Stuart Neely Departs Vancouver FC

While Stuart Neely joined the Vancouver FC technical staff for its inaugural season, we can confirm that the coach has left Willoughby Community Park in June.

Neely had first arrived to Canadian Premier League circles by way of Vancouver Isle, with Pacific FC recruiting him as their technical director of football. Like several PFC staffers, he departed for mainland rivals Vancouver FC this season, inking a monthly rolling contract to help the side get started.

A reflection of match reports shows that Neely was last listed on the VFC technical staff for a June 2 bout against his former side Pacific FC, which ended up being a 3-6 thriller.

While Vancouver FC never commented on his departure, Neely confirmed he had left of his own accord when his monthly contract expired.

The veteran coach is a well-known figure within the Canadian soccer landscape, having held roles with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, Manitoba Soccer, and Ontario Soccer before entering Canadian Premier League circles.

Neely has also worked with England’s Bradford City, Belgium’s RRFC Montegenee, the New Zealand national team, and even for Canada Soccer as its Manager of Coach Education – where he had to quiet rumours that he was involved in a Kitchener-Waterloo CPL bid.

There’s been an exodus of personnel from Vancouver FC, who have nixed no less than five player contracts from its inaugural roster as the club seeks to turn its inaugural season around.

In terms of staff, SixFive Sports and Entertainment’s Oliver Gage was also let go this summer, suggesting some big changes not only from a club-specific directive, but from its parent company as well.

Vancouver FC currently rests last in league standings with the second-least goals scored and most goals conceded. Head coach Afshin Ghotbi had entered the season confidently, but the clock is ticking loudly for a turnaround in the club’s debut season.