Sam Mark
Encyclopedia
Sam Mark is a former United States
soccer
club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen
, one of the era’s most successful teams. Mark’s continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees
and then New Bedford Whalers
. He also briefly owned Boston Wonder Workers
. He had played guard for the Massachusetts American Legion basketball team.
and baseball
promoter in Massachusetts
and as well as owning several soccer clubs he also owned a semi-professional baseball team. He was not originally a soccer fan but was aware of the large crowds that Fall River Rovers
attracted. In 1922
he took over Fall River United
of the American Soccer League
and renamed them Fall River Marksmen
. Mark’s was willing to invest in the club and one of his first moves was to build Mark's Stadium
in North Tiverton, Rhode Island. Because the stadium was just over the Massachusetts border, the club was able to get round the state’s Blue Law
s and play on a Sunday. It is also one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium
in the United States
.
Under Sam Mark, Fall River Marksmen
became one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United States. During the 1920s and early 1930s they won the American Soccer League
on seven occasions. They also won the National Challenge Cup four times. In 1924
they also won the first ASL / Challenge Cup double
and were subsequently the American soccer champions
three times in succession. Between 1929
and 1930
they won a further four titles in a row. In 1930 they also completed a treble
, winning the ASL title, the Challenge Cup and the Lewis Cup .
and the US Football Association became involved in a power struggle sometimes referred to as the Soccer Wars. This resulted in the emergence of two rival leagues - the ASL and Eastern Soccer League. Many clubs suffered financially and during the dispute Mark’s took over the struggling Boston Wonder Workers
. He also acted as a mediator between the two rival leagues and helped negotiate a merger. However the rules of the new Atlantic Coast League forbid the ownership of two or more clubs. Mark’s decided to sell the Boston club but unable to find a buyer, he was forced to dissolve the team after just 4 games of the Spring 1930
season
had seen attendances fall at Mark's Stadium
. As a result Mark moved Fall River Marksmen
to New York
, hoping that a new market there would be more lucrative. Once there he merged the club with New York Soccer Club
and renamed them the New York Yankees
. Before the merger was finalised, however, Fall River Marksmen had entered the National Challenge Cup and Mark was unable to re-register them as the Yankees. As a result the Spring 1931
season saw them continue to play in the Challenge Cup as the Fall River Marksmen while at the same time playing as the New York Yankees in the American Soccer League
. While the Yankees only managed to finish third in the ASL, the Marksmen won the cup.
was not a financial success and for the Fall 1931
season Mark relocated the New York Yankees
to New Bedford, Massachusetts
where they merged with Fall River F.C.
and became the New Bedford Whalers
. This new team were the American Soccer League
champions for the Fall 1931 and Spring 1932
seasons but then folded during the Fall 1932
season .
coincided with collapse of the original American Soccer League
. Mark’s subsequently turned his back on the game and became a nightclub owner . However by 1955 he had relocated to Los Angeles
were he helped form Los Angeles Kickers
, one of the city’s first professional soccer teams. Mark’s used his contacts in Fall River, Massachusetts
to recruit players from his former hometown .
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club owner. During the 1920s and early 1930s he was the owner of Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
, one of the era’s most successful teams. Mark’s continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (soccer)
New York Yankees were a New York soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League. They were formed following the merger of Fall River Marksmen and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the...
and then New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers was the name of three United States soccer teams based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The first Whalers played in the Southern New England Soccer League between 1914 and 1918. The second Whalers played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1931 before merging into Fall...
. He also briefly owned Boston Wonder Workers
Boston Wonder Workers
The Boston Soccer Club was a member of the American Soccer League. They were renamed the Boston Bears for the Fall 1929 ASL season.In 1925, the ASL and the St. Louis Soccer League boycotted the National Challenge Cup, now known as the U.S. Open Cup. The "Wonder Workers", as they were dubbed, had...
. He had played guard for the Massachusetts American Legion basketball team.
Fall River Marksmen
Mark initially established himself as a basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
promoter in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and as well as owning several soccer clubs he also owned a semi-professional baseball team. He was not originally a soccer fan but was aware of the large crowds that 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...
attracted. In 1922
1922-23 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS J & P Coats 28 21 2 5 68 30 44 Bethlehem Steel F.C. 28 18 6 4 56 26 42 Fall River Marksmen 28 15 5 8 53 36 35...
he took over 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:...
of 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...
and renamed them Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
. Mark’s was willing to invest in the club and one of his first moves was to build Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium is a former soccer stadium located in North Tiverton, Rhode Island. During the 1920s and early 1930s it was the home of Fall River Marksmen, one of the era’s most successful soccer teams. It is one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium in the United States...
in North Tiverton, Rhode Island. Because the stadium was just over the Massachusetts border, the club was able to get round the state’s Blue Law
Blue law
A blue law is a type of law, typically found in the United States and, formerly, in Canada, designed to enforce religious standards, particularly the observance of Sunday as a day of worship or rest, and a restriction on Sunday shopping...
s and play on a Sunday. It is also one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium
Soccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Korea coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium either purpose built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multipurpose...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Under Sam Mark, Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
became one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United States. During the 1920s and early 1930s they won 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...
on seven occasions. They also won the National Challenge Cup four times. In 1924
1923-24 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River Marksmen 27 19 6 2 59 19 14 Bethlehem Steel F.C. 27 17 4 6 59 32 38 New York Field Club 26 15 7 4 66 35 37...
they also won the first ASL / Challenge Cup double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
and were subsequently the American soccer champions
American soccer champions
Despite each receiving FIFA-affiliated status in 1913, both the United States and Canada have lacked a consistent, multi-division soccer system until recently. Consequently, the determination of champions has been problematic at times. The United States did not have a truly national league until...
three times in succession. Between 1929
1928-29 American Soccer League
-League standings: First Half GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 31 17 9 5 64 36 43 .694 Brooklyn Wanderers 31 18 6 7 79 61 42 .677...
and 1930
Fall 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 27 13 8 6 54 43 34 .630 New Bedford Whalers 30 15 6 9 75 62 36 .600 Hakoah All Stars 27 10 8 9 40 42 28 .519...
they won a further four titles in a row. In 1930 they also completed a treble
The Treble
The term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...
, winning the ASL title, the Challenge Cup and the Lewis Cup .
Soccer War
In 1929 the American Soccer LeagueAmerican 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...
and the US Football Association became involved in a power struggle sometimes referred to as the Soccer Wars. This resulted in the emergence of two rival leagues - the ASL and Eastern Soccer League. Many clubs suffered financially and during the dispute Mark’s took over the struggling Boston Wonder Workers
Boston Wonder Workers
The Boston Soccer Club was a member of the American Soccer League. They were renamed the Boston Bears for the Fall 1929 ASL season.In 1925, the ASL and the St. Louis Soccer League boycotted the National Challenge Cup, now known as the U.S. Open Cup. The "Wonder Workers", as they were dubbed, had...
. He also acted as a mediator between the two rival leagues and helped negotiate a merger. However the rules of the new Atlantic Coast League forbid the ownership of two or more clubs. Mark’s decided to sell the Boston club but unable to find a buyer, he was forced to dissolve the team after just 4 games of the Spring 1930
Spring 1930 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT Fall River Marksmen 26 18 7 1 80 38 43 .814 New Bedford Whalers 33 12 11 10 56 50 35 .530 Hakoah All Stars 33 14 7 12 65 61 35 .530...
season
New York Yankees
By 1931 the effects of the Soccer Wars and the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
had seen attendances fall at Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium
Mark's Stadium is a former soccer stadium located in North Tiverton, Rhode Island. During the 1920s and early 1930s it was the home of Fall River Marksmen, one of the era’s most successful soccer teams. It is one of the earliest examples of a soccer-specific stadium in the United States...
. As a result Mark moved Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, hoping that a new market there would be more lucrative. Once there he merged the club with New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club
New York Soccer Club was the name of a New York soccer team that, in 1930, played briefly in the American Soccer League. Between 1923 and 1930 they had been known as the New York Giants. In 1930 they merged with the Fall River Marksmen to become the New York Yankees. Then in 1931 this club absorbed...
and renamed them the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (soccer)
New York Yankees were a New York soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League. They were formed following the merger of Fall River Marksmen and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the...
. Before the merger was finalised, however, Fall River Marksmen had entered the National Challenge Cup and Mark was unable to re-register them as the Yankees. As a result the Spring 1931
Spring 1931 American Soccer League
-League standings: GP W D L GF GA PTS PCT New York Giants 17 10 2 5 42 28 22 .647 Brooklyn Wanderers 16 9 2 5 32 27 20 .625...
season saw them continue to play in the Challenge Cup as the Fall River Marksmen while at the same time playing as the New York Yankees in 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...
. While the Yankees only managed to finish third in the ASL, the Marksmen won the cup.
New Bedford Whalers
Despite winning the National Challenge Cup, the relocation to New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
was not a financial success and for the Fall 1931
Fall 1931 American Soccer League
Fall 1931 American Soccer League. At the start of this season the American Soccer League was in decline, suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. Clubs had begun to fold, merge and disappear. The eventual champions, New Bedford Whalers, had been formed by Sam Mark following the merger...
season Mark relocated the New York Yankees
New York Yankees (soccer)
New York Yankees were a New York soccer team that played briefly in the American Soccer League. They were formed following the merger of Fall River Marksmen and New York Soccer Club. Although the Yankees survived only a short time, they beat Celtic in a prestige friendly and effectively won the...
to New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
where they merged with Fall River F.C.
Fall River F.C.
Fall River Football Club, also referred to as Fall River Field Club, was the name used by two United States soccer clubs, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. Both played in the American Soccer League during the early 1930s. The name is often used incorrectly to refer to Fall River Marksmen, another...
and became the New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers was the name of three United States soccer teams based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The first Whalers played in the Southern New England Soccer League between 1914 and 1918. The second Whalers played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1931 before merging into Fall...
. This new team were 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...
champions for the Fall 1931 and Spring 1932
Spring 1932 American Soccer League
-League standings: P W D L GF GA PTS New Bedford Whalers 6 3 2 1 8 Hakoah All-Stars 6 3 1 2 7 Boston Bears 6 1 4 1 5 Pawtucket Rangers 6 0 3 3 3...
seasons but then folded during the Fall 1932
Fall 1932 American Soccer League
-League standings: 1st half GP W D L GF GA PTS Fall River F.C. 19 10 7 2 27 Pawtucket Rangers 19 10 5 4 25 New York Americans 11 6 3 3 14...
season .
Later Years
The demise of the New Bedford WhalersNew Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers was the name of three United States soccer teams based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The first Whalers played in the Southern New England Soccer League between 1914 and 1918. The second Whalers played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1931 before merging into Fall...
coincided with collapse of the original 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...
. Mark’s subsequently turned his back on the game and became a nightclub owner . However by 1955 he had relocated to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
were he helped form Los Angeles Kickers
Los Angeles Kickers
The Los Angeles Kickers are an amateur American soccer team established in 1951 which has won two U.S. Open Cups.In 1951, Albert Ebert and Fritz Ermit founded the Los Angeles Kickers as a predominantly German immigrant team. Within a few seasons, it shed its German identity and became a powerhouse...
, one of the city’s first professional soccer teams. Mark’s used his contacts in Fall River, Massachusetts
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...
to recruit players from his former hometown .