August 27, 2023

At the club's 50 Year Anniversary Celebration, two unexpected guests stopped by Athan Downs Park to share some memories from the club's early days in the 1970s. Dave York and his son, Mike York, brought their photos and memorabilia to the event and posed for pictures.  Mike York later shared more details on his time spent as a youth player and the role his father Dave had at San Ramon Soccer Club.

Dave, like many passionate volunteers at youth soccer organizations, served San Ramon SC in various capacities for 10 years.  He was the club president during the 1973-74 season and also coached his son Mike's team that reached the State Cup final during the 1979 season.  Dave also founded the San Ramon Halloween Tournament (now called The Boo Cup) and ran the tournament for several years.

Mike York was a San Ramon Soccer player during his entire youth career.  He was also part of a San Ramon team that traveled to England and Holland in 1979.  San Ramon's team won a tournament in Holland competing against clubs from other countries. He was also part of the aforementioned San Ramon SC team that reached the State Cup final in 1979.

After San Ramon SC, Mike played collegiate soccer at Sonoma State University. He was as a starter during all 4 years of college from 1983 through 1986. He recorded the first hat trick in Sonoma State school history in a win over UC Davis.

Mike York also helped add more names to the club's alumni page. He shared the fact that San Ramon SC youth players, brothers Greg Clarke and Todd Clarke, also played collegiate soccer in the 1980's.  Greg Clarke played 4 years at UC Davis from 1979-1982 while brother Todd played at Sacramento State in 1986.  Current San Ramon FC coach Mark Warrington played at Cal State Hayward (now known as Cal State East Bay) in 1984-1985.  Mike, Greg, Todd, and Mark were early trailblazers who proved that San Ramon SC had youth players with the skills, talent, and coaching to find success in various college programs.

While much has changed in 50 years, the passion for soccer is a common thread that unites the San Ramon soccer community.  The passion and dedication to youth soccer connects the past to the present and provides the community with a sense of pride and purpose as it looks ahead to the future.


Got a story to tell about the club's history?  Send a message.