Today’s Livestream Announcers: Ray Flanigan And Robert Brickley
A Staples soccer legend, and a soccer star who grew up on stories about Staples will team up for today’s Wrecker rematch at Danbury (October 5).
Announcers for the 4:30 p.m. livestream — click here (https://vimeo.com/event/321995) — are Ray Flanigan and Robert Brickley.
Flanigan was a key member of Staples High School’s 1967 and ’68 teams. He earned All-FCIAC honors, then played for the legendary Al Miller at Hartwick College. The ‘Wick reached the NCAA Final Four in 1970, losing to eventual champion St. Louis University in the semifinals.
Flanigan served for 2 years as Coach Albie Loeffler’s assistant. He formed the Westport Soccer Club in the Connecticut Soccer League in 1973, and coached youth in the 2 years before the Westport Soccer Association was formed. He started coaching at Bethel High School with the girls varsity, then led the boys to 4 league titles and two class “L” state championships in 5 years — including 50 regular season matches without a loss.
Flanigan retired in 1996 after a 21-0-0 season, Connecticut High School Coach of the Year honors, and a USA Today #6 national ranking. He is an interviewer now for the World Wide Soccer Show. A professional photographer, he owned a longtime shop in Bethel.
Brickley is the son of Neil Brickley, a 1970 FCIAC and state champion, and University of Connecticut star captain. Neil is a major supporter of Staples soccer (including funding the livestream), and with Robert helped set up the project. Robert was a 4-year varsity starter at Wethersfield High School (and 2-time state champion), an NSCAA All-American and Scholar All-American, and the 2004 Connecticut Junior Soccer Association Player of the Year. He too went on to captain the University of Connecticut Huskies. The Brickleys are both civil engineers.
“Ray and Robert will be fantastic,” says Staples head coach Dan Woog. “They both know the game inside and out, they know our program — and they’re not afraid to share their opinions. They will be lively and honest. Viewers are in for a treat.”
A temporary text number allows fans watching the livestream to text in. Leave your name, and Robert will try to get a shout-out in. Alumni, parents stuck at work, girlfriends, classmates — all are welcome to check in. Text 203-293-6255.
Sponsors for today’s livestream are the 1981 and ’82 back-to-back state champion teams. The ’82 game still lives in history, with a game-winning goal 7 minutes from time from defender Rob Stone. The ’81 side also won the FCIAC crown.
Robert Brickley, with a Pele collage. His uncle, Mark Brickley ’70 — Neil’s brother — was the Cosmos’ press relations director, when Pele played. On the right: Ray Flanigan ’69 and Pele.
