Introducing Randy Samuel

Randy Samuel played youth soccer in Richmond, played professionally in Europe and North America, and played for Canada 88 times from 1983 to 1997, being named to Canada's All-Time Best Men's XI in 2012.

Randolph (Randy) Fitzgerald Samuel was born in Point Fortrin, Trinidad & Tobago in 1963. He began youth soccer for Richmond’s South Arm Club Warriors as a 12-year old. He was picked for the U-16 BC Selects in 1979 and the U-18 BC Selects in the 1981 Pacific Coast Youth Tournament, following which he was selected for Canada in the 1982 Concacaf U-20 Tournament. A defender, Randy was drafted by the Whitecaps, but began his professional career for the Edmonton Eagles in 1983 to 1985.

In 1985 Randy began ten years playing in the Dutch first and second divisions, playing 185 games for PSV Eindhoven, FC Volendam and Fortuna Sittard. From 1995 to 2001 he played in England, Norway, the USA and Canada, notably 21 games for the Vancouver 86ers in 1998.

Randy Samuel debuted for Canada’s senior team in 1983 at age 19. In 15 years through to 1997, he would go on to set the record of making 88 first team appearances, which stood until 2010. He played in four Concacaf World Cup qualifier series, two Concacaf Gold Cups and helped Canada win the 1990 North American Three Nations Cup. In 1985, he played eight games in Canada’s successful Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, making a key save in the final 2-1 win over Honduras. He played in all three Canada games in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He played in all three Canada games in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Since his playing days, Randy has returned to BC and is coaching soccer. As Coach of VMSL Premier League champion Rino's, Randy was awarded the BC Adult Coach of the Year Award in 2020.

Randy’s honours and recognition include selection to Canada Soccer’s All-Time Canada XI and the CSA Centennial "Top 100 Men's Players" in 2012, being awarded the Canada Soccer Aubrey Sanford Award in 2001, and induction into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006, the Richmond Sports Wall of Fame in 2015 and the inaugural class of the Soccer Hall of Fame BC in 2019.