Hamilton supporters group ready for soccer and Canadian Premier League
TORONTO — While the Canadian Premier League is still taking shape, James Hutton is well ahead of the game.
Hutton is president of the Barton Street Battalion, a supporters group preparing for the return of soccer to Hamilton. Other groups across the country are doing the same, hoping their city will also get a team when the CPL kicks off.
Hutton, a 26-year-old with a degree in marketing, used to meet up with friends to watch Toronto FC games locally in Hamilton. But when talk of a Canadian domestic league surfaced, with Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young a key backer, the group switched focus.
“Within the group, we all said ‘Would we support Hamilton over Toronto?’ and the unanimous answer was yes,” Hutton said.