Randy Samuel

Randolph Fitzgerald Samuel... speaks English, Dutch... he was three years old when his family moved from Point Fortin to Saskatoon; he was 10 years old when his family moved from Saskatoon to Richmond... he was 12 years old when he started playing soccer for Southam Warriors in Richmond... enjoys fishing, hiking, music... favourites have included Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer... in 2012 as part of the Canadian Soccer Association’s Centennial Celebration, was honoured on the All-Time Canada XI men’s team...

honoured by the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2006... honoured by the Soccer Hall of Fame of British Columbia... part of the first Canadian team to play at the FIFA World Cup (Mexico 1986), recognised as a Canada Soccer Team of Distinction... recipient of Canada Soccer’s Aubrey Sanford Meritorious Service Award in 2001... an honoured member of the Richmond Sports Wall of Fame...

Concacaf champion (1985)... represented Canada at the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico... represented Canada in four cycles of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers... represented Canada at two Concacaf Gold Cups, including the inaugural edition in 1991... career 88 international appearances across 15 years from 1983 to 1997 with Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team, including 82 international "A" appearances... when he left international football in 1997, he ranked first all-time with 88 international appearances, in fact holding the Canadian record from 1997 (when he surpassed Mike Sweeney) until 2016 (when Julian de Guzman surpassed him)...

club career in Canada, Netherlands, England, Norway and USA... with Edmonton Eagles, a Canadian Professional Soccer League Championship winner (Tip Top Cup in 1983)...

said Samuel in 1986, “my job with the Canadian team was to win balls aggressively in the air with my tackles. I wasn’t involved very much with team buildup. That’s why I’ve chosen to come to Holland (because) hopefully in the long run this will help me as a player”... said Samuel in 1987, “I believe, in my first year, I have made a lot of progress and my goal is to make the first team next season”... also said Samuel in 1987, “it’s called total soccer. Everyone on the team is taught to play in every position. Everyone is taught to attack and defend and this soccer is really exciting”...

said Bob Bearpark in 1986, “he’s a very eye-catching player. He jumps like a stag and he’s very quick; for a defender, he has good ball skills”... wrote Jim Fleming in 2001, “Randy is still remembered for his triumphant save on 14 September 1985 at King George V in St. John’s when he stopped a potential goal for Honduras. This save secured the win for Canada and advanced the team to the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. For this, Randy is remembered as a hero by Canadians coast to coast”... wrote Bob Lenarduzzi in 2011, Samuel was “a big, strong guy who could run and tackle and shut people down”...