Boston Shamrock Rovers

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Boston Shamrock Rovers
Boston Rovers logo.png
Full nameBoston Shamrock Rovers
Nickname(s)Rovers
Founded1966
(Year of foundation)
Dissolved1968
StadiumManning Bowl,
Lynn, Massachusetts
Capacity21,000
OwnerWeston Adams
ManagerLiam Tuohy
LeagueUnited Soccer Association
1967United Soccer Association, Eastern Division, 6th

Boston Shamrock Rovers (also known as Boston Rovers) were an American soccer team that competed in the United Soccer Association (USA) league in 1967. The team was based in Lynn, Massachusetts and played their home games at the Manning Bowl. The team folded when the USA merged with the National Professional Soccer League to form the North American Soccer League.

History[]

In 1966 several groups of entrepreneurs were exploring the idea of forming a professional soccer league in United States. One of these groups, United Soccer Association (USA) led by Jack Kent Cooke, selected 12 cities for team locations and Weston Adams,[1] owner of the Boston Bruins, was awarded the Boston franchise. The USA originally planned to start play in the spring of 1968; however the rival National Professional Soccer League, which secured a TV contract from CBS, announced it was ready to launch in 1967. Not wanting to let the rival league gain an advantage, the USA decided to launch early. Not having secured any player contracts, the league imported teams from Europe, Brazil, and Uruguay. Shamrock Rovers F.C. of the League of Ireland were brought over to represent the city of Boston.[2][3]

Rovers opened the season at home against the Detroit Cougars[a] in a 1 - 1 draw. A disallowed goal by the Cougars due to an offsides call lead to an argument with the linesman who was hit in the face by a Detroit player.[4][5] Shamrock Rovers finished the season in last place of the Eastern Division with a record of 2 wins 3 ties and 7 loses, the worst in the league, and with an average attendance 4,171.[6]

Prior to the 1968 season the United Soccer Association merged with the National Professional Soccer League to form the North American Soccer League. The merged league decided not to have two-team cities and, as such, the incoming Boston Beacons from the NPSL would be Boston's NASL franchise. [7]

Year-by-Year[]

Season Regular season Play-offs Top scorer
League Div G W T L F A Pts % Pos Attend. Name Gls Pts
1967 USA E 12 2 3 7 12 26 7 .292 6th 4,171 – Frank O'Neill 3 10

Records[]

See also[]

External links[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ The Northern Irish team Glentoran F.C. had been brought over to represent Detroit

Sources[]

  • The Hoops by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins (ISBN 0-7171-2121-6)

References[]

  1. ^ "Shamrock Rovers Elect". The Norwalk Hour. 21 April 1967. p. 32. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  2. ^ Seese, D.J. (2015). The Rebirth of Professional Soccer in America: The Strange Days of the United Soccer Association. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442238954.
  3. ^ Hannigan, Dave (31 May 2017). "Summer of soccer: when Shamrock Rovers conquered America". The Irish Times. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Cougars Open With Tie". The Owosso Argus-Press. 27 May 1967. p. 13. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  5. ^ Wangerin, Dave (2006). Soccer in a Football World. WSC Books, Limited. p. 134. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  6. ^ "North American Soccer League". rsssf.com. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Beacons Survive Rovers In Major Soccer Merger". The Telegraph. 8 December 1967. p. 14. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
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