A Brief History of Philadelphia Professional Soccer Before The Philadelphia Atoms

By Steve Holroyd

 

Minor League Professional Soccer at the Turn of the Century

Although the ALPF had proved to be a flop, the game of soccer continued to grow. In early 1895, the National Association Foot Ball League was formed, made up of teams from the New York and northern New Jersey areas. It took 15 years for Philadelphia to get an organized league, but in 1910 the Allied American Football Association was formed. It wasn't until two years later, however, that a semi-pro league to rival the National League was formed.

In 1912, the top clubs in the Philadelphia area formed the American League of Associaton Football Clubs of Philadelphia. Boys' Club won the 1912-13 season title, with Philadelphia Electrics taking the title the following season.

In 1914, however, the American League received a huge boost. Bethlehem Steel, the top team in the United States, joined the American League. Featuring John Ferguson, Robert Millar, Neil Clarke, and James Ford, as well as James Campbell from the Tacony Club of Philadelphia, the Steelmen were without question the crème de la crème of American professional soccer. Bethlehem won the 1914-15 title, and proceeded to go undefeated in 1915-16 en route to a second title. This second crown was not easy, however; Victor A.C. suffered only one loss, and finished just one point behind Bethlehem.

Tired of the lack of competition, Bethlehem left the American League the following season, concentrating on American and U.S. Open Cup play. In 1917-18, however, Bethlehem joined the National Association Foot Ball League. Joining Bethlehem was Tacony Disston A.A., a top side in the Philadelphia league. The following year, Philadelphia Merchant Ship also fled the American League to join the NAFBL, finishing second to Bethlehem for the title that season.

With its top teams having migrated north, the American League of Association Football Clubs was hardly worth noting. However, Philadelphia would soon play a role in the powerful major league to come.

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