George Araya: The Feet of Fury Hangs Up the Boots

After a 20+ year career, the most enduring striker in BAS history, George Araya, has called it a day.

George Araya has been a part of BAS for nearly as long as there’s been a BAS. He organized countless men’s, women’s, and coed teams over the years. At the pinnacle of his BAS career, it wasn’t uncommon for George to be playing on his signature UKS men’s open-age team, his coed team UKS United, and several other Masters teams, while still coaching his women’s team. Due to his uncanny scoring prowess and longevity in the game, George has amassed over 700 (not a typo) goals over his BAS career. There are some teams that haven’t scored that many goals in the last 20 years.

Known for his punishing strike, it was never hard for George to build teams because typically anyone he asked to play for him would comply because that meant they wouldn’t have to play against him. He brought everything to the pitch when he played, never shied away from challenges, and usually won the ball. Defenders lamented that he was damn near impossible to move off of the ball and every opposing keeper knew his name. Today, George played his last match when Xavier Bhoys met Mega City FC in the 2023 BAS Cup.

George on retirement day with his 2 biggest supporters

We’d like to thank George Araya for his support, dedication, and advice over the years, but mostly for the memories the Feet of Fury created. We wish him all the best. Soccer in Brampton won’t be the same.