Day enshrined in WOSL Hall of Fame

   The long time St. Thomas Soccer Club player, coach, manager and director

   is a 2021 inductee for the competitive men's league

January 4, 2022

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - David Day is a Hall of Famer.

The St. Thomas native and long time member of the St. Thomas Soccer Club was recently inducted to the Western Ontario Soccer League (WOSL) Hall of Fame.

"It's humbling and I'm quite honoured," said Day. "I'd say it's a reflection of a lot of really good players and a lot of really good coaches that have contributed to my playing and coaching career over the years."

Day, along with Carlos Miranda, representing the London Portuguese club, are the 2021 inductees to the WOSL Hall of Fame, announced in December.

"I was surprised. I'm proud and happy that I was able to make a positive contribution and people recognize that. It makes you feel good. I'm happy for the St. Thomas Soccer Club as a long time member," said Day. "I would say just longevity. I started playing in the early 90s and was able to play as well as coach in to 2020. I tried to develop positive relationships and make sure that our teams were respectful of our opponents and referees."

The St. Thomas native has been with St. Thomas Club for the majority of his career, first as a player, then coach, manager and now also the senior competitive director.

"One of the biggest things I'm proud of is that most of that contribution has been done as a member of the St. Thomas Soccer Club," said Day. "I grew up in St. Thomas, so it's nice to make a mark with my club."

Throughout his career Day has been involved with both the St. Thomas competitive men's teams in WOSL, along with the master's team in the Middlesex League.

"I love the game. I love to play and coaching probably prolonged the playing because I could still play when needed. I formed a lot of really good relationships with a lot of really nice people. I always had fun so I kept doing it. I was eventually coaching sons of players I'd played against or sons of high school friends," said Day. "It went from coaching one team to coaching both the premier and first teams and doing all of the managerial stuff. It was easier to run both teams together, because I could make a program out of it and practice together."

Day attended high school at Central Elgin Collegiate, before heading to university, first at McMaster, and then for teacher's college, at Queen's. Day is currently a science teacher and the boys' soccer coach at Clarke Road secondary school, in London.

"A lot of people come to mind that have shaped my playing and my coaching," Day said. "Two guys come to mind in terms of helping me develop my playing, would be Justin Lawrence from St. Thomas and Martin Painter, from London."

It was a natural progression from player to coach.

"When you get in to coaching, it's about getting better and finding good coaching opportunities. I was fortunate enough to do that. It's a product of being around a lot of good people," Day said. "I would certainly recognize Rock Basacco (who passed away in late December). I was fortunate enough to be part of his coaching staff for about a decade at Western. He taught me a lot. Martin Painter again, with his expertise was a big influence. Also some youth coaches I had over the years."

St. Thomas isn't the largest club in the WOSL, but has had its share of success during Day's career, including winning the Premier Cup and the premier league title. A memorable summer was St. Thomas advancing to the Ontario Cup quarterfinals.

"We were never often competing for league titles, because there are some really talented teams, but we've had some really good years," Day said. "The St. Thomas Club didn't often have the same goals as a Marconi or a AEK type teams. We'd always be competitive and achieve top four. We've always been a tough team to play against over the years and that's always a thing we're most proud of."

Outside of men's play, Day has coached the Clarke Road Trojans to OFSAA three times, including a best result of a quarterfinal appearance.

Day is proud of how St. Thomas has progressed throughout the years and their development of players.

"It's always been a well run club. We've been fortunate to get some people who are really good at organizing and build the club. We grew as the provincial soccer community grew, but kept it cost effective for people," said Day. "The female side of the club has really improved, in terms of player development to high levels. Our club does a good job."

The WOSL Hall of Fame started in 2003. Day and Miranda give the Hall 33 members, including retired St. Thomas Club member Fritz Klaus, who supported and encouraged Day to become the current senior competitive director.