1988

13 teams

Seniority Rank

Club Name

Status

Club Name Previous Season or Other Origin

Colours Shirts/Shorts

Field

Years in the League

1

Madison Thistle

Name Change

Clinton Thistle

Red/Blue

Exchange Field, Madison

10

2

North Branford

 

 

Yellow/Black

Northford Park, Northford

8

3

Cheshire SC

 

 

Red/Red

Quinnipiac Fields, Cheshire

7

5

Wallingford Aniellos

Name Change

Wallingford Bolios

Blue/White

Woodhouse Avenue, Wallingford

7

6

Hamden Conte

Name Change

Hamden

Red/Black

Dock's Field, Hamden

6.5

2

Guilford SC

 

 

Dark Green

Bittner Park, Guilford

6

7

Waterbury Portuguese

 

 

Blue/White

Murray Park, Waterbury

6

8

Milford Tuesday

 

 

Blue/White

Milford High School

4.5

8

Wallingford Portuguese

 

 

Red/Green

Pragman Park, Wallingford

4.5

9

West Haven

 

 

Maroon/White

Glade Street, West Haven

3.5

10

New Haven Italians

 

 

Blue/White

East Shore Park, New Haven

3

11

Glastonbury

 

 

Yellow

Rotary Fields, Glastonbury

2

11

New Haven Portuguese

 

 

Red/White

Boulevard, New Haven

2

The fourth edition of the SASL Rules, now known as the SASL Rules and By-Laws were printed in January 1988.

The Connecticut State Soccer Association agreed to provide insurance for players and teams. This is a major benefit. The CSSA would also provided official, certified referees eliminating one of the most difficult tasks of all SASL managers in finding someone for their home games.

Vic Smith remained as League Commissioner and Dutchman John Heskes of the The Bolios agreed to take over from Kevin Burke as League Registrar. Interestingly Kevin and John were from the same club who had now acquired sponsorship from Aniellos restaurant in Wallingford.

SASL founding club Clinton Thistle moved to neighbouring town Madison when it was no longer possible to obtain fields in Clinton. Their new home pitch was the infamous New Road field which they called home until the field was sold by its private owners in 1998. The club changed its name to reflect their new town.

Hamden also acquired sponsorship from the Conte brothers who also played on the team and owned Conte Electric.

Madison Thistle applied for a major rule change. After losing their goalkeeper to injury in 1985 the team had incredible difficulty finding an over-30 player to fill this specialised position. A variety of outfield players were tried but this caused the team to go through a long, painful losing spell. Madison applied for a rule change allowing goalkeepers to be as young as 25-years old. The change was accepted and invoked during late Spring.

Finally, all results are published and the most complete League Table is distributed.