Rivalries set to return for the Nation's Capital

The CFL gave it's official blessing to the prospect of a return to the Nation's Capital this week, CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon advising that it's full speed ahead for a return of CFL football to Ottawa for the 2014 season.

The Commissioner's declaration came after Ottawa City Council had its final session on the contentious issue of redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, moving the long anticipated, much delayed reconstruction project forward, a hopeful timetable of an opening in time for the CFL's 2014 season.

With that, an ancient rivalry will be set to return for Ottawa, no not battles with the Als, Argos and TiCats, though those will be long dormant feuds that will once again play out on a field in Ottawa, but instead that familial feud known as the Southsiders versus the Northerners.

For those unfamiliar with the old Lansdowne Park, the stadium was divided into two very diverse camps, the North Siders, for the most part protected by the large roof that covered that stand, were looked upon as somewhat lesser football fans, given to the creature comfort for the most part of remaining dry.

The South Siders on the other hand, besides being directly behind the home side's bench, were a more boisterous band of brothers and sisters, exposed for the most part to the wild elements at times, they were steadfast in attendance, their badge of honour being holed up in the more ancient ambiance of the south side, part of the great rivalry that stoked the Ottawa football scene.

Conversations on bus trips to and from the suburbs to the stadium on game night could evolve into the kind of family argument that was akin to who Mom and Dad loved best, the Southsiders of course of the opinion that by their dedication to the Riders (and Renegades of their day) and close proximity to their bench, they were the chosen favourites.

A notion pooh poohed with regular frequency by the Northerners, who looked upon their southern kin as kind of a little bit off at the best of times, none more so than when the rains or the snows descended upon Lansdowne.

Still, one thing we imagine they both will concur on is that the return of the CFL is long overdue, with all the bickering over a stadium finally out of the way (though we imagine there won't be any true believers until there are shovels in the ground and foundations going up) the real task of building a football team will get underway.

We're not sure how the new stadium design will impact on all that history, the new digs will make everyone equal as far as amenities go, but rivalries are hard to put away, we imagine as we write this that Southsiders are already making their reservations for their seating arrangements, try and move them to the North at your peril is our advice.

Some of the background on the announcement this week and the progress of the new Lansdowne Park can be found below.

CFL.ca-- Ottawa On Track for 2014 (video)
CFL.ca-- CFL in Ottawa on track for the 2014 season
CFL.ca-- Cohon on Ottawa Expansion Draft (video)
CFL.ca-- On the Hunt for a General Manager (video)
CFL.ca-- The Best of Ottawa Football
CFL.ca-- Ottawa Stadium Concept

Ottawa Citizen-- Squabbling ends, work begins
Ottawa Citizen-- Council gives final go ahead to Lansdowne Project
Ottawa Citizen-- Ottawa votes in favour of Lansdowne redevelopment, clears the way for CFL
Ottawa Citizen-- The Plan for Lansdowne
Ottawa Sun-- Lansdowne Park vision, dream one step closer
Ottawa Sun-- Lansdowne project a Go!
Ottawa Sun-- Celebrating the CFL's return to Ottawa
Ottawa Sun-- What would you name Ottawa's new football team?
Ottawa Sun-- Lansdowne yes vote a big win for Ottawa
Ottawa Sun-- Soccer rep breathe a sigh of relief with Lansdowne decision
Ottawa Sun-- Rick Sowieta pumped for CFL's return to Ottawa
Ottawa Sun-- Search on for Ottawa CFL GM
Ottawa Sun-- Ottawa's CFL ownership history
Ottawa Sun-- CFL team won't be called Rough Riders

Globe and Mail-- Despite past fumbles, Ottawa belongs in the CFL
Globe and Mail-- CFL announces return to Ottawa in 2014
National Post-- CFL returning to Ottawa after city approves stadium plan
Toronto Star-- Stale CFL needs new franchise in Ottawa
Montreal Gazette-- Ottawa soap opera continues
Calgary Herald-- Stampeders with Ottawa ties excited that the Nation's capital is getting the CFL again
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Eskimos QB Kerry Joseph recalls days as an Ottawa Renegade
CBC-- Ottawa 'on track' to rejoin CFL by 2014
TSN-- Optimistic about Ottawa
TSN-- Fond Memories
TSN-- Closer to a Return
TSN-- A Touchdown for Ottawa
Sportsnet-- Lefko on CFL in Ottawa: Third Time's a Charm
Sportsnet-- CFL on Course to return to Ottawa in 2014