Saturday June 29, 2002 Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton Spectator: Hamilton Players Move Up
Four Thunder players move up to A-league soccer
Four members
of the Hamilton Thunder soccer club have a chance to live out the old adage "go
west, young man."
The four leave today for Calgary to play in the
A-League of professional soccer. The move is possible after Storm owner Thomas
Niendorf negotiated their transfer.
On the way up are Matthew O'Connor,
an 18-year-old midfielder who had previously tried out with Hertha BSC Berlin in
the German Bundesliga; 25-year-old Salvatore Borgh, a defender; forward Orlin
Chalmers, 21, who has soccer experience with FC Cannes in France; and Wojtek
Zarzycki, a 20-year-old goalkeeper who spent two years in the youth program of
Club Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga.
The Thunder is a first-year
franchise in the Canadian Professional Soccer League. The Storm finished atop
the Premier Development League last year, and this season moved to the
A-League.
One of the reasons they obtained Zarzycki is to replace keeper
Lars Hirschfeld, who recently moved to Tottenham Hotspurs of the English
League.
Thunder general manager Italo Ferrari said he is pleased for the
players. "It is fantastic for all of them. I am really happy for the boys and I
really believe this will be an important step for their future in
soccer.
"Of course, there are four important players we are losing, but I
think we can compensate for that. Now it is up to the youngsters from our
development team. It is now time for them to show their talent in the
CPSL."
Niendorf was also enthusiastic about the acquisition. "There is a
lot of interest from Europe in regard to our players. With the Hamilton players
I add competitive players to the team, and they are also future
prospects."
The Thunder are next in action tomorrow night in Brampton.
They return home to Brian Timmis Stadium to host Toronto Lions, Thursday at 8
p.m.
.
.