Dec. 19, 1925 – Boston Wonder Workers 3:1 Shawsheen Indians at Walpole St. Grounds

Barney Battles Jr. scored twice for the Boston Wonder Workers. “… Boston’s kid forward came into his own … the best game he has played since he joined the pro ranks.”

Battles (b. Oct. 12, 1905 in Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland) was discovered playing “sandlot” soccer at Sullivan Square in Charlestown, signing with Boston SC on May 25, 1924. Battles played for the U.S. national team in a 1-0 loss to Canada on June 27, 1925. Battles, among the youngest players on the Boston roster, became one of the team’s top scorers, then moved to Hearts. During the 1930-31 season, Battles set the Hearts single-season goal-scoring record with 44, also earning a cap with Scotland.

Battles’ father, Barney, was a Scottish international and had played for Celtic, Hearts and Liverpool. Battles Sr. died of pneumonia in 1905, before the birth of his son.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY