Frank Dell'Apa

Boston Wonder Workers

Sept. 29, 1928 – Boston Wonder Workers 1:0 Providence Clamdiggers, ASL game, Walpole St. Grounds

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The reigning ASL champion Boston Wonder Workers edged Providence as Werner “Scotty” Nilsen headed a Tommy “Whitey” Fleming cross past Joe Kennaway (16’). Nilsen played for the U.S. in the 1934 World Cup. Fleming, 38, was in his final season after winning four National Challenge Cups (U.S. Open Cups) with Bethlehem Steel and ASL titles with Philadelphia FC, J&P Coats and the Wonder Workers. Kennaway won two Scottish championships and two Scottish Cups with Celtic FC, returning to coach Brown University from 1946-59. [Read more…] about Sept. 29, 1928 – Boston Wonder Workers 1:0 Providence Clamdiggers, ASL game, Walpole St. Grounds

Sept. 13, 1924 – Boston SC 2:1 Providence Clamdiggers, Boston inaugural regular-season ASL opener, Walpole St. Grounds

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“President [G.A.G.] Wood is opening the purse strings to give Boston a winning team. The value of Tommy Muirhead, Alex McNab, McMillan, J. Ballantyne, W. Paterson and Willie Ballantyne, if placed in the open market and priced as transfer fees go on the other side today, would amount to close to $65,000. That is a conservative estimate. The relative values of Fleming, McArthur, Abel, Thompson, Battles, Grant and Stevens is unknown, but soccer fans would rate the rest of the players at $35,000, so Boston has a team of player which in the aggregate would value $100,000.” (The Boston Globe) [Read more…] about Sept. 13, 1924 – Boston SC 2:1 Providence Clamdiggers, Boston inaugural regular-season ASL opener, Walpole St. Grounds

Sept. 6, 1926 – Springfield 2:3 Boston SC, ASL exhibition, Pratt Field (Att.: 1,500) “Pro Soccer Makes Springfield Debut”

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Springfield made its debut in the American Soccer League. “Despite inclement weather, which forced postponement of all other athletic contests, a crowd of 1,500 went to Pratt Field …” (The Boston Globe) Goals: Paterson 2; Blair 3. [Read more…] about Sept. 6, 1926 – Springfield 2:3 Boston SC, ASL exhibition, Pratt Field (Att.: 1,500) “Pro Soccer Makes Springfield Debut”

Aug. 30, 1924 – Boston SC 3:1 Bethlehem Steel at Walpole St. Grounds (Att.: 3,000)

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Boston Soccer Club opening game in the American Soccer League. “Three thousand crazy fans were in attendance when Boston opened its professional soccer season … at the Walpole-st Grounds and opened it right, trouncing Bethlehem Steel, 3 to 1. … That war whoop of the Boston Soccer Social Club sounded rather familiar.” (The Boston Globe) [Read more…] about Aug. 30, 1924 – Boston SC 3:1 Bethlehem Steel at Walpole St. Grounds (Att.: 3,000)

Aug. 16, 1944 – Lt. Henry E. “Harry” Burness, serving in U.S. Army, killed in action in France

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Harry Burness played for the Boston Wonder Workers and other teams in the ASL, his career continuing into the ‘40s. His brother, Gordon Burness (1907-89), played for the U.S. national team and resided in Needham, Mass., while working for Exxon Oil Co. [Read more…] about Aug. 16, 1944 – Lt. Henry E. “Harry” Burness, serving in U.S. Army, killed in action in France

April 26, 1925 – The Boston team believes in the slogan: ‘It pays to get the best’

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Boston Soccer Club won the national championship, then contested between the ASL and St. Louis titlists, earning a trip to visit President Coolidge at the White House. [Read more…] about April 26, 1925 – The Boston team believes in the slogan: ‘It pays to get the best’

April 12, 1925 – Providence 3:1 Boston Wonder Workers, exhibition at Kinsley Park (Att.: 4,000)

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The Boston Wonder Workers had defeated the Ben Millers in the American Professional Championship the previous day.

Goals: Florie (PK), Abdallah, Renfew; Battles. [Read more…] about April 12, 1925 – Providence 3:1 Boston Wonder Workers, exhibition at Kinsley Park (Att.: 4,000)

March 29, 1925 – Fall River Marksmen 1:2 Boston Wonder Workers, Lewis Cup final at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 17,000)

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“Boston’s professional soccer team smashed all kinds of records … in the final game in the American League Cup Series, trimming Fall River’s crack eleven, 2 to 1, before the largest crowd that ever watched a soccer game in this country. There were 17,000 fans in (Mark’s) Stadium … every seat was occupied and every resting place on the fences was filled … ‘’ (Boston Globe)

[Read more…] about March 29, 1925 – Fall River Marksmen 1:2 Boston Wonder Workers, Lewis Cup final at Mark’s Stadium (Att.: 17,000)

March 26, 1927 – Fore River FC 3:2 [AET] Boston Wonder Workers, National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) first round

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Fore River FC earned an upset victory over the Boston Wonder Workers in the U.S. Open Cup, thanks to two Dundas goals and one by Gowdy. Unable to find a first name for Dundas, who often appears as a center forward in game stories and lineups. In a 1931 Boston Globe story, center forward  Jack Dundas is mentioned as being recruited by Lusitania Recreation. [Read more…] about March 26, 1927 – Fore River FC 3:2 [AET] Boston Wonder Workers, National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup) first round