The 2021 Euro Cup, which wrapped up earlier this month with Italy the victor, prompted me to dig out an old photo of another winning soccer team, albeit more local, featuring my paternal grandfather.
One hundred years ago, the Toronto Falcons were awarded the Hiltz Cup as champions of the Fifth Division of the Toronto and District League. The Falcons were a new team in 1921, making it all the more amazing they should achieve such success their first year together.
The trophy was presented at the annual meeting of the Toronto and District on February 4, 1922. Quite a fancy cup, it had been donated to the league by city controller W.W. Hiltz, later to become mayor of Toronto. The Hiltz Cup, like a lot of these old trophies, went missing over the years; what became of it is a mystery.
In the photo below, my grandfather, George Aitken, then age 22, is second from the right in the third row, the team’s falcon insignia clearly visible on his jersey. Behind his right shoulder is his older brother, Bill; the short fellow back row left is their brother-in-law Archie Lindsay (married to their sister Jean). Both dressed in suit and tie, it’s likely Bill and Archie were members of the management or coaching staff.
Thanks to Colin Jose, a soccer historian/archivist, for providing me with the background behind this historic photo and the Toronto Falcons.
Nancy, Received the same photo from our cousin Lorraine that was from her parents archives. Written on the back of the photo is a record of all our relatives in the picture. Those not mentioned by you are: Guy Lindsay 2 row, 1 left & Charlie Lindsay 3rd row, 1 left in suit.
Thanks for that, Scott. Further research reveals that Guy (proper name Gavin Thompson Lindsay) and Charlie (Charles Love Lindsay) were Archie’s brothers. Guy met an unfortunate death in 1934, at just 43, after being scalded in the explosion of a wax kettle where he worked. A surprising find on his death certificate was that he lived at 278 Mortimer (just west of Donlands) in East York!