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My favourite soccer team in the world is dead.
According to a series of tweets in advance of CTV Vancouver Island's Saturday newscast, the Victoria Highlanders FC ceased operations effective January 31st. Here's what we know so far:
Some shocking sports news from #yyj. The Victoria @HighlandersFC will cease all operations as of today! Will work on finding more details
— Chandler Grieve (@CTVNewsChandler) January 31, 2015
#yyj sees another sports franchise go under as the @HighlandersFC fold up operations. Very surprising after what appeared to be a banner yr.
— Chandler Grieve (@CTVNewsChandler) January 31, 2015
Just spoke with Highlanders GM Mark deFrias - he told me he resigned this morning. The Highlanders Men's and Women's team will both fold.
— Chandler Grieve (@CTVNewsChandler) January 31, 2015
.@JeffDSalisbury @Lord_Bob I asked Mark Defrias for an interview. He politely declined and said he would on Monday. He's clearly upset.
— Chandler Grieve (@CTVNewsChandler) February 1, 2015
It's with a heavy heart that @HighlandersFC has shutdown all football operations effective immediately. Announcement made this afternoon.
— Lake Side Buoys (@LakeSideBuoys) February 1, 2015
This affects the academy, U21 and first teams. There will be no Victoria side in @USLPDL in 2015.
— Lake Side Buoys (@LakeSideBuoys) February 1, 2015
@HighlandersFC We supporters want to thank you the club for the 6 yrs worth good memories. Any other press release from club? #COYH
— Lake Side Buoys (@LakeSideBuoys) February 1, 2015
@ThatRituroGuy There was a tweet from CTV Victoria today stating DeFrias resigned this morning. Owner made brief phone interview from AZ
— Lake Side Buoys (@LakeSideBuoys) February 1, 2015
@CTVNewsChandler The news has hit the supporters group pretty hard about the club today. Out of the blue really.
— Lake Side Buoys (@LakeSideBuoys) February 1, 2015
.@LakeSideBuoys @JeffDSalisbury @Lord_Bob Unfortunately, we don't post weekend shows to web, but will have a full story with player reax Mon
— Chandler Grieve (@CTVNewsChandler) February 1, 2015
Despite this news that left me somewhat of an emotional wreck on an otherwise fine Saturday evening, I cling to this tiny shred of optimism:
I've been told that the CSA are seriously looking at launching an Ontario League One style league in BC in 2016. Maybe @HighlandersFC reborn
— AFTN (@aftncanada) February 1, 2015
I'll add any information I can find to this article as soon as I have it. In the meantime, for a more eloquent eulogy than I could muster at this time, please read former Eighty Six Forever editor-in-chief Ben Massey's post at Maple Leaf Forever.