Forever Fly the Red and Green
The Foot Soldiers are a group for both new and experienced soccer fans
Established in 2015, The Foot Soldiers are the original supporters group for the Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). You might be asking, “didn’t the CPL start in 2019?” YES, but we have been proudly supporting local soccer since six passionate fans got together and came up with a mission of supporting local soccer at every level.
The Foot Soldiers are a group for both new and experienced soccer fans, who want to take an active role in the Cavalry FC’s supporters’ culture. Our job is to motivate and encourage our team on the pitch week after week. For 90+ minutes we are here to cheer and have fun supporting the team. Whether we are five or five hundred, we support our team with energy and enthusiasm wherever we are.
At home, Section 200 is the heartbeat of our stadium. The echo of our voices and the drums off the wall is unmistakable. Away, we gather and cheer at our sponsor bars the Ship & Anchor (downtown) or Kildares (Southwest Calgary)
Like professional soccer in Canada we have grown from our grassroot days. The original six now number in the hundreds with more joining every day. Which means we need you! If you want to sing, drum, wave flags chant or just chat about the game; FSSG has a spot for you.
Founding
In 2015, six individuals met at Fiddlers Courtyard to start up a supporters to help build supporters culture in Calgary. At the time this meant supporting Calgary Foothills FC and anything else in Canadian soccer! The groups’ intention was to make a space for soccer supporters that was open to any individual regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, age, ability or religious belief. From the original six members the group grew over the course of the first four seasons watching the PDL and UWS Foothills teams. By the start of the inaugural Canadian Premiership Season, the ranks swelled as word of Cavalry FC spread and people wanted to be a part of supporters culture in Calgary.
Diversity
The groups’ intention was to make a space for soccer supporters that was open to any individual regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, age, ability or religious belief.
Growth
By the start of the inaugural Canadian Premiership Season, the ranks swelled as word of Cavalry FC spread and people wanted to be a part of supporters culture in Calgary.
Nine Years - Seven Homes
Over the course of the first five years of the Foot Soldiers, the team followed around the highest levels of soccer in Calgary, wherever they were able to find a place to play. In the first year, the Foot Soldiers took in Foothills PDL games at Hellard field with the team meeting at Pazzers Pub prior to the game. The following season the team moved to Glenmore Athletic Park and then down to the Calgary Soccer Centre in year three. Year four saw the PDL team move to Okotoks, with the group following down to Foothills Composite High School, often on buses from the Ship and Anchor. By year five the Canadiain Premier League was launched, with yet another home for the Foot Soldiers supporting Cavalry FC at Spruce Meadows. The following year the pandemic hit, with supporters watching the games socially distanced at the pub, while the team played in PEI. In year nine, we experienced our first “Home Game” in Langford, B.C. as the team played their home Champions Cup game there. We now have a permanent home in section 200 and look forward to supporting Calvary into the future, wherever that may be.
We now have a permanent home in section 200 and look forward to supporting Calvary into the future.
Join Us
Like professional soccer in Canada we have grown from our grassroots days. The original six now number in the hundreds with more joining every day. Which means we need you! If you want to sing, drum, wave flags chant or just chat about
the game; FSSG has a spot for you.
Foot Soldiers Give Back
In previous years, we have been honoured to be able to support Prideraiser through the ever
popular “Points for Pride” where participants would donate for each goal our Cavalry FC
scored. We have also been able to support other charitable groups such as the Calgary Foodbank and Ruth’s House Women’s Shelter.. If you have any suggestions on future charitable groups that you feel we could support, or would like to get involved as part of the Fundraising committee, please reach out to the group for more information.
