{{short description|American soccer team}} {{Infobox football club | nickname = | stadium = War Memorial Stadium<br>Buffalo, New York<br> Lackwanna Stadium <br> Lackawanna, New York | capacity = | season = |pattern_la1= |pattern_la2= |pattern_b2= |pattern_ra1= |pattern_ra2= |pattern_sh1= |pattern_sh2= |pattern_so1= |pattern_so2= |leftarm1= |leftarm2= |body1= |body2= |rightarm1= |rightarm2= |shorts1= |shorts2= |socks1= |socks2= | clubname = | image = | image_size = | fullname = Buffalo Blazers | founded = 1976 | owntitle = Owner(s) | owner = | chrtitle = | chairman = | ceo = | mgrtitle = | manager = | coach = | league = National Soccer League | position = | website = | current = |pattern_b1= | firstgame = | largestwin = | worstdefeat = | topscorer = | fansgroup = | honours = }} The '''Buffalo Blazers''' were a soccer team in Buffalo, New York. They competed in the National Soccer League<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://funwhileitlasted.net/2013/09/19/1977-1980-buffalo-blazers/|title=1977-1980 Buffalo Blazers • Fun While It Lasted|date=2013-09-19|website=Fun While It Lasted|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> in 1976–1978 and 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecnsl.com/|title=The Canadian National Soccer League|website=The Canadian National Soccer League|language=en|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=May 3, 1976|title=Windsor Stars blank Hamilton for successful debut in division|page=S4|work=The Globe and Mail|url=|access-date=}}</ref> They were one of only four American teams (Detroit Besa, Detroit Canadians, and Detroit Vardar) to have competed in the National Soccer League, which was based in Canada.
== History == The Blazers joined the NSL for the 1976 season and became the first representative from Buffalo to compete in the league.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 10, 1976|title=Tigers blanked by Hamilton|page=20|work=Ottawa Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Waring|first=Ed|date=December 8, 1975|title=Meeting recommends NSL commissioner|page=S8|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> The team ownership initially applied for a franchise in the North American Soccer League, but the Upstate New York territorial rights were held by the Rochester Lancers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Byrnes|first=Kevin|date=January 30, 1978|title=Business Scope Advertising|page=34|work=Buffalo Courier-Express}}</ref> Buffalo's first home venue was at Lackwanna Stadium in the suburb of Lackawanna, New York, where the club averaged an attendance of around 700 to 1,500 spectators.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=June 9, 1978 |title=Niagara Falls Makes Pitch for Blazers |pages=47 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref>
The club experienced growing pains in their initial run in the Canadian circuit as they struggled to find a suitable head coach throughout the campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drumsta |first=Peter |date=26 April 1977 |title=New Coach, at 39, Is in Top Shape |pages=15 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> Originally, Al Block served at the helm before being replaced by Vincent Lauricella as interim coach.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Ultimately, the Blazers secured the services of Alex Perolli, who had previous experience in the NASL.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 1976 |title=Blazers Pick Alex Perolli New Coach |pages=12 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> Perolli led Buffalo to a fourth-place finish in the division, and club striker Emmanuel Kulu finished the campaign as the leading scorer in the division.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 1976 |title=Blazers End on High Note |pages=5 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 January 1977 |title=Kulu Earned Blazer Kudos in Pro Soccer |pages=21 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref>
The following season, the ownership switched their home venue to War Memorial Stadium to avoid scheduling conflicts and to adhere to the league's stadium standards.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=17 June 1978 |title=Blazermania: Why Not? |pages=35 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> Buffalo also secured a television deal to broadcast some of their home matches.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 1977 |title=5 Blazers' Games on Television |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> Alex Crawley, who previously managed the St. Catharines Heidelberg, was named the head coach for the season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 February 1977 |title=Crawley to Coach Blazers |pages=13 |work=Buffalo Evening News}}</ref> The Blazers secured promotion to the league's First Division by finishing third.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Munich|first=John|date=March 1, 1979|title=Let's Talk Sport|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/49744997/?terms=Buffalo%20Blazers%20war%20memorial%20stadium&match=1|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-04|website=Newspapers.com|publisher=Sun and the Erie County Independent|page=12|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Billoni |first=Mike |date=April 23, 1978 |title=Buscarino Named Blazers' Coach |page=47 |work=Buffalo Courier-Express}}</ref>
Buffalo struggled to achieve significant results during their run in the league's top division as they finished at the bottom of the standings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 August 1978 |title=Blazers End NSL Season With Loss |pages=32 |work=The Buffalo News}}</ref> The Blazers originally had Sam Buscarino as their head coach but was later replaced by Roberto Lonardo in the capacity of player-coach.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=5 June 1978 |title=Blazers: Good First Half |pages=30 |work=Buffalo Evening News}}</ref> Midway through the 1978 season, the club owners decided to play out in the suburbs once more as their attendance numbers sharply declined since their move to War Memorial.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=28 June 1978 |title=Falls is Pleased to Have Blazers |pages=11 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> Since their initial move to Buffalo attendance dropped to an average of 300 to 150 in 1978.<ref name=":7" /> The organization ultimately transferred its home venue to Hyde Park Stadium in Niagara Falls, New York.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 11, 1978|title=Blazers Set Talks With Falls Brass|page=279|work=Buffalo Courier-Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=July 17, 1978|title=Red tape idles Stars|page=30|work=Windsor Star|url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=6 July 1978 |title=Blazers Really Believe Fans Are in Niagara Falls |pages=29 |work=Buffalo Evening News}}</ref>
In 1979, the league went through a period of reorganization which resulted in Buffalo taking a hiatus and operating at the amateur level.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=7 January 1979 |title=Blazers Find Travel Rocky On the Road |pages=24 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=12 May 1979 |title=Blazers Schedule Open Tryouts Today |pages=47 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> Stephen Mechtler would serve as head coach and the team would play in a series of friendly matches against NSL clubs..<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 1, 1979|title=Blazers Play As Amateurs|page=26|work=Buffalo Courier-Express}}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Jim |date=13 May 1979 |title=Blazers Open 4-Year Plan |pages=23 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref>
In 1980, after a one-year hiatus, the Blazers continued operations in the National Soccer League and returned to play at Lackwanna Stadium.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 5, 1979|title=Return Chartered for Blazers|page=38|work=Buffalo Courier-Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 March 1980 |title=Blazers Planning Soccer Return |pages=5 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> The Blazers hired Carlo Del Monte as their head coach who previously managed Hamilton Italo-Canadians.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=1981 Hamilton Steelers - Team of Distinction|url=http://hshof.ca/team/1981-hamilton-steelers/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924111521/http://hshof.ca/team/1981-hamilton-steelers/|archive-date=September 24, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021|website=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=April 1, 1980|title=Blazers Ink DelMonte|page=55|work=Buffalo Courier-Express}}</ref> Del Monte assembled a roster that consisted of many former Hamilton players.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 12, 1980|title=Sudbury Cyclones lose as Albuquerque scores|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=May 17, 1980|title=Cyclones hit road in weekend action|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}}</ref> The acquisitions proved initially successful as Buffalo produced an undefeated streak of eight matches.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Falldien|first=Jack|date=August 18, 1980|title=Cyclones blank Buffalo squad|page=9|work=Sudbury Star}}</ref> Their on-field performance would later produce mediocre results due to internal strife within the organization.<ref name=":0" /> One notable departure was head coach Del Monte who resigned in mid-July over disputes with the front office.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=30 July 1980 |title=Sal Eyes New Faces |pages=14 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> Following his departure, Del Monte became director of scouting in Canada for the Buffalo Stallions.<ref name=":9" /> The club managed to secure the final postseason berth, but the league executive denied participation in the playoffs due to financial and player issues.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 8, 1980|title=Playoff chances good after Cyclones win|page=13|work=Sudbury Star}}</ref>
In 1981, the club ceased operations and was replaced by Detroit Besa.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Labow|first=Jeffrey|date=May 6, 1981|title=Canadian flavor for new look NSL|page=S4|work=The Globe and Mail|url=|access-date=}}</ref>
== Head coach history == {{col-start}} {{col-2}} * Al Block (1976)<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=18 March 1976 |title=Blazers Open May 1 in Canadian Soccer |pages=16 |work=Buffalo Evening News}}</ref> * Vincent Lauricella (1976) as interim coach<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=1 June 1976 |title=Blazers Play to a Deadlock After Their Coach is Fired |pages=57 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> * Alex Perolli (1976)<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 1976 |title=Blazers Pick Alex Perolli New Coach |pages=12 |work=Buffalo News}}</ref> * Alex Crawley (1977) {{col-2}} * Sam Buscarino (1978)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Billoni|first=Mike|date=April 23, 1978|title=Buscarino Named Blazers' Coach|page=47|work=Buffalo Courier-Express}}</ref> * Roberto Lonardo (1978) * Stephen Mechtler (1979) * Carlo Del Monte (1980) {{col-end}}
== Seasons == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" !Season !League !Teams !{{tooltip|Record|Wins, draws, losses}} !Rank !Playoffs !Ref |- |1976 |rowspan="2"|National Soccer League (Second Division) |8 |9–2–10 |4th |– |<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Buffalo Blazers {{!}} SoccerStats.us|url=http://soccerstats.us/teams/buffalo-blazers/|access-date=2021-08-14|website=soccerstats.us}}</ref> |- |1977 |10 |12–3–3 |3rd |– |<ref name=":1" /> |- |1978 |National Soccer League (First Division) |11 |3–3–14 |11th |– |<ref name=":1" /> |- |1980 |National Soccer League |12 |8–2–12 |8th |– |<ref name=":1" /> |- |}
==References== <references />
{{Canadian National Soccer League}} Category:Canadian National Soccer League teams Category:Defunct soccer clubs in New York (state) Category:Sports clubs and teams in Buffalo, New York Category:Men's soccer clubs in New York (state) Category:Association football clubs established in 1976 Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 1981 Category:1976 establishments in New York (state) Category:1981 disestablishments in New York (state)