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Bethlehem Steel Football Club (1907–1930) was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1907 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation. Bethlehem Steel FC played their home games first at East End Field in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley, then later on the grounds Bethlehem Steel built on Elizabeth Ave named Bethlehem Steel Athletic Field.
Philadelphia Field Club is a name used by four soccer teams based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All four versions of Philadelphia F.C. competed in the first American Soccer League, but none were in any way related to the other three teams which shared its name.
Fall River Marksmen was an American soccer club based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United States, winning the American Soccer League on six occasions. They also won the National Challenge Cup four times. In 1924 they won the first ASL / Challenge Cup double and were subsequently the American soccer champions three times in succession. Between 1928 and 1930 they won a further three titles in a row. In 1930 they completed a treble, winning the ASL title, the Challenge Cup and the Lewis Cup. The same year they also toured Central Europe.
Robert Millar was a Scottish American soccer forward and coach of the U.S. national team at the first FIFA World Cup, in 1930. During his at times tumultuous Hall of Fame career, Millar played with over a dozen teams in at least five U.S. leagues as well as two seasons in the Scottish Football League. He finished his career as a successful professional and national team coach.
Harold Pemberton Brittan was a U.S.-English soccer center forward. He began his career in England with Chelsea before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he was a prolific goalscorer with the powerhouse Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Field Club and Fall River Marksmen clubs in the National Association Football League and American Soccer League. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1951.
Neil G. Clarke(sometimes listed as Clark) was a Scottish American soccer player who began his career in the Scottish Football League before migrating to the United States. He played in both the National Association Football League and American Soccer League. In 1916, he played in the first two U.S. national team games.
John Ferguson was a football (soccer) full back. He began his career in Scotland before moving to England, then the United States. He earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1925. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Findlay "Lindy" Kerr was an American soccer goalkeeper who spent one season in the National Association Football League and nine in the American Soccer League. He also earned one cap with the United States men's national soccer team. He was born in Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland.
Harry Jay Ratican was a U.S. soccer forward, coach and team owner. He began and ended his career in the St. Louis Soccer League with several years in both the National Association Football League and American Soccer League. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Thomas "Tommy" or "Whitey" Fleming was a Scottish American soccer outside forward who began his career in Scotland and finished it in the United States. During his Hall of Fame career, Fleming won five American Cups, four National Challenge Cups and at least eight league titles.
Johnny Jaap was a Scottish-U.S. soccer inside right. He played seven seasons in the American Soccer League and one with Hearts. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Frederick Morley was an English professional football inside forward who began his career in England before finishing it in the American Soccer League. He was born in Burslem, England.
George McKelvey, also spelled McKelvie, was a Scottish-American soccer player who spent his entire professional career in the United States.
Frederick "Chiddy" Pepper was an English footballer who played as an inside forward. Born in Netherfield, Nottinghamshire, Pepper received a basic education before finding vocation as a fireman on the local railway. Joining Notts County F.C. in 1908 aged 21, he found little success playing in the English Football League and subsequently emigrated to Canada in 1913. Settling in Hamilton, Ontario, Pepper was scouted by industrialist Charles M. Schwab from local team Hamilton Lancashire and joined his Bethlehem Steel F.C. in 1914, an important club in the infancy of organized association football in the United States.
Dugald "Dougie" Campbell was a Scottish-American soccer inside forward who played eight seasons in the American Soccer League. He was born in Paisley, Scotland.
Patrick Butler was an early twentieth-century Irish soccer player who appears to have spent his entire career in the U.S. leagues. He was a member of the Bethlehem Steel teams which won the 1916 National Challenge Cup and the 1917 and 1919 American Cup Butler began his career on the front line, playing both inside and outside forward on both sides of the field. He ended his career at the right half back position.
The American Soccer League, established in 1921, was the first of four different professional soccer sports leagues in the United States to use the ASL name. It was formed by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For several years the ASL's popularity rivaled the popularity of the National Football League. Disputes with the United States Football Association and FIFA, as well as the onset of the Great Depression, led to the league's collapse in spring 1933.
The 1921–22 Philadelphia F.C. season was the first season for Philadelphia F.C. and its first season in the American Soccer League. The league was originally to have included the Bethlehem Steel F.C. but, just before the season started, Bethlehem Steel dropped out of the league and was replaced by Falco F.C. The Bethlehem Steel officials disbanded the club and threw their resources behind the Philadelphia F.C. Most of the best Bethlehem Steel players were signed to Philadelphia F.C.
The 1922-23 Bethlehem Steel F.C. season was the second season for the club in the American Soccer League but its first season in Bethlehem after playing the previous season as Philadelphia F.C. Following the 1921-22 season, the Philadelphia club was transferred "back" to Bethlehem and a new team was organized in Philadelphia to take its place. The club finished the season in 2nd place.
The 1922-23 Philadelphia F.C. season was the first season for a new Philadelphia club in the American Soccer League after the Bethlehem Steel F.C. was transferred "back" to Bethlehem after playing the prior season as Philadelphia F.C. The new Philadelphia team was made up entirely of local players; the team struggled in the league, finishing the season last in 8th place.
References
- ↑ ""Boot the Ball" in Philadelphia Today". The Globe. Bethlehem, Pa. October 7, 1922.