Oneida Football Club
Encyclopedia
The Oneida Football Club, founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1862, was the first organized team to play any kind of football
in the United States
. The game played by the club, known as the "Boston game", was an informal local variant that predated the codification of rules for soccer, rugby
, or American football
. The team, which consisted of graduates of Boston's elite preparatory schools, played on Boston Common
from 1862–1865, during which time they reportedly never lost a game or even gave up a single point.
. At the time there were no formal rules for football
games, with different schools and areas playing their own variations. This informal style of play was often chaotic and very violent, and Miller had been a star of the game while attending Dixwell. However, he grew tired of these disorganized games, and organized other recent preparatory school graduates to join what would be the first organized football team in the United States.
The team consisted of a group of Boston secondary school students from relatively elite public (state) schools in the area, such as Boston Latin School
and the English High School of Boston
. Organization served the club well, and it reportedly never lost a game, or even allowed a single goal.
and was an important precursor to American football
. Although it has been claimed by much later followers of both soccer and American football
, the club predated formal rules of any football variant.
The Oneida Foot Ball Club played its games on the Boston Common
, where it is commemorated by a plaque. It played matches against pickup teams throughout the Boston collegiate community.
An excellent history of the Oneida Foot Ball Club was written in 1926 by an original member of the club - Winthrop Saltonstall Scudder. An Historical Sketch of the Oneida Football Club
Football
Football may refer to one of a number of team sports which all involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball with the foot to score a goal. The most popular of these sports worldwide is association football, more commonly known as just "football" or "soccer"...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The game played by the club, known as the "Boston game", was an informal local variant that predated the codification of rules for soccer, rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, or American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. The team, which consisted of graduates of Boston's elite preparatory schools, played on Boston Common
Boston Common
Boston Common is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. The Boston Common consists of of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street,...
from 1862–1865, during which time they reportedly never lost a game or even gave up a single point.
Oneida
The Oneida Football Club was established in 1862 by Gerrit Smith "Gat" Miller, a graduate of the Latin School of Epes Sargent Dixwell, a private college preparatory school in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. At the time there were no formal rules for football
Football
Football may refer to one of a number of team sports which all involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball with the foot to score a goal. The most popular of these sports worldwide is association football, more commonly known as just "football" or "soccer"...
games, with different schools and areas playing their own variations. This informal style of play was often chaotic and very violent, and Miller had been a star of the game while attending Dixwell. However, he grew tired of these disorganized games, and organized other recent preparatory school graduates to join what would be the first organized football team in the United States.
The team consisted of a group of Boston secondary school students from relatively elite public (state) schools in the area, such as Boston Latin School
Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts. It is both the first public school and oldest existing school in the United States....
and the English High School of Boston
English High School of Boston
The English High School of Boston, Massachusetts is the first public high school in America, founded in 1821. Originally called The English Classical School, it was renamed The English High School upon its first relocation in 1824. The current building is located in Jamaica Plain.-History:Since its...
. Organization served the club well, and it reportedly never lost a game, or even allowed a single goal.
Game
The game played by the Oneida Football Club is known as the "Boston game". This informal local football variety later took hold at Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and was an important precursor to American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. Although it has been claimed by much later followers of both soccer and American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, the club predated formal rules of any football variant.
The Oneida Foot Ball Club played its games on the Boston Common
Boston Common
Boston Common is a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Boston Commons". Dating from 1634, it is the oldest city park in the United States. The Boston Common consists of of land bounded by Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street,...
, where it is commemorated by a plaque. It played matches against pickup teams throughout the Boston collegiate community.
An excellent history of the Oneida Foot Ball Club was written in 1926 by an original member of the club - Winthrop Saltonstall Scudder. An Historical Sketch of the Oneida Football Club