Fall River F.C.
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Fall River F.C., also known as the Fall River Rovers and the Fall River Marksmen, was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. The club won the U.S. Open Cup a record five times: in 1917, 1924, 1927, 1930, and 1931 (the last year technically as the New York Yankees). During the last two triumphs, they were led by local striking duo Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude.
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[edit] Fall River Rovers
The first Fall River Rovers originated as an early soccer power in the late 1800s, winning the American Cup in 1888 and 1889. They played in the first Eastern Soccer League, another attempt to create a viable professional soccer league in the United States. When the league was abandoned during its only season, Fall River was in the lead. Before playing in the ESL the Rovers had been part of the New England League and returned to amateur status after the league was abandoned. In 1915 they joined the second season of the semi-pro Southern New England Soccer League. The Rovers won the Times Cup in 1917.
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909/10 | N/A | ESL | 1st | League abandoned | N/A |
| 1915/16 | N/A | SNESL | ? | Schedule abandoned | Final |
| 1916/17 | N/A | SNESL | 2nd | No playoff | Champion |
| 1917/18 | N/A | SNESL | ? | Schedule abandoned | Final |
| 1918/19 | N/A | SNESL | Season cancelled due to WWI | ? | |
| 1919/20 | N/A | SNESL | ? | ? | ? |
| 1920/21 | N/A | SNESL | 2nd | No playoff | ? |
[edit] Fall River Marksmen
With the folding of the SNESL, the Fall River United joined the new professional American Soccer League. After a disappointing first season, the team, with new financial backing, became the Fall River Marksmen and arguably became the best soccer team in the country.
The club earned a "double" in 1924 winning both the league and U.S. Open Cup. In 1930 they earned a "treble" winning the league, the U.S. Open Cup and the Lewis Cup (the ASL's league cup).
Before the spring 1931 season, merged with the New York Soccer Club to become the New York Yankees.
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1921/22 | 1 | ASL | 6th | No playoff | ? |
| 1922/23 | 1 | ASL | 3rd | No playoff | ? |
| 1923/24 | 1 | ASL | 1st | Champion (no playoff) | Champion |
| 1924/25 | 1 | ASL | 1st | Champion (no playoff) | Did not enter |
| 1925/26 | 1 | ASL | 1st | Champion (no playoff) | ? |
| 1926/27 | 1 | ASL | 3rd | No playoff | Champion |
| 1927/28 | 1 | ASL | 5th (1st half); 2nd (2nd half) | Semifinals | Quarterfinals |
| 1928/29 | 1 | ASL | 1st (1st half); 1st (2nd half) | Champion (no playoff) | Did not enter |
| Fall 1929 | 1 | ASL | 1st | Champion (no playoff) | N/A |
| 1930 | 1 | ACL/ASL | 1st (Spring); 1st (Fall) | Champion (no playoff) | Champion |
[edit] Fall River F.C.
With the loss of the Marksmen, a group of Fall River businessmen bought the Providence Gold Bugs, moved them to Fall River, and renamed them the Fall River Football Club. During the spring 1931 season, the organization absorbed the New Bedford Whalers. After the spring 1931 season, the team was absorbed by the New York Yankees and became the new New Bedford Whalers.
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | 1 | ASL | 5th (Spring) | No playoff | Did not enter |
[edit] Fall River F.C. II
A new Fall River F.C. returned to the league for the fall 1932 season. It is not know if this is an entirely new club or if the New Bedford Whalers had returned to Fall River.
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1932 | 1 | ASL | 1st | Champion (no playoff) | N/A |
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