Sooke Celtic are facing are looking for community support as they face relegation and fight to remain in Division 1 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
Sooke is one of the only communities in the league with only one team representing them, with larger areas like Victoria having multiple clubs.
“That is what gives us the advantage – to have a big crowd coming out and supporting us,” said Sooke Celtic FC head coach Sven Eckardt.
At one time, Sooke was the the smallest population to have a Division 1 team and remains one of the smallest in the league, after clawing their way up from Division 4 where they began in 2001.
Last season the team was promoted from Division 2 to Division 1, where they finished this year in ninth place following an injury-filled campaign.
Ordinarily, a ninth-place finish would see the team relegated to Division 2, but when Vic West FC (D2) declined their promotion, the third-place Saanich Fusion FC was allowed to challenge Sooke for promotion.
“Of course, in the situation where you are the Division 1 team, you are a little bit of a favourite, but we still have to win to stay in Division 1,” said Eckard, who hopes his team will be able to bring a tough but fair game.
“We must bring physicality; we faced a lot of calls from refs on our physicality so we must take care of that. But that’s our game.”
With their backs against the wall, as they fight to stay in Division 1 Eckardt knows a crowd will give the team a boost.
“That makes us proud when so many people cheer on not just the Sooke Soccer Club, but the Celtics. The Celtics have a big history in Sooke,” he says.
The two teams will square off on Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m. on Celtic’s home pitch at Fred Milne Park – otherwise known as ‘The Log.’
“If you want to stay in that league, you have to win. This is kind of a cup game, a knockout game. Whatever happens, happens on Friday, there might be additional time, there might be penalty kicks,” said Eckardt.
“Hopefully lots of people come out and cheer us on and we’ll hope for the best.”
