Toronto Ulster United F.C.

Formed in 1914 by Ulster-Scots migrants, Toronto Ulster United F.C. were one of the most legendary Canadian soccer teams of the past. 

Also known as 'The Red Handers' They won the National Championship in 1925, 1946 and 1951 and were finalists in 1922 and 1937. Also won the Ontario Cup in 1927, 1929 and 1937. Playing in the National Soccer League, which was formed in 1926, they were champions in the first year and again in 1932, 1933, 1934 and 1941. In 1926 Ulster won the Nathan Straus Cup as champions of the International League, a competition played between U.S. and Canadian clubs. Sadly the club disbanded in 1963.

 They had played against teams such as Liverpool, Manchester united, Glasgow Rangers, Sparta Prague, Belfast Celtic & Dusseldorf.

Above is a rare silent film clip from 1930 showing Ulster United take on Glasgow Rangers at the Ulster Stadium, Toronto, Canada. The event included a display of Scots culture with Scottish dancing pre-match and a regimental bagpipe band at half-time.

The teams on the day were as follows:

Ulster: Bobby Kirk, Dave Eadie, Dick Pryor, Billy Stewart, Matt Wilson, Jimmy Hagan, John Paxton, Allan Mathieson, George Graham, Jimmy Galloway, Jimmy Moir.

Rangers: T. Hamilton, Gray, R. Hamilton, McDonald, Simpson, Craig, Archibald, Brown, Fleming, Muirhead, Morton.

Unfortunately, just like the team, the Ulster Stadium no longer exists. The only reminder that stands today is a an old dive bar called the Ulster Arms Tavern that sits just across the road on Gerrard St. East where the Ulster United's ground once stood. It's over 80 years old and used to be the Ulster Arms Hotel when United were the top team in Canada. The bar has seen better days. The Ulster United team were inducted into the Canadian soccer hall of fame in 2011.

Action at Ulster Stadium.