Frank Pike (soccer)

Frank Pike

Pike in 1970
Personal information
Full name	Frank Pike
Date of birth	26 March 1930
Place of birth	Plymouth, England
Date of death	1 June 2010 (aged 80)
Place of death	Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Playing position	Manager Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1946–1950	Plymouth Argyle	34	(3)
Teams managed
1955–1956	Toronto Azzurri
1957–1963	Toronto Olympians
1964–1969	Toronto Falcons
1970	Toronto Roma
1971–1974	C.D. Guadalajara
1972	Canada
1970–1974	Canada U-23
1974–1978	Ontario Minor Soccer Association
1979	Club Jalisco
1979–1980	Ontario Provincial
1981–1982	Toronto Metros
1983	Toronto Nationals
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Frank Pike (26 March 1930 – 1 June 2010) was a Canadian soccer player and coach.^[1]

Career

Frank Pike was born in Plymouth, England, and played in midfield as an amateur for hometown club Plymouth Argyle F.C

Coaching career

Pike as a Canadian citizen has been involved in coaching soccer since 1955. Coaching professional teams in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Mr. Pike became involved at the national level with the Canadian World Cup Team in competition in 1968. In 1970, Frank Pike was appointed as the National Team Coach for all Canadian teams, participating in International competitions at the Pan American and Olympic Games, World Cup and Youth games.^[2] Frank was responsible for the original development of Canadian National teams in International competition, his contribution resulting in vast improvements in the performance and credibility of Canadian soccer teams. In 1974, Frank took on the position of Provincial coach for the Province of Ontario, being responsible for the development of many players who moved forward to the Nationals. As Ontario Provincial Coach Mr. Pike was also responsible for teaching and mentoring other coaches to grow professionalism for the sport in Canada.^[3] He also had a brief spell managing Mexican Primera División side Club Jalisco during 1979.^[4]

Mr. Pike is a recipient of the Achievement Award from the Province of Ontario. His work running coaching clinics in Guadalajara and coaching a team in the Primera División (First Division), as well as during International tournaments in BC gained him respect among his peers.^[5]

The work of Pike to promote professionalism in the sport of soccer was a building block upon which our national reputation is secured.

Personal life

Frank lived comfortably in British Columbia following his retirement from the sport.

References

1. Former Canadian coach Frank Pike passes away
2. Olenev, Maxim (1999-07-05). "Canadian National Team Coaches (Since 1957)". RSSSF.
3. OSA Saddened By Passing Of Frank Pike
4. Calvo, C. A. (11 November 1979). "Ayala: Dejó el futbol por la puerta falsa" (PDF) (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo.
5. The Ontario Soccer Association – OSA Saddened By Passing Of Frank Pike

External links

• DT statistics at Medio Tiempo