By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
January 31, 2025-For the past five decades, Peter Clinton has been associated with Clifton Park soccer. Makes sense as Clinton is just one letter different from Clifton and he was one of the Clifton Park Soccer Club’s co-founders in 1976.
Peter Clinton was also one of the founders of the league that Clifton Park plays in, the Capital District Youth Soccer League (CDYSL), two years later in 1978.
The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is mourning the passing of Peter at age 91 on January 22. For all his volunteering, Peter was one of the first people to be inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame, in 2001. He was also part of the 2009 inaugural class of the Shenendehowa Central School District Hall of Fame as a Soccer Contributor.
Peter was born on April 23, 1933, in Middlesborough, England. His passion for soccer began in his childhood and helped shape much of his life.
He emigrated to the United States with his family in 1964 and settled in Gouverneur, New York, before relocating to Clifton Park in 1968.
A decade later in 1978, he took over the Clifton Park Recreational Soccer League (CPRSL), which grew to over 1,000 kids from ages 4-17. He volunteered as CPRSL Director for over 40 years and was very proud that every child played a minimum of 50% of each match.
He served as Clifton Park Soccer Club President for an amazing four decades as well and was instrumental in the development of the Clifton Commons soccer fields, one of Eastern New York’s best soccer complexes.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8 with calling hours from 10 am to 1 pm at Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route Nine, Clifton Park, NY 12065. A service will immediately follow at the same location. Friends and family are invited to join in celebrating Peter’s life with a reception at the Hilton Garden Inn at 2 pm, 30 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York Chapter.
We have lost a very good man who contributed so much. May he rest in peace!
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/