley Town (D3) 2:0 Ulh′katcho Halpin Street (3,756)
2019 1st Ulh′katcho 3:0 Smithers & Telkwa Utd Hudson Road (2,065)
2nd Ulh′katcho 1:0 Secwépemc Utd (D2) Hudson Road (2,060)
3rd Shaughnessy Shamrocks (D3) 3:2 Ulh′katcho Prince of Wales Park (6,990)
2020 1st Port Moody 0:1 Ulh′katcho Inlet Park (5,011)
2nd Silver King (D2) 2:0 Ulh′katcho Selkirk College Stadium (4,670)

Honours and records

  • Division Three
Winners: 1985, 1996, 2000
  • Regional Northwest Division One:
Runners-up: 1979, 1995, 2010, 2011
Third-placed: 2007, 2013, 2020
  • Highest league position: 12th
D2 (1986)
  • Lowest league position: 14th
D3 (1992)
  • Most points in a season: 71
D3, 1985
  • Fewest points in a season: 21
D2, 1999
  • Most goals scored in a season: 60
D3, 1983
  • Fewest goals scored in a season: 31
D2, 1999
  • Most goals conceded in a season: 76
D2, 1988
  • Fewest goals conceded in a season: 19
D3, 2004
  • Most wins in a season: 22
D3, 1985
  • Fewest wins in a season: 4
D2, 1988
  • Most draws in a season: 11
D2, 1987
  • Fewest draws in a season: 2
D3, 1983
D3, 1995
  • Most losses in a season: 23
D2, 1999
  • Fewest losses in a season: 3
D3, 1985
  • Most games won in a row (1974–2001): 9
D3, 1985
  • Most games lost in a row (1974–2001): 6
D2, 1988
  • Most games without losing (1974–2001): 14
D3, 1985
  • Most games without winning (to 2001): 18
D2, 1988
  • Biggest win: 5 goals
6:1 v Aberystwyth, D3, 1987
  • Biggest league win (to 2001): 5 goals
6:1 v Aberystwyth, D3, 1987
  • Biggest defeat: 5 goals
0:5 v Port Edward, D3, 1982
0:5 v Victoria Athletic, D2, 1988
  • Highest scoring game: 10 goals
4:6 v Queensborough DHBC, D3, 1992
  • Highest scoring league game (to 2001): 10 goals
4:6 v Queensborough DHBC, D3, 1992
  • Deepest cup run: Quarter-finals - 1984