Frank Marton
Sport: Soccer
Year Inducted: 1992
Frank Marton’s soccer career has seen him wearing many caps – from player to coach to manager of teams and even to founder of leagues.
In 1973, at a time when there had been no soccer at a senior level for over twenty years, Frank put together a team that was composed of local and international talent. He had players from Great Britain, Italy, Hungary, South Africa, Germany, Haiti – you name the country. Because there was no local soccer league, Frank entered his team in the Ottawa and District Soccer League where they had great success as ambassadors of soccer from Cornwall.
In 1976, Frank and a counterpart met to discuss the rebirth of local senior soccer through the formation of the Cornwall and District Soccer Association. This league swung into operation in the late Spring of 1977 with Frank, over the years, serving in many capacities from Vice-President to Match and Registration Secretary to his forte, that of Director responsible for Public Relations.
Meanwhile, Frank had gone ahead with the introduction of competitive indoor soccer to Cornwall. In fact, he did this in rather grand fashion as the numbers suggest: In 1977, the first Cornwall City Indoor Soccer Tournament boasted nine (9) local area teams. From those humble beginnings, to the 16th consecutive annual event, this tournament has grown to attract a high of 92 Men’s, Ladies’ and Old-Timer teams to our City.
As Frank took on league responsibilities and his tournament grew, his wife, Jeanette, found herself filling the role of team Manageress and soon the running of the Club; the planning of the huge Indoor Tournament became a family affair with daughters Barbara and Sandra and son Ronald all serving as Committee members.
In 1990, Frank started the Cornwall City Indoor Soccer League, which has ten teams playing throughout the winter months.
Frank has worked tirelessly for the sport of soccer, always ready to give of himself when players, teams and even leagues needed a helping hand.
Frank died December 18, 2023.