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The BC Lions are a FOOTBALL team. Prior to the creation of the Lions, the province had always been considered an area where soccer and rugby prevailed. Sceptics doubted that a CFL franchise would survive in the West. The Lions played their first game on 11 August 1954 in Vancouver's Empire Stadium: the team's slogan was "The Lions will roar in '54," which prompted some to add "But will they survive in '55?" Under coach and general manager Annis Stukus, they achieved only one victory in their initial season and did not make the Western Conference playoffs until 1959. In 1963, coached by Dave Skrien and led by the quarterbacking of Joe Kapp, the Lions appeared in their first GREY CUP, losing 21-10 to Hamilton, but came back in 1964 to defeat the HAMILTON TIGER-CATS 34-24. The Lions waited 19 years before they returned to the national final in 1983, losing to Toronto. Under Coach Don Matthews, they posted 3 consecutive first-place finishes (1983-85) while playing in their new 60 000-seat home, BC Place (Canada's first covered stadium). In 1985 the Lions followed their best season in club history (13-3) with a Grey Cup victory against Hamilton. The team reached the Cup final again in 1988, losing to Winnipeg. The Lions won their third Grey Cup in 1994 with a victory over the Baltimore Stallions. Financial difficulties led the community-based ownership to sell the team to flamboyant Vancouver stock promoter Murray Pezim in 1989. Pezim attempted to ignite fan support by signing high-profile American players such as Doug Flutie and Mark Gastineau. Losses continued to mount. The Lions lost Flutie to the CALGARY STAMPEDERS prior to the 1992 season, and Pezim walked away from the team in mid-season. When Edmonton businessman Bill Comrie and the CFL rescued the team late in the season, the Lions were well on their way to recording their worst record since their humble beginnings in 1954. Positive changes in coaching and management in the mid-1990s helped turn the team's game around. In 1994, after an exciting 26-23 victory over Baltimore, the Lions won their third Grey Cup on a last-play field goal by long-time player Lui Passaglia. They won for a fourth time in 2000, when their close game against the MONTRÉAL ALOUETTES resulted in a near-tie of 28-26. They challenged for the Grey Cup again in 2004, but lost to the Toronto Argonauts 27-19. However, they were successful in 2006, defeating the Alouettes 25-14. The Lions play at BC Place. Team colours are burnt orange, black and silver.
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