On Wednesday, May 27, League1Ontario.com announced the final selections for the top eleven players by position over the league’s six seasons for both the men’s and women’s divisions. Included among the 22 players, four have suited up for Oakville Blue Devils FC.
Anytime an All-Time Best list comes out there will be conversations to be had about whether player A should have been named over player B, and controversy will ensue. Without a shadow of a doubt, any list compiled of League1 Ontario’s most impactful players would have to include members of the perennial contenders Oakville Blue Devils FC. If it had been left up to Men’s Head Coach Duncan Wilde there would have certainly been more than just four Blue Devils on the list. Women’s team head coach John Yacou is scratching his head as to what it will take for anyone to say Rachel Melhado or Mahira Ali’s names “she [Mahira] tore the league apart for two years” laments the 2019 Women’s Coach of the Year.
In two seasons with the Oakville Blue Devils FC Women’s side, Laura Twidle has captained the Blue Devils Women to great early success. Coach Yacou beams “Having Laura on the field is like having a coach in the starting 11.” As it stands Laura is Oakville Blue Devils FC’s second all-time leading scorer in the women’s division with 10 regular season goals and another 4 in last year’s playoff run. Before joining Oakville in the club’s inaugural season, Laura was also a League1 Ontario All-Star with North Mississauga.
Khody Ellis’ name made the list, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Oakville Blue Devils FC Head Coach Duncan Wilde says “Khody remains an outstanding role model for our Academy youth players.” The speedy winger was named the Blue Devils’ Player of the Year two years in a row at the end of year gala. Twice over a League1 Ontario Champion, and named an All-Star four times.
After bursting onto the scene in 2015 with the Oakville Blue Devils Filipe Vilela has established himself as perennial All-Star “His Golden boot achievement was a very big part of our League1 Ontario Championship win, and our success in the Inter Provincial Championship, during the club’s very first year in League1 Ontario.” Filipe was also part of the 2017 Championship team and has been named to the League1 Ontario All-Star Team four times in total.
Matt George was a part of Oakville’s 2017 League1 Ontario Championship team “His biggest moment came in the 2017 final, making a crucial penalty shot save during the shootout with Woodbridge Strikers” Coach Wilde boasts. George also featured in the club’s lone foray into the Canadian Championship.
While the Oakville Blue Devils may not be playing right now due to COVID-19 the club is still providing free online training sessions via the club’s Facebook page and has created videos teaching several drills that can be done at home with minimal equipment, which are viewable here on www.bluedevils.ca
