Josh Heard Returns as Captain of Pacific FC

January 9, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Pacific FC News Release

Langford, BC – Pacific FC today announced the return of attacking midfielder Josh Heard in the captain role for the club’s six season in the Canadian Premier League. One of the longest tenured players in the club’s history, Heard is set to play his 100th match for Pacific this season. “Josh is incredibly hungry and driven on a personal level to attack the new season ahead,” said James Merriman. “We know he leads by example with his heart on his sleeve and he’s grown into a mature professional.”

Welsh-born but Victoria-raised Heard, appeared 30 times for the Tridents last season, playing a total of 2106 minutes between CPL and Canadian Championship action. The captain scored five goals in Pacific’s season which saw them through to the league semi-final. Heard joined Pacific in 2020 and was given the captain’s armband in 2023. His approachable personality and connection to the local soccer channels have made him an Island favourite for each of his four seasons with the club.

“It’s an extreme honour to be playing for my hometown professionally in front of my friends, family, old coaches,” said Heard. “I can’t wait to get back.”

As a youth, Heard played for Lakehill Soccer Association, and later Victoria Metro and Highlanders. Since 2021, he has been helping coach in Pacific FC’s Van Isle Wave program giving back to the next generation by sharing his knowledge and insights of the game with Island youth. Last season he trained alongside two Wave players under development contracts with Pacific FC, Sami Marvasti and Jack Garner.

Heard’s pathway to become a professional took him away from Vancouver Island, he spent his post-secondary career playing for University of Washington and was later selected 71 overall in the 2016 MLS draft by the Vancouver Whitecaps. Rather than joining the Vancouver Whitecaps, he committed to United Soccer League side Bethlehem Steel and later USL team Real Monarchs in Salt Lake City. He went on loan the following year to Austrian third-tier side Pinzgau Saalfelden.

Since returning to the Island in 2020, Heard has scored 19 goals for the Tridents and has become an important fixture in the Island’s football community.

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