Nova Scotia Clippers

In 1989, an expansion franchise for the Canadian Soccer League was awarded to the Nova Scotia Professional Soccer Society, which would debut two years later in 1991.[2][3] They were the first professional soccer team in the Halifax area.[4]

The club played their home matches at Beazley Field in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, after the city of Halifax was not interested in hosting the team at Wanderers Grounds.[5] Dartmouth spent $25,000 in improvements to the field, in anticipation of the Clippers arrival.[6] Their head coach and general manager was Gordon Hill.[1] They played their first home match on May 26, 1991 against the Vancouver 86ers, in front of a crowd of 1,891 spectators, finishing in a 0–0 draw.[6][7] In September 1991, the club played two exhibition matches against the Bermuda national team.[3]

The club finished their debut season with a record of 7 wins, 7 ties, and 14 losses, finishing sixth in the eight team league.[4][1] The team advanced to the playoffs, losing in the first round to the North York Rockets.[1] The club averaged around 1,500 fans per game, although many tickets were handed out for free.[4] There were discussions about moving the team's home field to Wanderers Grounds in Halifax for 1992,[5] however the team folded after the 1991 season due to lack of interest.[1]

After the team folded, the Halifax region was without professional soccer for 27 years, until HFX Wanderers FC joined the new Canadian Premier League.[8]