Fall River F.C. (1922–1931)

Last updated

Fall River F.C.
Full nameFall River Football Club
Nickname(s)Marksmen, Mark's men
Founded1922
Dissolved1931;93 years ago (1931)
Stadium Mark's Stadium
North Tiverton, Rhode Island
Capacity15,000
Chairman Flag of the United States.svg Sam Mark
League American Soccer League
19313rd

Fall River F.C. was an American soccer club based in Fall River, Massachusetts. 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.

Contents

The 'Marksmen' played their home games at Mark's Stadium, one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium in the United States. [1] In 1931 the franchise relocated and merged twice. They first moved to New York, where they merged with New York Soccer Club and became the New York Yankees. They actually won their fourth National Challenge Cup after they became the Yankees, but due to complications following the merger it was credited to the 'Marksmen'. The Yankees later moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they merged with Fall River F.C. to become the New Bedford Whalers.

History

Early years

In 1921 the Southern New England Soccer League and the National Association Football League effectively merged to form the American Soccer League. A new team Fall River United were formed to enter the ASL. [2] During the inaugural season United struggled, finishing sixth out of eight, and were on the verge of folding. After the first ASL season United could not agree to terms on a lease for their playing grounds for the following season. Subsequently a joint bid with United and the Fall River Rovers to continue in the ASL was denied while Sam Mark's bid was accepted by the league. He built a new stadium at Tiverton, RI to host his new team Fall River F.C. [3]

Mark was willing to invest in the club and one of his first moves was to build the team its own stadium. Mark's Stadium was located in North Tiverton, Rhode Island, just over the Massachusetts border from Fall River. As a result, the club was now able circumvent the Massachusetts' Blue Laws and play on a Sunday. Crucially, Mark also managed to recruit Harold Brittan from Bethlehem Steel. During the 1922–23 season Brittan scored 19 goals in 23 games and subsequently went on to serve the 'Marksmen' for nearly a decade as a player, coach and manager. Other notable signings included winger James White and full-back Tommy Martin, both from Motherwell, full-back Charlie McGill from Third Lanark and wing-half Bill McPherson from Beith. Together with goalkeeper Findlay Kerr, who joined the following season, White, McGill and McPherson would become the backbone of the 'Marksmen' team throughout its short history. [1] [4] [5] [6]

Golden Era

Fall River F.C. squad in 1923. FallRiver Marksmen 1921.jpg
Fall River F.C. squad in 1923.

The 1920s and early 1930s are sometimes described as the Golden Era of U.S. soccer and it was Fall River F.C. that emerged as the era's dominant team. During the 1923–24 season the 'Marksmen' completely dominated the league. They eventually won their first league title, finishing 6 points clear of Bethlehem Steel. Harold Brittan again spearheaded the offense, scoring 15 goals. However the strength of the team lay in a strong defense which included Ned Tate and Findlay Kerr, who kept an incredible 14 clean sheets during the league season. The season also saw the 'Marksmen' go on to complete the first ASL / National Challenge Cup double. In the semi-final of the Challenge Cup, the 'Marksmen' defeated the 'Steelmen' 2–0 at Dexter Park in front of 20,000 fans. On March 30, 1924 the final attracted 14,000 fans to the High School Field in St. Louis, Missouri, where they witnessed the 'Marksmen' defeat St. Louis Vesper Buick 4–2. [7] The only disappointment for the Marksmen during the season came when they lost 1–0 to the 'Steelmen' in the final of the American Cup. [8]

The 'Marksmen' went on to win further ASL titles in 1924–25 and 1925–26, completing a three in a row sequence. They won it again in 1928–29 and then completed a four in a row when they won further titles in the Fall 1929, Spring 1930 and Fall 1930 seasons. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] On May 1, 1927, the Marksmen also won their second National Challenge Cup, defeating Holley Carburetor F.C. 7–0 before a crowd of 10,000 at the University of Detroit Stadium. [14]

From the beginning the 'Marksmen' regularly recruited Scottish Football League journeymen, sometimes directly from Scottish clubs but also from other ASL teams, most notably Bethlehem Steel. However two of their most notable players, Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude, actually grew up in Fall River itself. Both players first established themselves at other ASL clubs – Gonsalves at Boston Soccer Club and Patenaude at Philadelphia Field Club  – before forming a formidable partnership at the 'Marksmen'. In 1930, the duo played a major role in helping the 'Marksmen' win a treble. During the Spring 1930 season, when the ASL played as the Atlantic Coast League, they scored 44 league goals in 26 games as the Marksmen won another league title. In the 1930 National Challenge Cup the Marksmen defeated Cleveland Bruell Insurance in a two-leg final. They just about finished off the Cleveland team when they won the opening leg, 7–2, on March 30 at the Polo Grounds. Jimmy McAuley and Werner Nilsen each scored a hat-trick while Alex McNab scored the other Fall River goal. On April 6 at Luna Park in Cleveland, Fall River took the second leg, 2–1, with further goals from McNab and Bob McAuley, no relation to Jimmy. They completed the treble when they won the Lewis Cup defeating Hakoah All-Stars 2–1 and 3–0 in another two-legged final. [1] [15]

European Tours

Throughout their short history the Marksmen regularly provided opposition for touring European teams and, more often than not, they held their own. On September 19, 1926, the Marksmen beat Sparta Prague 3–2. [16] On June 3, 1928, at Mark's Stadium, a capacity crowd of 15,000 saw goalkeeper Jimmy Douglas keep a clean sheet as the Marksmen held Rangers to a 0–0 tie. [17] Then on August 26, 1928, at the same venue they beat an Italian League XI, playing as Palestra Italia, 4–2. [18] In 1930 they played Rangers twice. On May 30 they lost 3–2 with Billy Gonsalves and Werner Nilsen scoring the Fall River goals. The goalkeeper that day was Johnny Reder who later played baseball with Boston Red Sox. However a few weeks later on June 22 they lost 6–1 at the Polo Grounds. Guest player Archie Stark scored the only goal for Fall River. In between these games they beat Kilmarnock 3–0 at Mark's Stadium on June 15. Stark scored the opening goal with Alex McNab and Bob McAuley adding the other two. [19]

While teams from Europe regularly toured North America, it was rare for an ASL team to play overseas. However, in August 1930 the Marksmen toured Central Europe, playing six games in Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Hungary. The squad included, among others, Bill Harper, Alex McNab, Jerry Best and Werner Nilsen as well as veterans James White, Charlie McGill and Bill McPherson and guest player Archie Stark. Both Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude were playing with the United States at the 1930 FIFA World Cup and did not travel. They opened the tour on August 20 with a 2–2 tie against Slavia Prague in front of a crowd of 18,000. This was the first of two games against Slavia. They lost the other 4–0 on August 28. They also played FK Austria Wien twice, losing the first game 6–0 on August 23 before winning the second 3–1 the following day. On August 30 they won their second game when they put three goals past ŠK Slovan Bratislava. The tour came to an end on August 31 when they lost 6–2 to Ferencvárosi TC. The tour ended early, and in dispute, with Fall River unhappy about their share of the gate receipts. [1] [20]

Fall River/Yankees

The 'Marksmen' returned from their European tour, and started the Fall 1930 season late, but that didn't stop them from winning their seventh league title, despite playing only 27 out of 30 games. However, by this stage the effects of the Great Depression had seen attendance fall at Mark's Stadium. As a result, Sam Mark moved the club to New York, hoping that a new market there would be more lucrative. Once there he merged the club with New York Soccer Club and renamed them the New York Yankees. Before the merger was finalized, however, Fall River F.C. had entered the 1931 National Challenge Cup and Mark was unable to re-register them as the Yankees. As a result, the Spring 1931 season saw them continue to play in the Challenge Cup as the Fall River F.C. while at the same time playing as the New York Yankees in the ASL. While the Yankees only managed to finish third in the ASL, the Marksmen won the cup. Largely on the goalscoring strength of Billy Gonsalves, with 9, and Bert Patenaude, with 13, they reached the final where they eventually beat Chicago Bricklayers in a final played as a three-game series. The last of these three games is officially regarded as the last game the 'Marksmen' ever played. The first leg of the final was played on April 5 at the Polo Grounds, where the 'Marksmen' won 6–2, and seemingly established a clear lead. Patenaude scored five goals in that game while Bill McPherson added the other. A week later at Mills Stadium in Chicago, the Bricklayers kept the series alive by earning a 1–1 tie. This time Gonsalves got on the score sheet. Sparta Stadium in Chicago attracted 4,500 for the deciding game on April 19. The 'Marksmen' could only field 10 players after their captain, Alex McNab, broke his arm in a midweek friendly and the club had neglected to bring along any reserves. Despite this they still managed to win 2–0 with goals from Patenaude and Gordon Burness. [1] [21] [22] [23]

Year-by-year

YearDivisionLeagueReg. SeasonPlayoffsNational Challenge CupAmerican Cup
1922–23 1ASL3rddid not enterSecond rounddid not enter
1923–24 1ASL1stChampionChampionRunner-up
1924–25 1ASL1stChampiondid not enterN/A
1925–26 1ASL1stChampionSecond roundN/A
1926–27 1ASL3rdChampionN/A
1927–28 1ASL5th (1st half); 2nd (2nd half)SemifinalsQuarterfinalsN/A
1928–29 1ASL1st (1st half); 1st (2nd half)Championdid not enterN/A
1929 1ASL1stChampionN/AN/A
1930 1ACL/ASL1stChampionChampionN/A
1931 1ASL3rd (NY Yankees)did not qualifyChampion (Fall River)N/A

Honors

Notable players

Notable coaches

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bert Patenaude</span> American soccer player (1909–1974)

Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player who played as a forward. Although it was formerly disputed, he is officially credited by FIFA as the scorer of the first hat-trick in World Cup history. He is a member of the United States Soccer Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Gonsalves</span> American soccer player

Adelino William Gonsalves was an American soccer player, sometimes described as the "Babe Ruth of American Soccer". He spent over 25 years playing in various American professional leagues and was a member of the U.S. squad at the FIFA World Cup in 1930 and 1934. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Fall River Football Club, was the name used by a United States soccer clubs, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They played in the American Soccer League during the 1931 and 1932 season. The name is often used and is not to be confused with the Fall River F.C. team owned by Sam Mark.

The Providence Football Club was a member of the American Soccer League. They were renamed the Providence Gold Bugs before the spring half of the 1928–1929 season. In the fall of 1929, the team installed lights at its field, allowing for night games. The club won the American Soccer Association Cup in 1929.

New Bedford Whalers was the name of three American soccer teams based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The first Whalers played in the Southern New England Soccer League between 1914 and 1918. The second Whalers played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1931 before merging into Fall River F.C. The third Whalers were then formed when Fall River merged with New York Yankees. They played in the ASL between 1931 and 1932.

William Harper was a Scottish goalkeeper who played for, among others, Hibernian, Arsenal, Fall River F.C. and Plymouth Argyle. He also represented Scotland in 11 full internationals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Florie</span> American soccer player (1897–1966)

Thomas Florie was an American soccer forward. He played in both the first and second American Soccer Leagues, winning two National Challenge Cup titles. Florie was also a member of the United States men's national soccer team at the 1930 and 1934 FIFA World Cup. He was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Werner Nilsen</span> American soccer player (1904-1992)

Werner "Scotty" Nilsen was a former soccer player who played as a forward. He is one of the highest scoring players in United States soccer history, scoring 131 goals in 239 games with the Boston Soccer Club. He won five consecutive National Challenge Cups during his career, and four doubles. Born in Norway, he earned two caps with the United States national team in 1934. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Harold Pemberton Brittan was an American-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 goal scorer with the powerhouse Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Field Club and Fall River F.C. clubs in the National Association Football League and American Soccer League. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1951.

New York Yankees were a New York soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League. They were formed following the merger of Fall River F.C. and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the 1931 National Challenge Cup. However, due to complications over the merger their moment of glory was credited to Fall River F.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex McNab</span> Scottish-American soccer player and coach

Alexander McNab was a Scottish-American soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the US, he won six consecutive National Challenge Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill McPherson</span> Scottish-American soccer player

William McPherson was a Scottish-American soccer wing half. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the American Soccer League. He also spent time in the St. Louis Soccer League, winning a total of five league titles and seven National Challenge Cups during his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Reder</span> Polish-American soccer and baseball player (1909-1990)

John Anthony Reder was a Polish-American sportsman who, during the 1930s, played soccer with Fall River F.C. and the New Bedford Whalers and baseball for the Boston Red Sox. In soccer, he played as a goalkeeper and won three American Soccer League titles and two National Challenge Cup titles. In baseball, he played as a first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, and was voted Most Valuable Player of the New York–Penn League while playing for the Williamsport Grays. Together with Moe Drabowsky, Nap Kloza and Henry Peploski, Reder is one of only four Major League Baseball players to be born in Poland.

Mark's Stadium is a former soccer stadium located in North Tiverton, Rhode Island. During the 1920s and early 1930s it was the home of Fall River F.C., one of the era’s most successful soccer teams. It is one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium in the United States. After the demise of the 'Marksmen', the stadium was used as a home ground by other local teams, most notably Fall River F.C. (1932) and Ponta Delgada S.C.

Samuel Mark was an American soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River F.C., one of the era's most successful teams. Mark's continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees and then New Bedford Whalers. He also briefly owned Boston Soccer Club. He had played guard for the Massachusetts American Legion basketball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James White (Scottish footballer)</span> Scottish footballer

James White was a Scottish footballer who spent most of his career playing for Fall River in the American Soccer League. He was born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Frank McKenna was a Scottish football wing forward who began his career in Scotland before playing eight seasons in the American Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1931 National Challenge Cup</span> Football tournament season

The 1931 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Statistics of American Soccer League in season 1930.

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Wangerin, David (2008). Soccer in a Football World: The Story of America's Forgotten Game (Paperback). Temple University Press. ISBN   978-1-5921-3885-2. ().
  2. ↑ "Soccer Notes". (June 15, 1921). The Evening Herald, p.9 col.5
  3. ↑ "United-Rovers F.C. Is Refused A Franchise". (September 11, 1922). Daily Evening News, p.8 col.1-2
  4. ↑ "Sam Mark Has Leased New Field". (July 29, 1922). The Evening Herald, p.6 col.3
  5. ↑ "Initial Soccer Game Sunday". (September 23, 1922). Fall River Globe, p.11 col.7-8
  6. ↑ "Fall River Outplays Coats In Opener". (September 4, 1923). The Evening Herald, p.12 col.1-2
  7. ↑ "Fall River Defeats Vespers". (March 31, 1924). St. Louis Star, p.19 col.1-2
  8. ↑ "Bethlehem Eleven Win American Football Cup". (May 12, 1924). Newark Evening News, p.17 col.2
  9. ↑ "Champions Set Mark For Goals". (May 11, 1925). Fall River Globe, p.8 col.7-8
  10. ↑ "Fall River Team To Visit Canada". (June 5, 1926). Fall River Globe, p.14 col.4-5
  11. ↑ "Whittalls Play Morgans Again". (May 16, 1929). Boston Globe, p.16 col.3
  12. ↑ "Four Goals For Bert Patenaude". (October 21, 1929). Fall River Herald News, p.17 col.2
  13. ↑ "Shots At The Uprights". (May 19, 1930). Boston Globe, p.20 col.3
  14. ↑ "Soccer Title Is Won Easily By Fall River". (May 2, 1927). Detroit Free Press, p.12 col.6
  15. ↑ "5,000 See Fall River Defeat Hakoah, 2 To 1". (May 28, 1930). New York Times, p.18 col.6
  16. ↑ "Prague Eleven Drops First Game". (September 20, 1926). Fall River Herald News, p.11 col.1-2
  17. ↑ Rangers tours Archived December 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ "Scores Four Goals To Defeat Brescia". (August 27, 1928). Fall River Herald News, p.13 col.1-2
  19. ↑ "Fall River Shuts Out Kilmarnock F.C., 3-0". (June 16, 1930). Boston Globe, p.8 col.7-8
  20. ↑ "Soccer Team Quits". (September 4, 1930). New Britain Herald, p.11 col.1
  21. ↑ "Soccer Yanks Win National Cup Game". (April 6, 1931). New York Times, p.29 col.1
  22. ↑ "Brickies Fight Yanks To 1-1 Tie In Title Series". (April 13, 1931). Chicago Tribune, p.25 col.6
  23. ↑ "Brickies Lose; Soccer Title To New York". (April 20, 1931). Chicago Tribune, p.27 col.7
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.