OUR HISTORY

Tolland Soccer Club is a non-profit 501(c)(3).  We began in 1971 with 12 boys playing soccer at Crandall Park--they used garbage cans for goals!  A formal soccer club was started in 1972.  Today, we have nearly 1,000 members playing in three programs:  Recreation, Travel, and TOPS.  We are currently rebuilding our history--if you have information, photographs, tidbits of information, we'd love to hear from you!  Use our Contact Us page.

History:

1971

Ray Markunas and Jerry Burnham begin the club.  First group of 12 boys get together at Crandall Park.

1972

Program grows to 20 boys.  First games are played against Ellington, Coventry, Somers, and Lebanon.

1973

Additional kids added.  Club record of 9-1 versus other towns; including a 3-2 win over CjSA "C" Division Champions, Windsor Locks.

1974

Club expands to 5 teams with boys from 4th through 8th grades.
Northeast Soccer League is formed--a loose-knit organization designed to provide intertown competition without pressures of won-lost records and to have fun while playing the game.

1975

Program totals 90 boys.
Tolland's first year participating in the CjSA State Tournament.  The 7th and 8th grade boys teams make it to the semi-finals of the State Tournament before being defeated.

1976

Program totals 220 boys and girls.  The girls program was first introduced.
2nd and 3rd grade division begins with 70 participants.
Tom Gray begins the first girls program with 30 participants from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Tolland enters the "A" division (U18) in CjSA State Cup and Division play earning a record of 9-7.
Tolland High School varsity, with a preponderance of Tolland Soccer Club boys, posts a 9-3-3 record, its best ever at that point.

1977

Program crosses 250 kids.  Plans begin to expand girls program, add indoor soccer.

1978

Tolland Soccer Club official incorporated.  Up to this point, the club has been supported by the Town's Board of Recreation.  Rapid expansion of the program necessitated the club divest from the Board of Recreation and form an organization which could better and more easily provide the needs expansion demands.

1979 -
1996

If you can help us fill in the blanks please contact us!

1997
1998
1999

Chris Shanahan , President

2000
2001
2002

Dan Bracken , President

  • Play with Pride award introduced, targeting all around play, ethics, teamwork, giveback

2003
2004
2005

Brett Jones , President

  • Cross Farms complex off of Rhodes Rd opens with three large fields.
    Club begins hosting a site at Cross Farms for the Columbia-Windham Columbus Day tournament

2006
2007

Paul Yavis , President

  • Club starts an Annual 3v3 Play with Pride Tournament.  Proceeds from the tournament used to purchase new uniforms for our High School and Middle School players.
  • Club converts to a 501(c)(3) non-profit
  • Heron Cove 1 washes out after significant rain--club pulls field offline to begin irrigation project.

2008
2009

Bob Jenkins , President

  • Heron Cove 1 well, pump and irrigation completed.
  • Plan for Cross Farms storage shed and irrigation developed.
  • Irrigation, 4inches of new Top Soil, Well, Seeding/Fertilizer, and Shed are built in the summer and fall of 2008; power from the street completed in spring 2009.
  • Play with Pride award renamed to Ray Markunas Play with Pride in recognition of Ray's efforts in forming Tolland Soccer Club.  Ray passed away in Fall 2008.