Vancouver City FC

From Dominion of British Columbia
Vancouver City FC
Full name Vancouver City Football Club
Short name Van City
Nickname(s) The City, Reds
Founded 1892
Ground Empire Stadium
2901 East Hastings St
Vancouver CV3N 0ES
Capacity 42,729
Division BCFL Division One
Kit Vancouvercityfc.png

Vancouver City Football Club is a professional association football club based in Vancouver, British Columbia and presently playing in the British Columbia Football League's Division One. It is one of only three (as of 2020) to have won the FA Cup and Division One more than ten times.

Rivalries[edit]

Out of all of Vancouver City's rivalries, the oldest, deepest, and most important is the Waterfront Derby with Vancouver Rowing Club; a close second is the City Derby with Vancouver United. Also of note are those with the other major clubs in the City of Vancouver, Kitsilano, Shaughnessy Shamrocks and Grandview AFC, and with Greater Vancouver Regional District clubs Royal City of New Westminster, Burnaby Albion, and Richmond United.

There are also notable rivalries with Port Alberni Athletic (dating back to the quarter-finals of the 1929 FA Cup - the only time in history a second replay was needed to decide a round), with Quesnel United, with Prince Rupert Regatta Club, and with Dinas Blaenau; although in sporting terms City have dominated Blaenau, this rivalry is one originating in issues between supporters.


Head-to-head record in Cup matches since 1929
vs Opponent GP W D/PL L GF GA
Dinas Blaenau 8 7 0 1 21 11
Port Alberni 13 7 5 1 19 10
Royal City 16 7 2 7 32 29
Quesnel Utd 9 6 1 2 15 5
Rowing Club 16 6 7 3 18 14
Vancouver Utd 11 5 3 3 11 8
Regatta Club 8 4 0 4 13 14
Kitsilano 4 3 1 0 7 1
Richmond Utd 4 2 0 2 2 2
Burnaby A 8 3 4 1 5 5
Grandview 1 1 0 0 3 1

* PL = penalty shootout loss; shootout wins are counted in wins column

History[edit]

Vancouver City Football Club was established in 1892 as the second football club (after Rowing Club) and the first dedicated specifically to football in the City of Vancouver north of False Creek. Beginning play at a stadium on the northwest corner of Hastings Park (approximately where Pacific Coliseum is located now) with a stated capacity of 23,235, Van City were one of the founding members of the Western Football League in 1895; they played in the WFL until its merger into the Mainland Football League in 1918, and were assigned to Division One of the BC Football League at its formation in 1929.

In 1954 they moved into their current home, Empire Stadium, which has been renovated and modernised on several occasions since then.

League competition[edit]

Van City began play in BCFL Division One in 1929 to an inauspicious start, finishing dead last, fifteen points behind Royal Oak, who were also relegated at the end of the season. After a sixth-place finish in Division Two in 1930, the next year they finished in a three-way tie for twelfth place with Castlegar United and Alberni Town on 33 points; unluckily, City had the worst goal differential, leaving them in fourteenth place and another relegation, dropping to Division Three. This was followed by further misfortune in 1933, when the Reds finished fourteenth in Division Three for a third relegation in five years and dropping out of the Football League entirely. The Reds won the Regional Southwest Division One title in 1934 and thus qualified for the D3 Qualification Competition, but failed to finish in the top four and thus remained in the Regional Southwest; they repeated the process the following year, finishing sixth in the Qualification Competition. They stayed in the Regional through the rest of the 1930s, remaining out of the Football League until after the resumption of competition after the end of the Pacific War.

Professional sports were suspended for the duration of the Pacific War from 1942 through 1945; in these years, Van City competed in the unofficial [[During the war years, Rowing Club played in the Lower Mainland Football League. When League play resumed in 1946, City won the Regional Southwest championship for a third time, and this time successfully earned qualification to Division Three; in 1947, they finished second in D3 to earn a second consecutive promotion, this time to Division Two. After some mid-table finishes in the end of the 1940s and the beginning of the 1950s, in 1952 the Reds finished second - one point behind winners Port Alberni and ten ahead of third-placed Alberni Town - to earn a return to the top division.

The City made an immediate impact in their first Division One season since the relegation in the inaugural one, finishing fourth in 1953, then finishing runners-up and reaching the FA Cup Final - their first since 1929 - in 1954, marking the beginning of the period that many supporters consider Van City's "Golden Age". After finishing fourth again and 1955 and taking third-place honours in 1956, the Reds clinched their first Division One championship in 1957, five points clear of a three-way tie for second place between Royal City, Van United, and Kitimat City; they also won the FA Cup that year - their first in thirty years - to secure their first League & Cup Double. The good performances continued, finishing runners-up in 1958 and fourth in 1959 - tied for third on points with Port Alberni, but City's worse goal differential (+8, compared to Port Alberni's +15) left them fourth. 1960 saw another heart-breaking tie as the Reds finished even with Quesnel United on 52 points for first place, and once again their poorer goal differential (+5 vs +10) left them second-best, finishing the year as runners-up. They made up for it the following year, finishing as clear winners, nine points ahead of runners-up Royal City. They successfully defended their title in 1962, and in 1963 became only the third club, after Royal City of 1931–1933 and Fort George of 1953–1955, to win Division One three consecutive times. After a fourth place finish in 1964, in 1965 they secured their fifth League title and second League & Cup Double. They finished fourth again in 1966, but in 1967 they ended up seventh, ending a period of fourteen years in which the Reds finished no lower than fourth in Division One. They bounced back well in 1968, once again finishing tied for first, this time with Nanaimo Thistle; unfortunately, once again City had the worse goal differential, placing them runners-up for the year. They finished runners-up again in 1969 (and won their third League & Cup Double), setting a League record for fewest losses in a season with two.

The Reds continued their winning ways in the new decade, winning their sixth Division One championship in 1970 eight points ahead of runners-up Nanaimo Thistle whilst setting club records in wins (24), points (78), and fewest goals conceded (12), then defended their title with another record-breaking season with 26 wins, 84 points, and a new League record for fewest losses in a season, losing only a single match in the year; they also secured their fourth League & Cup Double in 1971. They were unsuccessful in their bid to become the first club to achieve three successive titles twice as they finished second in 1972, but in 1973 they won their eighth League title. They once again defended their title in 1974, and became the second British Columbian club to reach the final of the CONCACAF Champions League. In 1975 the Reds finished an almost disappointing third, in agonising fashion - only two points behind winners Royal City and one behind runners-up Fort George. They rebounded in 1976 to become the first club to win ten Division One championships, eight points ahead of Royal City and Dinas Blaenau, who were tied for second with 70 points. This would prove to be their last League title of the 20th century, but they did secure runner-up honours in 1977 and 1979 before the glory days - a span of over two decades - of one of BC's most successful football clubs wound down.

The early 1980s saw City become a upper-half team, the highlight performance being one more runner-up finish in 1983, a full twelve points behind winners Royal City. After a middling middle of the 1980s, the Reds came agonisingly close to third-place honours in 1989, finishing tied for third on points with Nanaimo Thistle - who had the better goal differential by a single goal. Their decline continued gradually from then on, fighting against relegation in the early 1990s until 1993 - the thirtieth anniversary of Van City's return to Division One - they finished last in the Division and were relegated. Their stay in Division Two was short, however, winning the title in 1994 to return to the top flight for 1995; they found themselves in a tight battle for safety with Kitimat & Kemano United, finishing level on points at the end of the season - unfortunately, as so many times before, City's poorer goal differential meant that they finished seventeenth and were again relegated. After winning Division Two again in 1996 they finished fourteenth in Division One in 1997, and have successfully remained in the top flight ever since.

The Reds finally secured a top-three finish again in 2003, when at the end of the season they found themselves tied for third on points with Llangefni; for once, the goal differential was in City's favour, giving them the honours. They then repeated the third-place finish in 2004, cementing the Reds' return to their status as a top club in BC whilst setting a record for fewest goals conceded in a season with eight. In 2005 they put an exclamation point on their return by winning their eleventh League title, once again putting on a remarkable display of defensive ability in conceding only eleven goals through the 34 matches. And in the following year they defended their title, winning 25 matches - one shy of the record they set in 1971 - and conceding nine goals, whilst finishing ten points ahead of runners-up Royal City. This was Van City's twelfth title, tying the record set by the Hyacks in 2002. 2007 saw a remarkably tight race for the title, with City finishing one point behind champions Wellington and one ahead of third-placed Rowing Club.

Going into the start of the 2008 season, Van City and Royal City were tied for most league titles with twelve. On the next to last matchday, the Reds needed a win and a Royal City loss to keep their title hopes alive. Twice they took the lead and twice Fort Nelson equalised, with City finally getting the win with an 83rd minute goal - however, it was for naught, as the Hyacks had jumped to a 3:0 lead against last-placed Rapid Vienna by the 28th minute of their match to clinch their record-breaking thirteenth league title.

With 32 games played of the 2009 season, City were sitting first with 63 points, three ahead of second-placed Royal City. On the penultimate matchday the Hyacks' hopes stayed alive thanks to a 0:2 Van City home loss against Wellington, who moved up into third place, whilst Royal City drew 1:1 versus Victoria United by means of an 83rd minute own goal by United defender Mark Archer. These results meant that the last matchday would decide the league title. Royal City played to a comfortable 2:0 win at Queen's Park over last-placed Royal Oak whilst the Reds and - as the year before - Fort Nelson were engaged in a wide-open, seven-goal thriller, City needing only a draw to secure the title on goal differential. The Vancouverites took the lead in injury time of the first half, but less than ten minutes into the second half the Pilots equalised, then took the lead three minutes after that. Ten minutes after Fort Nelson's go-ahead goal City drew level, making it 2:2 on 67', and on 81' they looked to clinch the title by taking a 3:2 lead via a Justin Isidro goal. But the Pilots broke out into a fast rush off the restart, equalising a minute later, and then two minutes from time, a Vancouver misplay led to a fast counterattack, giving Fort Nelson the lead again on 88', to the jubilation of the full house at Gary James Field. The 4:3 score held to the end, allowing Royal City to defend their League title by a single point; for the Reds, it was their third straight finish as runners-up.

The Reds have become a mid-table side since then, their best performances being fourth-place finishes in 2014 and 2017.

Season-by-season[edit]

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
1929 Division One 12th 33 7 4 22 43 73 25 Relegated; 1929 BC FA Cup winners
1930 Division Two 6th 30 13 8 9 56 38 47 Tied for 6th with Burnaby Albion; Van City had better goal differential
1931 Division Two 14th 30 9 6 15 56 73 33 Relegated. Tied for 12th with Castlegar Utd and Pen Foxes; Van City had worst goal differential
1932 Division Three 8th 30 14 4 12 56 60 46 Tied for 7th with Secwépemc Utd; Secwépemc had better goal differential
1933 Division Three 14th 30 6 12 12 42 56 30 Relegated
1934 D3 Qualification Competition 5th 11 3 6 2 15 14 12 Failed to achieve promotion
1935 D3 Qualification Competition 5th 11 4 3 4 14 14 11 Failed to achieve promotion
No competition held 1942–1945
1946 D3 Qualification Competition 1st 15 11 3 1 33 13 25 Promoted to Division Three
1947 Division Three 2nd 30 15 11 4 50 29 56 Promoted to Division Two
1948 Division Two 7th 30 10 8 12 31 31 38 Tied for 7th with Langford; Van City had better goal differential
1949 Division Two 9th 30 12 4 14 32 41 40
1950 Division Two 5th 30 14 10 6 45 31 52
1951 Division Two 10th 30 10 9 11 41 47 39
1952 Division Two 2nd 30 19 6 5 58 26 63 Promoted to Division One
1953 Division One 4th 33 15 8 10 55 39 53
1954 Division One 2nd 33 18 7 8 59 42 61
1955 Division One 4th 33 14 8 11 56 47 50
1956 Division One 3rd 33 15 12 6 42 26 57
1957 Division One 1st 33 19 4 10 41 36 61 First League championship; 1957 BC FA Cup winners
1958 Division One 2nd 33 19 6 8 57 42 63
1959 Division One 4th 33 17 7 9 45 37 58 Tied for 3rd with Port Alberni; Port Alberni had better goal differential
1960 Division One 2nd 33 14 10 9 49 44 52 Tied for 1st with Quesnel Utd; Quesnel had better goal differential
1961 Division One 1st 33 18 9 6 59 39 63 Second League championship
1962 Division One 1st 33 22 7 4 72 36 73 Third League championship
1963 Division One 1st 33 19 8 6 66 43 65 Fourth League championship
1964 Division One 4th 33 16 8 9 57 42 56
1965 Division One 1st 33 21 6 6 83 57 69 Fifth League championship; 1965 BC FA Cup winners
1966 Division One 4th 33 16 7 10 60 48 55 1966 BC FA Cup winners
1967 Division One 7th 33 13 7 13 54 53 46 Tied for 6th on points with Quesnel Utd; Quesnel Utd had better goal differential
1968 Division One 2nd 33 19 7 7 57 28 64 Tied for 1st on points with Nanaimo Thistle; Thistle had better goal differential
1969 Division One 2nd 33 18 13 2 51 27 67 1969 BC FA Cup winners
1970 Division One 1st 33 24 6 3 42 12 78 Sixth League championship
1971 Division One 1st 33 26 6 1 63 18 84 Seventh League championship; 1971 BC FA Cup winners
1972 Division One 2nd 33 18 8 7 48 33 62
1973 Division One 1st 33 18 9 6 46 24 63 Eighth League championship
1974 Division One 1st 34 22 7 5 76 41 73 Ninth League championship
1975 Division One 3rd 34 20 4 10 82 55 64
1976 Division One 1st 34 24 6 4 78 42 78 Tenth League championship
1977 Division One 2nd 34 19 6 9 77 57 63 1977 BC FA Cup winners
1978 Division One 4th 34 16 11 7 65 47 59
1979 Division One 2nd 34 19 8 7 68 45 65 1979 BC FA Cup winners
1980 Division One 5th 34 15 8 11 61 55 53
1981 Division One 9th 34 12 9 13 42 49 45 Tied for 8th on points with Van Utd; United had better goal differential
1982 Division One 7th 34 17 6 11 49 40 57
1983 Division One 2nd 34 19 8 7 58 33 65
1984 Division One 4th 34 17 9 8 63 46 60
1985 Division One 5th 34 17 9 8 60 49 60
1986 Division One 11th 34 10 9 15 56 62 39 Tied for 11th on points with Fort George; Van City had better goal differential
1987 Division One 11th 34 11 10 13 52 48 43
1988 Division One 9th 34 15 7 12 50 52 52
1989 Division One 4th 34 17 10 7 47 31 61 Tied for 3rd with Nanaimo Thistle; Thistle had better goal differential
1990 Division One 6th 34 15 5 14 47 53 50
1991 Division One 13th 34 11 6 17 51 60 39
1992 Division One 15th 34 10 7 17 37 38 47
1993 Division One 18th 34 6 8 20 27 63 26 Relegated
1994 Division Two 1st 34 24 4 6 59 27 76 Promoted to Division One
1995 Division One 17th 34 6 10 18 32 56 28 Relegated; tied for 16th on points with Kitimat & Kemano Utd, K&K had better goal differential
1996 Division Two 1st 34 23 7 4 57 24 76 Promoted to Division One
1997 Division One 14th 34 8 13 13 30 41 37
1998 Division One 15th 34 9 4 21 37 63 31
1999 Division One 10th 34 10 14 10 33 39 43
2000 Division One 6th 34 15 13 6 33 17 58
2001 Division One 7th 34 13 13 8 28 15 52
2002 Division One 12th 34 95 15 10 27 24 42
2003 Division One 3rd 34 16 10 8 36 20 58 Tied for 3rd on points with Llangefni; Van City had better goal differential
2004 Division One 3rd 34 16 16 2 34 8 64
2005 Division One 1st 34 21 11 2 43 11 74 Eleventh League championship
2006 Division One 1st 34 25 5 4 51 9 80 Twelfth League championship
2007 Division One 2nd 34 17 9 8 40 28 60
2008 Division One 2nd 34 18 8 8 48 32 62
2009 Division One 2nd 34 18 9 7 40 21 63
2010 Division One 9th 34 12 10 12 37 42 46
2011 Division One 5th 34 14 11 9 38 34 53
2012 Division One 10th 34 12 8 14 38 35 44 Tied for 10th on points with Pen Foxes; Van City had better goal differential
2013 Division One 5th 34 14 11 9 39 33 53
2014 Division One 4th 34 16 9 9 45 33 57 Tied for 4th with Vic Utd; Van City had better goal differential
2015 Division One 5th 34 17 10 7 36 20 61
2016 Division One 13th 34 11 11 12 37 45 44
2017 Division One 4th 34 14 13 7 34 21 55 Tied for 3rd with Yellowhead; Yellowhead had better goal differential
2018 Division One 8th 34 12 12 10 40 34 48
2019 Division One 12th 34 10 12 12 41 43 42 Tied for 11th with Yellowhead; Yellowhead had better goal differential
2020 Division One 13th 34 10 5 19 26 49 35 Four-way tie for 13th; Van City had best goal differential

FA Cup[edit]

Van City were one of the more successful clubs in the early days of the FA Cup, with four wins in eight Final appearances between 1896 and 1927.

The first FA Cup tournament after the reform of football competition in BC was held in 1929, and became notable for a variety of other reasons as well. Being a Division One member, City entered the competition in the fourth round, defeating division rivals Victoria Athletic to move on to the fifth round to face Royal City at Queen's Park, in an exciting match that ended with the score tied 3:3 forcing a replay at Hastings Park; the replay was equally exciting and wide-open, with City eventually winning 3:2 to advance to the quarter-finals. The quarter-final match against Port Alberni ended in a 1:1 draw, requiring a another replay at Hastings Park. Remarkably, this ended in a 0:0 draw, forcing a second replay - and the rule changes introduced in 1974 meant that it would be the only time this would ever happen. The second replay was played in Port Alberni, which City won with a 2:0 score. City hosted Merritt City in the first leg of their semi-final matchup, losing 1:2; they won the second leg in Merritt 3:2, and the 4:4 aggregate score meant that Van City advanced thanks to the away goals rule. Rather fittingly, the Final of the first "new" FA Cup competition was a Waterfront Derby; unfortunately, City were defeated 0:2 by Rowing Club in what would prove to be their last Final appearance for a quarter century. Van City had played nine matches in a single FA Cup tournament, a record unmatched by anyone until 2011, when Vernon City played through every round of the competition to become the first non-league side to reach the Final, then broke the record by forcing a Final Replay for a tenth Cup match (not counting the Qualifying Round matches played by non-league clubs to qualify for the First Round proper); Vernon ended up becoming the first and thus far only non-league side to win the FA Cup. As City were relegated to non-league status over the next several years they entered the FA Cup competition earlier and earlier, and by 1934 had to play through the Qualifying Rounds just to reach the First Round proper and after 1931 never advanced beyond the second round before the suspension of competition in 1942 due to the outbreak of the Pacific War.

The return of football in 1946 saw City have an excellent year, not only winning the Regional Southwest and earning promotion back to the League, but playing well in the Cup as well; they defeated Victoria West 3:0 away in the first round, Grandview 3:1 away in the second, but losing 2:3 at home to Chichester, after having led 2:0 at the half. The following year was even better. As a Division Three club they no longer had to play through the qualifying stage, comfortably advancing to the third round to face Grand Forks, against whom a replay was needed after a 1:1 draw at home; City emerged the winner with a convincing 3:0 away win to advance to the fourth round. Good fortune drew city with non-league Hope Town, giving them a comfortable 1:0 win to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1929, but Division One Port Alberni were ultimately a step too far and City lost 0:1 at home. Still, after the desolation of the 1930s and early 1940s, the future was finally looking bright for the Reds.

After a few false starts at the beginning of the 1950s, City went on another good run in 1951, meeting Rowing Club in the fifth round and coming out 1:0 winners to move on to the quarter-finals for a home tie against Dinas Blaenau, which they also won by a 2:1 score. In the semi-finals, however, top-level Fort George won both legs by a score of 2:1, eliminating Van City, but there was still cause for optimism. They followed this up in 1952 with another trip to the quarter-finals after defeating Port Alberni 2:1 in the fifth round replay, to be eliminated by Kitimat City in a 0:2 home loss in the quarters. Back in Division One for 1953, City's FA Cup campaign misfired, losing in the fourth round to Kamloops City, but the following year they advanced to the quarters and avenged their 1951 semi-final defeat with a 2:0 home win over Fort George. They then eliminated Parksville in the semi-finals with a 3:0 aggregate win to reach the Final for the first time since 1929, but unfortunately narrowly lost 0:1 to Regatta Club of Prince Rupert in the last FA Cup Final to be played at Windsor Park in Victoria.

The Reds had to wait a few years to return to the Final again, having been eliminated early in the next two years, but in the quarter-final of 1957 they had a rematch of the 1955 final, this time defeating Regatta Club in an equally close match - 3:2 in favour of City; in the semis they won the first leg against Quesnel United 2:0 at home, then lost 0:1 away in the return leg but advanced with a 2:1 aggregate score, setting the stage for a Cup-final City Derby against Van United played at the two clubs' shared home, Empire Stadium. United never seriously threatened, and City came out 2:0 winners to lift the FA Cup for the fifth time, their first in thirty years - and also the first time they succeeded in clinching the League & Cup Double, having won the Division One title as well. The Reds met United again the following year in the quarter-finals, emerging winners of a 2:1 match to reach the semis for a second consecutive year. The first leg was played in Fort Nelson at the northernmost stadium in the country, home of Fort Nelson RBCAF, and the air force club won 2:1, whilst the return leg at Empire Stadium was an unrulier affair, the Reds winning 3:2; this left the aggregate score at 4:4, which meant Fort Nelson advanced on the away goals rule. City ended the 1950s with a third straight trip to the FA Cup semi-finals, in 1959 losing 0:2 on aggregate to Kelowna Central.

After suffering several early exits in the early 1960s, the 1965 fifth round saw City paired with Kelowna Central again - to whom they'd lost in 1961 and 1964 - in a closely fought match that needed 120 minutes to decide, but the Reds prevailed, winning 3:2 after extra time. After defeating Kitimat & Kemano United 3:0 in the quarter-final and Secwépemc United 5:2 on aggregate in the semi-finals, Van City were in the FA Cup Final for the twelfth time. Extra time was needed in the Final too, but ultimately City came out on top, defeating Dinas Blaenau 4:2 after extra time to win their sixth FA Cup title and their second League & Cup Double. In 1966 they mounted their first successful Cup defence, advancing past Port Alberni in the quarter-finals and Llangefni in the semis to face Kelowna Central in the Final; after open play finished 2:2 after 120 minutes, penalties were needed to decide the winner, the Reds scoring three but Kelowna managing only two.

Having been eliminated in the fourth round by Cranbrook City in 1968, Van City faced them again in the fourth round in 1969, this time emerging victorious with the same 2:0 scoreline, before defeating Nanaimo Thistle 1:0 in the fifth round. The quarter-final was a rematch of the 1967 quarter-final in which Fort George had defeated the Reds by a score of 3:1; this time, City came out on top of a 2:1 decision. In the semi-finals they faced Quesnel United, winning the first leg at home 1:0 in a deceptively close match; the difference between the two sides - one battling against relegation, the other chasing first place - became evident in the return leg, when City crushed Quesnel 4:0 away. Now in the Final for the fourteenth time, City battled Regatta Club to a 0:0 draw after 120 minutes to force an uncommonly exciting penalty shootout, which the Reds won 7:6 to clinch the FA Cup title for the eighth time.

After another fourth-round exit in 1970, City breezed through the first three rounds, outscoring Cranbrook North Side, Quesnel United, and Victoria United with a combined 9:2 score to advance to the semi-finals to face Dinas Blaenau. The Dragons won the first leg at Empire Stadium 1:0, a somewhat surprising result considering Blaenau's league performance had been decidedly middling, whereas City were running away with the title. The Reds' performance in the return leg was similarly underwhelming, managing only a 2:1 win away and advancing to the final only thanks to the away goals rule. The Final was another City Derby matchup with Van United, and with United battling against relegation, on paper it should have been a comfortable win for City, but the ninety minutes ended with the score level at 1:1; luckily, City managed to score a goal in extra time to win the match, and the FA Cup for the ninth time. It wasn't until 1977 that Van City next reached the semi-finals, facing Royal City in another matchup expected to be quite the battle. The first leg reinforced that expectation as the Hyacks fought hard for a 2:1 away win at Empire Stadium, but the return leg caught everyone by surprise, as City dominated play to win the game 4:1 and the series 5:3 on aggregate to return to the Final once again; this time, it was another Waterfront Derby, with the Reds emerging as 3:1 winners over the Rowers to secure their tenth FA Cup title, matching the record set by Royal City three years prior. The Reds beat Dinas Blaenau 2:0 in the quarter-finals in the following year, to once again meet Royal City in the semis. In the first leg City tied their all-time record for highest-scoring match, defeating the Hyacks 5:4 at Empire Stadium; the Westminsterites won the return leg 1:0, leaving the aggregate score level at 5:5. Royal City thus advanced to the Final thanks to their four away goals, and went on to win the Cup for a record eleventh time. The two then met in the quarter-finals in 1979, with City emerging the winner in a wide-open 3:2 win, advancing to the finals after a 3:0 aggregate win over Port Alberni in the semis. Facing Van United again in the Final, the match ended 1:1, forcing a Final Replay under the new rules introduced in 1974; as close as the first match had been, City were dominant in the replay, running away with a 3:0 win and an eleventh FA Cup title, to once again match Royal City's all-time record. The two would jointly hold that record until Royal City won their twelfth in 1996; City have not won another FA Cup since then.

Much like the 1960s, the 1980s began with poor performances in FA Cup competition, never advancing past the fifth round between 1980 and 1984. The 1985 campaign started out with difficulty, playing Llangefni to a 2:2 draw in the fourth round before winning the shootout 2:0 in an abysmal performance from both sides, then once again needing penalties in the fifth round to take a 7:6 decision over Burnaby Albion after a 1:1 draw after extra time. Things looked better in the quarter-final as the Reds won 3:2 away at Dinas Blaenau, but the semi-finals were a return to the dire performances that had become typical of the Cup campaign that year; surprising, since City were in the thick of the Division One title hunt until late in the season. The first leg was an almost lucky 1:1 draw in which Quesnel took the lead on 24' and the Reds chased the ball the rest of the match, finally managing to equalise on 79'), whilst the second leg was little better in terms of quality, but City won 1:0 away, giving them a 2:1 aggregate win to enter the Finals... to face Van United for the fourth time in an FA Cup Final and the third time in City's last four Final appearances, including the last one in 1979. In a refreshing change, the quality of football on display at BC Place in the Final was excellent, but as in 1979, the match ended with the score level - this time at 1:1 - to force a replay. The replay was equally tight, still scoreless after ninety minutes of play; with only three minutes to go in extra time, United found the winning goal. This would be City's last appearance in an FA Cup final for a quarter century.

Little of note happened in Cup competition over the next several years, until 1988 when City defeated Dinas Blaenau 4:2 in the quarter-finals to reach the semis for the first time since the Final appearance 1985; facing United once again, the Reds won the first leg 1:0 across town at BC Place, but United returned the favour, winning the return leg 2:0 at Empire to eliminate City once again. The 1990s would be devoid of any success as City never advanced beyond the quarter-finals in that decade, but it started the new millennium off well, getting past Quesnel United in the quarter-finals in 2000 to reach the semifinals - but playing a remarkably dull semi-finals against Burnaby Albion, in which the aggregate score after the two legs was 0:0; Albion emerged the winners in the shootout; another visit to the semis came in 2004, in which there was another 0:0 aggregate draw, only for City to lose again, this time to second-division Smithers & Telkwa United. The Reds made another run in 2007, defeating Rowing Club 2:1 away in the quarters to meet Wellington in the semi-finals; unfortunately, a 1:2 loss away in the first leg decided the matchup, as the second leg ended in a 1:1 draw at Empire Stadium, sending the Violets to the final thanks to a 3:2 aggregate score.

Van City finally returned to the FA Cup Final in 2010, after an absence of 25 years. After taking advantage of ten-man Secwépemc United to come from behind to win 2:1 in the fourth round, City easily defeated Nanaimo City in the fifth, winning 4:1 away at Rotary Bowl before dispatching Victoria United with a 3:1 away win in the quarter-finals. Advancing to the semi-finals, they met old rivals Kitsilano for only the second time since 1929 in Cup play - and there would be two matches to play. City went ahead half an hour into the first leg through a Terry Dunfield goal in the 31st minute, and they held on to the lead well into the second half, when Kits striker Ollie Heald equalised with a fine header on 75'; the match ended 1:1. The second leg was played in front of a sold-out Thunderbird Stadium, and once again the Reds were able to strike early, taking a 1:0 lead thanks to a volley on 27' from BC international striker Justin Isidro; this time, City were able to hold the lead safely until Isidro put it away with a second goal nine minutes from time. The Final would prove remarkable. Seven minutes in, City were ahead thanks to an Isidro strike, after which the proceedings remained rather sedate until veteran Steve Kindel added a second for City in the first minute of time added on. The second half, however, would see the Reds' star striker Isidro putting on a master class in goal scoring - and one of the most memorable comebacks in BC sporting history. Two minutes after the restart, Royal City's recent addition from Shaughnessy, 21-year-old midfielder Brandon Bonifacio registered one for the Hyacks, but four minutes later, Isidro hit a lightning strike to restore the Reds' two-goal lead on 51'. Four minutes after that, he added another to put City up 4:1, this time with an inch-perfect header, and four minutes after that, Hyacks' striker Jordan Hughes cut Vancouver's lead back down to two goals - but Isidro once again restored the three-goal lead with another electrifying strike in the 66th minute. With a 5:2 lead and less than half an hour left, City seemed to relax a little - which the Westminsterites exploited, Bonifacio netting his second of the match in the 71st to cut City's lead back down to two. This goal was a lifeline for the Hyacks, who then poured everything they had into attacking. In the 80th minute, Hyacks manager and BC legend Carl Valentine took a gamble, subbing on another young midfielder in the shape of Jacob Lensky, who had transferred mid-season from Shaughnessy Shamrocks. The 22-year-old made an immediate impact, finding himself unmarked just inside the Vancouver area and driving the ball home on 88' to bring Royal City within a goal. With the fourth official indicated four minutes of time added on, the Hyacks went into hyperdrive, with even keeper Paddy Kenny joining the attack, desperate to find an equaliser. Hyacks' veteran midfielder Jeff Clarke won a free kick from near the left side corner flag, taking it himself to loft the ball back to the top of the City area, where after a single bounce Lensky struck it with fury, driving the ball into the top right corner to tie the game up at 5:5 on 90+2' - a match for the history books. The Hyacks took this momentum into the Final Replay, outshooting City 11:1 in terms of shots on target; a Jordan Hughes goal in the 66th minute was the only one to go in, but it was enough to clinch Royal City's fifteenth FA Cup victory, and break the hearts of City's players and supporters.

City's most successful Cup performance since then was in 2019, when they reached the semi-finals but were eliminated 2:1 on aggregate by Rowing Club.

Season-by-season[edit]

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

Season Round Home side Score Away side Venue (Attendance) Notes
1929 4th Victoria Athletic (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Sinclair Road, Victoria
5th Royal City (D1) 3:3 Van City (D1) Queen's Park, New Westminster
5th Re Van City (D1) 3:2 Royal City (D1) Hastings Park, Vancouver
QF Port Alberni Athletic (D2) 1:1 Van City Russell Field, Port Alberni
QF Re Van City (D1) 0:0 Port Alberni Athletic (D2) Hastings Park, Vancouver
QF Re2 Port Alberni Athletic (D2) 0:2 Van City (D1) Russell Field, Port Alberni Only Second Replay in FA Cup history
SF Van City (D1) 1:2 Merritt City (D2) Hastings Park, Vancouver Leg 1
Merritt City FC (D2) 2:3 Van City (D1) Voght Park, Merritt Leg 2; 5:5 on aggregate, Van City won on away goals
Final Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 2:0 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval, Vancouver 9th appearance in Final
1930 2nd Kelowna Central (D3) 3:3 Van City (D2) Burtch Road, Kelowna
2nd Re Van City (D2) 2:0 Kelowna Central (D3) Hastings Park, Vancouver
3rd Tisquit Wanderers 1:0 Van City (D2) J. P. Dallos Field, Tisquit
1931 2nd Terrace 1:2
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D2) Munroe Street, Terrace
3rd Mission City (D3) 3:2 Van City (D2) Mission Sports Park, Mission
1932 1st Van City (D3) 4:4 Lake City Hastings Park, Vancouver
1st Re Lake City 1:0 Van City Lake City Stadium, Williams Lake
1933 1st Alberni Town (D3) 3:0 Van City (D3) H. C. Brewster Field, Port Alberni
1934 1st Port Edward 1:2 Van City Jubilee Crescent, Port Edward
2nd Van City 3:3 Prince George City Hastings Park, Vancouver
2nd Re Prince George City 2:1 Van City Exhibition Park, Prince Rupert
1935 1st Kamloops City (D3) 1:0 Van City Riverside Park, Kamloops
1936 1st Van City 0:3 Gulf Islands Utd Hastings Park, Vancouver
1937 1st Van City 1:4 Creston Utd Hastings Park, Vancouver
1938 1st Van City 1:1 Tisquit Wanderers Hastings Park, Vancouver
1st Re Tisquit Wanderers 1:0 Van City J. P. Dallos Field, Tisquit
1939 1st Fort St John 1:3 Van City Kin Park, Fort St John
2nd Van City 0:1 Langley Prairie Hastings Park, Vancouver
1940 1st Fort St James 1:2 Van City Goodwin Park
2nd Van City 1:3 Burnaby Albion Hastings Park
1941 1st Van City 1:2 Sooyoos Utd Hastings Park
No competition held 1942–1945
1946 1st Van City 3:0 Victoria West Hastings Park
2nd Grandview 1:3 Van City Grandview Park
3rd Van City 2:3 Chichester Hastings Park
1947 1st Van City (D3) 2:0 Lake City (D3) Hastings Park
2nd Van City (D3) 2:1 Port Hardy Hastings Park
3rd Van City (D3) 1:1 Grand Forks (D3) Hastings Park
3rd Re Grand Forks (D3) 0:3 Van City (D3)
4th Van City (D3) 1:0 Hope Town Hastings Park
5th Van City (D3) 0:1 Port Alberni Athletic (D1) Hastings Park
1948 2nd Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D3) 3:2 Van City (D2)
1949 2nd Coquitlam Town (D3) 1:4 Van City (D2) Town Centre Stadium
3rd Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D2) 3:2 Van City (D2)
1950 2nd Parksville (D3) 2:1 Van City (D2) Ballenas Field
1951 2nd Mission City 1:3 Van City (D2)
3rd Oak Bay Wanderers (D3) 0:2 Van City (D2) Windsor Park
4th Gitanmaax Utd 1:2
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D2) Ferry Road
5th Van City (D2) 1:0 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Hastings Park
QF Van City (D2) 2:1 Dinas Blaenau (D1) Hastings Park
SF Van City (D2) 0:1 Fort George (D1) Hastings Park Leg 1
Fort George (D1) 1:0 Van City (D2) Malaspina Park Leg 2; Fort George won 2:0 on aggregate
1952 2nd Gitanmaax Utd 1:3 Van City (D2) Ferry Road
3rd Skaha Rovers 0:4 Van City (D2) Skaha Lake Ground
4th Kaslo 1:4 Van City (D2) Victoria Avenue
5th Van City (D2) 0:0 Port Alberni Athletic (D2) Hastings Park
5th Re Port Alberni Athletic (D2) 1:2 Van City (D2) Russell Field
QF Van City (D2) 0:2 Kitimat City (D1) Hastings Park
1953 4th Kamloops City (D2) 1:0
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Riverside Park
1954 4th Cranbrook North Side (D2) 1:2 Van City (D1) Moir Park
5th Van City (D1) 1:0 Nanaimo Thistle (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Van City (D1) 2:0 Fort George (D1) Empire Stadium
SF Parksville (D2) 0:0 Van City (D1) Ballenas Field Leg 1
Van City (D1) 3:0 Parksville (D2) Hastings Park Leg 2; Van City won 3:0 on aggregate
Final Van City (D1) 0:1 Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D1) Windsor Park 10th appearance in Final
1955 4th Sooyoos Utd 2:5 Van City (D1)
5th Van City (D1) 1:2 Fort George (D1) Empire Stadium
1956 4th Parksville (D2) 4:3
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Ballenas Field
1957 4th Victoria West 0:5 Van City (D1) Royal Athletic Park
5th Kelowna Central (D1) 0:0 Van City (D1) Apple Bowl
5th Re Van City (D1) 2:0 Kelowna Central (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Van City (D1) 3:2 Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D1) Empire Stadium
SF Van City (D1) 2:0 Quesnel Utd (D2) Empire Stadium Leg 1
Quesnel Utd (D2) 1:0 Van City (D1) Reynard Street Leg 2; Van City won 2:1 on aggregate
Final Van City (D1) 2:0 Van Utd (D1) Empire Stadium 11th appearance in Final, 5th FA Cup title
1958 4th Courtenay Athletic (D2) 1:3 Van City (D1) Harmston Park
5th Secwépemc Utd (D3) 0:3 Van City (D1) Shuswap Road
QF Van Utd (D1) 1:2 Van City (D1) Empire Stadium
SF Fort Nelson RBCAF (D1) 2:1 Van City (D1) AFSC Field Leg 1
Van City (D1) 3:2 Fort Nelson RBCAF (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 2; 4:4 on aggregate, Fort Nelson won on away goals
1959 4th Rapid Vienna (D2) 1:3 Van City (D1) Vienna Park
5th Secwépemc Utd (D2) 0:2 Van City (D1) Shuswap Road
QF Alberni Town (D2) 1:2 Van City (D1)
SF Kelowna Central (D1) 1:0 Van City (D1) Apple Bowl Leg 1
Van City (D1) 0:1 Kelowna Central (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 2; Kelowna won 2:0 on aggregate
1960 4th Lake City (D2) 0:3 Van City (D1)
5th Van City (D1) 2:2 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium
5th Re Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 3:1 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval
1961 4th Royal City (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Queen's Park
5th Merritt City (D3) 0:4 Van City (D1) Voght Park
QF Kelowna Central (D1) 1:1 Van City (D1) Apple Bowl
QF Re Van City (D1) 1:2 Kelowna Central (D1) Empire Stadium
1962 4th Secwépemc Utd (D2) 4:2
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Shuswap Road
1963 4th Royal City (D1) 2:1 Van City (D1) Queen's Park
1964 4th Royal City (D1) 0:4 Van City (D1) Queen's Park
5th Kelowna Central (D1) 2:1 Van City (D1) Apple Bowl
1965 4th Kamloops City (D1) 1:2 Van City (D1) Riverside Park
5th Van City (D1) 3:2
(a.e.t.)		 Kelowna Central (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Van City (D1) 3:0 Kitimat & Kemano Utd (D1) Empire Stadium
SF Secwépemc Utd (D2) 2:4 Van City (D1) Shuswap Road Leg 1
Van City (D1) 1:0 Secwépemc Utd (D2) Empire Stadium Leg 2; Van City won 5:2 on aggregate
Final Van City (D1) 4:2
(a.e.t.)		 Dinas Blaenau (D1) Empire Stadium 12th appearance in Final, 6th FA Cup title
1966 4th Kitsilano (D2) 0:3 Van City (D1) McBride Park
5th Courtenay Athletic (D2) 1:2 Van City (D1) Harmston Park
QF Port Alberni Athletic (D2) 1:3 Van City (D1) Russell Field
SF Van City (D1) 4:1 Llangefni (D2) Empire Stadium Leg 1
Llangefni (D2) 1:2 Van City (D1) Stadiwm Ylesylywêt Leg 2; Van City won 6:2 on aggregate
Final Van City (D1) 2:2
(3:2 p)		 Kelowna Central (D1) Empire Stadium 13th appearance in Final, 7th FA Cup title
1967 4th Secwépemc Utd (D2) 1:3 Van City (D1) Shuswap Road
5th Merritt City (D1) 1:3 Van City (D1) Voght Park
QF Fort George (D1) 3:1 Van City (D1) Malaspina Park
1968 4th Cranbrook City (D2) 2:0 Van City (D1) Baker Park
1969 4th Cranbrook City (D2) 0:2 Van City (D1) Baker Park
5th Van City (D1) 1:0 Nanaimo Thistle (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Fort George (D1) 1:2 Van City (D1) Malaspina Park
SF Van City (D1) 1:0 Quesnel Utd (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 1
Quesnel Utd (D1) 0:4 Van City (D1) Reynard Street Leg 2; Van City won 5:0 on aggregate
Final Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D1) 0:0
(6:7 p)		 Van City (D1) Empire Stadium 14th appearance in Final, 8th FA Cup title
1970 4th Kitimat & Kemano Utd (D2) 2:1 Van City (D1) Nechako Stadium
1971 4th Cranbrook North Side (D2) 1:3 Van City (D1) Moir Park
5th Van City (D1) 4:1 Quesnel Utd (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Victoria Utd (D2) 0:2 Van City (D1) Grant Street
SF Van City (D1) 0:1 Dinas Blaenau (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 1
Dinas Blaenau (D1) 1:2 Van City (D1) Parc Canmlwyddiant Leg 2; 2:2 on aggregate, Van City won on away goals
Final Van Utd (D1) 1:2
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Empire Stadium 15th appearance in Final, 9th FA Cup title
1972 4th Chetwynd Railway (D2) 0:1 Van City (D1) Rotary Park
5th Van City (D1) 0:1 Royal City (D1) Empire Stadium
1973 4th Van City (D1) 0:0 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium
4th Re Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 0:0
(6:5 p)		 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval
1974 4th Port Alberni Athletic (D2) 1:3 Van City (D1) Russell Field
5th Van City (D1) 4:0 Cranbrook City (D2) Empire Stadium
QF Van City (D1) 1:2
(a.e.t.)		 Royal City (D1) Empire Stadium
1975 4th Van City (D1) 2:2
(2:3 p)		 Secwépemc Utd (D1) Empire Stadium
1976 4th Van City (D1) 2:1 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium
5th Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D1) 3:3
(3:0 p)		 Van City (D1)
1977 4th Van City (D1) 3:3
(4:3 p)		 Port Alberni Athletic (D1) Empire Stadium
5th Dawson Creek (D3) 2:3
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Crescent Park
QF Van City (D1) 4:1 Fort Nelson RBCAF (D2) Empire Stadium
SF Van City (D1) 1:2 Royal City (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 1
Royal City (D1) 1:4 Van City (D1) Queen's Park Leg 2; Van City won 5:3 on aggregate
Final Van City (D1) 3:1 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium 16th appearance in Final, 10th FA Cup title
1978 4th Van City (D1) 4:2 Llangefni (D2) Empire Stadium
5th Van City (D1) 2:1 Victoria Athletic (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Van City (D1) 2:0 Dinas Blaenau (D1) Empire Stadium
SF Van City (D1) 5:4 Royal City (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 1
Royal City (D1) 1:0 Van City (D1) Queen's Park Leg 2; 5:5 on aggregate, Royal City won on away goals
1979 4th Trail City (D3) 1:2 Van City (D1) Cominco Stadium
5th Van City (D1) 2:1 Cassiar City (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Van City (D1) 3:2 Royal City (D1) Empire Stadium
SF Port Alberni Athletic (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Russell Field Leg 1
Van City (D1) 2:0 Port Alberni Athletic (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 2; Van City won 3:0 on away goals
Final Van Utd (D1) 1:1 Van City (D1) Empire Stadium 17th appearance in Final
Final Re Van City (D1) 3:0 Van Utd (D1) Empire Stadium 11th FA Cup title
1980 4th Kelowna Central (D1) 1:3 Van City (D1) Apple Bowl
5th Van City (D1) 2:2
(1:3 p)		 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium
1981 4th Van City (D1) 2:1 Royal Oak Hotspur (D2) Empire Stadium
5th Van Utd (D1) 2:0 Van City (D1) Empire Stadium
1982 4th Van City (D1) 0:1 Vanderhoof Utd (D2) Empire Stadium
1983 4th Van City (D1) 1:1
(0:3 p)		 Cassiar City (D1) Empire Stadium
1984 4th Cranbrook City (D3) 0:2 Van City (D1) Baker Park
5th Nanaimo Thistle (D2) 4:4
(5:4 p)		 Van City (D1) Caledonia Park
1985 4th Van City (D1) 2:2
(2:0 p)		 Llangefni (D1) Empire Stadium
5th Van City (D1) 1:1
(7:6 p)		 Burnaby Albion (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Dinas Blaenau (D1) 2:3 Van City (D1) Parc Canmlwyddiant
SF Van City (D1) 1:1 Quesnel Utd (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 1
Quesnel Utd (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Reynard Street Leg 2; Van City won 2:1 on aggregate
Final Van City (D1) 0:0 Van Utd (D1) BC Place 18th appearance in Final
Final Re Van Utd (D1) 1:0
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) BC Place
1986 4th Van City (D1) 0:3 Trail City (D3) Empire Stadium
1987 4th Skwxwú7mesh (D3) 0:4 Van City (D1) Buckley Avenue
5th Van City (D1) 1:1
(5:3 p)		 Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D1) Empire Stadium
QF Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 0:0
(4:3 p)		 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval
1988 4th Van City (D1) 2:1 Kamloops City Empire Stadium
5th Llangefni (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Stadiwm Ylesylywêt
QF Van City (D1) 4:2 Dinas Blaenau (D1) Empire Stadium
SF Van Utd (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) BC Place Leg 1
Van City (D1) 0:2 Van Utd (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 2; Van Utd won 2:1 on aggregate
1989 4th Van City (D1) 0:0
(3:4 p)		 Llangefni (D1) Empire Stadium
1990 4th Van City (D1) 1:2
(a.e.t.)		 Quesnel Utd (D1) Empire Stadium
1991 4th Van City (D1) 1:1
(3:5 p)		 Fort Nelson RBCAF (D2) Empire Stadium
1992 4th Van City (D1) 2:0 Nanaimo City (D2) Empire Stadium
5th Gitlaxt’aamiks (D2) 0:2 Van City (D1) Skateen Avenue
QF Wellington (D1) 1:0 Van City (D1) Pleasant Valley Park
1993 4th Wellington (D1) 1:0
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Pleasant Valley Park
1994 2nd Chichester 1:0 Van City (D2) Friesen Road
1995 4th Van City (D1) 1:3 Alberni Town (D1) Empire Stadium
1996 2nd Van City (D2) 2:0 Spallumcheen Utd (D3) Empire Stadium
3rd Van City (D2) 3:2 Salmo (D3) Empire Stadium
4th Ganiks Laxha (D3) 3:2 Van City (D2) Munroe Street
1997 4th Van City (D1) 1:2 Royal City (D1) Empire Stadium
1998 4th Prince Rupert Regatta Club (D1) 1:2 Van City (D1)
5th Cassiar City (D3) 2:3
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Cassiar Sports Ground
QF Van City (D3) 0:3 Yellowhead (D1) Empire Stadium
1999 4th Nanaimo Thistle (D1) 1:0 Caledonia Park
2000 4th Royal City (D1) 0:0
(4:5 p)		 Van City (D1) Queen's Park
5th Van City (D1) 1:0 Castlegar Utd (D3) Empire Stadium
QF Quesnel Utd (D1) 0:1
(a.e.t.)		 Van City (D1) Reynard Street
SF Burnaby Albion (D1) 0:0 Van City (D1) Swangard Stadium Leg 1
Van City (D1) 0:0
(3:4 p)		 Burnaby Albion (D1) Empire Stadium Leg 2; 0:0 on aggregate, Burnaby won on penalties
2001 4th Richmond Utd (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Minoru Park
5th Van City (D1) 0:1 Kelowna Central (D1) Empire Stadium
2002 4th Royal Oak Hotspur (D2) 0:0
(5:4 p)		 Van City (D1) Layritz Park
2003 4th Cranbrook North Side (D1) 0:0
(2:3 p)		 Van City (D1) Moir Park
5th Van City (D1) 0:1 Kamloops City (D1) Empire Stadium
2004 4th Summit Lake 0:2 Van City (D1) Adams Road (2,178)
5th Kitsilano (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Thunderbird Stadium (12,008)
QF Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 1:1 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval
QF Re Van City (D1) 2:0 Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium (42,694)
SF Smithers & Telkwa Utd (D2) 0:0 Van City (D1) Vancouver Street (4,198) Leg 1
Van City (D1) 0:0
(2:3 p)		 Smithers & Telkwa Utd (D2) Empire Stadium (36,294) Leg 2; 0:0 on aggregate, Smithers & Telkwa won on penalties
2005 4th Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 0:1 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval (32,586)
5th Van Utd (D1) 0:0
(3:1 p)		 Van City (D1) BC Place (54,127)
2006 4th Van City (D1) 0:0
(5:3 p)		 Courtenay Athletic (D3) Empire Stadium (26,151)
5th Port Alberni Athletic (D1) 1:1
(4:3 p)		 Van City (D1) Russell Field (7,319)
2007 4th Port Edward (D3) 1:1
(2:4 p)		 Van City (D1) Jubilee Crescent (2,662)
5th Van City (D1) 3:2 Penticton Foxes (D2) Empire Stadium (28,839)
QF Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 1:2 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval (33,338)
SF Wellington (D1) 2:1 Van City (D1) Pleasant Valley Park (8,436) Leg 1
Van City (D1) 1:1 Wellington (D1) Empire Stadium (37,925) Leg 2; Wellington won 3:2 on aggregate
2008 4th Oak Bay Wanderers (D2) 1:1
(6:5 p)		 Van City (D1) Windsor Park (11,564)
2009 4th Van City (D1) 1:0 Yellowhead (D1) Empire Stadium (34,767)
5th Victoria Athletic (D2) 0:1 Van City (D1) Centennial Stadium (26,860)
QF Van City (D1) 0:1 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium (42,681)
2010 4th Secwépemc Utd (D3) 1:2 Van City (D1) Brandt Stadium (14,281)
5th Nanaimo City (D2) 1:4 Van City (D1) Rotary Bowl (15,930)
QF Victoria Utd (D1) 1:3 Van City (D1) Grant Street (14,282)
SF Van City (D1) 1:1 Kitsilano (D1) Empire Stadium (42,701) Leg 1
Kitsilano (D1) 0:2 Van City (D1) Thunderbird Stadium (12,023) Leg 2; Van City won 3:1 on aggregate
Final Royal City (D1) 5:5 Van City (D1) BC Place (54,480) 19th appearance in Final
Final Re Van City (D1) 0:1 Royal City (D1) BC Place (54,497)
2011 4th Van City (D1) 0:1 Yellowhead (D1) Empire Stadium (32,132)
2012 4th Penticton Foxes (D1) 0:2 Van City (D1) Kettle Valley Stadium (8,398)
5th Fort George (D1) 1:0 Van City (D1) Malaspina Park (15,391)
2013 4th Van City (D1) 2:0 Kimberley Town (D3) Empire Stadium (34,704)
5th Richmond Utd (D1) 1:0 Van City (D1) Minoru Park (17,336)
2014 4th Van City (D1) 0:1 Victoria Utd (D1) Empire Stadium (32,638)
2015 5th Canyon Utd (D3) 1:0 Van City (D1) Nzenman Field (2,829)
2016 4th Nelson City 1:0 Van City (D1) Prince Philip Park (3,592)
2017 4th Victoria Athletic(D2) 0:0
(4:2 p)		 Van City (D1) Centennial Stadium (41,312)
2018 4th Silver King (D2) 2:1 Van City (D1) Selkirk College Stadium (5,423)
2019 4th Van City (D1) 2:0 Boston Bar Empire Stadium (33,441)
5th Michel & Sparwood (D3) 0:1 Van City (D1) Sparwood Leisure Centre (1,937)
QF Burnaby Albion (D1) 1:2 Van City (D1) Swangard Stadium (12,571)
SF Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) 1:1 Van City (D1) Brockton Oval (33,360) Leg 1
Van City (D1) 0:1 Vancouver Rowing Club (D1) Empire Stadium (42,729) Leg 2; Rowing Club won 2:1 on aggregate
2020 4th Cranbrook City (D2) 4:2 Van City (D1) Baker Park (13,006)

Super Cup[edit]

Season-by-season[edit]

This is a listing of the club's performances in British Columbia Super Cup competition since 1991.

Season Home side Score Away side Venue (attendance) Notes
2006 Van City (D1) 2:0 Wellington (D1) Empire Stadium (37,994) 1st title
2007 Van City (D1) 0:1 Grand Forks (D1) Empire Stadium (37,373)

International club competition[edit]

CONCACAF Champions League[edit]

Van City first qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1974 and reached the final, but lost to CSD Municipal of Guatemala 2:4 on aggregate in the two-leg final, having lost 1:2 in both legs. They reached the final once again in 1975 and faced Atlético Español of Mexico, drawing 1:1 at Empire Stadium in the first leg, but losing 0:2 away to lose 1:2 on aggregate. They reached the final for a third time in 1977 and won for the first time with a remarkable 1:0 win against Club América of Mexico at Azteca Stadium; the return leg was a 0:0 draw. The Reds returned to the Champions Cup in 2006, again reaching the finals, but losing to Club América, having drawn 0:0 in Vancouver before losing 1:2 in Mexico City. They again qualified in 2007, but were eliminated in the semi-final by CD Guadalajara in their last appearance in the competition before its transformation.

The Champions Cup was reformed as the CONCACAF Champions League ahead of the 2009 competition, with three Mexican, three American, two British Columbian, and one Canadian teams qualifying from the North American Zone into a group stage competition, with the winner of each group advancing to the knockout stage. The Reds qualified for the very first one, in which only one BC team - the league winner, Royal City - qualified directly for the group stage; the other - the league runner-up, Van City - entered a Qualifying Round against Tauro FC of Panama. Unfortunately, City lost 0:2 in the first leg in Panama, and managed only a 1:1 draw in the return leg at home, and were eliminated before the tournament proper began. In the following year City - again league runners-up behind Royal City - successfully advanced out of the Qualifying Round by defeating Guatemalan side CD Jalapa 10:1 on aggregate, then going on to finish first in Group A to advance to the elimination stage. Having defeated Comunicaciones FC of Guatemala and Toluca the Reds reached the final once again in 2010, facing Mexican side Cruz Azul. With Cruz Azul having won the first leg 2:1 in Mexico City, the Reds fought to a 1:0 home win in the return leg, which left the aggregate score at 2:2 - thanks to their away goal, City won their second Champions League title.

Season Stage Home side Score Away side Venue Notes
1974 NAZ Maccabee Los Angeles (USA) 1:3 Van City (BCO) Jackie Robinson Field, Los Angeles, CA, USA Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 4:0 Maccabee Los Angeles (USA) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Van City won 7:1 on aggregate
SF SV Transvaal (SUR) 0:2 Van City (BCO) National Stadion, Paramaribo, Suriname Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 3:1 SV Transvaal (SUR) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Van City won 5:1 on aggregate
Final CSD Municipal (GUA) 2:1 Van City (BCO) Est. Mateo Flores, Guatemala City, Guatemala Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 1:2 CSD Municipal (GUA) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Municipal won 4:2 on aggregate
1975 NAZ Van City (BCO) 2:0 Serbian White Eagles (CAN) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
Serbian White Eagles (CAN) 1:1 Van City (BCO) Centennial Park, Toronto, ON, Canada Leg 2; Van City won 3:1 on aggregate
SF Van City (BCO) 2:0 SV Transvaal (SUR) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
SV Transvaal (SUR) 0:2 Van City (BCO) National Stadion, Paramaribo, Suriname Leg 2; Van City won 4:0 on aggregate
Final Van City (BCO) 1:1 Atlético Español (MEX) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
Atlético Español (MEX) 2:0 Van City (BCO) Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico Leg 2; Español won 3:1 on aggregate
1977 NAZ Van City (BCO) w/o Serbian White Eagles (CAN) - White Eagles withdrew
SF Van City (BCO) 1:1 SV Robinhood (SUR) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
SV Robinhood (SUR) 0:1 Van City (BCO) Flora Stadion, Paramaribo, Suriname Leg 2; Van City won 2:1 on aggregate
Final Club América (MEX) 1:0 Van City (BCO) Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 0:0 Club América (MEX) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Van City won 1:0 on away goals
2006 QF Club Toluca (MEX) 1:2 Van City (BCO) Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca, Mexico Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 2:0 Club Toluca (MEX) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Van City won 4:1 on aggregate
SF Van City (BCO) 2:0 Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) 3:2 Van City (BCO) Est. Saprissa, San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica Leg 2; Van City won 5:3 on aggregate
Final Van City (BCO) 0:0 Club América (MEX) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
Club América (MEX) 2:1 Van City (BCO) Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico Leg 2; Club América won 2:1 on aggregate
2007 QF CD Olimpia (HON) 1:4 Van City (BCO) Estadio Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 3:2 CD Olimpia (HON) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Van City won 7:3 on aggregate
SF Van City (BCO) 1:1 CD Guadalajara (MEX) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
CD Guadalajara (MEX) 2:1 Van City (BCO) Estadio Chivas, Guadalajara, Mexico Leg 2; Guadalajara won 3:2 on aggregate
2009 Qual. Tauro FC (PAN) 2:0 Van City (BCO) Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 1:1 Tauro FC (PAN) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Tauro won 3:1 on aggregate
2010 Qual. Van City (BCO) 3:0 Jalapa (GUA) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 1
Jalapa (GUA) 1:7 Van City (BCO) Estadio Las Flores, Jalapa, Guatemala Leg 2; Van City won 10:1 on aggregate
Group A Árabe Unido (PAN) 4:1 Van City (BCO) Est. Armando Dely Valdes, Colón, Panama Van City finished 1st in group (5w, 1l, 15 pts); advanced to quarter-finals
Van City (BCO) 2:0 Houston Dynamo (USA) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC
Isidro Metapán (ELS) 0:4 Van City (BCO) Estadio El Calero, Metapán, El Salvador
Van City (BCO) 5:0 Isidro Metapán (ELS) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC
Houston Dynamo (USA) 0:1 Van City (BCO) Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX, USA
Van City (BCO) 2:0 Árabe Unido (BCO) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC
QF Comunicaciones FC (GUA) 1:1 Van City (BCO) Estadio Nacional, Guatemala City, Guatemala Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 2:1 Comunicaciones FC (GUA) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Van City won 3:2 on aggregate
SF Club Toluca (MEX) 1:1 Van City (BCO) Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca, Mexico Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 1:0 Club Toluca (MEX) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; Van City won 2:1 on aggregate
Final Cruz Azul (MEX) 2:1 Van City (BCO) Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico Leg 1
Van City (BCO) 1:0 Cruz Azul (MEX) Empire Stadium, Vancouver, BC Leg 2; 2:2 on aggregate, Van City won on away goals

Inter-American Cup[edit]

Van City have appeared in the Inter-American Cup twice, winning both times.

Season Winners Leg 1 Leg 2 Agg. Runners-up Venue (leg 1) Venue (leg 2) Notes
1978 Van City (BCO)
1:1
0:0
1:1
 Boca Juniors (ARG) La Bombonera, Buenos Aires Empire Stadium, Vancouver 1st title; Van City won on away goals
2011 Van City (BCO)
2:1 (a.e.t)
 Santos (BRA) Centennial Stadium, Victoria, BC 2nd title

Intercontinental Cup[edit]

Van City have taken part in the Intercontinental Cup once, defeating FC Barcelona of Spain to win the "best club in the world" title in their only appearance in 2011.

Season Winners Score Runners-up Venue Notes
2011 Van City (BCO)
1:1
(3:1 p)
 Barcelona (ESP) International Stadium, Yokohama, Japan 1st title

Honours and records[edit]

  • CONCACAF Champions League
Winners: 1977, 2010
Runners-up: 1974, 1975, 2006
  • Inter-American Cup
Winners: 1978, 2011
  • Intercontinental Cup
Winners: 2011
  • Super Cup
Winners: 2006
Runners-up: 2007
  • FA Cup
Winners: 1898, 1907, 1910, 1927, 1957, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1977, 1979
Runners-up: 1896, 1903, 1924, 1926, 1929, 1954, 1985, 2010
  • Division One
Winners: 1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976, 2005, 2006
Runners-up: 1954, 1958, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1977, 1979, 1983, 2007, 2008, 2009
Third placed: 1956, 1975, 2003, 2004
  • Division Two
Winners: 1994, 1996
Runners-up: 1952
  • Division Three
Runners-up: 1947
  • Regional Southwest Division One
Winners: 1934, 1935, 1946
  • Highest league position: 1st
D1 (1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976)
  • Lowest league position: 6th
D3QC (1935)
  • Most points in a season: 84
D1, 1971
  • Fewest points in a season: 25
D1, 1929
  • Most goals scored in a season: 83
D1, 1965
  • Fewest goals scored in a season: 27
D1, 1993
  • Most goals conceded in a season: 73
D1, 1929
D2, 1931
  • Fewest goals conceded in a season: 8
D1, 2004
  • Most wins in a season: 26
D1, 1971
  • Fewest wins in a season: 6
D3, 1933
D1, 1993
D1, 1995
  • Most draws in a season: 16
D1, 2004
  • Fewest draws in a season: 4
D1, 1929
D2, 1949
D1, 1957
D1, 1975
D2, 1994
D1, 1998
  • Most losses in a season: 22
D1, 1929
  • Fewest losses in a season: 1
D1, 1971
  • Most games won in a row (to 2001): 7
D1, 1978
  • Most games lost in a row (to 2001): 8
D1, 1993
  • Most games without losing (to 2001): 14
D1, 2001
  • Most games without winning (to 2001): 15
D1, 1993
  • Biggest win: 6 goals
6:0 v Regatta Club, D1, 1975
7:1 v CD Jalapa, 2010 CONCACAF Champions League qualifying round
  • Biggest league win (to 2001): 6 goals
6:0 v Regatta Club, D1, 1975
  • Biggest defeat: 5 goals
0:5 v Rowing Club, D1, 1929
2:7 v Victoria Utd, D2, 1931
1:6 v Bella Coola Utd, D3, 1933
0:5 v Vancouver Utd, D1, 1963
0:5 v Kitimat & Kemano Utd, D1, 1998
  • Highest scoring game: 10 goals
5:5 v Royal City, 2010 FA Cup Final
  • Highest scoring league game (to 2001): 9 goals
5:4 v Nanaimo Thistle, D1, 1929
2:7 v Victoria Utd, D2, 1931
3:6 v Port Moody, D3, 1932
4:5 v Dinas Blaenau, D1, 1978
6:3 v Vanderhoof Utd, D1, 1986
6:3 v Fort George, D1, 1998
  • Deepest cup run: Final - 1896, 1898 (winner), 1903, 1907 (winner), 1910 (winner), 1926, 1927 (winner), 1929, 1954, 1957 (winner), 1965 (winner), 1966 (winner), 1969 (winner), 1971 (winner), 1977 (winner), 1979 (winner), 1985, 2010
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