The photo above and article below were published in the Powell River News on February 19, 1970.
Football star ‘disappointed’ with ‘nonchalant’ attitude
Ted Gerela, star kicker for BC Lions, told council by letter he was disappointed with the way the local soccer club is handling the cup bearing his name. He asked the council to “take the cup back” as it appears to be too much of a burden to the Powell River Juvenile Soccer Association.
“I don’t want my name associated with a trophy,” he said when the attitude of the presenting body, the soccer association, seems to be “nonchalant.”
Gerela added that when council presented him with the trophy it had been “one of the biggest thrills in his career.”
Trouble arose at a January 18 meeting of the Powell River Juvenile Soccer Association when membership voted not to present individual trophies to juvenile soccer players, including the coveted Gerela Trophy.
Municipal council originally purchased the trophy for Gerela when he was voted “Rookie of the Year ” of Canadian football. The hometown football star, who started his career under the guidance of Bill Marriette in local soccer league, decided that the trophy would be awarded each year to the “best all-round player of the current season.”
At that time Gerela said “I trust there are some notable soccer people who will pick the individual for the award. I want the player to be worthy of the trophy in the eyes of the players, coaches and executive.”
And added he hoped the trophy would not be a “spur-of-the-moment” choice.
To the soccer association the presentation of all trophies had caused hard feelings.
When Gerela’s letter was read to council, Alderman Norm Hill said he was “disappointed with the attitude of so many of the soccer association. There seems to have been an upstart meeting and there were a certain amount of irregularities about presentations.”
Mayor Court suggested council contact Gerela to further discuss the problem.
