Jim Brennan, former TFC player, coach will lead York 9
TORONTO — Former Toronto Football Club captain Jim Brennan will coach York 9, the Toronto-area entry in the new Canadian Premier League.
Brennan will also serve as the franchise’s executive vice-president of soccer operations.
“Jimmy is one of our founders, a visionary and the obvious choice to be our head coach,” Preben Ganzhorn, president of York Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement.
“His experience in soccer from his playing days and beyond makes him a huge asset for our club, and his character as a leader is equally invaluable. Jimmy’s vision and strategic approach will guide our club with the same commitment, passion and resilience he has demonstrated throughout his playing and coaching career.”
Brennan, a native of Newmarket, is part of a local ownership group that includes Ganzhorn and Carlo Baldassarra, chair and CEO of Greenpark Group.
York’s 9 moniker comes from the nine municipalities in the York Region north of Toronto: Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Brennan, who was the Football Club’s first player signing in September 2006, retired in April 2010 after appearing in 84 games. He went on to serve as assistant general manager, academy coach and first-team assistant coach before leaving when Toronto cleaned house in August 2014, firing manager Ryan Nelsen and all but one of his staff.
A gritty fullback-midfielder, Brennan also played in England for Bristol City, Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town, Norwich City and Southampton. He played in 49 games for Canada and scored six goals, starting every game in the historic 2000 Gold Cup triumph.
Brennan, 41, is in Canada’s Soccer Hall of Fame both as an individual and member of the Gold Cup team.
“I’m beyond excited to guide York 9 FC in this new sporting adventure,” Brennan said in a release. “Soccer has provided me with so many blessings both abroad and at home and I’m honoured to be given the responsibility of building the beautiful game in York Region, by playing the right way, with the ball on the ground.”
York 9 joins teams in Calgary (Cavalry FC), Edmonton (FC Edmonton), Halifax (HFX Wanderers), Hamilton (Forge FC), Winnipeg (Valour FC) and Victoria (Pacific FC) in the CPL which is set to kick off next spring.