1976 Pepsi Los Angeles Skyhawks

Looking at my blog stats, it seems that most people are coming here via Google to look up these obscure soccer sets. It makes sense, because so little has been published regarding these regional, oddball gems. While I am far from an authority on anything soccer, I have had the fortune of slowly adding several of these type sets to my collection over the years. Anyone with additional info is very welcome to comment!

The 1976 L.A. Skyhawks set was sponsored by Pepsi. Card fronts feature red borders and black and white player photos. An advertising slogan is featured at the bottom left/center ("Join the Pepsi People feelin' free!"), while the Pepsi Logo is located next to it at the bottom right. Card backs feature player biographies and the team logo. 

A complete set consists of 15 cards, which are not numbered except for player uniform numbers. Legendary Hall of Fame coach Ron Newman is included in the set, as well as Liverpool mainstay Ron Yeats.

It is difficult to give a value to this scarcely-traded set, but common singles might sell in the $3 to $5 each range.

(1) Brian Parkinson, Goalkeeper

(4) Mickey Cave, Midfield

(5) Ron Yeats, Defense

(6) Steve Ralbovsky, Midfield

(7) Jim Rolland, Forward

(8) Abraham Cohen, Midfield

(9) Jim Hinch, Forward

(10) Ane Mihailovich, Forward

(11) Tony Whelan, Forward

(12) Benny Binshtock, Defense

(13) Leif Werneid, Midfield

(14) Steve Cacciatore, Forward

(16) Marine Cano, Goalkeeper

(17) Javier Loza, Defense

Ron Newman, Head Coach

1976 Herfy's San Jose Earthquakes

This set of 18 red-bordered cards was distributed by Herfy's Restaurants in the San Jose area, and are roughly the same size as standard sports cards. Two cards per week were handed out at participating locations. The fronts consist of a large red border and black and white photo. Backs feature short bios and a special offer where cards could be exchanged for merchandise.

According to card backs, one complete set of cards could be exchanged for a Quakes T-Shirt, ten sets for a soccer ball, or eighty sets for a pair of goal nets. Many sets were undoubtedly exchanged for merchandise, as these sets are very difficult to find today. Several noted players appear in this issue, including Julie Veee, Laurie Calloway and Head Coach Gabbo Gavric, who was a kicker for the San Francisco 49ers in 1969.

Examples of this set are rarely found, and like the Herfy's 1975 issue, it is difficult to give the cards an accurate price range because the set rarely trades. We'd guess that $50 would be a good starting point.

1. Julie Vee

2. Buzz Demling

3. Laurie Calloway

4. Mark Demling

5. Gabbo Gavric (Head Coach)

6. Mani Hernandez

7. Art Welch

8. Johnny Moore

9. George Sorgic

10. Paul Child

11. Mark Liveric

12. Jim Zylker

13. Dave Kemp

14. Miro Pavlovic

15. Ilija Mitic

16. John Rowlands

17. Mike Hewitt

18. Mike Ivanow