Aurora FC (Canada)

Aurora FC was a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Aurora, Ontario. The club continues to operate as a youth soccer club. The club was founded in 1964 as a youth soccer club and added its semi-professional club in League1 Ontario in 2016. The team was initially known as Aurora United FC during their debut season, before changing their name to Aurora FC beginning in 2017.[1] The team plays home games at Stewart Burnett Park,[2] which was opened in 2018.[3] They departed League1 Ontario following 2020, becoming an affiliate club of Simcoe County Rovers and transferring their League1 Ontario license to them.

Aurora FC
Full nameAurora Football Club
Nickname(s)Aurora Stingers
Founded1964 (as Aurora Youth Soccer Club)
Dissolved2020 (semi-pro team only)
StadiumStewart Burnett Park
LeagueLeague1 Ontario
2019League1 Ontario, 10th
Playoffs: DNQ
WebsiteClub website

History
Club logo used in 2016

The club's foundation dates back to 1964, when they were founded as a youth club under the name Aurora Youth Soccer Club.[4]

In 2015, while playing in the amateur Ontario Soccer League, the team was invited by the Peru Olympic football team to play an exhibition match, after Peru had finished playing in the 2015 Pan American Games.[5][6] The Peruvians defeated Aurora 5–0.[7][8]

The team added its semi-professional teams in League1 Ontario in the men's and women's division in 2016 under the name Aurora United FC.[9] The men's team announced former Canadian national team and Toronto FC player Jim Brennan as the club's first head coach.[10] They played their inaugural match on April 29, 2016 on the road against Durham United FC, which ended in a 2–1 defeat.[11][12] The women's team debuted on May 7 against Vaughan Azzurri with a 1–1 draw.[13]

In 2017, the semi-professional club and youth club decided to formally adopt the same Aurora FC name and logo to better unite the two and to remove the Youth term association with the semi-professional club, while maintaining their connection to the team nickname Aurora Stingers in the new club crest.[14] At the end of the season, head coach Jim Brennan left the team to join the new top tier Canadian Premier League,[15] becoming the coach of York9 FC.[16][17] The club did not return to League1 Ontario for the 2021 season,[18] and instead became an affiliate club of new team Simcoe County Rovers,[19] transferring their League1 Ontario license to them.[20]

Seasons

Men
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs League Cup Ref
2016 League1 Ontario 16 4–3–15 8th, Eastern (13th) Did not qualify Quarter-finals [21]
2017 16 2–2–17 8th, Eastern (15th) Did not qualify Round of 16 [21]
2018 17 3–3–10 15th Did not qualify Round of 16 [21]
2019 16 6–3–6 10th Did not qualify – [21]
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[22]

Women
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs League Cup Ref
2016 League1 Ontario 9 5–3–8 6th – Quarter-finals [23]
2017 11 9–2–9 6th – Round of 16 [23]
2018 13 2–2–8 11th Did not qualify Quarter-finals [23]
2019 14 1–2–10 13th Did not qualify – [23]
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[22]

Notable former players

The following players have either played at the professional or international level, either before or after playing for the League1 Ontario team:

Men

Women

References
  1. Cudmore, John (February 14, 2017). "New look, name awaits Aurora Stingers for 2017 soccer season". Aurora Banner.
  2. Persico, Amanda (March 14, 2017). "New Aurora pitch brings respect to soccer: ex-TFC player Jimmy Brennan". Aurora Banner.
  3. Cudmore, John (June 26, 2018). "Stewart Burnett turf field newest member of Aurora's facilities lineup". Aurora Banner.
  4. "About Us". Aurora Youth Soccer Club.
  5. Hayakawa, Michael (July 25, 2015). "Aurora United Football Club hosts Peruvian men's soccer team for friendly match". Newmarket Era.
  6. Cudmore, John (July 22, 2015). "Aurora United to tackle Peru's Pan Am Games soccer squad". Aurora Banner.
  7. Courtepatte, Jake (July 28, 2015). "Aurora United Football Club hosts friendly with Peruvian Pan Am team". The Auroran.
  8. "AUFC Hosts Peru U22 Pan Am Team in International Friendly". Snapd Aurora. July 25, 2015.
  9. Cudmore, John (December 18, 2015). "Soccer's League 1 Ontario adds Aurora sides to 2016 roster". Aurora Banner.
  10. Cudmore, John (May 13, 2016). "League1 brings new level of play to Aurora soccer pitch". Aurora Banner.
  11. Cudmore, John (March 28, 2016). "Aurora teams open inaugural seasons in League1 on road". Aurora Banner.
  12. "Durham United FA Lay Down Marker In 2016 Opener". League1 Ontario. April 30, 2016.
  13. Cudmore, John (May 8, 2016). "Aurora United women draw in League1 soccer debut". Aurora Banner.
  14. Cudmore, John (February 14, 2017). "New look, name awaits Aurora Stingers for 2017 soccer season". Aurora Banner.
  15. Cudmore, John (December 30, 2017). "Former TFC captain Jimmy Brennan steps down as Aurora FC executive director". Aurora Banner.
  16. Galindo, Peter (July 27, 2018). "Jim Brennan named head coach of CPL's York 9 FC". Sportsnet.
  17. Cudmore, John (July 27, 2018). "York9 hands Jimmy Brennan head coaching duties for CPL debut season". Newmarket Era.
  18. "League1 Ontario adds four men's teams for 2021". League1 Ontario. January 28, 2021.
  19. Jacques, John (July 6, 2021). "BREAKING: Simcoe County Rovers Aim For League1 Ontario In 2022". Northern Tribune.
  20. "Simcoe County Rovers FC to join L1O for 2022 season". League1 Ontario. October 21, 2021.
  21. "League1 Ontario Historical Standings Men's Division". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
  22. "League1 Ontario cancels Fall season plans for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions". Canadian Premier League. September 4, 2020.
  23. "League1 Ontario Historical Standings Women's Division". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
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