Fall River Marksmen
Encyclopedia
Fall River Marksmen was a United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

 club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...

. They originally played as Fall River United
Fall River United
Fall River United was a name used by two United States soccer clubs, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Both teams played in the American Soccer League, one during the 1921-22 season and other during the 1933-34 season.-Fall River United I:...

 before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark
Sam Mark
Sam Mark is a former United States soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen, 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...

. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United States, winning the American Soccer League
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...

 on seven occasions. They also won the National Challenge Cup four times. In 1924 they won the first ASL / Challenge Cup double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...

 and were subsequently the American soccer champions
American soccer champions
Despite each receiving FIFA-affiliated status in 1913, both the United States and Canada have lacked a consistent, multi-division soccer system until recently. Consequently, the determination of champions has been problematic at times. The United States did not have a truly national league until...

 three times in succession. Between 1928 and 1930 they won a further four titles in a row. In 1930 they completed a treble
The Treble
The term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...

, winning the ASL title, the Challenge Cup and the Lewis Cup. The same year they also toured Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...

.

The Marksmen played their home games at Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium
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 Marksmen, 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...

, one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Korea coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium either purpose built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multipurpose...

 in the United States. In 1931 the franchise relocated and merged twice. They first moved to New York
New 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...

, where they merged with New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...

 and became the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (soccer)
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 Marksmen and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the...

. 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
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...

 where they merged with Fall River F.C. to become the New Bedford Whalers.

Early years

In 1921 the Southern New England Soccer League
Southern New England Soccer League
The Southern New England Soccer League was a semi-professional soccer league based in New England which was established in 1914 and collapsed in 1921. During its short existence, it featured some of the top teams in the northeast United States...

 and the National Association Football League effectively merged to form the American Soccer League
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...

. As a result of this merger Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers were a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They won the 1888 and 1889 American Cups as well as the 1917 National Challenge Cup. In 1921 Rovers were disbanded and a new team, Fall River United were formed to enter the newly established American Soccer...

 of the SNESL were disbanded and a new team Fall River United
Fall River United
Fall River United was a name used by two United States soccer clubs, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Both teams played in the American Soccer League, one during the 1921-22 season and other during the 1933-34 season.-Fall River United I:...

 were formed to enter the ASL. During the inaugural season United struggled, finishing sixth out of eight, and were on the verge of folding. However, in 1922 the club was taken over by Sam Mark
Sam Mark
Sam Mark is a former United States soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen, 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...

 and subsequently became known as the Fall River Marksmen.

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
Mark's Stadium
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 Marksmen, 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...

 was located in North Tiverton, Rhode Island, just over the Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

 border from Fall River. As a result, the club was now able circumvent the Massachusetts' Blue Law
Blue law
A blue law is a type of law, typically found in the United States and, formerly, in Canada, designed to enforce religious standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest, and a restriction on Sunday shopping...

s and play on a Sunday. Crucially, Mark also managed to recruit Harold Brittan from Bethlehem Steel
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...

. During the 1922-23
1922-23 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS J & P Coats 28 21 2 5 68 30 44 Bethlehem Steel F.C. 28 18 6 4 56 26 42 Fall River Marksmen 28 15 5 8 53 36 35...

 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
James White (Scottish footballer)
James White , also known as Jimmy White or Tec White, is a former Scottish footballer who spent most of his career playing for Fall River Marksmen in the American Soccer League. He was born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Playing career:In 1920, White signed with Albion Rovers of the...

 and full-back Tommy Martin, both from Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...

, full-back Charlie McGill from Third Lanark and wing-half Bill McPherson
Bill McPherson
William "Bill" 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 U.S...

 from Beith
Beith F.C.
Beith F.C. were a Scottish football club based at Bellsdale Park in Beith. The club were members of the Scottish Football League from 1923 to 1926.The club was initially formed in 1875 but closed down in 1883 and did not re-emerge fully until 1888...

. Together with goalkeeper Findlay Kerr
Findlay Kerr
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...

, who joined the following season, White, McGill and McPherson would become the backbone of the Marksmen team throughout the its short history.

Golden Era

The 1920s and early 1930s are sometimes described as the Golden Era of US soccer and it was the Fall River Marksmen that emerged as the era's dominant team. During the 1923-24
1923-24 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River Marksmen 27 19 6 2 59 19 14 Bethlehem Steel F.C. 27 17 4 6 59 32 38 New York Field Club 26 15 7 4 66 35 37...

 season the Marksmen completely dominated the league. They eventually won their first league title, finishing 6 points clear of Bethlehem Steel
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...

. Harold Brittan again spearheaded the attack, scoring 15 goals. However the strength of the team lay in a strong defence which included Ned Tate
Ned Tate
Edward “Ned” Tate was an English football fullback who began his career in Canada and finished it in the American Soccer League....

 and Findlay Kerr
Findlay Kerr
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...

, 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
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...

. In the semi-final of the Challenge Cup, the Marksmen defeated Steel 2-0 at Dexter Park in front of 20,000 fans. On March 20, 1924 the final attracted 14,000 fans to the High School Field in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...

 were they witnessed the Marksmen defeat St. Louis Vesper Buick
St. Louis Vesper Buick
Vesper Buick was a U.S. soccer team established in 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri. The team played in the St. Louis Soccer League, winning two league titles and losing the 1924 National Challenge Cup. The team changed sponsorship in 1926, becoming White Banner....

 4-2. The only disappointment for the Marksmen during the season came when they lost 1-0 to Steel in the final of the American Cup
American Cup
The American Cup was the first major U.S. soccer competition open to teams beyond a single league. It was first held in 1885. In the 1910s, it gradually declined in importance with the establishment of the National Challenge Cup...

.

The Marksmen went onto win further ASL titles in 1924-25
1924-25 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River Marksmen 44 27 12 5 113 38 66 Bethlehem Steel F.C...

 and 1925-26
1925-26 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 44 30 12 2 143 52 72 .819 New Bedford Whalers 44 28 5 11 119 70 61 .693 Boston Wonder Workers 43 23 7 13 100 65 53 .634...

, completing a three in a row sequence. They won it again in 1928-29
1928-29 American Soccer League
-League standings: First Half GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 31 17 9 5 64 36 43 .694 Brooklyn Wanderers 31 18 6 7 79 61 42 .677...

 and then completed a four in a row when they won further titles in during the Fall 1929
Fall 1929 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 22 15 3 4 65 40 33 .750 Providence Gold Bugs 22 14 2 6 50 34 30 .682 Boston Wonder Workers 21 12 3 6 44 22 27 .643...

, Spring 1930
Spring 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 26 18 7 1 80 38 43 .814 New Bedford Whalers 33 12 11 10 56 50 35 .530 Hakoah All Stars 33 14 7 12 65 61 35 .530...

 and Fall 1930
Fall 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 27 13 8 6 54 43 34 .630 New Bedford Whalers 30 15 6 9 75 62 36 .600 Hakoah All Stars 27 10 8 9 40 42 28 .519...

 seasons.
On May 1, 1927, the Marksmen also won their second National Challenge Cup
1927 National Challenge Cup
The 1927 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.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-Final:...

, defeating Holley Carburetor F.C.
Holley Carburetor F.C.
Holley Carburetor F.C. was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by The Holley Brothers Company of Detroit, Michigan. The team went to the final of the 1927 National Challenge Cup where it fell 7-0 to the Fall River Marksmen. Over the next two years, it was eliminated early in the cup, but in 1930, it...

 7-0 before a crowd of 10,000 at the University of Detroit Stadium
University of Detroit Stadium
University of Detroit Stadium, also known as U of D Stadium, Titan Stadium, or Dinan Field, was a stadium in Detroit, Michigan on the campus of the University of Detroit...

.

From the beginning the Marksmen regularly recruited Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...

 journeymen, sometimes directly from Scottish clubs but also from other ASL teams, most notably Bethlehem Steel
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...

. However two of their most notable players, Billy Gonsalves
Billy Gonsalves
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...

 and Bert Patenaude
Bert Patenaude
Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now 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.-Club career:...

, actually grew up in Fall River itself. Both players first established themselves at other ASL clubs - Gonsalves at Boston Wonder Workers
Boston Wonder Workers
The Boston Soccer Club was a member of the American Soccer League. They were renamed the Boston Bears for the Fall 1929 ASL season.In 1925, the ASL and the St. Louis Soccer League boycotted the National Challenge Cup, now known as the U.S. Open Cup. The "Wonder Workers", as they were dubbed, had...

 and Patenaude at Philadelphia Field Club
Philadelphia Field Club
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.-Philadelphia F.C.:The Philadelphia...

 - before forming a formidable partnership at the Marksmen. In 1930, the duo played a major role in helping the Marksmen win a treble
The Treble
The term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...

. During the Spring 1930
Spring 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 26 18 7 1 80 38 43 .814 New Bedford Whalers 33 12 11 10 56 50 35 .530 Hakoah All Stars 33 14 7 12 65 61 35 .530...

 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
1930 National Challenge Cup
The 1929–30 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.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:a) aggregate after 3 games-Final:-Source:*...

 the Marksmen defeated Cleveland Bruell Insurance
Cleveland Bruell Insurance
Cleveland Bruell Insurance, also known as Bruell F.C., Cleveland Bruells, Bruell American Hungarians and the Cleveland Bruell Hungarian-Americans was an early twentieth century U.S. soccer team from Cleveland, Ohio-History:...

 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
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...

. Jimmy McAuley
Jimmy McAuley
Jimmy McAuley was an Irish football inside forward who played professionally in Ireland and the United States....

 and Werner Nilsen each scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...

 while Alex McNab
Alex McNab
Alex "Alec" McNab was a Scottish-U.S. soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he won six consecutive U.S. Open Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League...

 scored the other Fall River goal. On April 6 at Luna Park
Luna Park, Cleveland
Luna Park was an amusement park in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, from 1905 to 1929. Constructed by Frederick Ingersoll, the park occupied a hilly site bounded by Woodland Avenue, Woodhill, Mt...

 in Cleveland, Fall River took the second leg, 2-1, with further goals from McNab and Bob McAuley
Bob McAuley
Bob McAuley was an early twentieth century Scottish-Canadian football fullback. He played professionally in Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland and the United States in addition to earning two caps with the Scottish national team in 1931.-Professional:While born in Scotland, McAuley grew up in...

, no relation to Jimmy. They completed the treble when they won the Lewis Cup defeating Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars
Hakoah All-Stars is a former United States football club that played in the American Soccer League between 1930 and 1932. The club was formed after the merger of Brooklyn Hakoah of the ASL and New York Hakoah of the Eastern Soccer League...

  2-1 and 3-0 in another two-legged final.

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. On June 3, 1928 at Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium
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 Marksmen, 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...

, a capacity crowd of 15,000 saw goalkeeper Jimmy Douglas keep a clean sheet as the Marksmen held Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...

 to a 0-0 draw. Then on August 26, 1928 at the same venue they beat an Italian League XI
Italian Football Championship 1927-28
The winner was Torino F.C..-Classification:-Results table:* Please note that the home teams are read down the left hand side while the away teams are indicated along the top.-Classification:-Results table:...

, playing as Palestra Italia, 4-2. In 1930 they played Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...

 twice. On May 30 they lost 3-2 with Billy Gonsalves
Billy Gonsalves
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...

 and Werner Nilsen scoring the Fall River goals. The goalkeeper that day was Johnny Reder
Johnny Reder
John Anthony Reder is a former Polish American sportsman who during the 1930s played soccer with the Fall River Marksmen and the New Bedford Whalers and baseball for the Boston Red Sox. As a soccer goalkeeper he won three American Soccer League titles and two National Challenge Cup titles...

 who later played baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...

 with Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...

. However a few weeks later on June 22 they lost 6-1 at the Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...

. Guest player Archie Stark
Archie Stark
Archibald “Archie” Stark was a U.S. soccer forward who became the dominant player in U.S. leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. He spent nine seasons in the National Association Football League and another twelve in the American Soccer League. He also earned two caps, scoring five goals, as a...

 scored the only goal for Fall River. In between these games they beat Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...

 3-0 at Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium
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 Marksmen, 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...

 on June 15. Stark scored the opening goal with Alex McNab
Alex McNab
Alex "Alec" McNab was a Scottish-U.S. soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he won six consecutive U.S. Open Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League...

 and Bob McAuley adding the other two.

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
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...

, playing six games in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...

, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...

 and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...

. The squad included, among others, Bill Harper
Bill Harper
William "Bill" Harper was a Scottish goalkeeper who played for, among others, Hibernian, Arsenal, Fall River Marksmen and Plymouth Argyle. He also represented Scotland in 11 full internationals.-Early years:...

, Alex McNab
Alex McNab
Alex "Alec" McNab was a Scottish-U.S. soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he won six consecutive U.S. Open Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League...

, Jerry Best
Jerry Best
Jeremiah 'Jerry' Best was an English football player who began his career in England before moving to the American Soccer League. He led the league in scoring in 1930. In 1931, he returned to England where he finished his career. He was born in Mickley, England.Best began his professional career...

 and Werner Nilsen as well as veterans James White
James White (Scottish footballer)
James White , also known as Jimmy White or Tec White, is a former Scottish footballer who spent most of his career playing for Fall River Marksmen in the American Soccer League. He was born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Playing career:In 1920, White signed with Albion Rovers of the...

, Charlie McGill and Bill McPherson
Bill McPherson
William "Bill" 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 U.S...

 and guest player Archie Stark
Archie Stark
Archibald “Archie” Stark was a U.S. soccer forward who became the dominant player in U.S. leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. He spent nine seasons in the National Association Football League and another twelve in the American Soccer League. He also earned two caps, scoring five goals, as a...

. Both Billy Gonsalves
Billy Gonsalves
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...

 and Bert Patenaude
Bert Patenaude
Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now 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.-Club career:...

 were playing with the United States at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup squads
-Argentina:Head coach: Francisco Olazar and Juan José Tramutola-Chile:Head coach: György Orth-France:Head coach: Raoul Caudron-Mexico:Head coach: Juan Luque de Serralonga...

 and did not travel. They opened the tour on August 20 with a 2-2 draw 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
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...

 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
ŠK Slovan Bratislava
ŠK Slovan Bratislava is a football club based in Bratislava, Slovakia, that plays in the Corgoň liga. Founded as 1. ČsŠK Bratislava in 1919, the club changed its name to Slovan Bratislava in 1953...

. 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.

Yankees / Marksmen

The Marksmen returned from their European tour, and started the Fall 1930
Fall 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 27 13 8 6 54 43 34 .630 New Bedford Whalers 30 15 6 9 75 62 36 .600 Hakoah All Stars 27 10 8 9 40 42 28 .519...

 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
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...

 had seen attendance fall at Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium
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 Marksmen, 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...

. As a result Sam Mark
Sam Mark
Sam Mark is a former United States soccer club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen, 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...

 moved the club to New York
New 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...

, hoping that a new market there would be more lucrative. Once there he merged the club with New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...

 and renamed them the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (soccer)
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 Marksmen and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the...

. Before the merger was finalised, however, Fall River Marksmen had entered the 1931 National Challenge Cup
1931 National Challenge Cup
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.-History:...

 and Mark was unable to re-register them as the Yankees. As a result the Spring 1931
Spring 1931 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT New York Giants 17 10 2 5 42 28 22 .647 Brooklyn Wanderers 16 9 2 5 32 27 20 .625...

 season saw them continue to play in the Challenge Cup as the Fall River Marksmen 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
Billy Gonsalves
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...

, with 9, and Bert Patenaude
Bert Patenaude
Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now 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.-Club career:...

, 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
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...

, where the Marksmen won 6-2, and seemingly established a clear lead. Patenaude scored five goals in that game while Bill McPherson
Bill McPherson
William "Bill" 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 U.S...

 added the other. A week later at Mills Stadium in Chicago, the Bricklayers kept the series alive by earning a 1-1 draw. 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
Alex McNab
Alex "Alec" McNab was a Scottish-U.S. soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he won six consecutive U.S. Open Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League...

, 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
Gordon Burness
Gordon Burness was a Scottish-Canadian-U.S. soccer wing forward who earned a cap with both the Canadian and U.S. national teams...

.

Year-by-year

Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs National Challenge Cup
1922-23
1922-23 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS J & P Coats 28 21 2 5 68 30 44 Bethlehem Steel F.C. 28 18 6 4 56 26 42 Fall River Marksmen 28 15 5 8 53 36 35...

1 ASL 3rd Second round
1923-24
1923-24 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River Marksmen 27 19 6 2 59 19 14 Bethlehem Steel F.C. 27 17 4 6 59 32 38 New York Field Club 26 15 7 4 66 35 37...

1 ASL 1st Champion Champion
1924-25
1924-25 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River Marksmen 44 27 12 5 113 38 66 Bethlehem Steel F.C...

1 ASL 1st Champion Did not enter
1925-26
1925-26 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 44 30 12 2 143 52 72 .819 New Bedford Whalers 44 28 5 11 119 70 61 .693 Boston Wonder Workers 43 23 7 13 100 65 53 .634...

1 ASL 1st Champion Second round
1926-27
1926-27 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Bethlehem Steel F.C. 44 29 8 7 114 52 66 .750 Boston Wonder Workers 44 25 7 12 90 59 55 .648 Fall River Marksmen 44 24 8 12 98 72 56 .636...

1 ASL 3rd Champion
1927-28
1927-28 American Soccer League
-League standings: 1st half GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Boston Wonder Workers 29 18 7 4 65 36 43 .741 Bethlehem Steel F.C...

1 ASL 5th (1st half); 2nd (2nd half) Semifinals Quarterfinals
1928-29
1928-29 American Soccer League
-League standings: First Half GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 31 17 9 5 64 36 43 .694 Brooklyn Wanderers 31 18 6 7 79 61 42 .677...

1 ASL 1st (1st half); 1st (2nd half) Champion Did not enter
Fall 1929
Fall 1929 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 22 15 3 4 65 40 33 .750 Providence Gold Bugs 22 14 2 6 50 34 30 .682 Boston Wonder Workers 21 12 3 6 44 22 27 .643...

1 ASL 1st Champion N/A
Spring 1930
Spring 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 26 18 7 1 80 38 43 .814 New Bedford Whalers 33 12 11 10 56 50 35 .530 Hakoah All Stars 33 14 7 12 65 61 35 .530...

1 ACL/ASL 1st Champion Champion
Fall 1930
Fall 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 27 13 8 6 54 43 34 .630 New Bedford Whalers 30 15 6 9 75 62 36 .600 Hakoah All Stars 27 10 8 9 40 42 28 .519...

1 ASL 1st Champion
Spring 1931
Spring 1931 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT New York Giants 17 10 2 5 42 28 22 .647 Brooklyn Wanderers 16 9 2 5 32 27 20 .625...

1 ASL 3rd (NY Yankees) Did not qualify Champion (Marksmen)

Honors

  • American Soccer League
    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...

    • Winners 1923-24
      1923-24 American Soccer League
      -League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River Marksmen 27 19 6 2 59 19 14 Bethlehem Steel F.C. 27 17 4 6 59 32 38 New York Field Club 26 15 7 4 66 35 37...

       , 1924-25
      1924-25 American Soccer League
      -League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River Marksmen 44 27 12 5 113 38 66 Bethlehem Steel F.C...

       , 1925-26
      1925-26 American Soccer League
      -League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 44 30 12 2 143 52 72 .819 New Bedford Whalers 44 28 5 11 119 70 61 .693 Boston Wonder Workers 43 23 7 13 100 65 53 .634...

       , 1928-29
      1928-29 American Soccer League
      -League standings: First Half GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 31 17 9 5 64 36 43 .694 Brooklyn Wanderers 31 18 6 7 79 61 42 .677...

       , Fall 1929
      Fall 1929 American Soccer League
      -League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 22 15 3 4 65 40 33 .750 Providence Gold Bugs 22 14 2 6 50 34 30 .682 Boston Wonder Workers 21 12 3 6 44 22 27 .643...

       , Spring 1930
      Spring 1930 American Soccer League
      -League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 26 18 7 1 80 38 43 .814 New Bedford Whalers 33 12 11 10 56 50 35 .530 Hakoah All Stars 33 14 7 12 65 61 35 .530...

       , Fall 1930
      Fall 1930 American Soccer League
      -League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 27 13 8 6 54 43 34 .630 New Bedford Whalers 30 15 6 9 75 62 36 .600 Hakoah All Stars 27 10 8 9 40 42 28 .519...

       : 7
  • National Challenge Cup
    • Winners 1924
      1924 National Challenge Cup
      The 1923–24 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.-Open Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket: replay after tied match...

      , 1927
      1927 National Challenge Cup
      The 1927 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.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:-Final:...

      , 1930
      1930 National Challenge Cup
      The 1929–30 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.-Eastern Division:-Western Division:a) aggregate after 3 games-Final:-Source:*...

      , 1931
      1931 National Challenge Cup
      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.-History:...

      : 4
  • Lewis Cup
    • Winners 1930: 1
    • Runners Up 1925: 1
  • American Cup
    American Cup
    The American Cup was the first major U.S. soccer competition open to teams beyond a single league. It was first held in 1885. In the 1910s, it gradually declined in importance with the establishment of the National Challenge Cup...

    • Runners Up 1924
      1924 American Cup
      The 1924 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association.-American Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket: replay after tied match-Final:...

      : 1

Notable players

    Gordon Burness
Gordon Burness
Gordon Burness was a Scottish-Canadian-U.S. soccer wing forward who earned a cap with both the Canadian and U.S. national teams...

   Neil Clarke Jimmy Douglas   Jimmy Gallagher
Jimmy Gallagher
Jimmy Gallagher was a Scottish American soccer right wing midfielder who spent eleven seasons in the American Soccer League. He was a member of the U.S. soccer teams at the 1930 FIFA World Cup and 1934 FIFA World Cup...

  Billy Gonsalves
Billy Gonsalves
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...

   Malcolm Goldie
Malcolm Goldie
Malcolm Goldie was a Scottish-American soccer outside left who began his career in Scotland before moving to American Soccer League in 1922. He earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1925...

   Findlay Kerr
Findlay Kerr
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...

   Robert Millar   Werner Nilsen  Bert Patenaude
Bert Patenaude
Bertrand "Bert" Arthur Patenaude was an American soccer player. Although earlier disputed, he is now 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.-Club career:...

  Harry Ratican
Harry Ratican
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...

   Johnny Reder
Johnny Reder
John Anthony Reder is a former Polish American sportsman who during the 1930s played soccer with the Fall River Marksmen and the New Bedford Whalers and baseball for the Boston Red Sox. As a soccer goalkeeper he won three American Soccer League titles and two National Challenge Cup titles...

   Archie Stark
Archie Stark
Archibald “Archie” Stark was a U.S. soccer forward who became the dominant player in U.S. leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. He spent nine seasons in the National Association Football League and another twelve in the American Soccer League. He also earned two caps, scoring five goals, as a...

Mickey Hamill
Mickey Hamill
Michael "Mickey" Hamill was an Irish association football wing half who played professionally in Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States....

  Tewfik Abdullah
Tewfik Abdullah
Tewfik Abdullah was an Egyptian football player who was the second Egyptian to appear in the English Football League. He later played four seasons in the American Soccer League before finishing his career in Canada....

  Jerry Best
Jerry Best
Jeremiah 'Jerry' Best was an English football player who began his career in England before moving to the American Soccer League. He led the league in scoring in 1930. In 1931, he returned to England where he finished his career. He was born in Mickley, England.Best began his professional career...

  Harold Brittan  William Fryer
William Fryer
William J. “Tucker” Fryer was an English-American soccer half back. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame....

  Billy Hibbert
Billy Hibbert
William 'Billy' Hibbert was a professional footballer who played as centre forward and was capped once for England.-Club career:...

  Fred Morley
Fred Morley (footballer)
Frederick "Fred" Morley was an English association football inside forward who began his career in England before finishing it in the American Soccer League. He was born in Burslem, England....

  Ned Tate
Ned Tate
Edward “Ned” Tate was an English football fullback who began his career in Canada and finished it in the American Soccer League....

 Bill Harper
Bill Harper
William "Bill" Harper was a Scottish goalkeeper who played for, among others, Hibernian, Arsenal, Fall River Marksmen and Plymouth Argyle. He also represented Scotland in 11 full internationals.-Early years:...

 Alex McNab
Alex McNab
Alex "Alec" McNab was a Scottish-U.S. soccer player and coach. He began his career in Scotland before moving to the United States. In the U.S., he won six consecutive U.S. Open Cups with teams from both the American Soccer League and St. Louis Soccer League...

 Bill McPherson
Bill McPherson
William "Bill" 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 U.S...

 John Nelson
John Nelson (soccer)
Johnny Nelson was a Scottish American soccer center forward who ended his career as the second leading scorer in the history of the first American Soccer League...

 James White
James White (Scottish footballer)
James White , also known as Jimmy White or Tec White, is a former Scottish footballer who spent most of his career playing for Fall River Marksmen in the American Soccer League. He was born in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Playing career:In 1920, White signed with Albion Rovers of the...



see also
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