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Valour Army Spotlight | Randy Ives/Jorge Aguiar/John Andrews

The laughs, the joking and the sheer joy they get from the experience of a Valour FC match often began long before Randy Ives, Jorge Aguiar and John Andrews even stepped foot through the gates of IG Field.

It’s been two years now since Valour’s inaugural Canadian Premier League season and the opportunity for these three amigos to get together at home matches, what with last season’s pandemic-impacted campaign being played in a bubble at the Island Games in Prince Edward Island.

But it’s pretty much guaranteed that when the stadium is open again and Valour is playing in front of their faithful, Ives, Aguiar and Andrews will be there in full spirit and in full throat.

Their stories as part of our latest Valour Army Fan(s) Profile..

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Randy Ives

“We all love soccer and the three of have been friends for so long,” began Ives in a conversation with valourfootball.club. “When we park the car in Waverley Heights and begin walking to the games we’re laughing and joking entire way before we even get to our seats. One of my favourite stories is the lady that sits in front of us, one game we showed up just as they were finished ‘O Canada’ and she said, ‘I was worried you weren’t going to be here. You guys crack me up. I listen to you guys the whole game.’ We just have such a great time at Valour games.”

Ives’ connections to the sport are decades in the making, with his first introduction coming as a youth with Riverview while also attending games at old Alexander Park with his family to watch his older brother play for Fort Rouge Soccer Club in the Manitoba Central Soccer League. Ives first suited up for Fort Rouge United when he turned 18, hanging up his playing cleats after 18 years. He’s now heavily involved with coaching, having started with Bonivital and now in his 10th year at FC Northwest; this year with 14-year-old Premier 1 girls. He’s been such an influential tutor that when he and his wife were married in Las Vegas a few years ago eight of his former players flew down to be part of the ceremony.

“We can’t wait to get back to the games,” said Ives, who works for Griffiths Foods in Winnipeg. ““My wife summed it up perfectly. She said, ‘When you guys get together to do stuff it’s like you’re all 18 years old again. You’re goofy. You’re nuts. You’re not acting like 55 year olds.’

“So much of the experience is just walking around the stadium and connecting with all those people who have the same love of the sport.”

John Andrews

Andrews has known Randy Ives since elementary school. He hasn’t ventured too far from his old neighbourhood as these days the 55-year-old is a letter carrier in the south Osborne/Osborne Village area.

His love of the game dates back to the Riverview fields, too, and then included a stretch with the Manitoba Bisons. He’s still deeply-rooted to the sport, now serving as a Manitoba Soccer Association senior match official and refereeing for the better part of 15 years.

“I enjoy the game and if you enjoy the game you can watch, referee and administer the game,” he explained. “It’s more of a passion for the sport. Now, being a referee when I go to watch games, and Valour games, I can feel what the official is calling, how the game is going and what the officials are doing on the field to manage the players and the game.”

Andrews missed that last year, just as so many of us have missed so many things during this global pandemic. Soon… very soon… he hopes to be back in his seats alongside Ives and Aguiar.

“We come from somewhat different backgrounds,” he said. “I’ve known them both for years and there’s a camaraderie between us. We’re fun. We don’t have any animosity toward anyone and we can joke and laugh about something. We enjoy what we do and find pleasure in going to games.

“That’s one of the things I missed last year. I miss the guys. I miss the game. Sitting in the stands you’re watching the game, watching it unfold and how the team is playing… it makes for such a fun atmosphere.

“When we go to games, from the minute we walk to the gate… Randy is involved with coaching so he knows so many people, I’m involved in the game my way and there are the people Jorge knows… from the minute we walk in the door to the time we sit down in our seats we probably say hi to 15-20 people.

“When it was announced Valour was coming we said, ‘Do we want to get tickets?’ There was no doubt. It’s a way to support and show your pride your city and your team and your love of the game.”

Jorge Aguiar

Aguiar was born in Winnipeg, but his parents emigrated to Canada from the Azores Islands of Portugal.

“Portugese soccer was always the talk in our house,” said Aguiar. “We went to games at old Alexander Park, too, to watch the Portugese teams like Luso Canadian plays against the other teams. That’s how I first got into soccer in my youth. Later on, my dad had season tickets for the Winnipeg Fury, for a span of five-six years. Randy and I were season-ticket holders for them, too, during their last seasons.

“We also played for many years together on the same team.”

Aguiar was actually hosting Randy and John and their wives for a card game when the discussion turned to the new CPL team. Almost instantly the three decided they would be founding members for Valour FC.

A teacher for 30 years – six at Norquay School and 24 at Greenway School – Aguiar retired a year and a half ago.

“I remember going to that first Valour game, it was so special,” he said. “We knew there was going to be a big crowd, with close to 10,000 people, and that made it extra special to share the moment with so many people.

“I like being around my friends and Randy, he knows everybody. He can’t take more than a few steps before he is stopped and talking to someone. Johnny is the same. I love the fans in ‘The Trench’, they’re amazing. We’re two sections over, but the people around us are amazing. Everyone is so into the games. The whole experience is so wonderful.”