R.W. "Bob" Harley
Football (soccer) legend Robert Walkinshaw “Bobby” Harley was born in Scotland and honed his game in the Glasgow Rangers youth programme before he immigrated to Canada in 1911. He served overseas in 1914 in the Great War and sustained a serious leg injury when wounded in action at the front in 1916. Decorated for bravery, Harley returned home to Winnipeg and spent a year and a half recuperating. He resumed his soccer career playing for Manitoba and Winnipeg against the Scottish F.A. touring team in 1921. He captained United Weston but did not play when the team won the Connaught Cup as Dominion champions in 1924 & ’26.
Harley was also captain of the Canadian team that toured Australia in 1924 and led them from the centre half position. The list of his Provincial and City trophies and tournament wins is a long one. Playing well into the 1950’s, Harley also gave back to the sport of soccer with clinics across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He also served as a player and coach of the local YMHA. Bob Harley was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum on May 3, 2003.
b. September 8, 1888
d. 1958
