The Atlantic Schooners history is a fascinating story of ambition and perseverance in Canadian football. Although the Atlantic Schooners CFL team has yet to play an official season, the Schooner Atlantic record symbolizes the determination of Atlantic Canada’s football fans who have long awaited their chance to see their own CFL franchise take the field.
Established
1982
City
Dartmouth
League History
1982 - 1983 / Canadian Football League
Team History
1982 - 1983 / Atlantic Schooners
Nickname
Schooners - The Atlantic Schooners is a beloved Canadian Football League (CFL) team for many sports fans. But do you know about Atlantic Schooners history and where their nickname comes from?
Atlantic Schooners Origin
The name “Schooner” derives from a type of sailing ship commonly used in the Maritime Provinces during the 18th and 19th centuries. The schooner was an essential part of life in this region, providing transportation for people and goods between ports throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador. As such, it has become synonymous with maritime culture, so it makes sense as a nickname for an East Coast CFL team!
In addition to its historical significance to Canada’s Maritime Provinces, the schooner also holds special meaning within football circles: A “schooner play” is when two players on offense line up side-by-side at scrimmage before one moves forward or backward (depending on which way they want to run). This formation resembles sails billowing out against wind—hence why it became known as a “schooner play." It's no surprise then that this term eventually made its way into football terminology!
Today there may be no official Atlantic Schooners franchise yet. Still, they remain popular amongst fans who love them because of their connection with history and what they represent: resilience through difficult times, strength amidst adversity, and courage despite overwhelming odds – all qualities we can take inspiration from today!
Championship
Grey Cup 0
Stadium
1982 - 1983 / Could not secure a stadium
Owner
1982 - 1983 / Maritime Professional Football Club Ltd. (Included John Donoval, J. I. Albrecht, and R. B. Cameron)
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
- 1982
- 1983
-
Schooners Team Formation
On May 13, 1982, Maritime Professional Football Club Ltd. was granted a conditional expansion franchise by the Canadian Football League’s board of governors with unanimous approval. The team was to pay a $1.5 million expansion fee by May 1, 1983 and could begin to play in 1984 if a suitable 30,000 seat stadium were built in time for the league ... -
Schooners Withdrew Their Application
The Schooners proposed home was a 34,000-seat stadium located on leased land in the city of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, said to be built at a cost of $6 million. When the franchise was awarded, it was still being debated between the mayors of Halifax and Dartmouth where the new stadium should be built as both wanted the team in their respective cities. ...
Atlantic Schooners History
The Atlantic Schooners history is one of Canadian football’s most fascinating what-if stories. The Atlantic Schooners CFL team was first proposed in 1982 when businessman John Donoval and a local ownership group attempted to bring a professional football franchise to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Despite the enthusiasm of fans across Atlantic Canada, the Schooner Atlantic record never officially began, as financial and stadium challenges prevented the CFL from approving the franchise.
Over the years, the Atlantic Schooners football dream has remained alive through loyal fans who continue to celebrate what might have been. Events like Touchdown Atlantic, first launched in 2005 and revived several times since, have helped keep the vision of an Atlantic-based CFL team alive. Exhibition games held in Moncton and Halifax drew strong attendance, showing that the spirit of the Atlantic Schooners CFL is still thriving among football fans in the region.
Schooners Achievements
The Schooner Atlantic record also represents more than just an unfulfilled dream — it symbolizes the ongoing effort to expand the CFL’s reach into Atlantic Canada. The proposal was revived again in the late 2010s by Schooners Sports and Entertainment, who pushed to build a new stadium in Halifax. While the project has yet to materialize, discussions about the team’s potential return continue to spark excitement.
Although the Atlantic Schooners CFL team never took the field, their greatest achievement lies in uniting football fans across Canada’s East Coast. The Schooner Atlantic record remains symbolic of hope, persistence, and community spirit. The ongoing support for a future franchise shows that the passion for football in Atlantic Canada remains strong — a testament to the lasting legacy of the Atlantic Schooners history.
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