Arlington Soccer Club

Arlington Soccer Club

Our Founder

 

"Friendship thru Soccer"

This motto has been at the heart of Coach Werner's career... While highly competitive and successful wherever he has coached, his greatest enjoyment has been the friends he has made through the game.


This is exemplified by his continuing friendship with his college coach and mentor, Garth Stam, of Oneonta State College.

Following his playing career at Oneonta, Coach Werner became the head coach for 31 years at Arlington Memorial High School.

His retirement from that position in 2003, with a Vermont State record for career wins (346-108-31) was front page news in the Bennington Banner, and led to his induction into the Vermont Principal's Association Hall of Fame in May of 2004.


 


 

 

During his career at Arlington, Werner founded the Arlington Youth Soccer League, which he ran for 30 seasons (1975-2004).

Coach Werner was also instrumental in the development of the Southwest VT Youth Soccer League, encompassing eleven towns, serving as its commissioner from its inception in 1980 until 2004.


Each year the school/community hosts the John Werner Soccer Tournament on Labor Day Weekend.

Deserving students are awarded Werner Scholarships each year at Arlington Memorial High School.



 

John Werner Honored

 

 

John Werner, a longtime Arlington Memorial High School soccer coach and educator, was honored at a dedication ceremony. The presentation also dedicated a permanent display (shown above) and tribute to his career.

 

Bennington Banner
ADAM SAMROV

 

ARLINGTON -- Longtime Arlington Memorial High School soccer coach and educator John Werner was honored on Thursday morning at a dedication ceremony.

 

The list of accomplishments for the coach, teacher, and administrator are lengthy. Werner was the varsity coach of the Arlington boys soccer... More...

 

 



 

 

Continuing with his friendship theme, Werner organizes soccer exchanges for his Arlington under 14 year old team, with MPE Football Club of Maidstone, England.


In the early 1980's, a team from Maidstone in Kent, England visited the Oneonta, NY area, and spent a weekend with Coach Werner and the Arlington Soccer Club.

The coaches, who stayed at Coach's house, said to just call them when Arlington was ready to come to England. More


 

 

Werner Retires as Castleton Men's Soccer Head Coach

 

Werner Retires

 

CASTLETON, Vt. – Castleton head men's soccer coach John Werner announced his retirement after an impressive nine-year run with the Spartans and 40 years as a head soccer coach at the high school and college level.

"After 40 years as a head soccer coach and a total of 680 games, it is time to retire," said Werner. "With my wife Judy retiring from Arlington High at the end of this school year, we have plans to travel, enjoy a less hectic schedule and spend more time with our grandson.

I am extremely grateful to for the opportunity to coach at Castleton, with special thanks to President Wolk, Associate Dean of Athletics and Recreation Deanna Tyson, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Tim Barrett, and of course two members of my staff who have been with me the whole time, Paul Storey and Scott French. I plan to still be involved in the beautiful game and will always support Castleton Soccer!". Read More...


 

Werner Field Dedication - 2016



Arlington honors Werner
The Arlington community surely is a special place. It has been made even more special because of our Coach.

I say OUR Coach because as you look around tonight you’ll will see countless people that Coach Werner has coached or at least had a positive effect on in some way.

For over 40 years Coach Werner has given so much to our community.

Not only did he spend 31 years coaching our varsity team; he also founded and ran our youth soccer league for 30 years. Read More







Players shared in his experience and passion for the beautiful game.


"Some say soccer is a matter of life and death, but it is not. It's much more important than that!"


(Bill Shankley - former Liverpool manager)



Coach Werner believes soccer is that important, for the lessons we can learn from it, and the friends we can make through the game...

 

"Friendship thru Soccer"

Share the Passion & Perspective

Coach Werner,
some time ago, at one of his many Soccer Camps.