Over the years since his playing career, Carl Valentine has become one of Vancouver’s biggest ambassadors for the game of soccer. Dude, this cat is like a nomadic Whitecaps town crier — if it’s even possible to be those two things at once — roaming the land, high fiving and hugging whomever he meets. He’s nearly always got a smile on his face and a story at the ready. At games, he jumps in to lead chants with the supporter groups, runs down the sidelines shaking hands, and brings endless enthusiasm to pre-game, half-time and full-time in-game announcements.

More, including Carl wearing my shirt, after the jump.

Now I’ll admit it: Valentine was my favourite player when I was a kid, and outside of Hockey Hall of Famer Ray Bourque’s number 77, our man Carl Valentine’s two-one is my favourite jersey number. So when the one and only Chris Withers offered to buy me a Toffs vintage Whitecaps jersey, it was a no-brainer which name and number I’d have on the back. Chris tossed it to me at the beginning of the 15 June game against the New England Revolution, and two minutes later who should be standing next to me at the side of the pitch, but Mr Carl Valentine.

I pulled out the shirt and he immediately offered to put it on and pose for a few pictures. Later on, in the second half, he donned it again, this time dancing and singing with the Curva Collective for a few minutes to show off the colours he wore during his time with the NASL Whitecaps back in the day. It’s no wonder supporters break out into My Darling Valentine when he makes his way to the south side of the stadium.

Carl 21 has fun each and every time out, and he passes that along to the fans he meets, and even to the media bozos like myself who stalk the sidelines. Big props to Carl for the work he does to promote the team, to Toffs for making a superb vintage kit, and to Chris Withers for the stellar gift! Now I’ve not only got a vintage Whitecaps jersey in my possession, it’s sort-of, kind-of game worn by Carl Valentine himself. Well, he did wear it during a game… That it happened nearly 30 years after Carl last wore one in NASL action is just a technicality.