Art Welch
Encyclopedia
Art Welch is a retired Jamaican-American soccer player who played in the North American Soccer League
and Major Indoor Soccer League.
He began his career in Jamaica with Cavaliers FC, alongside twin brother Asher
. In 1967, Welch signed with the Baltimore Bays
of the National Professional Soccer League
. In 1968, the NPSL became the North American Soccer League
. Welch remained with the Bays through the 1969 season. In 1970, he moved to the Atlanta Chiefs
, playing for them until 1973. During the 1973 season, the team was known as the Apollos. In 1974, he moved to the San Jose Earthquakes. He played two seasons in San Jose before moving to the Vancouver Whitecaps
for the 1976 season. He began the season in Vancouver, but was traded to the San Diego Jaws
after eleven games. During the off-season, the Jaws moved to Las Vegas, Nevada
where the team became the Las Vegas Quicksilvers. In May 1977, the Quicksilvers traded Welch to the Washington Diplomats
in exchange for Tom Galati
. That year, he also gained his U.S. citizenship. During the 1978 preseason, Welch suffered a season-ending leg injury. He attempted a come back in 1979, but was again unable to play. In the fall of 1979, he signed with the Wichita Wings
of the Major Indoor Soccer League and played eleven games. He may have attempted another comeback with the Dips in 1980 and is listed on the roster of the San Francisco Fog
during the 1980-1981 MISL season.
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
and Major Indoor Soccer League.
He began his career in Jamaica with Cavaliers FC, alongside twin brother Asher
Asher Welch
Asher Welch is a Jamaican former professional soccer player who played in the NASL between 1967 and 1970 for the Baltimore Bays and Kansas City Spurs. He began his career in Jamaica with Cavaliers FC, alongside twin brother Art....
. In 1967, Welch signed with the Baltimore Bays
Baltimore Bays
The first Baltimore Bays were a professional soccer team based out of Baltimore, Maryland. It was one of ten charter members of the National Professional Soccer League in 1967. The team would become a part of the North American Soccer League , which was the result of a merger between the NPSL and...
of the National Professional Soccer League
National Professional Soccer League (1967)
The National Professional Soccer League was a North American professional soccer league that existed for only the 1967 season before merging with the United Soccer Association to form the North American Soccer League. It had ten charter members, nine from the United States and one from Canada...
. In 1968, the NPSL became the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. Welch remained with the Bays through the 1969 season. In 1970, he moved to the Atlanta Chiefs
Atlanta Chiefs
The Atlanta Chiefs were a soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia that played in the NPSL and NASL from 1967 to 1972. Their home fields were Atlanta Stadium and Tara Stadium . The club was the brainchild of Dick Cecil, then Vice President of the Atlanta Braves baseball franchise who were the Chiefs'...
, playing for them until 1973. During the 1973 season, the team was known as the Apollos. In 1974, he moved to the San Jose Earthquakes. He played two seasons in San Jose before moving to the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
for the 1976 season. He began the season in Vancouver, but was traded to the San Diego Jaws
San Diego Jaws
The San Diego Jaws were a soccer team based out of San Diego, California that played in the North American Soccer League. They only lasted one year, 1976. Their home field was the Aztec Bowl, San Diego State University's home. Previous to San Diego, the team played as the Baltimore Comets...
after eleven games. During the off-season, the Jaws moved to Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
where the team became the Las Vegas Quicksilvers. In May 1977, the Quicksilvers traded Welch to the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
in exchange for Tom Galati
Tom Galati
Tom Galati is a former U.S. soccer defensive midfielder who five seasons in the North American Soccer League. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team.-Youth and college:...
. That year, he also gained his U.S. citizenship. During the 1978 preseason, Welch suffered a season-ending leg injury. He attempted a come back in 1979, but was again unable to play. In the fall of 1979, he signed with the Wichita Wings
Wichita Wings
This article is about the original team. For the current team, see Wichita Wings .The Wichita Wings were a professional indoor soccer franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The Wings were admitted to the Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team on August 21, 1979...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League and played eleven games. He may have attempted another comeback with the Dips in 1980 and is listed on the roster of the San Francisco Fog
San Francisco Fog (MISL)
The San Francisco Fog was a Major Indoor Soccer League franchise which existed for only one season, 1980-1981.-History:The Fog, which played their home games at the Cow Palace, finished their single season of existence at 11-29...
during the 1980-1981 MISL season.