WORLD CUP MATCH OFFICIAL JOE FLETCHER SERVED THE CSL WELL
It’s not too many moons ago that Joe Fletcher ran the line in games at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke and other grounds on the Canadian Soccer League circuit and even earlier when the St. Catharines resident was an Assistant Referee in Niagara Falls where he grew up as a teenager.
Known as a speedy player, Joe Fletcher took to officiating in soccer and was eventually noticed by CSL referee-in-chief Tony Camacho who offered the Niagara Falls teenager an opportunity to run the line in a nearby St. Catharines Roma Wolves home game at the Club Roma Stadium on Vansickle Road.
Joe Fletcher is still running the line, but now in view of billions of soccer fans from around the world, the estimated TV audience watching the World Cup in Russia. Fletcher was Assistant Referee for the England vs Colombia World Cup match in Moscow on July 3, his second World Cup assignment after being selected to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Fletcher spent eight years in the CSL before progressing to Major League Soccer followed by key games in CONCACAF and other international matches after being awarded the FIFA badge in 2007. He was on the line for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 and soccer matches at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Now 41 and a Chartered Accountant, Fletcher is known for his dedication to physical fitness which led in the early years to his ability to sprint and develop a reputation for always keeping up with the play.
CSL GAMES THIS WEEKEND
Games in the Canadian Soccer League resume this weekend, beginning with a Friday clash in the First Division between CSC Mississauga and Serbian White Eagles at the Iceland Field, a 9 pm kickoff, followed by two games on Saturday when Hamilton City hosts Real Mississauga at Heritage Field, a 6.30 pm start and at the same location it’s Brantford Galaxy vs FC Ukraine United at 8.30 pm.
There are two games in the CSL Second Division over the weekend with Halton United B hosting Scarborough SC B at Norton Park on Saturday, an 8 pm kickoff, and one game on Sunday when the Serbian White Eagles B team is away to FC Vorkuta B at St. Roberts, a 3:30 pm start.
