The Rowdies: then and now

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 4, 2000

Ed Austin

THEN: Forward from Hartwick College. Originally from Scotland. Played two years for the Rowdies before bolting to the rival American Soccer League.

NOW: Chief Operations Officer for the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Has been with the Mutiny since 1996, the team's first year. Was named the 1998 Major League Soccer Operations Executive of the Year.

Mike Connell

THEN: An 18-year-old rookie from Johannesburg, South Africa. Was a starting defender to start the season, lost his job to Farrukh Quarishi due to injury, then won it back at the end of the season. Left the team for a year, then rejoined the Rowdies in 1977 and played until 1984.

NOW: Owns his own computer parts company in Tampa as well as a company that develops corporate logos.

Mark Lindsay

THEN: A 20-year-old defensive midfielder, Lindsay was on loan from Crystal Palace of the English Second Division. Had a crucial assist to Clyde Best in a quarterfinal win over Toronto. Lindsay played with the Rowdies through the 1977 season.

NOW: Lindsay owns Megabyte International Corporation, a computer company based in Tampa.

Rodney Marsh

THEN: Perhaps the most popular Rowdie ever, Marsh joined the team in 1976 from English First Division club Manchester City. Played through the 1979 season and scored 48 goals in 94 games. A two-time NASL All-Star, Marsh was a flamboyant player who once mooned a referee.

NOW: Marsh still owns a home in Lutz but spends most of his time in London. He is an analyst for England's Sky Network, the equivalent of ESPN. "I'm kind of like your Joe Theismann over here," Marsh said.

Derek Smethurst

THEN: Played for Chelsea of the English First Division before his contract was purchased by the Rowdies. Led the team in scoring with 19 goals and 41 points in 1975. Scored the first ever goal in Tampa Stadium in the season opener on April 26, 1975 against Rochester. Played for the Rowdies through the 1978 season.

NOW: Smethurst lives in Tampa and oversees the Valrico Soccer Club.

Farrukh Quraishi

THEN: A rookie defender, Quraishi played at Oneonta State in New York before being lured to Tampa by Francisco Marcos. Was also the assistant director of community relations and was responsible for arranging soccer leagues and camps in Tampa Bay. Stayed with the Rowdies until 1980, when he left for expansion Calgary.

NOW: Quraishi is a shareholder and spokesperson for Master Coach International, a computer software company that provides sports teams with player and team analysis. Also co-owns three professional soccer teams, the Boston Bulldogs of the A-League, the Cape Cop Crusaders of the Division III pro league and the Boston Renegades of the W-I League.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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