Growing up in the Dock, Val played a lot of soccer in Mary Thorne’s back yard. Since his Dad died when he was only nine it was his Mom, Antonia, who was a strong influence in getting him to play soccer. He was very young when he played with the Dock Rookies in the local league in the town. In high school, Val started making his mark as a striker with his house system team and with the varsity team against other Burin Peninsula schools and also St. John’s schools, particularly Brother Rice.

Val’s goal scoring ability did not go unnoticed as he moved directly from Junior to Senior Soccer. Under the coaching guidance of Jack Lundrigan, Alonzo Walsh and Howard Lake, Val was scoring quite regularly much to the amazement of players who where much older than he was such as Cyril Quirke, Frank Tobin, Norm Kelly, Reg Farrell, Bob Slaney, Mike Quirke, and Wils Molloy among others. His biggest goal was the winner against the Grand Bank Gee Bees to claim the Burin Peninsula Championship.

Since Val was a big guy, he used his strength to power himself past many defenders to score his goals. He was one of the most well-liked players on the St. Lawrence Laurentians but he put the fear of God in the minds of his opponents. Max Crocker, a defender with the Grand Bank Gee Bees always said that Val Slaney was one of the toughest strikers to defend against. One of the hardest tournaments Val played in was the All-Newfoundland Championship against the London Lions. They were a very tough and rough team and Val, being very young, measured up to that toughness with every one of the opposing players.

His career with the Laurentians would have been a long one had it not been for the lack of work in St. Lawrence (he certainly wasn’t going to work in the Mine). Working in Toronto, Val would come home the first few years to play with the Laurentians but that become difficult when he established his career. However he did continue to play soccer in Toronto.

Val lived in Upper Island Cove and was married to Edith Crane and they have three children, Leame, Lori and Robert. His son, Robert, just played four years of hockey with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior League. Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL was so impressed with Robert`s development over that time , he signed Robert to a three year entry level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hopefully Robert will follow his cousins, Paul and Gino Cavallini, into the NHL.

Val`s nephews were certainly influenced by his play and they also made their mark in soccer in Newfoundland. Mike and Jamie Howlett, Sheldon and Rodney Slaney, Tony and Troy Picket, Todd (Pickett) Slaney and Kurt Rennie. His sister, Sadie has been a volunteer and executive member of the St. Lawrence Soccer Association for quite a number of years.

Val joins with his Uncle Bob Kelly and cousin Eddy Kelly into the St. Lawrence Soccer Hall of Fame and also his Mother, Antonia, who is on the St. Lawrence Wall of Honour.