Jimmy Gallagher
Encyclopedia
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
. Gallagher was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1986.
. When he was seventeen, he signed with Tebo Yacht Basin F.C.
of the New York State League. In 1920, Tebo lost to Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock
in the third round of the National Challenge Cup. However, the team won the 1920-1921 league and league cup titles.
, moved to J&P Coats of the newly formed American Soccer League
(ASL), spending two seasons with the team. J&P Coats won the 1922-1923 league title but lost in the semifinals of the 1923 National Challenge Cup to eventual winner Paterson F.C. In 1923, Gallagher began the 1923-1924 season with the Fall River Marksmen
but moved to the New York Giants
after only two games. In the summer of 1924, he moved to Fleisher Yarn
. After one season, he transferred to Indiana Flooring
, a new team to the league which played in the New York City
area. In 1927, Charles Stoneham
, bought Indiana Flooring and changed the team’s name to the New York Nationals. After three season under that name, Stoneham changed it again, this time to the New York Giants
in 1930. However, while still using the moniker “Nationals”, the team won both the ASL league and cup (Lewis Cup) titles. As the Giants, the team won the 1931-1932 ASL championship. By that time, the league was collapsing. The Giants lasted through the spring 1932 season before folding. It appears that at that time, Gallagher moved to the New York Field Club. He then played for Malta United on Long Island through at least December 1933. He then moved west to sign with Cleveland Slavia. He remained with them through at least 1934 as he was listed with Slavia on the 1934 World Cup roster. At some point, he moved to Cleveland Graphite Bronze where he finished his career.
When Gallagher left the ASL to move to Cleveland, he had played a total of 346 regular and post season games. That was third on the U.S. list until Chris Henderson
passed him in 2006.http://www.hofmag.com/content/view/252/201/
. He played in all three U.S. games at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
as the U.S. made it to the semifinals. He also played a friendly with Brazil
following the cup. His last game with the national team came in the U.S. victory over Mexico
on May 24, 1934 which qualified the U.S. for the 1934 FIFA World Cup
finals. He is often confused with another Jimmy Gallagher, who played for the U.S. at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam.
Gallagher was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1986.
Scottish American
Scottish Americans or Scots Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in Scotland. Scottish Americans are closely related to Scots-Irish Americans, descendants of Ulster Scots, and communities emphasize and celebrate a common heritage...
soccer right wing midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who spent eleven seasons in 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...
. He was a member of the U.S. soccer teams at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
and 1934 FIFA World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
. Gallagher was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1986.
Youth
Gallagher moved to the U.S. with his mother when he was twelve, settling 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...
. When he was seventeen, he signed with Tebo Yacht Basin F.C.
Tebo Yacht Basin F.C.
Tebo Yacht Basin was an amateur U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Tebo Yacht Basin company of Brooklyn, New York. It had a brief impact on the U.S. soccer scene from 1918 to 1921....
of the New York State League. In 1920, Tebo lost to Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock
Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock
The Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock were an American soccer team which took its name from the workplace it represented. The dock was part of the Todd Pacific Shipyards in Brooklyn who formed the professional soccer club in 1918 to play in the National Association Football League. Robins played until the...
in the third round of the National Challenge Cup. However, the team won the 1920-1921 league and league cup titles.
Professional career
In 1921, Gallagher, and fellow team mate Albert MitchellAlbert Mitchell
Albert Mitchell was a U.S. soccer center forward who played two seasons in the American Soccer League.In 1922, J&P Coats of the American Soccer League acquired Mitchell from top amateur club Tebo Yacht Basin F.C. He had an excellent season with Tebo, leaidng the team in scoring as it took the New...
, moved to J&P Coats of the newly formed 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...
(ASL), spending two seasons with the team. J&P Coats won the 1922-1923 league title but lost in the semifinals of the 1923 National Challenge Cup to eventual winner Paterson F.C. In 1923, Gallagher began the 1923-1924 season with the Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
but moved to the 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...
after only two games. In the summer of 1924, he moved to Fleisher Yarn
Fleisher Yarn
Fleisher Yarn began as an amateur company soccer club of the SB & BW Fleisher Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia and quickly became a national amateur soccer power...
. After one season, he transferred to Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring were a New York soccer team that played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1927. They replaced New York Field Club. Before joining the ASL, the team had played in various state leagues....
, a new team to the league which played in the New York City
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...
area. In 1927, Charles Stoneham
Charles Stoneham
Charles A. Stoneham was the owner of the New York Giants baseball team, New York Giants soccer team, the center of numerous corruption scandals and the instigator of the "Soccer Wars" which destroyed the American Soccer League.-Business ventures:Stoneham began his career as a board boy, updating...
, bought Indiana Flooring and changed the team’s name to the New York Nationals. After three season under that name, Stoneham changed it again, this time to the 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...
in 1930. However, while still using the moniker “Nationals”, the team won both the ASL league and cup (Lewis Cup) titles. As the Giants, the team won the 1931-1932 ASL championship. By that time, the league was collapsing. The Giants lasted through the spring 1932 season before folding. It appears that at that time, Gallagher moved to the New York Field Club. He then played for Malta United on Long Island through at least December 1933. He then moved west to sign with Cleveland Slavia. He remained with them through at least 1934 as he was listed with Slavia on the 1934 World Cup roster. At some point, he moved to Cleveland Graphite Bronze where he finished his career.
When Gallagher left the ASL to move to Cleveland, he had played a total of 346 regular and post season games. That was third on the U.S. list until Chris Henderson
Chris Henderson
Christopher "Chris" Henderson is a former American soccer midfielder who earned 79 caps with the U.S. national team. He was part of the U.S...
passed him in 2006.http://www.hofmag.com/content/view/252/201/
National and Olympic teams
Gallagher earned five caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. He played in all three U.S. games at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
as the U.S. made it to the semifinals. He also played a friendly with Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
following the cup. His last game with the national team came in the U.S. victory over Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
on May 24, 1934 which qualified the U.S. for the 1934 FIFA World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
finals. He is often confused with another Jimmy Gallagher, who played for the U.S. at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam.
Personal
In 1937 Gallagher married Marie Coughlin. They went on to have two daughters, Rita Gallager (Weber) and Carol Gallagher (Such). He has 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.Gallagher was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1986.