John Hemingsley
Encyclopedia
John J. "Rabbit" Hemingsley (also spelled Heminsley) was a U.S. soccer center forward
who played the first two U.S. national team
games in 1916. He spent seven seasons in the National Association Football League and five in the American Soccer League
.
of the National Association Football League. Kearny won the 1915 American Cup
. He then played with New York F.C. for the 1916-1917 season and the 1917-1918 season with West Hudson A.A.
He played the 1918-1919 season with Philadelphia Merchant Ship
. In 1919, he traveled with Bethlehem Steel F.C.
on the team’s tour of Scandinavia. Hemingsley is listed with Paterson F.C. in July 1920. He then played at least the 1920-1921 season with Erie A.A.. When the NAFBL folded in 1921, Erie moved to the first American Soccer League
where it played under the name, Harrison Soccer Club. In 1923, he moved to Paterson F.C., but after ten games, was transferred to the Newark Skeeters
for the end of the season. In 1924, he began the season with J&P Coats, but after only three games, returned to the Skeeters where he remained through the end of the 1925-1926 season.
in 1916. In the first official U.S. national team game, the U.S. defeated Sweden
on August 20, 1916. On September 3, 1916, Hemingsley and his team mates tied Norway
before returning to the U.S.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who played the first two U.S. national team
United 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...
games in 1916. He spent seven seasons in the National Association Football League and five 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...
.
Professional career
In 1914, Hemingsley began his professional career with the Kearny ScotsKearny Scots
The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...
of the National Association Football League. Kearny won the 1915 American Cup
1915 American Cup
The 1915 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. The Scottish-Americans, after two previous final appearances, won their first American Cup by overcoming the Brooklyn Celtics 1-0 in the championship game....
. He then played with New York F.C. for the 1916-1917 season and the 1917-1918 season with West Hudson A.A.
West Hudson A.A.
The West Hudson Athletic Association was one of the dominant U.S. soccer teams of the early twentieth century. In 1912, it became the first U.S. team to win a “double” when it took the National Association Football League and American Cup titles...
He played the 1918-1919 season with Philadelphia Merchant Ship
Philadelphia Merchant Ship
Philadelphia Merchant Ship F.C. was a short-lived U.S. soccer team of the early twentieth century. It spent two seasons in the National Association Football League and went to the semifinals of the 1919 American Cup.-History:...
. In 1919, he traveled with 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...
on the team’s tour of Scandinavia. Hemingsley is listed with Paterson F.C. in July 1920. He then played at least the 1920-1921 season with Erie A.A.. When the NAFBL folded in 1921, Erie moved to the first 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...
where it played under the name, Harrison Soccer Club. In 1923, he moved to Paterson F.C., but after ten games, was transferred to the 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:...
for the end of the season. In 1924, he began the season with J&P Coats, but after only three games, returned to the Skeeters where he remained through the end of the 1925-1926 season.
National team
Hemingsley earned two caps with the 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...
in 1916. In the first official U.S. national team game, the U.S. defeated Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
on August 20, 1916. On September 3, 1916, Hemingsley and his team mates tied Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
before returning to the U.S.