Salem Soccer Hero Award Recipient Johnny Plechl ~ Presented By Cascade Futbol Club.
Born in 1933, to German parents living in a small farming community in Slovenia, in the former Yugoslavia, John Plechl learned the game of soccer without ever having a proper ball, shoes, shin guards, or even bootlaces.
As a child, he played fussball in the streets, usually barefoot, with an inflated pig’s bladder to kick about, and basement windows as goals. As a teen, he played a more organized game in local Austrian leagues, primarily as a goalkeeper and midfielder.
Johnny emigrated to the United Sates in the early fifties and settled in Salem after military service. He embraced his new home with the enthusiastic zeal he is often noted for. He fine-tuned his English by watching westerns, and found work as a professional tailor and maker of men’s suits. He married in the 60′s and raised a family that totaled four children by the next decade. He continued his work as a tailor by day, and began to referee weekends and evenings.
Whatever John gained in life, much of it he gave back through his service to soccer. John was one of the founders of the Salem Kickers in the 60′s, as well as the league they played in. He was also one of the founding members of Salem United, a precursor to our Cascade Futbol Club.
John eventually retired from tailoring, but never from the game. For his stand out record as a skilled, knowledgeable, and personable soccer official, John was named Oregon’s USSF Referee of the Year in 2005. The following year he was given Referee of the Year honors for all of Region 4.
Today, at age 77, John Plechl still serves our soccer community. He averages about three games per week, officiating games for Oregon Youth Soccer Association, Oregon Premier League, and the Salem Indoor Soccer Center.
For all he has done, to grow soccer in Oregon, to promote quality clubs in Salem, and to serve as a model referee up and down the Willamette Valley, we are pleased to honor John Plechl, with the first ever, CFC Salem Soccer Hero Award!
