Robert Morrison (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Robert “Bobby” Morrison was a Scottish American
soccer half back
who played most of his career in the United States
.
In 1910, Morrison represented Scotland at the schoolboy level in a game with England. That year, he moved to the United States
where he joined Disston A.A.
of the Philadelphia State League. Morrison and his team mates won the 1911 and 1912 league titles. Disston also went to the semifinals of the 1911 American Cup
. In April 1913, Disston went to the finals of the American Cup where it fell in three games to the Paterson True Blues
. That fall, Morrison moved to Bethlehem Steel F.C.
of the Allied American Football Association. His first game with Bethlehem took place on November 13, 1913, a 10-0 victory over the Irish-Americans. Bethlehem Steel won the 1913-1914 and 1914-1915 league titles and the 1915 and 1916 National Challenge Cups. He began the 1916-1917 season as team captain, but within a month rarely appeared in the lineup. According to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, he suffered a career ending injury in 1918. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1951.
Morrison’s younger brother, Joe Morrison, played a few games with Bethlehem Steel as well as twenty-three games with Fleisher Yarn
during the 1924-1925 American Soccer League
season.
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 half back
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 played most of his career in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In 1910, Morrison represented Scotland at the schoolboy level in a game with England. That year, he moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he joined Disston A.A.
Disston A.A.
Philadelphia Tacony Disston Athletic Association Football Club, better known as Disston A.A. and nicknamed The Sawmakers was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Disston Saw Works company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team played for several years in local Philadelphia leagues before joining...
of the Philadelphia State League. Morrison and his team mates won the 1911 and 1912 league titles. Disston also went to the semifinals of the 1911 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...
. In April 1913, Disston went to the finals of the American Cup where it fell in three games to the Paterson True Blues
Paterson True Blues
Paterson True Blues was a professional U.S. soccer team founded in 1887 and disestablished after 1915. The True Blues, based out of Paterson, New Jersey, are best known as one of the dominant soccer teams of its era and one of the first U.S...
. That fall, Morrison moved to 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...
of the Allied American Football Association. His first game with Bethlehem took place on November 13, 1913, a 10-0 victory over the Irish-Americans. Bethlehem Steel won the 1913-1914 and 1914-1915 league titles and the 1915 and 1916 National Challenge Cups. He began the 1916-1917 season as team captain, but within a month rarely appeared in the lineup. According to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, he suffered a career ending injury in 1918. He 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 1951.
Morrison’s younger brother, Joe Morrison, played a few games with Bethlehem Steel as well as twenty-three games with 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...
during the 1924-1925 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...
season.