Libyan Freedom Message From Karim Murabet

Today, I received an email from former 1986-87 Rowdies player and Libyan Karim Murabet (on the left), shown here with the Libyan National Team. Who just got back a few days ago from Tripoli, Libya.

He has asked me to post something on the plight of the Libyan youth heroes that are fighting for freedom. Libyan loves soccer and many of the youth that have died to free Libya were soccer players.

Here are a few words from Karim, "MOST OF THE LIBYAN FANS YOU SEE IN THE PICTURE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THE BRUTAL GHADDAFI REGIME" - His nephew JEHAD MUNTASSER, is shown here with the Libyan National Team.
"Amid what many Libyans are describing as murder and mayhem, many Libyan insiders and observers tell Chief I- Team Investigator Michele Gillen that the elusive Libyan strongman, Muammar Qaddafi, is "finished!""

Here is a link to Chief I-Team Investigator Michele Gillen's phone interview with Karim - http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/02/21/i-team-investigator-michele-gillens-sit-down-with-qaddafi/

Rowdies Press Photos - Peter Ward

Peter Ward in action during a Rowdies' training session in 1991.

Rowdies Memorabilia - Lakeland Civic Center Postcard

A postcard showing the Lakeland Civic Center on Lake Mirror, Lakeland, Florida.

Rowdies Press Photos - Lakeland Civic Center

An airial view of the Lakeland Civic Center, where the Rowdies played some of their 1983-84 Home indoor games. It opened in November 1974, as the Lakeland Civic Center, but changed it's name in June 1994 to The Lakeland Center.

Rowdies Press Photos - Tatu

Tatu muscles between Team America's Rudy Glenn and Dan Canter in 1983.

Rowdies Memorabilia - 1980 Ticket Stub

A ticket stub from the game played at Exhibition Stadium, against the Toronto Blizzard on August 17th, 1980. The Rowdies won this game 4-1.

Rowdies Snap Shots - Jimmy McGeough

A recent photo of Jimmy McGeough and his son Kieran, enjoying the snow in N. Ireland.

Many thanks to Kieran McGeough for this photo.

Rowdies Press Photos - Luis Fernando

Luis Fernando challenges Ft. Lauderdale Strikers' Dan Canter at Tampa Stadium in 1982.

Rowdies Press Photos - Rodney Marsh

Rodney Marsh celebrates after scoring against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, during his Testimonial Game in 1979.

Rowdies Press Photos - Wes McLeod

1984 - Wes McLeod challenges Minnesota Strikers' Mike Jeffries, with

Tony Towers in the background.

Rowdies Memorabilia - Clyde Best 1974-75 FKS Publishers Card

Clyde Best's 1974-75 FKS Publishers card, whilst he was at West Ham United.

Rowdies Press Photos - Gregg Thompson

Gregg Thompson battles with San Diego Sockers' Vidal Fernandez for the ball. During a 4-0 win at Tampa Stadium in 1983.

Rowdies Memorabilia - 1980 KICK Magazine

This edition of the KICK magazine is from the June 8th, 1980 game played at the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers' Lockhart Stadium. An attendance of 18,223 saw the Rowdies win 2-1, with the goals scored by Petar Baralic and Wes McLeod.

The team this day was: DuBose, Andruszewski, Kozic, Connell, Gorman, Van Der Veen, Wegerle, McLeod, Roberts, Fabbiani, Van Der Beck.
Substitutes: Baralic, Anderson.

Rowdies Press Photos - Manny Rojas

Manny Rojas attempts an overhead kick, as New York Cosmos' Andrew Parkinson defends, during an indoor game at the Lakeland Civic Center, 1983-84.

Rowdies Memorabilia - Rodney Marsh Soccer America Magazine

Rodney Marsh wearing his jersey from his Testimonial Game, on the front cover of the September 20th, 1979 edition of 'Soccer America'.
Many thanks to Jan Reinertsen.

Rowdies Press Photos - Wes McLeod

Wes McLeod is tackled from behind, by former Rowdie and GB Earthquakes' Manny Rojas during the 1984 season.

Rowdies Press Photos - Mark Karpun

Mark Karpun looses a battle for the ball with New York Cosmos' goalie David Brcic, during a 1983-84 indoor game.

Rowdies Memorabilia - 1982 KICK Magazine

This edition of the KICK magazine is from the August 4th, 1982 game played at the Chicago Stings' Comiskey Park. An attendance of 9,051 saw the Rowdies lose 1-3, with the only goal scored by Pedro DeBrito.
The team this day was: Brand, Gruber, Nogly, Connell, Gorman, Kozic, McLeod, DeBrito, Fernando, Tatu, Van Der Beck.
Substitutes: Zequinha, Babington.

Rowdies Press Photos - Tatu

Tatu goes flying, as Vancouver Whitecaps' Colin Todd watches, at Tampa Stadium in 1984.

Rowdies Snap Shots - Sandje Ivanchukov

Another photo of the late Sandje Ivanchukov (14) with a group of his friends from the Howell Township, NJ, Joey Chapurtinov (21), Angrik Stepanow (4), Sam Ceronovand (15) and Zeren Ombadykow (17), prior to taking part in a soccer tournament, a few years before Sandje's death.
Many thanks to Zeren Ombadykow for this photo.

Rowdies Brain Teaser? - Incorrect Jersey

I was looking on ebay recently, when I came across this item up for auction - "Vtg NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies Wegerle Soccer Jersey Shirt" - item number 160548396108, which had me scratching my head.

I don't profess to be a Rowdies expert, but alarms were ringing. Although it's not listed as a game worn jersey, I wouldn't want someone to bid on it, thinking it was.

My first concern is, the Adidas logo, this jersey is from the Rowdies 1988 ASL season, these jerseys were manufactured by Nike.

Also, the Rowdies stopped using numbers of the front of the jersey after the 1986-87 AISA indoor season.

And finally, although names were used on the backs of the jerseys, this style of number was not, a block number was, as seen in this photo below

Rowdies Memorabilia - 1979 KICK Magazine

This edition of the KICK magazine is from the July 24th, 1979 game played at the Rochester Lancers' Holleder Stadium. An attendance of 7,837 saw the Rowdies lose 1-2, with the only goal scored by Petar Baralic.

The team this day was: DuBose, Andruszewski, Connell, Kitchener, Gorman, Van Der Veen, Van Der Beck, Fabbiani, Baralic, Radonjic, Grnja.
Substitutes: McLeod, Wegerle.

Rowdies Press Photos - Adrian Alston

Adrian Alston in action against the Cosmos, from the 1977 game.

Many thanks to Dave Morrison.

Rowdies Memorabilia - 1977 Pele Poster

A poster for the Rowdies game against the New York Cosmos and Pele, played at Tampa Stadium on May 29th, 1977.

Rowdies Press Photos - Derek Smethurst

Derek Smethurst challenges Las Vegas Quicksilvers' Gerry Ingram. at Tampa Stadium in 1977.

Many thanks to Dave Morrison.

Signed Cards - 1982 Rowdies Bobby Lubov

Today, I received a signed Rowdies card from Bobby Lubov, who appeared in some Exhibition Games in 1982.

Rowdies Memorabilia - Lenny Glover 1974-75 FKS Publishers Card

Lenny Glover's 1974-75 FKS Publishers card, whilst he was at Leicester City.

Rowdies Press Photos - Terry Moore

Former Rowdie Terry Moore playing for Glentoran, N. Ireland in April 1986.

Many thanks to David Hoebarth.

Rowdies Snap Shots - Sandje Ivanchukov

A photo of the late Sandje Ivanchukov (14) with a couple of friends from the Howell Township, NJ, Angrik Stepanow (4) and Zeren Ombadykow (17), prior to taking part in a soccer tournament, a few years before his death.

Many thanks to Zeren Ombadykow for this photo.

Rowdies Brain Teaser? - Another Update

Today, I received an email from former Rowdie Mark Longwell (1983; indoor 1983-84), regarding the band Kansas, he told me the following information:

"Seems in 1983 the Roe brothers- Peter and Paul- owned the bar Scotland Yard, somewhere near Tampa Stadium that we used to frequent (probably to much!)
Robby Steinhardt- I seem to remember- occasionally came by as he lived in Tampa- and bought a few beers for "the boys" every now and then.
Hope this helps on the "mystery": of this from the posts in mid January of this year:)
The Rowdies- what a great time I had for a year- I still tell stories weekly from then............... "

Many thanks to Mark for this update.

Rowdies Snap Shots - Dave Power and Steve Horne

Former Rowdie Dave Power and 1984 Trainer Steve Horne meet up at a Tampa Bay Rays game.

Many thanks to Steve for this photo.

Rowdies Memorabilia - Press Release

A Rowdies Press release for the June 14th, 1980 game against the Cosmos.

Rowdies Memorabilia - Mark Karpun 1989-90 MISL Trading Card

Mark Karpun's  1989-90 MISL card, produced by Pacific Trading Cards, whilst he was at the Baltimore Blast.

Rowdies Press Photos - Gregg Willin

Gregg Willin, at Tampa Stadium in 1989.

Rowdies Press Photos - John Gorman and Zeljko Bilecki

Zeljko Bilecki catches the ball during a game at Lockhart Stadium, against the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. With John Gorman covering.

Rowdies Snap Shots - Tim Hanley

Indoor goalkeeper, Tim Hanley in 1981.

Many thanks to Vickie Moxley.

Rowdies Memorabilia - Peter Anderson 1974-75 FKS Publishers Card

Peter Anderson's 1974-75 FKS Publishers card, whilst he was at Luton Town.

Rowdies Press Photos - Graham Paddon

Graham Paddon in action against the California Surf in 1978.

Rowdies Memorabilia - John Sissons Poster

A John Sissons poster from 1975.

Rowdies Press Photos - Derek Smethurst and John Boyle

Derek Smethurst and John Boyle receive their "Rowdie of the Week" awards from Marie Rodriguez of Exchange Bank, in 1975.

Rowdies Press Photos - Soccer Bowl '79

Zeljko Bilecki get crowded out by the Whitecaps' Whymark and Valentine, with Jan Van Der Veen, Manny Andruszewski, John Gorman and Barry Kitchener watching on.

Thanks to Jan Reinertsen.

Rowdies Memorabilia - 1975 Rowdies KICK Magazine

Volume 1, Number 7: A 6-1 thrashing of the Baltimore Comets in front of 8,610, June 28th.

Goals by Stewart Scullion (2), Derek Smethurst and a hat-trick by John Sissons.

The Rowdies Star File was Paul Hammond.

The team that day: Hammond, Quraishi, Linton, Pringle, Jump, Boyle, Smethurst, Sissons, Lindsay, Scullion, Best.

Substitutes: Garber, Hartze, Austin.

Rowdies Press Photos - Pat Scifres

"Fannie" Pat Scifres enjoys the moment in 1975.

Pat Scifres today.
Many thanks to Pat for the recent photo.