History

OUR CORPORATE NAME  

The unique configuration of the Ottawa-Hull region has a valued history.  The community was built by hard working people.   These people were Canadians only a few generations removed from Europe,  and new European settlers coming from a wide range of European countries.  The majority of the new settlers came from Ireland and Scotland to farm in the southern and western outlying areas.   The French Canadien loggers of the Outauoais region,  the Irish farmer from the valley, and the English shop keepers of the town had one common meeting place;  the market in the By   ward.  Ottawa's original name Bytown, was named so after a British Officer in   the Royal Corp of Engineers.  Colonel John By was tasked with the monumental chore of building a canal from Kingston Ontario to present day Ottawa.  Years of hard work and toil, coupled with hundreds of deaths caused by the daunting task,  laid the transit way from Canada's original capital, Kingston to Ottawa.  Col. By had accomplished an engineering marvel for his day and was world renown for this.  In his honour the settlement at the end of the Rideau Canal, where it meets the Ottawa River, was named Bytown.  The famous modern day  meeting place of the Ottawa-Hull region and the core of the city still bears his name and reflects on the past - the BYWARD MARKET. 

"...one may grow and accept change willingly, further the cause of mankind;  but to deny your roots is to deny your son his future."

In the 20th century we have seen different nationalities immigrate to the Ottawa area and have laid permanent roots,  like Little Italy on Preston.  Ottawa is one of the most multi-cultural diverse places on the planet. The German, Dutch, Greek, Eastern European, Asian, South American, communities, all share a common   denominator....... a love and passion for SOCCER!   Clubs such as Falcons, St. Anthony's Italia, MLA, Ottawa Royals, Gloucester Hornets and more recently Ottawa Roots still conjure visions of intense rivalries and tradition.  Some of these players will move on to the next level and play professionally with us, and hopefully have a chance to leave us to perform  on the stages of the world. 

COLOURS AND CRESTS(as seen on top of page)

The team colours gold, magenta, and purple, are recognized as royal colours.  We feel it appropriate that our players and fans are dressed in, and display the colours deserving of royalty.   The team crest is comprised of a compass which signifies our commitment to stay the course of professionalism, hard work, and loyalty.  The Letters F.C. stamped on a shield maintaining a strong united club, and below, a banner displaying Bytown Gunners.  This crest will always be displayed on the team uniform in some manner.

DUTCH CREST

This crest will bear three crossed tulips. Each tulip will be different in colour    and those of our club. The Netherlands' national flag provides the background.  Above each tulips the names "Groesbeek,  Bergen-op-Zoom,    Holton" will  will be embroidered.

A brief background:

The foundations of a special relationship between Canada and Holland were established during those dark years of the Second World War. When Holland was occupied in May 1940, Queen Wilhelmina sought refuge in England and, from there headed her country’s government-in-excile. But even Great Britain was a precarious haven, and in 1942, the Crown Princess Juliana was persuaded to leave for Canada where she made her wartime home. Here, on January 19, 1943, in a room in Ottawa’s Civic Hospital specially decreed to be Dutch territory, her third daughter Margriet was born. The tiny princess captured the hearts of Canadians who claimed her as their own.

Even though the cost in lives was high, Canadians are proud to have been cast in the role of liberators. And the citizens of the Netherlands have not forgotten the sacrifice. School children are still taught the heroics of Canadians and on the memorial in the Canadian War Cemetery at Groesbeek are inscribed the following words:    Pro amicis mortui amicis vivimus, "We live in the hearts of friends for whom we died."  For this and in recognition of the great Dutch people, the  "Dutch Crest"  will be worn on the left sleeve, and   will never be removed from the uniform.   We are humbled by their remembrance of young Canadians from a far away time and a far different world.