Fall River Rovers
Encyclopedia
Fall River Rovers were a United States
soccer
club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts
. They won the 1888
and 1889 American Cup
s 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 League
. The name was revived during the 1933-34
season by a team that played in the New England Division of the American Soccer League
. Other teams in the division included another Fall River United.
, together with Kearney, New Jersey and St. Louis, Missouri
, emerged as a stronghold for soccer
in the United States. In the late 1870s Fall River experienced a period of economic growth, driven by the demand for linen
. South-east New England
was the birthplace of the United States textile industry
and Fall River became known as Spindle City. By 1876 the city was home to 43 factories, more than 30,000 looms and more than one million spindles. Keeping them all working required immigrant labour and, while some of the new arrivals were French Canadian
and Irish
, many also came from Lancashire
and Glasgow
, two of the earliest strongholds of soccer in the United Kingdom
. As a result several soccer clubs, including Rovers, emerged within the city. In February 1884, the team was founded at a meeting held on County Street, Fall River. The team joined the Bristol County Football Association in 1885. Other clubs from the city included Fall River Olympics, Fall River Pan Americans and Fall River East Ends. Rovers, along with these clubs became affiliated with the American Football Association
and entered the American Cup
. Between 1888 and 1892 teams from Fall River won the cup five times in succession. Fall River Rovers won it in both 1888 and 1889. In 1891, Rovers, along with the Fall River Olympics, East Enders and Pawtucket Free Wanderers, formed the New England League. In 1903, Rovers won the Interstate League championship. In 1907, they reentered the AFA. The Rovers were the New England League champions in 1909 before joining the first Eastern Soccer League in 1910
. When this league was abandoned during its only season, Rovers were in the lead. Between 1915 and 1921 they played in the Southern New England Soccer League
, twice finishing as runners-up in 1917 and 1921. In 1917 they also won the Times Cup, the league cup of the SNESL, defeating J&P Coats 3-0 in the final.
. The teams played against each other in three consecutive National Challenge Cup finals. Rovers were defeated in both the 1916
and the 1918
finals but won the competition in 1917
. The rivalry was intensified by the fact that, at the time, Rovers featured mainly United States
-born players while Steel relied heavily on players imported from both the Scottish Football League
and the English Football League. In addition neither club was immune from fan violence. The 1916 final, hosted by J&P Coats in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
, attracted a crowd of 10,000, almost all backing Rovers. With the score 0-0 after 80 minutes, Steel were awarded a penalty, triggering protests from both Rovers players and fans alike. Steel subsequently converted the penalty, which was enough to win the trophy. However with seconds remaining Rovers were denied a penalty, sparking both a riot and a pitch invasion. The 1917 final saw Steel and Rovers return to Pawtucket to play in front of a crowd of 5,000. Rovers avenged their 1916 defeat with a goal scored in the first minute giving them a hard fought 1-0 win. The 1918 final saw the two teams return to Pawtucket for a third time, this time playing out a 2-2 extra-time draw in front of 10,000. However Rovers lost the replay 3-0 in Harrison, New Jersey
. The star of the Rovers team during this era was Thomas Swords
, who in 1916 captained the United States in their first official international. Other notable players included John Sullivan, who scored in both the 1917 and 1918 finals, and Chick Albin.
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 won the 1888
1888 American Cup
The 1888 American Cup was the fourth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. Having expanded into the New England district the first new champions came from Fall River, Massachusetts after Clark ONT of Newark had won the previous three editions...
and 1889 American Cup
1889 American Cup
The 1889 American Cup was the fifth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. The Fall River Rovers won their second consecutive title by defeating the Newark Caledonians in the final.-Participants:...
s as well as the 1917 National Challenge Cup
1917 National Challenge Cup
The 1916–17 National Challenge Cup was the fourth annual cup tournament held by the United States Football Association. On May 5, 1917, Fall River Rovers defeated Bethlehem Steel F.C. to take the title. Thomas Swords scored the game winning goal thirty seconds into the game...
. In 1921 Rovers 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 newly established 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...
. The name was revived during the 1933-34
1933-34 American Soccer League
1933-34 American Soccer League was the first season of the second American Soccer League. The league included two teams, New York Americans and New York Brookhattan that had also played in the original ASL. The USFA awarded the new ASL exclusive rights to organize professional soccer on the...
season by a team that played in the New England Division of 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...
. Other teams in the division included another Fall River United.
Early years
In the late 19th century Fall River, MassachusettsFall 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...
, together with Kearney, New Jersey and 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...
, emerged as a stronghold for 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...
in the United States. In the late 1870s Fall River experienced a period of economic growth, driven by the demand for linen
Linen
Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....
. South-east New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
was the birthplace of the United States textile industry
Textile industry
The textile industry is primarily concerned with the production of yarn, and cloth and the subsequent design or manufacture of clothing and their distribution. The raw material may be natural, or synthetic using products of the chemical industry....
and Fall River became known as Spindle City. By 1876 the city was home to 43 factories, more than 30,000 looms and more than one million spindles. Keeping them all working required immigrant labour and, while some of the new arrivals were French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
and Irish
Irish American
Irish Americans are citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to Ireland. A total of 36,278,332 Americans—estimated at 11.9% of the total population—reported Irish ancestry in the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau...
, many also came from Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, two of the earliest strongholds of soccer in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. As a result several soccer clubs, including Rovers, emerged within the city. In February 1884, the team was founded at a meeting held on County Street, Fall River. The team joined the Bristol County Football Association in 1885. Other clubs from the city included Fall River Olympics, Fall River Pan Americans and Fall River East Ends. Rovers, along with these clubs became affiliated with the American Football Association
American Football Association
American Football Association was the first attempt in the United States to form an organizing soccer body. It is best known for being the second oldest sports league to form, behind Major League Baseball in 1876, as well as being the oldest soccer league in the United States. The Association was...
and entered 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...
. Between 1888 and 1892 teams from Fall River won the cup five times in succession. Fall River Rovers won it in both 1888 and 1889. In 1891, Rovers, along with the Fall River Olympics, East Enders and Pawtucket Free Wanderers, formed the New England League. In 1903, Rovers won the Interstate League championship. In 1907, they reentered the AFA. The Rovers were the New England League champions in 1909 before joining the first Eastern Soccer League in 1910
1909-10 Eastern Professional Soccer League I season
Statistics of Eastern Professional Soccer League in season 1909-10.-League standings: GP W L T GF GA Pts Fall River Rovers 7 4 0 3 23 8 11 Howard & Bullough F.C...
. When this league was abandoned during its only season, Rovers were in the lead. Between 1915 and 1921 they played in 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...
, twice finishing as runners-up in 1917 and 1921. In 1917 they also won the Times Cup, the league cup of the SNESL, defeating J&P Coats 3-0 in the final.
Rivalry with Bethlehem Steel
During the late 1910s a strong inter-regional rivalry developed between Rovers and Bethleham SteelBethlehem 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...
. The teams played against each other in three consecutive National Challenge Cup finals. Rovers were defeated in both the 1916
1916 National Challenge Cup
The 1915–16 National Challenge Cup was the third tournament of the modern day Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Bethlehem Steel F.C. won its second consecutive championship. The entries for the competition were to be made by midnight September 30, 1915. The draw for the qualifying and first rounds was made...
and the 1918
1918 National Challenge Cup
The United States had recently entered World War I, and the soccer world felt the effects as increasing numbers of players joined the armed forces to wage battle in Europe. Soccer was not as hard-hit as some other sports, but all leagues felt the impact; in fact the Cechie team of Chicago lost...
finals but won the competition in 1917
1917 National Challenge Cup
The 1916–17 National Challenge Cup was the fourth annual cup tournament held by the United States Football Association. On May 5, 1917, Fall River Rovers defeated Bethlehem Steel F.C. to take the title. Thomas Swords scored the game winning goal thirty seconds into the game...
. The rivalry was intensified by the fact that, at the time, Rovers featured mainly United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born players while Steel relied heavily on players imported from both the 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...
and the English Football League. In addition neither club was immune from fan violence. The 1916 final, hosted by J&P Coats in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
, attracted a crowd of 10,000, almost all backing Rovers. With the score 0-0 after 80 minutes, Steel were awarded a penalty, triggering protests from both Rovers players and fans alike. Steel subsequently converted the penalty, which was enough to win the trophy. However with seconds remaining Rovers were denied a penalty, sparking both a riot and a pitch invasion. The 1917 final saw Steel and Rovers return to Pawtucket to play in front of a crowd of 5,000. Rovers avenged their 1916 defeat with a goal scored in the first minute giving them a hard fought 1-0 win. The 1918 final saw the two teams return to Pawtucket for a third time, this time playing out a 2-2 extra-time draw in front of 10,000. However Rovers lost the replay 3-0 in Harrison, New Jersey
Harrison, New Jersey
Harrison is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 13,620. The town is a suburb of the nearby city of Newark, New Jersey.-Geography:Harrison is located at ....
. The star of the Rovers team during this era was Thomas Swords
Thomas Swords
Thomas "Tommy" Swords is a deceased U.S. soccer forward who was the captain of the U.S. national team in its first two games. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame-Club career:Swords was born and grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts, USA, an early hot bed of U.S. soccer...
, who in 1916 captained the United States in their first official international. Other notable players included John Sullivan, who scored in both the 1917 and 1918 finals, and Chick Albin.
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | American Cup | National Challenge Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908-09 | N/A | NEL | 1st | No playoff | Semifinals | ? |
| 1909-10 1909-10 Eastern Professional Soccer League I season Statistics of Eastern Professional Soccer League in season 1909-10.-League standings: GP W L T GF GA Pts Fall River Rovers 7 4 0 3 23 8 11 Howard & Bullough F.C... |
N/A | ESL | 1st | League abandoned | Semifinals | N/A |
| 1912-13 | ? | ? | ? | ? | Semifinals | N/A |
| 1914-15 | ? | ? | ? | ? | Second round | ? |
| 1915-16 1915-16 Southern New England Soccer League season -League standings: GP W L T PTS Fall River Pan Americans J&P Coats New Bedford Celtics New Bedford Whalers Howard & Bullough F.C. Fall River Rovers Fore River-References:*... |
N/A | SNESL | ? | Schedule abandoned | Semifinals | Runners Up |
| 1916-17 1916-17 Southern New England Soccer League season -League standings: GP W L T GF GA PTS New Bedford F.C. 8 6 1 1 18 10 13 Fall River Rovers 8 4 2 2 15 12 10 J&P Coats 11 4 5 2 20 18 10... |
N/A | SNESL | 2nd | No playoff | ? | Champion |
| 1917-18 1917-18 Southern New England Soccer League season -League standings:Participating teams:* Fall River Rovers* Pan-American FC* New Bedford Whalers* New Bedford Celtics* Fore River Shipbuilding Company Stars* J&P Coats* Crompton FC* Greystone FC* Lonsdale FC... |
N/A | SNESL | ? | Schedule abandoned | ? | Runners Up |
| 1918-19 | N/A | SNESL | Season cancelled due to First World War | ? | ? | |
| 1919-20 1919-20 Southern New England Soccer League season -League standings: GP W L T PTS J&P Coats General Electrics [Lynn] Fall River Rovers-References:*... |
N/A | SNESL | ? | ? | ? | Fourth round |
| 1920-21 1920-21 Southern New England Soccer League season -League standings: GP W L T PTS Fore River 16 11 2 3 25 Fall River Rovers 15 7 3 5 19 J&P Coats 13 7 3 3 17 Sayles Finishing Plant 14 4 9 1 9... |
N/A | SNESL | 2nd | No playoff | ? | Fourth round |
Notable players
| Chick Albin Frank Booth Frank Booth (soccer) Frank Booth was an American soccer right full back who spent one season in the American Soccer League and six in the Southern New England Soccer League. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts.... Ralph Caraffi Ralph Caraffi Ralph Caraffi was a U.S. soccer midfielder. He played on season in the professional American Soccer League. The remainder of his nineteen year career was with semi-professional and amateur leagues... |
 Neil Clarke Francis HigginsFrancis Higgins (soccer) Francis Higgins was a U.S. soccer goalkeeper who spent two seasons in the American Soccer League and an unknown number in the Southern New England Soccer League.... Thomas Swords Thomas Swords Thomas "Tommy" Swords is a deceased U.S. soccer forward who was the captain of the U.S. national team in its first two games. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame-Club career:Swords was born and grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts, USA, an early hot bed of U.S. soccer... |
Honors
- American CupAmerican CupThe 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...
- Winners 1888, 1889: 2
- National Challenge Cup
- Winners 19171917 National Challenge CupThe 1916–17 National Challenge Cup was the fourth annual cup tournament held by the United States Football Association. On May 5, 1917, Fall River Rovers defeated Bethlehem Steel F.C. to take the title. Thomas Swords scored the game winning goal thirty seconds into the game...
: 1 - Runners Up 19161916 National Challenge CupThe 1915–16 National Challenge Cup was the third tournament of the modern day Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Bethlehem Steel F.C. won its second consecutive championship. The entries for the competition were to be made by midnight September 30, 1915. The draw for the qualifying and first rounds was made...
, 19181918 National Challenge CupThe United States had recently entered World War I, and the soccer world felt the effects as increasing numbers of players joined the armed forces to wage battle in Europe. Soccer was not as hard-hit as some other sports, but all leagues felt the impact; in fact the Cechie team of Chicago lost...
: 2
- Winners 1917
- Times Cup
- Winners 1917: 1
- New England League
- Winners 1909: 1
- Southern New England Soccer LeagueSouthern New England Soccer LeagueThe 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...
- Runners Up 1916-171916-17 Southern New England Soccer League season-League standings: GP W L T GF GA PTS New Bedford F.C. 8 6 1 1 18 10 13 Fall River Rovers 8 4 2 2 15 12 10 J&P Coats 11 4 5 2 20 18 10...
, 1920-211920-21 Southern New England Soccer League season-League standings: GP W L T PTS Fore River 16 11 2 3 25 Fall River Rovers 15 7 3 5 19 J&P Coats 13 7 3 3 17 Sayles Finishing Plant 14 4 9 1 9...
: 2
- Runners Up 1916-17