Adrian Webster: Original Sounder
Adrian Webster, known around Seattle as a fixture for the original Sounders, both on and off the field, has died in England. Webster, who celebrated his birthday on Nov. 6, was 72.
Adrian Webster was awarded the Sounders’ Golden Scarf in 2017. (Sounders FC)
Webster was there from the outset of Seattle professional soccer, starting the inaugural match in 1974. He was John Best’s regular choice at right back for the first three NASL seasons, but it was his transition to defensive midfielder under Jimmy Gabriel in 1977 that coincided with the Sounders’ remarkable turnaround. Following a terrible start they accelerating over the second half of the season to reach Soccer Bowl versus the New York Cosmos.
Webster became team captain that season and held that distinction through 1979, when he completed his six-year run with a record 120 appearances across all competitions.
In 2017, around the 40th anniversary of that epic NASL final which was also the last competitive game for Pelé, Webster returned to Seattle after 26 years away, along with David Butler, another early fan favorite. Together, they were honored by the Sounders with the Golden Scarf prior to an MLS match.
A native of Colchester, England, Webster played for his hometown Colchester United in his youth before venturing to Canada with teammate Bob Cram in 1972 to play for the semipro Vancouver Spartans. After two seasons, both Webster and Cram were signed by Best and the Sounders.
Webster was often the last player coming off the training ground as he dedicated himself to fitness and unceasing improvement with his skills. He was among the most active players in making community appearances during the offseason. His departure from the Sounders came after he served as the players’ union representative. In 1979, most of the first team players went out on a league-wide strike for one match in an effort to have owners formally recognize the union.
From Seattle, Webster went to Pittsburgh and then Phoenix to play indoors. His coaching career began in Phoenix, first with the MISL Inferno and later the Arizona Condors of the Western Soccer League. He returned to England in 1991 and reconnected with Colchester United and coached the club’s academy players and at Colne College. During his 13 years at United he launched a youth program and secured funding for an artificial turf pitch and lighting to serve over 750 kids.
Webster battled bowel cancer beginning in 2015 and more recently Motor Neuron Disease. He authored seven books about the various aspects of his life in the game. All proceeds went to Children with Cancer, a leading UK childhood cancer charity. On Oct. 15, 2023, many who played for Webster with those youth teams organized a charity match to help raise funds for Webster’s medical needs. Both teams wore Sounders jerseys.
In 2017 Webster told The Seattle Times that when he returned to Seattle, “I had a sense of feeling I had come back home, because Seattle is where I most enjoyed my soccer.” He then added, “It’s been a fantastic journey and I have shed a few tears along the way. Some of them tears of sadness over friends that are no longer with us but also tears of laughter over the fun time I had playing this wonderful game.’’
