After finishing the 22/23 season in 4th place, belief had settled into the squad. At first, we only whispered it, not wanting to tempt fate, but the words were there: “Cosmos are going up.”

The campaign began at home against newly relegated West Van B, and we started as we meant to go on with a strong 3-1 victory. Big Andy, Walsho, and Shane all found the net, and little did we know, this trio would go on to score 51 goals between them by the end of the season. Andy and Walsho were new additions, and after Andy’s thunderbolt of a goal, the managers were quietly excited about what was to come.

Next up was a trip to Coastal FC on a wet, cold Saturday night. We had a secret weapon up our sleeve. Jevin Hillis, the ex-Cosmos player, had been recruited by manager Brent. What a signing. His experience, composure, and ability to step up in big moments would give us an extra edge throughout the season. Despite only having 12 men available, we put in a dominant performance and came away with a 5-0 win. The highlight for Coastal? Their bald centre-back launching James Keogh into next week.

The games were coming thick and fast, and momentum was building. A gritty 2-1 win over Tiki Taka followed, then a 4-3 battle against a much-improved Burnaby Spartans, a team we would come to know well throughout the season.

Then came Port Moody. The arsey English dad was in full voice, the referee was shocking, and we had a perfectly good goal ruled out when Ben powered home a bullet header. To make matters worse, a dubious penalty was given against us, and frustration boiled over when James Keogh signaled for his own substitution, deciding he had seen enough. The game ended 1-1, and for the first time this season, we felt the pressure.

A slight wobble followed. A 2-0 win against NVFC Norvan lacked fluency, and then we threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against BCT Hurricanes. Big Andy had hit a dry spell, and we could all feel it. Seven games in and still unbeaten, but doubt was creeping in.

Misty night Vs Hurricanes

Then came GFC Lions, a team with serious quality. We fought hard but suffered a 1-0 defeat, our first loss of the season. It was a bruising encounter, and with a different referee on a different day, we might have come away with something.

The response was emphatic. A 7-1 demolition of NVFC Norvan, with five goals from Andy, was followed by a 4-0 win over Columbus FC. Andy had found his rhythm again, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Next, we faced Tapatitos FC, who had a 7ft striker ready to cause havoc. It was a tough game, but a last-minute penalty and an over-the-top and kind of unnessecary celebration from Walsho earned us a 2-2 draw. The whispers were no longer whispers—people were starting to believe that Cosmos were going up.

The momentum stalled again with a frustrating 3-3 draw against West Van, a game we should have won. But we were still werent losing in these scrappy encounters, showing resilience even when we weren’t at our best. Then we turned a corner, putting nine past Columbus in a ruthless 9-0 win, followed by a fiery 4-1 victory over Tiki Taka that ended in a full-blown brawl. Mark “Cruncher” Condon saw red for a blatant challenge, and even the manager looked ready to throttle him.

A trip to Burnaby Spartans followed, and after going 2-0 down, it felt like our unbeaten run was slipping away. But then Andy took control, delivering a masterclass with a hat-trick that turned the game on its head and sealed a stunning 3-2 comeback. Gareth summed it up best afterward—this season felt different. The team had grit, desire, quality, and commitment in a way that had been missing in past years. This was the moment we all collectively started to believe.

Then came Port Moody again. The touchline was heated, tensions still high from our last meeting. 3-1 down in the 90th minute, their coaches were giving it large. But then, a Jevin goal—oh boy, do they hate him. Then, Mark L at the back post! 3-3 at the death. James the Co-manager lost it,(Brent is far more classy out of the two of them… at times), celebrating straight in the faces of the Port Moody staff. Three years of hearing that old English dad shout abuse at us boiled over into this moment. Not my proudest, but it had to be done.

Hes lost it

At this stage, the title was out of reach, but promotion was still on. A 6-0 thrashing at the hands of GFC Lions was a tough pill to swallow, but we bounced back with key wins against NVFC Storm and a ridiculous 12-1 demolition of Columbus, featuring a Stevie Bossman special. Into the cup phase we went.

We made light work of Alemania before running into the Vancouver Harps, who let us know exactly how much they hated Jevin. They got the better of us that day, and when they won, they made sure to rub it in. Fair play, they deserved it. But we weren’t done yet.

Now, every game was must-win. A 7-0 dismantling of Norvan Lions saw Walsho grab a hat-trick, Benny net a brace, and even Will get on the scoresheet. A 5-1 victory over BCT Hurricanes kept us on track despite Walsho attempting to miss the game by saying he was watching the Canucks, when he just wanted to go on a bender? Club man of the year goes to James Keogh for ratting his best pal out. I hear it’s still a touchy subject to this day.

Final game of the season—win, and we were in. Cosmos vs. Tapatitos, a full crowd, and Caoimhe’s voice carrying across the pitch: “Come on Cosmos!!!” Jevin stole the show with two goals, celebrating like a man possessed, climbing up walls… litterally and earning himself a yellow card in the process. The final whistle blew, and we had secured our place in the playoffs, finishing on 50 points. We werent done yet.

Cosmos Ultras Out in Force

Our first challenge was Burnaby Spartans, a team we had already beaten three times. We knew exactly what we needed to do, and despite conceding an early goal, we controlled the game. Jevin, Andy, Walsho, and Justin all found the net in a commanding 4-2 victory. I can still hear the “GET OUT OF HERE” shouts from Joel with every clearance. The Spartans and their drum could f*ck off. On to the next one.

After the Burnaby Game

Next up, the Harps. Their manager had been weirdly running his mouth down the pub, calling us a one-trick team that only booted it up to Andy and that was our only way of playing and he knew how to stop it.. What is Pep Guardiola doing managing a Div 3 VMSL team, ill never know. Their lanky centre-back had even warned Jevin in the pub to “wear his shinpads.” We knew this game would be different from the last, although I dont think they thought the same.

It was a battle, but we stood strong, especially our defence. Mark L’s goal early in the second half was enough, and we saw the game out, sending the Harps packing and the bold centre-back home in tears… The celebrations were well and truly milked, but we really did deserve it.

Battered, bruised & exhausted. They gave everything. One game away from promotion. (John Terry spotted back left)

The final. One game away from promotion. Richmond Joyous were our last hurdle. You could feel how much Brent wanted it and the lads wanted nothing more than to do it for him. 15+ years of trying and now we are 1 game away, its in our hands. They made things difficult off the pitch with scheduling, and on the pitch, they were just as tough. Gareth’s pre-match speech set the tone, and we flew out of the blocks with two early goals. But Richmond weren’t done—they clawed back two, forcing extra time.

Tension filled the air. Then, in the 114th minute, Andy found himself through on goal. He buried it. 3-2. Cosmos were going up.

The final whistle blew, and we erupted. The sacrifices, the cold nights at Ambleside, the long trips across the Lower Mainland—it had all been worth it. Cosmos FC. More than a club.

23/24 VMSL Div 3 Promotion Playoff Champions

And then Vegas happened…

UP THE COSMOS!