It’s called the World Cup but soccer in sa国际传媒 is still in many ways a tight-knit community. This week it paid tribute to one of its own with Canadian coach John Herdman and players holding up T-shirts in Qatar honouring the late Dave Ravenhill of Victoria.
Herdman, Canadian captain Atiba Hutchinson and other players held up T-shirts reading “DR 12: You’ll Never Walk Alone” during warm-ups Wednesday for the World Cup opening game against Belgium.
“A world-class tribute, at a world event, for a world-class guy,” said Vince Greco, executive director of the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
Ravenhill, who wore No. 12 and played for the Victoria Vistas of the original professional Canadian Soccer League, died of a heart attack in 2020 at age 57. He played on a Vistas team that included George Pakos and Ian Bridge, who both represented sa国际传媒 in its first and only other World Cup appearance before this in 1986.
The Vistas were coached by Bruce Wilson, who captained sa国际传媒 in the 1986 World Cup. Ravenhill was a huge Liverpool fan, having met many of the players, hence the “You’ll Never Walk Alone” reference on the commemorative T-shirts.
Ravenhill, who helped lead Gorge FC to three Province Cup titles, didn’t turn pro until age 27. He later won the VISL scoring championship at age 39 with 32 goals in 18 games, none on penalty kicks. Ravenhill was also on the Island Select teams that played Chelsea and Dundee United.
Ravenhill also left a legacy at the administrative and coaching levels as teacher/co-ordinator and a coach in the Reynolds Secondary soccer academy since 1990 and as coach of the U-17 and U-18 Vancouver Island Wave.
“David Ravenhill was an absolute gem, and such a difference maker on the Island,” said Greco.
“When you can positively affect the lives of so many kids and adults, and more than just athletes, you have done something right.
“David played hard, coached hard, but did so very respectfully. I can only think of one red card that David received.”
