16 October 2024

Latest News

Railway City become newest League1 Ontario team

The club is an extension to Whitecaps London and will play out of St Thomas in the 2025 League2 season.

Toronto, ON – (October 16, 2024) – League1 Ontario can confirm that Railway City FC have been awarded with a license to compete in the Men’s and Women’s League2 Divisions in 2025.

The new club, which will take to the field for the first time next year, will be directly supported by Whitecaps London who run youth soccer programs for various age groups in Ontario under the umbrella of Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps.

Whitecaps London have been competing at League1 Ontario’s reserve level for several seasons. The club made it to the 2024 Women’s Reserve League Final after finishing second in the regular-season standings, and their men’s equivalent finished top of the Southwest Conference before losing on penalties in the playoffs.

Railway City will join League2 – the third tier of League1 Ontario – offering another level of development to Whitecaps London players as they look to progress on the club’s player pathway.

The club’s brand is inspired by St Thomas’ history in the transport industry and becoming a popular railway junction that earned the nickname the ‘Railway Capital of Canada’. The year 1881 features in the club’s logo pays homage to when the town officially became a city.

Chris Keem, Operations Manager at League1 Ontario, said: “It’s an exciting time for the city of St Thomas who can get behind a new soccer club that will debut in League1 Ontario’s League2 Divisions in 2025.

“Whitecaps London have been successful in the Reserve Leagues and Railway City could make League2 even more competitive in the years to come, while providing greater opportunities on their player pathway that leads directly into the professional game.

“Railway City have shown great desire to join our ever-growing list of ‘A teams’ in our promotion and relegation pyramid, and we would like to congratulate them on achieving their license. We look forward to being a part of their debut season in 2025.”

Cam Vassallo, Co-Chairman at Railway City, said: “It has always been a part of our club’s vision to add a League1 license to our organization since our inception in 2014. It is a culmination of many years of planning.

“We are proud to finally become a license holder in such a prestigious league that has provided so many players opportunities to fulfil their soccer goals. It provides another piece to our pathway; an opportunity to play at a very high level for our older players and something to aspire to for our younger ones.”

Abbi Lezizidis, Co-Chairman at Railway City, said: “Our hope is that our reach into the community will foster an incredibly strong sense of belonging as we grow the club in this promotion/relegation competition – the first of its kind in Canada at the Pro-Am level.

“St Thomas offers the league premier facilities, and we are ready to bring the local community along for the journey.”

Published On: 16 October 2024

League1 Ontario staff