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
Providence Clamdiggers
May 2, 1926 – Providence Clamdiggers 2:2 Hakoah Vienna at Cycledrome (Att.: 6,000)
Professional soccer games were played at both the Cycledrome and Kinsley Park in Providence in the 1920s and ‘30s. Kinsley Park (capacity 6,000 est.) was demolished in 1933 and the Cycledrome (capacity 10,000) in 1937. [Read more…] about May 2, 1926 – Providence Clamdiggers 2:2 Hakoah Vienna at Cycledrome (Att.: 6,000)
Feb. 12, 1928 – The story of Barney Battles
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