Carl Valentine: From Oldham to Vancouver, the World Cup & a Soccer Legacy

Carl Valentine came to Vancouver as a 20-year-old from Oldham in 1979 — and went on to become one of the most important figures in this city’s soccer history.The Whitecaps and Canada Soccer legend joins Steven Malkowich for a fun, wide-ranging conversation about the career that took him from earning £16 a week in England to winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl, playing for West Brom, returning to Vancouver with the 86ers, winning four straight championships and representing Canada at the 1986 World Cup.Carl talks about growing up around Manchester, watching George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, moving across the world at 20, becoming Canadian, helping send Canada to its first World Cup, and what it was like walking onto the field in Mexico against France and Michel Platini.They also get into what Canada’s 2026 World Cup run meant to him, how much soccer has grown in this country, his role with the Whitecaps today, and why the club still matters so much to Vancouver.It’s a great conversation about soccer, opportunity, community and how a young player from Oldham became part of Vancouver’s identity.🎙️ Guest: Carl Valentine🎧 Host: Steven Malkowich⚽ Vancouver Whitecaps & Canada Soccer legendShip of Fools Podcast — Where Wit Meets Wisdom.