Cavalry Title Win Highlights Emotional Year For Tommy Wheeldon Jr

In his sixth season at the helm of Cavalry FC and his third final, Tommy Wheeldon Jr finally got to bask in the glory of a trophy win to end the season – and against bitter rivals Forge FC, no less.

The high emotions of the moment were on clear display as the final whistle blew at ATCO Field, with jubilant players – backlit by a rapturous sellout crowd packed into the stands – embracing the moment under the bright Alberta sunshine.

For head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr, twice the recipient of a runner-up medal despite being a perennial contender, the long-awaited playoff championship highlights what has been, quietly, an emotional year for the club’s first and only head coach.

Taking stage after being dowsed in champagne in the Cavalry locker room, Tommy Wheeldon Jr sported a traditional red Cavalry cap as opposed to the 2024 Champions variant that had been handed out to everyone in Cavalry gear after the final whistle.

The gaffer revealed that the hat belonged to his late father-in-law, who had passed away in the summer. By virtue of the CPL On Tour match in Kelowna, Tommy and his family were able to visit him and had a chance to say goodbye shortly before he passed.

“He was here with us tonight,” said Tommy, revealing that he had also lost a close personal friend, along with the tragic early passing of Dylon Powley – Tommy spoke on behalf of Dylon’s parents at the CPL Awards – and even his dog Poppy, too.

All that while he put together a championship-winning run and ensuring Cavalry’s performance on the pitch never faltered.

“It’s been a tough year, so my family have seen all the things you don’t get to see,” revealed Tommy. “For us, after my coaches have hugged me, they’re the ones I want to go to because they’re the ones I love with all my heart. They see the suffering, they see the pain.”

Tommy shone a bright light on his players too, including club originals Marco Carducci and Sergio Camargo, along with plenty of the newer faces who have joined as the years have progressed.

“I’m so thankful for the league, for these young men who give me a purpose every single day,” added the head coach, saying that hoisting the North Star Cup in front of a home crowd was a surreal experience, particularly after having always been the bridesmaid.

“We’ve got to savour these moments. Winning is hard. I said this in the pre-press conference, we’ve been at the doorstep over-and-over. We won the regular season last year. This is way more fun,” he said.

Tommy also thanked the Southern Family, who own the club, for believing in the team and supporting the sport on Canadian soil as a whole.

Calgary has long been home to Tommy Wheeldon Jr, who was born in Liverpool and played under his father with the Calgary Storm back in 2002. While he had the opportunity to continue his playing career elsewhere, he opted to plant roots in Calgary and begin his coaching career early.

“I fell in the love with the city, the people, my wife and kids are from here,” reminisced the gaffer. “I’m proud to be Calgarian and I wanted to help give back to a country and a city that have given to me.”

He describes bringing Cavalry its first-ever playoff trophy as being just the first step of even grander aspirations, with this moment coming as an overdue one for the club’s faithful.

“This is one trophy our way – we felt we were the better team last year, but results don’t always go your way. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and we did today.”

Wheeldon Jr assures fans that the club is far from satisfied with one title win: as he puts it, the hunt is on, particularly with a focus on disrupting Forge’s early years of silverware dominance.

“We said if we wanted to end a dynasty, we have to get in their way – and we’ve started that. We have to carry on, we have to enjoy the moment, take a day to celebrate and a day to bleed, and then we move forward. I’ll tell you what, we’ll have a hell of a party tonight and we’ll keep spreading the word.”

What’s the next step in terms of club history? Tommy wants to do the double, taking home both the regular season championship and the playoff trophy. No CPL side has done it before, with Forge and Cavalry both whiffing on previous opportunities.

While he has endured an emotionally-tolling year as the season progressed, Tommy’s trademark grin returned as he closed the conference.

“We’re going to hunt it, we’re going to chase, and keep writing new memories – what was it, the words of Natasha Bedingfield? The rest is still unwritten.”