Dec. 26, 1908 – Fall River Rovers 6:1 Newarks, American Cup quarterfinals, Athletic Field (Att. 2,000)

The Fall River Rovers were decisive victors, despite the headline.

“Nearly 2,000 spectators were on half and grew enthusiastic over the good play in the first half, but in the second there was no interest shown, as the visitors were badly outclassed.”

Dodgeville 0:0 Hebronville, Attleboro, Mass. (Att.: 300)

Hibernians 3:3 Howard & Bullough, Philadelphia

Dec. 26, 1891 – Fall River Rovers 4:1 Longwoods (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

“As the championship of America virtually lies in next Saturday’s game between the East Ends and the Rovers, today’s game was thought to be a good chance of judging the merits of the teams.” (The Boston Globe)

Fall River Olympics 4:1 Conanicuts (Att.: 200)

            Fall River Eagles 3:1 Clippers at East End Grounds (Att.: 1,200)

Winners earn “a purse of $200 and the entire gate receipts.”

Dec. 26, 1904 – Dorchester 0:0 City Point Catholic, Locust St. Grounds, Dorchester

Dec. 26, 1914 – New Bedford 3:1 Greystone AC, New England Cup second-round match

Dec. 26, 1918 – Private William Riding, Battery D. 102^d Field Artillery, died of pneumonia, following an attack of influenza early in October. Well-known athlete, halfback for St. Andrews, pitcher for New Bedford Cotton Mill

Dec. 26, 1921 – Fall River Rovers 2:1 Fall River United FC

Goals: Underwood 2 (1 PK); Weir.

J&P Coats 0:1 New York FC

Goal: Hardy.

Harrison (N.J.) 7:0 Holyoke (Mass.) Falco AC (Att.: 2,000)

Goals: Heminsley 3, Brown 2, Pepper, Wilson.

Dec. 26, 1924 – Reigning National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) champions Shawsheen FC granted ASL franchise

Shawsheen’s Balmoral Park in Andover, Mass., “… one of the finest soccer grounds in the country.”

Dec. 26, 1925 – Philadelphia FC 1:1 Fall River Marksmen (Att.: 1,500)

Last-place team draws with champions.

Bethlehem Steel FC 6:0 Shawsheen

Goas: Jim Purvis (inside right) 4, Archie Stark 2.

New Bedford Whalers 2:1 New York Giants

Dec. 26, 1926 – Davey Brown, “native American soccer star who plays center forward for the New York Giants, is far ahead among the leading individual goal scorers in the clubs of the American Soccer League and bids fair to set a new record”

Brown 37 goals, followed by New Bedford’s Andy Stevens (28), Boston’s R. Blair (23), Fall River’s W. Paterson (19).

Dec. 26, 1932 – Fall River 3:0 Pawtucket, Bigberry Stadium

Fall River clinches ASL first half title. Goals: Jim White 3.

Cambridge FC 2:1 Swedish SC (Springfield, Mass.), U.S. Amateur Cup, Fall River, Mass.

Dec. 26, 1937 – Boston Celtics 0:3 Lusitania Recreation, National Open Cup (U.S. Open Cup), Riverside Park, Medford, Mass. (Att.: 2,000)

Dec. 26, 1949 – Fall River 3:1 Fairlawn Rovers, National Open Cup (U.S. Open Cup) fourth round

NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY