Vasco da Gama FC of Hamilton

Founding Date:1969
Address:1751 1/2 James Street North
Hamilton, Ontario
L8R 2K9
Telephone:905-527-5708

Brief History

Audio Version:

Vasco da Gama FC has a long and prosperous history. It is the pioneer of the Portuguese-Canadian social and cultural organizations in Hamilton.  The idea came about in 1968 when the challenge to create a football team was launched. However, it was not until the following year that it all took shape. 

José Manuel Moniz, a long-time Board Member, told us in 2008, in an interview with Luso-Ontario Magazine: “In 1969, we formed a group of six or seven people and created the club, we formed a Board of Directors, all because of football. Before that, we were in another location but in 1972 we bought the current property and Vasco da Gama stayed here. At first, it was very difficult because we didn’t have money, but it was António Silva who purchased the first uniforms. That gentleman was always with us, he helped us a lot. We played in the Hamilton league and there were already many Portuguese in this area here. We had great players here.”

Entrance to the hall
The hall

The players became the first official members of the club, in order according to their numbers on the jersey. 

Over the years, the club has witnessed great accomplishments of which the prestigious Spectator Cup and several championship titles in the Hamilton League are the highlights. 

Football was, however, not part of the organization for a few years until José da Costa became President of the Board, in the year 2000.

If football has been the main focus since its founding year, folklore was also once part of the organization. Founded in the 1980’s, it lasted just over two decades. “We spent over twenty thousand dollars in attire for the rancho. They are all stored waiting for someone to take over”, Moniz said.

The Hamilton Portuguese School was first housed at Vasco da Gama’s headquarters but then, just like football, became inactive for about a decade. Both activities have been returned to the club in recent years but the turning of times have, just like in most organizations across the country, taken a dent.

With files from Luso-Ontario Magazine, 2008
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