Skip links

Frank Dell'Apa

Header Right

Boston Wonder Workers

Aug. 23, 1924 – USFA meeting at Hotel Wolcott in New York to discuss “Reported jumping of contracts by professionals and possible methods of meeting these conditions.”

by

The Boston Wonder Workers helped spark a controversy by recruiting Scottish players for the initial season in the American Soccer League in 1924-25. Rangers captain Tommy Muirhead, who joined the Wonder Workers as player-coach, and Scottish international Alex McNab (Morton) were out of contract, and fullback Tommy McMillan (Dunfermline) was considered a free transfer. [Read more…] about Aug. 23, 1924 – USFA meeting at Hotel Wolcott in New York to discuss “Reported jumping of contracts by professionals and possible methods of meeting these conditions.”

April 3, 1927 – On the bus to Brooklyn

by

The Boston Wonder Workers attracted a strong following from 1924-28, their demise coinciding with administrative problems and “Soccer Wars” involving scheduling conflicts with the American Soccer League and National Challenge Cup (U.S. Open Cup). Supporters often traveled by ship to games in New York and Pennsylvania, but the Boston Soccer Social Club was apparently scheduling busses from South Station, as well. [Read more…] about April 3, 1927 – On the bus to Brooklyn

March 29, 1925 – Fall River Marksmen 1:2 Boston Wonder Workers (Att. 17,000)

by

Lewis Cup final at Mark’s Stadium, N. Tiverton, R.I. According to the Boston Globe: “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 Marks’ Stadium … every seat was occupied and every resting place on the fences was filled … ‘’ [Read more…] about March 29, 1925 – Fall River Marksmen 1:2 Boston Wonder Workers (Att. 17,000)

March 5, 1927 – New Bedford breaks records

by

The New Bedford Whalers rallied from a three-goal halftime deficit to take a 4-3 win over Boston in an American Soccer League match at the Walpole Street Grounds. The “record” the Whalers apparently surpassed was earning their first win in Boston, according to the Boston Globe report. “The Woodsies” (nicknamed for owner A.G. Wood) took the lead on a Hampton own goal: “the ex-Chelsea goalkeeper proceeded to give Boston a goal by throwing the ball into his own net.” This was probably Colin Hampton MM, who played for Chelsea from 1914-24 (also serving in the Machine Gun Corps in Mesopotamia). Former Scottish international Alec McNab and Bobby Blair (38 goals in 38 games that season) upped the lead to 3-0. [Read more…] about March 5, 1927 – New Bedford breaks records

Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles

by

On this day in 1928, the Providence Clamdiggers and Boston Wonder Workers played to a 0-0 draw. In the first half, former Chelsea FC center forward Bill Finlayson hit the post and Boston’s Bobby Blair, the American Soccer League’s second-leading scorer (38 goals) the previous season, missed an open net . The Boston Globe story notes Providence goalkeeper Joe Kennaway, who would go on to play for Celtic FC, “fell prone in the mud,” but Blair “hurried his boot and as a result shot clear over the bar.” Blair “rocked the upright with a fine drive” late in the game. In the final two minutes, Boston’s Johnny Ballantyne (Partick Thistle, Queen’s Park Rangers) and Providence’s Jimmy Bardell were ejected for fighting. [Read more…] about Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles

Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’

by

Bobby Blair scored twice as J&P Coats took a 3-0 win over the Providence Gold Bugs, remaining unbeaten in the second half of the ASL season in “a contest which brought about the biggest crowd and best soccer of the current season,” according to 2/10/29 editions of the Boston Globe. Providence’s Joe Kennaway would go on to become Celtic FC goalkeeper from 1931-39.

On the same day, the Boston Wonder Workers were upset, 4-3, by Jersey City at the Walpole Street Grounds. The visitors from Skeeterville “inject(ed) Jimmy Douglas, Olympic goalie of 1924 into their lineup” and “deserved to win,” according to the Globe account. “The field was heavy, in fact it was ankle deep in mud …” [Read more…] about Feb. 9, 1929 – ‘Biggest crowd, best soccer of the season’