Frank Pike (soccer)

Frank Pike (26 March 1930 – 1 June 2010) was a Canadian soccer player and coach.^[1]

Frank Pike

Pike in 1970
Personal information
Date of birth	(1930-03-26)26 March 1930
Place of birth	Plymouth, England
Date of death	1 June 2010(2010-06-01) (aged 80)
Place of death	Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Position(s)	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1946–1950	Plymouth Argyle	34	(3)
Managerial career
1955–1956	Toronto Azzurri
1957–1963	Toronto Olympians
1964	Toronto Tridents
1964	Toronto Roma
1964–1969	Toronto Falcons
1970	Toronto Roma
1972	Canada
1970–1974	Canada U-23
1974–1978	Ontario Minor Soccer Association
1979	Club Jalisco
1979–1980	Ontario Provincial
1981–1982	Toronto Metros
1983	Toronto Nationals
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Pike was born in Plymouth, England, and played in midfield as an amateur for hometown club Plymouth Argyle.

Coaching career

Pike, as a Canadian citizen, began his coaching career in 1955. Coaching professional teams in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In 1964, he coached in the National Soccer League with Toronto Tridents, and Toronto Roma in the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League.^[2] Pike became involved at the national level with the Canadian World Cup Team in 1968. In 1970, Pike was appointed as the National Team Coach for all Canadian teams, participating in International competitions at the Pan American and Olympic Games, World Cup and Youth games.^[3] Pike was responsible for the original development of Canadian National teams in international competition, his contributions resulting in vast improvements in the performance and credibility of Canadian soccer teams. In 1974, he took on the position of Provincial coach for the Province of Ontario, being responsible for the development of many players who moved forward to the national team. As Ontario Provincial Coach, he was also responsible for teaching and mentoring other coaches to grow professionalism for the sport in Canada.^[4] He also had a brief spell managing Mexican Primera División side Club Jalisco during 1979.^[5]

Pike is a recipient of the Achievement Award from the Province of Ontario. His work running coaching clinics in Guadalajara and coaching a team in the Mexican Primera División, as well as during International tournaments in BC, gained him respect amongst his peers.^[6]

Personal life

Frank lived comfortably in British Columbia following his retirement from the sport.