Ryan Gauss Promises a Season of Success For North America's Oldest Professional Soccer Franchise

December 22, 2009 - Morris Dalla Costa - London Free Press -

It's a statement we've heard many times before.

"Things are going to be different this year," London City general manager Ryan Gauss said.

Maybe.

But there is something different. Seconds after making the statement, Gauss acknowledges the fact it's been made countless times before and that he understands why people would brush it off as same-old again.

"I've had so many of these conversations with you. I know people are going to think that I've said it many times before," he said. "I can't make them believe me, but I can show them that things are going to be different. People are going to believe what they want to believe. I look forward to proving them wrong. If any year is going to be different, I think this is the year that will be different."

That in itself, is a good start to a new beginning.

The London Canadian Soccer League franchise has undergone difficult times. On the field, City has set records for futility, winning one game in two years. They've had trouble attracting and keeping players. Off the field, Harry Gauss, the man who has kept the franchise operational, died this year after a long battle with a brain tumour.

The franchise was put up for sale at the end of the year and with no satisfactory offer coming, the Gauss family decided to make this a cornerstone year back to respectability.

"When it was over after the smoke cleared, I thought 'was it the right time to sell the team?' It was probably the right time for me to sell from where I was in my life. But would it be what he wanted. My dad and granddad put four decades into running the team and trying to improve soccer in this community and I thought the best thing I could do is give it at least one more year."

Harry's death has given a new impetus to improving the longest operating professional soccer franchise in Canada.

There is a large group of hard-core Harry Gauss loyalists who would love to make this season successful, a fitting tribute to all the hard work he put into the game. That group includes players and off-field personnel. The CSL does not allow any affiliation agreements with senior teams, so players can't bounce back and forth between teams, but City has affiliated with the London United youth club.

The key to restoring London City to good health remains success on the field.

The big question is how?

"People will play for Harry Gauss because he's Harry Gauss. People won't play for Ryan Gauss because he's Ryan Gauss," Gauss said. "This year is a little unique because players will come back to play for Harry. We've had discussions with players who will come back if we can fulfil certain conditions.

"I learned everything I know about soccer from my father. I don't pretend to know everything about the on-field stuff. I know the business side. That's why I'm surrounding myself with people who know that side of things."

Gauss said the club will be stronger financially with more local sponsors. The CSL entered an agreement with a sportswear company that guarantees each player in the league will receive $500 worth of merchandise.

"It's about making the player feel like he's a professional soccer player," Gauss said.

With new incentives, Gauss believes he can sell the best players in the city on playing at London City.

"We've identified a list of 40 players we believe are the best in this community. We're going after them to come and play at the highest level," he said. "A lot of top players haven't been asked to play in the past. My job is to convince them. One by incentives, two by the product we're going to put out there. I will tell them, 'This is who I've signed already. We want you to join us.'

"It's going to take a lot of convincing. I want people to understand this is to pay tribute to my father in the short run, but in the long run, it's to improve soccer. This is not a one-year thing."

After several years of poor results, Gauss understands his biggest challenge may be convincing players to give London City a chance.

"We're going to convince them one signing at a time," he said. "As people hear the tone of how I talk, they'll know it's different. It's a complete overhaul, I'm the first to admit I don't know everything there is to know about all areas of soccer in this community. Everything we're trying to do -- whether how we approach sponsors, how we treat our fans, how we approach our players -- everything has changed."

His tone is one of great resolve and promise.

"I will do everything in my power to see that the past changes," Gauss said. "Could I be back here in 12 months to say that we failed? Maybe. But everything that is happening now is motivation enough to ensure significant change happens.

"We will do the absolute best we can. That's all you can ask. If I fail, I fail. Do I believe we will? No. We won't be 1-15 next year. It won't happen."