Eastern Professional Soccer League (1928-1929)
Encyclopedia
The Eastern Professional Soccer League, better known as the Eastern Soccer League (ESL), was a U.S. soccer league which existed for only a season and a half in 1928 and 1929. Born of the internecine strife between U.S. soccer organizations known as the “Soccer War”, the ESL was created by the United States Football Association as a counter to the professional American Soccer League
which was contesting USFA control of professional soccer in the U.S.
to break the control of the United States Football Association over professional soccer in the U.S. This conflict, known as the “Soccer War”, had its roots in 1925 when the ASL boycotted the National Challenge Cup, now known as the U.S. Open Cup, in order to play a one time American Professional Soccer Championship with the St. Louis Soccer League
. This led the USFA to briefly suspend the ASL, only to reinstate them when the league agreed to enter its teams in the next Challenge Cup. The ASL caused more problems for USFA in 1927 when the league signed numerous top European players to lucrative contracts. This led FIFA
to consider suspending USFA. However, at the Sixteenth Annual Congress of FIFA, the USFA offered several concessions which led to an agreement among national organizations regarding player contracts. In 1928, several ASL team owners began to chafe again under USFA rules. The most vexing was the requirement to enter the National Challenge Cup which ran during the league’s season. The ASL had two main objections to the Challenge Cup, one financial, the other scheduling. As the cup was open to all teams registered with USFA, ASL teams found themselves playing unknown amateur and semi-professional opponents before non-paying crowds. These games also interfered with the league’s schedule. As a result, the ASL decided to boycott the 1928 cup. Three of the ASL teams, Bethlehem Steel F.C.
, Newark Skeeters
and New York Giants
chose to enter the cup. On September 24, 1928, the ASL suspended the three teams and fined each $1000. On October 2, 1928, USFA suspended the ASL and designated it an “outlaw league”. The USFA then brokered the creation of a new league, to be called the Eastern Professional Soccer League. To fill in the league, the USFA induced several teams from the Southern New York Soccer Association (SNYSA) to leave that league. That led the SNYSA, under the leadership of new president Nat Agar
, who was also the owner of the Brooklyn Wanderers
of the ASL, to leave the USFA and ally itself with the ASL.
. The league’s officer were Captain E. W. Whitwell, president; Levi P. Wilcox, first vice president; Joseph J. Barriskill, second vice president; Alan W. Cahill, treasure; James Armstrong, secretary. A. W. Cahill was not related to Thomas Cahill
, secretary of the United States Football Association. The league comprised eight teams, the three expelled ASL teams, four teams from the Southern New York Football Association: New York Hispano, New York Celtics, Philadelphia Centennials
and IRT Rangers
; and one newly created team, New York Hakoah
.
1928-29
The season ran from the fall of 1928 to the spring of 1929 with a mid winter break. By the end of the first half, only the New York Giants
and New York Hakoah
had played all eighteen games. New York Celtic had dropped out after eight games and the rest of the teams had played either fourteen or fifteen games. Bethlehem Steel led the league with twenty-eight points off 14-1-0 record. The second half of the season began with a different line up than the first half. Celtic, as already mentioned, had dropped out. New York Hungaria joined the league from the Southern New York Soccer Association and the New Bedford Whalers
joined from the ASL. The Whalers lasted only eight games before returning to the ASL. The Skeeters played nine games then also dropped out. At the end of the spring half, Bethlehem led the league with 49 points, taking the league championship.
1929
The league’s second season, began on September 2, 1929. By this time, the financial loses suffered by the ASL, SNYSA and ESL had begun to mount. With the stock market crash a month later, the corporate sponsorship on which many of the teams depended began to dry up. Consequently the ASL began negotiations with the USFA to rejoin the association. This led to additional negotiations regarding the merger of the ASL and ESL. As these went on, the ESL began its 1929-1930 season. By the end of the first half in November 1929, Bethlehem Steel led the standings with twenty-three points off an 11-2-1 record.
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
which was contesting USFA control of professional soccer in the U.S.
Background
The Eastern Professional Soccer League was created in response to an attempt by the American Soccer LeagueAmerican Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
to break the control of the United States Football Association over professional soccer in the U.S. This conflict, known as the “Soccer War”, had its roots in 1925 when the ASL boycotted the National Challenge Cup, now known as the U.S. Open Cup, in order to play a one time American Professional Soccer Championship with the St. Louis Soccer League
St. Louis Soccer League
The St. Louis Soccer League was a soccer league based in St. Louis, Missouri, that existed from 1907 to 1938. At its founding, it was the only fully professional soccer league in the United States.-History:...
. This led the USFA to briefly suspend the ASL, only to reinstate them when the league agreed to enter its teams in the next Challenge Cup. The ASL caused more problems for USFA in 1927 when the league signed numerous top European players to lucrative contracts. This led FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
to consider suspending USFA. However, at the Sixteenth Annual Congress of FIFA, the USFA offered several concessions which led to an agreement among national organizations regarding player contracts. In 1928, several ASL team owners began to chafe again under USFA rules. The most vexing was the requirement to enter the National Challenge Cup which ran during the league’s season. The ASL had two main objections to the Challenge Cup, one financial, the other scheduling. As the cup was open to all teams registered with USFA, ASL teams found themselves playing unknown amateur and semi-professional opponents before non-paying crowds. These games also interfered with the league’s schedule. As a result, the ASL decided to boycott the 1928 cup. Three of the ASL teams, Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
, Newark Skeeters
Newark Skeeters
The Newark Skeeters was an American soccer club based in Newark, New Jersey and was a member of the American Soccer League and the Eastern Soccer League.The club folded upon the merger of the ASL & ESL after the fall 1929 season.-Year-by-year:...
and New York Giants
New York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
chose to enter the cup. On September 24, 1928, the ASL suspended the three teams and fined each $1000. On October 2, 1928, USFA suspended the ASL and designated it an “outlaw league”. The USFA then brokered the creation of a new league, to be called the Eastern Professional Soccer League. To fill in the league, the USFA induced several teams from the Southern New York Soccer Association (SNYSA) to leave that league. That led the SNYSA, under the leadership of new president Nat Agar
Nat Agar
Nathan “Nat” Agar was an English-American soccer player, coach, referee, team owner and league executive. He was part of the formation of the United States Football Association, but later fought it as a team owner and league official of the American Soccer League and Southern New York State...
, who was also the owner of the Brooklyn Wanderers
Brooklyn Wanderers
The Brooklyn Wanderers was a U.S. soccer team which was a founding member of the National Association Football League in the late nineteenth century. It later joined the American Soccer League.-History:...
of the ASL, to leave the USFA and ally itself with the ASL.
Origin
The Eastern Professional Soccer League began officially on October 8, 1928 when the league officially incorporated and elected officers at the Cornish Arms Hotel in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The league’s officer were Captain E. W. Whitwell, president; Levi P. Wilcox, first vice president; Joseph J. Barriskill, second vice president; Alan W. Cahill, treasure; James Armstrong, secretary. A. W. Cahill was not related to Thomas Cahill
Thomas Cahill
Thomas Cahill is an American scholar and writer. He is best known for The Hinges of History series, a prospective seven-volume series in which the author recounts formative moments in Western civilization.-Biography:...
, secretary of the United States Football Association. The league comprised eight teams, the three expelled ASL teams, four teams from the Southern New York Football Association: New York Hispano, New York Celtics, Philadelphia Centennials
Centennial F.C.
Centennial F.C., also known as Philadelphia Centennials, was an early twentieth century amateur U.S. soccer team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:...
and IRT Rangers
IRT Rangers
Interborough Rapid Transit Rangers, better known as the IRT Rangers, was an early twentieth century U.S. soccer team sponsored by the New York City Interborough Rapid Transit Company.-History:...
; and one newly created team, New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah is a former United States soccer club based in New York City.-New York Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players from SC Hakoah Wien, including among others Béla Guttmann and Rudolph Nickolsburger, they initially played in the Eastern Soccer League in the fall of 1928. In 1929...
.
1928-291928-29 Eastern Professional Soccer League1928-29 Eastern Professional Soccer League. The season ran from Fall 1928 to Spring 1929 with a mid winter break. By the end of the first half, only the New York Giants and New York Hakoah had played all eighteen games. New York Celtic had dropped out after eight games and the rest of the teams...
The season ran from the fall of 1928 to the spring of 1929 with a mid winter break. By the end of the first half, only the New York GiantsNew York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
and New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah
New York Hakoah is a former United States soccer club based in New York City.-New York Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players from SC Hakoah Wien, including among others Béla Guttmann and Rudolph Nickolsburger, they initially played in the Eastern Soccer League in the fall of 1928. In 1929...
had played all eighteen games. New York Celtic had dropped out after eight games and the rest of the teams had played either fourteen or fifteen games. Bethlehem Steel led the league with twenty-eight points off 14-1-0 record. The second half of the season began with a different line up than the first half. Celtic, as already mentioned, had dropped out. New York Hungaria joined the league from the Southern New York Soccer Association and the New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers was the name of three United States 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...
joined from the ASL. The Whalers lasted only eight games before returning to the ASL. The Skeeters played nine games then also dropped out. At the end of the spring half, Bethlehem led the league with 49 points, taking the league championship.
19291929 Eastern Professional Soccer League1929 Eastern Professional Soccer League. The season began on September 2, 1929. By this time, the financial loses suffered by the American Soccer League, SNYSA and ESL had begun to mount. With the stock market crash a month later, the corporate sponsorship on which many of the teams depended...
The league’s second season, began on September 2, 1929. By this time, the financial loses suffered by the ASL, SNYSA and ESL had begun to mount. With the stock market crash a month later, the corporate sponsorship on which many of the teams depended began to dry up. Consequently the ASL began negotiations with the USFA to rejoin the association. This led to additional negotiations regarding the merger of the ASL and ESL. As these went on, the ESL began its 1929-1930 season. By the end of the first half in November 1929, Bethlehem Steel led the standings with twenty-three points off an 11-2-1 record.End of the league
On November 4, 1929, the USFA, ASL and ESL came to an agreement regarding an end to the Soccer War. The ASL and ESL would merge to create a league to be known as the Atlantic Coast Soccer League. The ESL therefore suspended its season, declared Bethlehem Steel the champion and began negotiations for the upcoming merger.Teams
- Bethlehem Steel F.C.Bethlehem Steel F.C.Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
1928-1929, fall 1929 - New York GiantsNew York Giants (soccer)New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
1928-1929, fall 1929 - New York HakoahNew York HakoahNew York Hakoah is a former United States soccer club based in New York City.-New York Hakoah I:Originally formed by former players from SC Hakoah Wien, including among others Béla Guttmann and Rudolph Nickolsburger, they initially played in the Eastern Soccer League in the fall of 1928. In 1929...
1928-1929, fall 1929 - Newark SkeetersNewark SkeetersThe Newark Skeeters was an American soccer club based in Newark, New Jersey and was a member of the American Soccer League and the Eastern Soccer League.The club folded upon the merger of the ASL & ESL after the fall 1929 season.-Year-by-year:...
1928-1929, fall 1929 - IRT RangersIRT RangersInterborough Rapid Transit Rangers, better known as the IRT Rangers, was an early twentieth century U.S. soccer team sponsored by the New York City Interborough Rapid Transit Company.-History:...
1928-1929, fall 1929 - Philadelphia CentennialsCentennial F.C.Centennial F.C., also known as Philadelphia Centennials, was an early twentieth century amateur U.S. soccer team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:...
1928-1929 - New York Hispano 1928-1929, fall 1929
- New York Celtics 1928
- New York HungariaNew York HungariaNew York Hungaria was an American soccer team which won the National Challenge Cup in 1962....
Spring 1929; as Victoria Hungaria in fall 1929 - New Bedford WhalersNew Bedford WhalersNew Bedford Whalers was the name of three United States 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...
Spring 1929 - Newark PortugueseNewark PortugueseThe Newark Portuguese were an American soccer club based in Newark, New Jersey that was a member of the American Soccer League. The club had been around since 1922 and bought out the Kearny Celtic franchise after the 1950/51 season....
Fall 1929