Soccer legend Bob Lenarduzzi and renowned sports writer Jim Taylor will make a special appearance in Ladner this Saturday.
They will be signing copies of their new book, Bob Lenarduzzi: A Canadian Soccer Story ($28.95, Harbour Publishing), at Black Bond Books in the Trenant Park Square at 5 p.m.
The newly-released autobiography details Lenarduzzi's life in soccer - from his beginnings playing pick-up games with his brothers at Callister Park in East Vancouver, to playing professional with Reading FC in England, to his early career with the Vancouver Whitecaps and the team's heady 1979 Soccer Bowl victory.
He talks about what it was like to play on the first Canadian team to make it to a FIFA World Cup final and describes his experiences as a coach and player for the Vancouver '86ers.
Not to be missed are Lenarduzzi's reflections on the future of the sport in Canada and the stories about the players, coaches and managers that have made a life in soccer so remarkable.
Lenarduzzi, the president of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, has been a Vancouver sports icon for over two decades, involved in soccer as a player, coach, general manager and representative of Canada at World Cup and Olympic levels.
Lenarduzzi has been inducted into the Soccer Hall of Fame, United Soccer League's Hall of Fame, the North American Soccer Hall of Fame and the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a recipient of the Order of British Columbia.
A veteran sports writer, Taylor met Lenarduzzi when he was just 19 and witnessed much of his soccer career. Taylor even accompanied Canada's national team during their World Cup bids.
Over a career that stretches more than five decades, Taylor has produced some 7,500 sports columns, three times as many radio shows and 15 books.
His passionate sportswriting has earned him membership in the CFL and B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, and a lifetime achievement award from Sports Media Canada.
For more information about the book signing, visit www.blackbondbooks. com or call 604-946-6677.
