Sam Fletcher (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Sam Fletcher was an English football (soccer)
full back
who played professionally in England, Canada and the United States. He later coached the Brown University
soccer team.
. The League was experiencing difficulties which led to its suspending operations in 1912. Before that happened, Fletcher left England and emigrated to Canada in 1910. He settled in Hamilton, Ontario
where he played for several teams including the Independent Labour Party Team and Hamilton Lancashire. At some point, he moved to the Niagara Falls Rangers
which went to the semifinals of the 1914 National Challenge Cup
.
In October 1914, he signed with Bethlehem Steel F.C.
, a powerhouse team playing in the Allied American Foot Ball League. He remained with Bethlehem for seven seasons. During those years, Fletcher and Jock Ferguson
anchored the Steelmen defense, taking the team to six league titles, four National Challenge Cups and four American Cup
s. In 1921, Fletcher left Bethlehem with the establishment of the first American Soccer League
. He signed with Harrison S.C. and spent two seasons with the team before moving to the Newark Skeeters
for the 1923-1924 season. In 1924, he became the player-coach of the expansion Providence F.C.. In 1928, the team was renamed the Gold Bugs under new ownership. Fletcher played two games that season, then retired.
soccer team to his professional responsibilities. He held that position until Joe Kennaway
replaced him in 1946.
In addition to playing and coaching, Fletcher was also the ASL secretary in the early 1930s.
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...
full back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played professionally in England, Canada and the United States. He later coached the Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
soccer team.
Player
Fletcher began his career in England, playing in the Manchester and District LeagueManchester Football League
The Manchester Football League, currently known under terms of sponsorship as Bridgewater Office Supplies Football League, is a football league in England, covering a 20-mile radius from Manchester Town Hall. It was formed in 1893, although play ceased between 1912 and 1920. The 2010–11 champions...
. The League was experiencing difficulties which led to its suspending operations in 1912. Before that happened, Fletcher left England and emigrated to Canada in 1910. He settled in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
where he played for several teams including the Independent Labour Party Team and Hamilton Lancashire. At some point, he moved to the Niagara Falls Rangers
Niagara Falls Rangers
The Niagara Falls Rangers were an amateur U.S. soccer team based out of Niagara Falls, New York. They competed in the Independent Foot Ball League where they finished second in 1912 to city rivals the Wanderers. In 1914, they went to the semifinals of the National Challenge Cup. In 1922, National...
which went to the semifinals of the 1914 National Challenge Cup
1914 National Challenge Cup
The 1913–14 National Challenge Cup was the first season that the modern-day Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup formed. Brooklyn Field Club won the title.-Open Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket replay after tied match...
.
In October 1914, he signed 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...
, a powerhouse team playing in the Allied American Foot Ball League. He remained with Bethlehem for seven seasons. During those years, Fletcher and Jock Ferguson
Jock Ferguson
Jack "Jock" Ferguson was a Scottish American football full back. He began his career in Scotland before moving to England, then the United States. He earned cap with the U.S. national team...
anchored the Steelmen defense, taking the team to six league titles, four National Challenge Cups and four 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...
s. In 1921, Fletcher left Bethlehem with the establishment of 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...
. He signed with Harrison S.C. and spent two seasons with the team before moving 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 1923-1924 season. In 1924, he became the player-coach of the expansion Providence F.C.. In 1928, the team was renamed the Gold Bugs under new ownership. Fletcher played two games that season, then retired.
Coach
In July 1924, Fletcher was hired to coach the newly established Providence F.C.. He headed the team for at least four seasons. In 1925, he added duties coaching the Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
soccer team to his professional responsibilities. He held that position until Joe Kennaway
Joe Kennaway
James 'Joe' Kennaway was a dual international football goalkeeper. He began his career in Canada, spent four years in the American Soccer League before finishing his career with Celtic F.C. in the Scottish Football League...
replaced him in 1946.
In addition to playing and coaching, Fletcher was also the ASL secretary in the early 1930s.