Fans eager to make Hamilton ‘soccer city’

While the Canadian Premier League is still taking shape, James Hutton is well ahead of the game.

Hutton is president of the Barton Street Battalion, a supporters group preparing for the return of soccer to Hamilton. Other groups across the country are doing the same, hoping their city will also get a team when the CPL kicks off. Hutton, a 26-year-old with a degree in marketing, used to meet up with friends to watch Toronto FC games locally in Hamilton. But when talk of a Canadian domestic league surfaced, with Tiger- Cats owner Bob Young a key backer, the group switched focus.

“Within the group, we all said: ‘ Would we support Hamilton over Toronto?’ and the unanimous answer was ‘yes,’ ” Hutton said.

In February 2016, Hutton’s group sat down with the Ticats to talk soccer. There wasn’t a lot of knowledge to share but it spurred the group on. They came up with a logo, scarves and a name — the Barton Street Battalion, after the main road that passes by Tim Hortons Field.

“It’s just a collection of soccer fans who all believe in making Hamilton a soccer city,” Hutton said.

Paul Beirne, who was a Day 1 staffer with Toronto FC, is overseeing the creation of the CPL. He says the Barton Street Battalion is part of a wave of supporters’ groups that want to be part of their team and its culture.

“James, to his credit, has become a resource to these groups all across the country,” said Beirne.