Photo Taken By: Cam Vassallo

Steve Green -
The London Free Press -

As he looked down on the Cove Road Field where he'd led London City to a Canada Cup title seven years ago, the memories came back vividly for Genti Dervishi.

"I remember scoring the (winning) penalty at that (north) end and running all across the field to hug Harry," Dervishi said of the late City CEO and general manager Harry Gauss, who was remembered before City's Canadian Soccer League home opener Friday night against TFC Academy.

Dervishi came back to play for City after a few years away, primarily to honour Harry, who died of brain cancer last Oct. 31. Yet his focus for Friday night was clear.

"I have only one thought - win," he said. "But at the same time do this for a special man. Harry really cared about the game."

Consider it done on both counts. Dervishi set up City's first two goals -- headers by Tom Beattie in the 51st minute and Genti Buzali in the 60th -- as City scored a come-from-behind 3-1 win before nearly 800 spectators. Anasse Brouk got the third City goal in injury time after some nice work along the byeline by Estevao Franco, who was a bundle of energy all game.

This is clearly a different London City.

"This is huge for us -- big," Dervishi said. "But I'm more happy for the city of London. It finally gets what it deserves. And to see that crowd cheering like that . . . it's what players live for."

City has endured very lean seasons of late -- winning one game last year after going winless in 2008 - yet Dervishi believes, as does everyone else at City, that this season can be something very different.

"This team is made up of quality players, unlike recent seasons, but we have to be patient and build. I know sometimes the results don't come right away, but people have stuck with us through thick and thin and they'll see this is a totally different team, a totally different year and a totally different mentality. Ryan (CEO and general manager Gauss) has put a lot into this, (head coach Andrew) Loague has put a lot into this and the players have put a lot into this."

Loague, who was banished from the bench after a verbal exchange with referee Yusri Rudolf, agreed it was a vital win.

"The hope is the guys realize they can only go up from here, that we can build on this. But there's no doubt the guys here want to win. The heart and desire are there."

Ryan Gauss was naturally relieved after the win.

"I've put it in the hands of the London fans. The proof is in everything we've done to turn this franchise around."

It seems to be headed in the right direction already.