Get To Know Your TSS Rovers: Connor Glennon

Get To Know Your TSS Rovers: Connor Glennon

Connor Glennon will be one eight Simon Fraser University Clan players on the TSS Rovers squad for the upcoming PDL season.

Glennon is one of six new Clan additions on the Rovers roster, joining up with returning teammates Marcello and Matteo Polisi, all of which should make for some instant chemistry for the team as they embark on their second season in the league.

The Vernon native has called the lower mainland home these past two years, first with the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency and then moving on to Simon Fraser University upon graduating last year.

Glennon first joined the Whitecaps Residency program as a 14-year-old in 2013, after winning a silver medal with Thompson Okanagan FC in the inaugural BC Soccer Youth Provincial U13 Premier Cup in July 2012. He led the BC Soccer Premier League with eight goals that year and won the Western Canadian U13 Boys Soccer Championships in Winnipeg with Team BC.

He accepted the ‘Caps offer of a place in their Pre-Residency and headed west to live with a billet family in New Westminster. Understandably, moving away at such an early age isn’t easy, and he admits he found it tough being away from his family and friends, deciding to return to the interior to rejoin Thompson Okanagan FC and become part of the Whitecaps Okanagan Academy Centre.

After continuing to impress, and helping TOFC win the 2015 BCSPL U18 Championship, getting an assist in the final, Glennon received another offer from the Whitecaps to come back into the Residency fold. He accepted, and this time his family made the move out west with him.

“A lot of players gave up, but I decided to keep working hard to get another opportunity,” Glennon told the Whitecaps website after signing. “It shows that just because you’re from a small area, that doesn’t mean you won’t be noticed. If you’re good enough you’ll get there.”

Glennon felt under-utilised in his season with the Residency. He was a clear talent, and has shown that since, but it was a stacked U18 side in those attacking positions and although he made 20 appearances during the regular USSDA season, only six of those were starts, scoring two goals during the campaign.

The option was there to stay another season with the Residency, but Glennon was keen to get his college career underway and had interest from SFU, UBC, and the Washington Huskies for his commitment. SFU won out in the end, and he made 18 appearances for the Clan in his rookie season, 14 of them starts, scoring four goals and adding four assists during his 1050 minutes.

A versatile player who can play in the midfield, wing, and striker positions, Glennon’s goal has always been to play professionally. Now he’s looking forward to his first season in the PDL with TSS Rovers to help advance that dream.

“It’s an exciting experience,” Glennon told AFTN about the season ahead. “I just want to give my all and help build the program to better than it was last year. Hopefully have some success with the boys coming in from everywhere, including some old teammates, so it’ll be great.”

TSS head coach Colin Elmes has watched a lot of Glennon this past year and knows the threat the 18-year-old now adds to his team, and his challenge for him is a simple one!

“I’ve said to him, how about you promise me that that you are going to get past the opposing teams fullback 8 out of 10 times,” Elmes told us with a laugh. “And get your crosses in or threaten the goal. He says that sounds fine!”

Glennon has spent the winter playing in the VMSL with Rino’s Tigers, scoring five goals and helping the team life the first Imperial Cup in their history earlier this month.

Four of his Tigers teammates will also be on the Rovers roster (the Polisi brothers, Erik Edwardson, and Daniel Sagno) bringing an existing chemistry to the squad immediately. Factor in the Whitecaps and SFU Clan connections and this is a team ready to hit the ground running.

“It’ll be great,” Glennon feels. “I saw last year that many of the guys were from different places and maybe didn’t know each other, but this year there’s a lot of ex Residency players and players that have played together at university, so the chemistry should be good.”

If you haven’t already got your season tickets to see Connor and the others play, what are you waiting for?! Eight matches (seven league and one friendly) for only $70 for adults and $49 for children, it’s the best value soccer you’ll find in the lower mainland. Get them HERE and if you can’t make it along to every match, the club have a donate a ticket scheme where you can help someone who can’t afford a ticket make it out to a game.

Authored by: Michael McColl

There are 2 comments for this article
  1. Adrien deGroot at 13:41

    Young man has Outstanding work ethics.
    Connor will be in a White Caps jersey one day…
    Attitude, with all the skills
    Watch him

  2. Suzanne at 19:01

    Absolutely impressed and proud to see this young man succeed. As I always knew he would go far in any sport he chose. His parents are his number one fan and his inspiration. They have done an amazing job and Connor has done great taking his dad and mom positive criticism. Way to go to all of you, and not to leave Liam out who is always been a great at himself.

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