Chick Albion
Encyclopedia
John “Chick” or “Jack” Albion (born 1890 in Fall River, Massachusetts
; presumed deceased) is a former U.S. soccer goalkeeper
who played in the Southern New England Soccer League
and the American Soccer League
. He was a three time National Challenge Cup finalist, winning one title, with the Fall River Rovers
.
It is unknown when or where Albion began his career, but he was with the Fall River Rovers
of the Southern New England Soccer League
as early as the spring of 1915. In the spring of 1916, he backstopped the Rovers to the 1916 National Challenge Cup
finals where they fell to Bethlehem Steel F.C.
The Rovers would meet Bethlehem in the next two challenge cups, winning in 1917
and losing again in 1918
. Albion remained the Rovers’ starting goalkeeper in all three tournaments.
Albion spent one season in the newly created American Soccer League
with Fall River United
. He saw time in 24 games, allowing 57 goals for a 2.38 GAA
.
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
; presumed deceased) is a former U.S. soccer goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who played in the Southern New England Soccer League
Southern New England Soccer League
The Southern New England Soccer League was a semi-professional soccer league based in New England which was established in 1914 and collapsed in 1921. During its short existence, it featured some of the top teams in the northeast United States...
and the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He was a three time National Challenge Cup finalist, winning one title, with the Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers were a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They won the 1888 and 1889 American Cups as well as the 1917 National Challenge Cup. In 1921 Rovers were disbanded and a new team, Fall River United were formed to enter the newly established American Soccer...
.
It is unknown when or where Albion began his career, but he was with the Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers were a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They won the 1888 and 1889 American Cups as well as the 1917 National Challenge Cup. In 1921 Rovers were disbanded and a new team, Fall River United were formed to enter the newly established American Soccer...
of the Southern New England Soccer League
Southern New England Soccer League
The Southern New England Soccer League was a semi-professional soccer league based in New England which was established in 1914 and collapsed in 1921. During its short existence, it featured some of the top teams in the northeast United States...
as early as the spring of 1915. In the spring of 1916, he backstopped the Rovers to the 1916 National Challenge Cup
1916 National Challenge Cup
The 1915–16 National Challenge Cup was the third tournament of the modern day Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Bethlehem Steel F.C. won its second consecutive championship. The entries for the competition were to be made by midnight September 30, 1915. The draw for the qualifying and first rounds was made...
finals where they fell to Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
The Rovers would meet Bethlehem in the next two challenge cups, winning in 1917
1917 National Challenge Cup
The 1916–17 National Challenge Cup was the fourth annual cup tournament held by the United States Football Association. On May 5, 1917, Fall River Rovers defeated Bethlehem Steel F.C. to take the title. Thomas Swords scored the game winning goal thirty seconds into the game...
and losing again in 1918
1918 National Challenge Cup
The United States had recently entered World War I, and the soccer world felt the effects as increasing numbers of players joined the armed forces to wage battle in Europe. Soccer was not as hard-hit as some other sports, but all leagues felt the impact; in fact the Cechie team of Chicago lost...
. Albion remained the Rovers’ starting goalkeeper in all three tournaments.
Albion spent one season in the newly created American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
with Fall River United
Fall River United
Fall River United was a name used by two United States soccer clubs, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Both teams played in the American Soccer League, one during the 1921-22 season and other during the 1933-34 season.-Fall River United I:...
. He saw time in 24 games, allowing 57 goals for a 2.38 GAA
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
.