Arthur PETERS / Florence Clara SEARLE

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[1286] Where Are They Now?

Peters� Drive, Talent Boosted Soccer

By Al Parsley

One of the old guard of soccer who did much to keep the game thriving following brilliant playing days was Arthur Peters.
Like so many , who by playing talent and executive enthusiasm boosted the sport here, he was born in England � in Redhill, Surrey. There he played junior soccer as a centre-forward for Earlswood, and in one game against Raigate [sic] Heath scored nine goals, in a junior semi-final [Kent Sparling � one of the copies of the article I have, has semi-final crossed out and replaced with �cup�] in 1903.
A few years later Redhill seniors were shorthanded, needed a halfback, Peter filled in, and with such flair that right or left half became his position the remainder of his playing career.
At 150 pounds, five-feet eight, he starred with Redhill, one of the leading amateur teams in the South of England through the 1910-11 season when they won the West Surrey League Championship, the Surrey Cup, the Charity Cup, and reached the fourth round of the English Amateur series. He also figured in the Southern Combination League played against Crystal Palace and other professional elevens.
His first team after coming to Canada was Fairmount, in 1911, but he soon moved up to senior competition with Sons of England.
He had played senior amateur cricket in England against Surrey professionals, was selected for the Surrey Colts, and won several prizes for batting and bowling. In Montreal, he had offers to play for McGill and Verdun, but chose to concentrate on soccer.
When Len Peto, one of Montreal�s most energetic soccer leaders was a goal-keeper Peters was a teammate with Maples F.C. here, but by 1914 joined the famed Nomads Club, well-organized with its own grounds in Montreal�s North End operating in the PQFA Third Division.
While still playing he was secretary of Nomads until he enlisted in 1916, went overseas with an infantry battalion and later was transferred to the CASC.
Although he had many bids to play for senior clubs following World War I and his return to Canada, he decided to remain with Nomads, played on through 1923, then served on club committees, was elected vice-president, league delegate and president and took a very active part in all the club�s affairs until it disbanded a few years ago.
Between the wars he was vice-president of the National League for 16 years, and at one time during World War II, after the secretary had died and the president resigned, held all three executive offices. With the PQFA most of the war years, the National was the only senior soccer organization in the Province of Quebec.
Active in veterans affairs for many years, Peters was also made an honorary life member of Flanders Branch, Canadian Legion. He�s past president of Longue Pointe Bowling League; Sons of England Benefit Society and a past Chancellor Commander Knights of Pythias and District Deputy of the Order.
Now 74, Peters retired some years ago from Canadian Car and Foundry Co. Ltd. He was assistant mechanical and electrical superintendent at the Longue Pointe Plant.
He married Florence Searle, an English girl. They celebrated their Golden Anniversary last October. Mrs. Peters always has been a great soccer fan, following Arthur�s teams around wherever they played. They live on Bernard Avenue, have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Published � Montreal Star, Montreal, Quebec � 28 apr 1962

[1285] BUCKLAND, Gladys Ethel (nee Peters). On June 10, 2002. Peacefully in her eighty-sixth year, after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. Predeceased by her husband Rexford. Sister of Muriel Bennett (Toronto). Dear mother of Rex (Susan Hanson), Dawn (J. Wallace Sparling), and Joy (Chris Andrews). Loving grandmother of Kent Sparling (Elizabeth Empey), Kelly Sparling (James Torck), Shane Sparling, Amy and Andrew Buckland. Special Nana to Alex, Abigail and Christopher Sparling. A long time member of Riverside Lawn Bowling Club, Day Ladies President of Lachine Curling Club (1978) and a volunteer in the Ladies Auxiliary of Lachine General Hospital. An active member of St. Paul's Church, Lachine, most recently on the Altar Guild.
Our thanks are extended to the staff at Les Floralies, Lachine for their loving care, particularly Louise, Carole, Renald, Dorothee and Mimi. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 377-44th Avenue, Lachine, on Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m. No visitation, the family will be at the church one hour prior to the service to greet people. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Paul's Anglican Church Resource for Ministry Fund would appreciated.
The Montreal Gazette June 12, 2002

[1284] MarQ1917 - Reigate 2a 315

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