Category: American Leagues

World Series of Football 1903

Results

DateWinning TeamRunners-Up
Semi-Finals
14.12.1903Watertown Red and Blacks5Oreos AC0
15.12.1903Franklin 12Orange AC0
Final
17.12.1903Franklin12Watertown Red and Blacks0
World Series of Football 1903 [Ref: 1-2]

Report

The second World Series of Football, again scheduled for Madison Square Garden, under the stewardship of Irish-American Tom O’Rourke, pitted the Upstate New York team, Watertown Red and Blacks, who claimed for the third year in a row to be “World Champions” against the Frankin Athletic Club of Pennsylvania, the Oreos Athletic Club of Asbury Park, New Jersey and Orange Athletic Club, also of New Jersey. Also on the bill were Gaelic Football matches and what was billed as the New York City Championship, and a High School All-Star Game.

Franklin AC had won 10 matches in their informal Pennsylvania Professional Circuit, having had paid £20,000 to buy up the best players the Phillies and the Athletics of Philadelphia and the Stars of Pittsburgh had to offer. This was in response to Oil City having done the same in a previous match and humiliated the Franklin team. The two teams were based in the booming Oil County of Franklin in Pennsylvania, then the Oil Capital of America. Franklin scored 438 points in this run, with zero conceded, and claimed to be Professional Football Champions of the World.

In Upstate New York, the defending World Series Champions, Syracuse AC, declined to defend their title. This was similar to the Watertown Red and Blacks of the previous year, the best team in Upstate New York, and one of four powers in Professional Football, who had declined to put their claim to World Champions on the line. Syracuse had beaten Watertown in two games previously in 1903, and Franklin and seen off Syracuse 12-0 during their run, the only game that was not totally one sided. Despite not having a legitimate clai to be Upstate New York Champions, never mind World Champions, the Watertown team jumped at the chance to take part, perhaps stung by criticism the previous year.

In the run-up to the games, Olympic Athletic Club saw off two teams to win the New York City title, and Fort Hamilton and Fort Totten battled to a 0-0 tie in the Championship of New York Harbour. The novelty had worn off for New Yorkers and the biggest draw of the Series was for the New York High School All-Star game.

The first Semi-Final was won by Watertown, 5-0, in a tougher than expected match with Oreos AC, and second went Franklin’s way, again the unfancied New Jersey team putting up a better game than expected, with Franklin winning 12-0 against Orange AC. the Final itself, was won by Franklin with a two touchdown victory over Watertown.

The Series was a disappointment at the box-office and didn’t return for a third year, however, it is with some justification the first attempt at a National Championship Series in Football, albeit on a 70-yard Indoor Field. The focus for Professional Football had already shifted in 1903 to the Ohio League circuit, which until the founding of the American Professional Football Association (now National Football League) in 1920, was the most lucrative, and with some justification, the best league in the country, although matches with both the Pennsylvania and Upstate New York Circuits were keen and competitive.

References

Bibliography

[1] National Football League (2014) “Chronology of Professional Football” 2013 NFL Record & Fact Book. pg. 353

[2] Professional Football Researchers Association | Wayback Machine (2010)  The Coffin Corner Annual Volume 2 (1980)  The First Football World Series Experiment in the Garden https://web.archive.org/web/20101127053946/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/02-An-054.pdf [Accessed 20 May 2020

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Mom Tully.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 20 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

World Series of Football 1902

Results

DateWinning TeamRunners-Up
Quarter-Finals
28.12.1902All-Syracuse6New York0
29.12.1902New York Knickerbockers11Warlow AC6
Semi-Final
30.12.1902All-Syracuse36New York Knickerbockers0
Final
31.12.1902All-Syracuse36Orange AC0
World Series of Professional Football Results 1902

Report

The first National Football League of 1902 was formed by three teams: The The Phillies and Athletics of Philadelphia, and the Stars of Pittsburgh. All three played matches against each other as well as teams not from the League, but had tangled their League standings so much it was impossible to tell which had actually won. The fourth power at the time Watertwon Red and Blacks from Upstate New York had already claimed to be “World Champions”.

With a large Arena to fill for New Years Eve, and so many other attractions in New York at the time, Tom O’Rourke, the famed Irish-American Boxing Promoter, who was manager of Madison Square Garden at the time decide to hold the first “World Series” of Professional Football. He invited both the Phillies and Athletics from Philadelphia, and the Watertown Red and Blacks, but declined to invite the Stars of Pittsburgh, as he thought New Yorkers would not go the see a team from Pittsburgh.

The Phillies and Athletics combined to enter one team, although the team was named “New York” for the occasion. The Watertown team declined to take part, so to pad out the schedule, Syracuse Athletic Club, from Upstate New York were invited, as were Orange Athletic Club from New Jersey, and Warlow Athletic Club from New York. The Hometown Knickerbockers were also invited, Both the Knickerbockers and Warlow were expected to be a big Hometown draw. The Syracuse team added players from Watertown Red and Blacks, also Upstate New York, so could also with some justification consider themselves a Major Football Team like the “New York” team of Phillies and Athletics. The team called itself All-Syracuse for the occasion.

The scheduling was a problem, and with a six-team tournament, Orange AC were given a bye to the Final game. The first game on 28 December 1902 was between the two teams who could likely have contested a World series Final: All-Syracuse and New York, which All-Syracuse won 6-0 depriving Tom O’Rourke of his big draw for the Final. In the other preliminary match New York Knickerbockers beat Warlow AC 11-6. They lost to All-Syracuse in the knockout second round, or Semi-Final, 36-0. This deprived O’Rourke of another big hometown draw for the Finale on New Years Eve. In this match All-Syracuse again won 36-0 against inferior opposition in Orange AC.

Pennsylvania and Upsate New York were the big football regions at the time and scheduling them for the first match rather than keeping them apart until the Final is bizarre. Another aspect of the series that was unusual was the field: Indoors in Madison Square Garden, and only 70-yards between the goalposts rather the 110-yard field that was standard at the time. It has gone down on record as the first Indoor Professional Football match. The field was laid with earth after the wooden floorboards were taken up, but it described as “sticky and holding” which meant speed and cleverness were neutralized and the games were about size and strength eve more than usual. One football player knocked himself silly running into the walls in the opening kickoff of the first game and never took part in the rest of the game.

An interesting footnote to the the Series to Irish readers is that a Gaelic Football match was played as a curtain-raiser to the main event on New Years Eve.

References

Bibliography

[1] National Football League (2014) “Chronology of Professional Football” 2013 NFL Record & Fact Book. pg. 353

[2] Professional Football Researchers Association | Wayback Machine (2010)  The Coffin Corner Annual Volume 2 (1980)  The First Football World Series Experiment in the Garden https://web.archive.org/web/20101127053946/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/02-An-054.pdf [Accessed 20 May 2020

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Mom Tully.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 20 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

California Winter League 1928

Final Standings 1928

PWLTPFPAPct
*New York Yankees63214239.600
*Cleveland Bulldogs52213834.500
Los Angeles Wildcats42111912.667
Duluth Giants30211933.000
California Winter League Final Standings 1928 [Ref: Compiled from results in 1]

Reference: Compiled from Results in [1] Note: Includes Championship Game.

Championship Game

DateHome TeamAway Team
Championship Game
05.02.1928New York Yankees13Cleveland Bulldogs6
California Winter League Championship Game 1928 [Ref: 1]

Results

DateHome TeamAway Team
Week 1
02.01.1928Los Angeles Wildcats6New York Yankees0
Week 2
08.01.1928Los Angeles Wildcats7New York Yankees0
08.01.1928Duluth Giants6Cleveland Bulldogs13
Week 3
15.01.1928Los Angeles Wildcats6Cleveland Bulldogs12
15.01.1928Duluth Giants0New York Yankees7
Week 4
22.01.1928New York Yankeees9Cleveland Bulldogs7
22.01.1928Los Angeles WildcatscDuluth Giantsc
Week 5
29.01.1928Los Angeles Wildcats 0Cleveland Bulldogs0
29.01.1928Duluth Giants13New York Yankees13
California Winter League Results 1928 [Ref: 1]

Report

In the Winter of January-February 1927 & 1928, some of the top teams in the National Football League & American Football League played in a Winter League in California, following the end of the Fall (Autumn) NFL & AFL seasons. The teams included star players from college teams in California and were dubbed after the teams’ star NFL & AFL players. e.g. the Nevers Eskimoes were the Duluth Eskimoes of the NFL with star player, Ernie Nevers.

For the second year in a row the Duluth Eskimoes and New York Yankees ended their seasons by competing in a Winter League in California over January and February 1928. They were joined this time by the Cleveland Bulldogs.

There were no Pacific Coast Football League teams this year, however, the Duluth Eskimoes included many Californian College players on their roster, and were dubbed Nevers-Imlay Giants by the press (after their two star players – Ernie Nevers of the Eskimoes and Tut Imlay from the Californian Colleges). The Los Angeles Wildcats, previously of the American Football League, named Wilson’s Wildcats by the Press, made up the final team in the four team league.

The Wildcats won their opening two fixtures against the Yankees, before dropping a game to the Cleveland Bulldogs. Their fourth game, against the Duluth Giants was cancelled, and they tied their last game 0-0 with the Bulldogs.

The Yankees recovered from their defeats to the Wildcats to defeat the Bulldogs and tie with the Giants, and the Bulldogs had started their season with a win over the Giants and Wildcats, before losing to the Yankees and tying their last game.

Despite being the best team on the circuit for the second year in a row, the Los Angeles Wildcats were not invited to the season ending Finale, their place insted going to the Yankees as they were a better draw for the fans, even though they had lost both games to the LA team.

The Yankees made no mistake in their second California Winter League Finale, winning 13-6 against Friedmann’s Bulldogs.

The League was essentially a AAA League/Major League Rival to the NFL from 1927-1928, featuring both star NFL & AFL teamxs and players and teams and players from the Semi-Pro Pacific Coast Football League and Californian College players.

Teams & Star Players

TeamNFL/AFL/PCFL TeamStar Players
Grange’s YankeesNew York Yankees (NFL Fall 1927)Red Grange
Wilson’s WildcatsLos Angeles Wildcats (AFL)Wildcat Wilson
Friedman’s BulldogsCleveland Bulldogs (NFL)Benny Friedman
Nevers-Imlay GiantsDuluth Eskimoes (NFL) & Californian College PlayersErnie Nevers & Tut Imlay
(College Player)
California Winter League 1928 [Ref: 1]

Reference: [1]

Bob Gill (2009) Seasons in the Sun – The California winter league of 1927 and ’28 The Coffin Corner Volume 31,No. 1, Pro Football Researchers Association (2009)[Internet] Available from: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/coffin-corner00’s/CC-31-1.pdf [Accessed 20 October 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Eoin O’Fearghaill.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 14 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

California Winter League 1927

CWL 1927

PWLTPFPAPct
Los Angeles Buccaneers (C)53205643.600
New York Yankees42207443.500
Los Angeles Wildcats22004571.000
Duluth Eskimoes52303934.400
Hollywood Generals31201979.333
California All-Stars3120936.333
California Winter League 1927 [Ref: Compiled from Results in: 1]

Note: Includes Championship Series (C) Champions.

DateTeam 1Team 2
Championship Series
30.01.1927New York Yankees14Los Angeles Buccaneers0
06.02.1927Los Angeles Buccaneers7New York Yankees6
California Winter League Championship series 1927 [Ref: 1]

Results

DateHome TeamAway Team
18.12.1927California All-Stars0Duluth Eskimoes19
25.12.1927Hollywood Generals6Duluth Eskimoes3
26.12.1927California All-Stars9Duluth Eskimoes7
02.01.1927California All-Stars0Duluth Eskimoes10
09.01.1927Los Angeles Buccaneers19Duluth Eskimoes0
09.01.1927Los Angeles Wildcats28Hollywood Generals7
16.01.1927Los Angeles Buccaneers30New York Yankees6
23.01.1927Hollywood Generals6New York Yankees48
23.01.1927Los Angeles Wildcats17Los Angeles Buccaneers0

Report

In the Winter of January-February 1927 & 1928, some of the top teams in the National Football League & American Football League played in a Winter League in California, following the end of the Fall (Autumn) NFL & AFL seasons. The teams included star players from college teams in California and were dubbed after the teams’ star NFL & AFL players. e.g. the Nevers Eskimoes were the Duluth Eskimoes of the NFL with star player, Ernie Nevers.

The Duluth Eskimoes opened with 19-0 victory over the California All-Stars, a Pacific Coast Football League All-Star team made up of players from the Oakland and San Francisco franchises. They then lost to both the Hollywood Generals and California All-Stars, before winning the third match against the All-Stars, and finishing their tour with a loss to the Los Angeles Buccaneers (dubbed Muller’s Californians by the Press). The Los Angeles Wildcats also beat the Hollywood Generals on that day.

The New York Yankees, with star player, Red Grange then started their tour the following week (16 January 1927), with a loss to the Los Angeles Buccaneers, and then beating the Hollywood Generals. The same day the Los Angeles Wildcats beat the Los Angeles Buccaneers 17-0, but were not invited to the season ending series of games as they were not the draw the organizers wanted.

Instead, the Los Angeles Buccaneers met the New York Yankees for a shot at the title, and lost the first match 14-0, before winning the second, and last match 7-6, to finish the seson with three wins, and the unofficial Champions.

The League was essentially a AAA League/Major League Rival to the NFL from 1927-1928, featuring both star NFL & AFL teamxs and players and teams and players from the Semi-Pro Pacific Coast Football League and Californian College players.

Teams & Star Players

TeamNFL/AFL/PCFL TeamStar Players
Muller’s CaliforniansLos Angeles Buccaneers (NFL)Brick Muller
Wilson’s WildcatsLos Angeles Wildcats (AFL)Wildcat Wilson
Grange’s YankeesNew York Yankees (AFL Fall 1926)Red Grange
Nevers’ EskimoesDuluth Eskimoes (NFL)Ernie Nevers
Hollywood GeneralsHollywood Generals (PCFL)Semi-Pro Team
California All-StarsOakland and San Francisco (PCFL)Semi-Pro Team
California Winter League Teams and Star Players 1927 [Ref: 1]

Reference: [1]

Bob Gill (2009) Seasons in the Sun – The California winter league of 1927 and ’28 The Coffin Corner Volume 31,No. 1, Pro Football Researchers Association (2009)[Internet] Available from: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/coffin-corner00’s/CC-31-1.pdf [Accessed 20 October 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Eoin O’Fearghaill.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 14 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

National Football League Intercontinental 1972-1978

DateCityWinnersRunners-Up
27.05.1972Paris (Fra)NFL Blue16NFL Rouge6
16.08.1976Tokyo (Jap)St. Louis Cardinals20San Diego Chargers10
05.08.1978Mexico City (Mex)New Orleans Saints14Philadelphia Eagles7
National Football League Intercontinental 1972-1978 [Ref: 1-3]

Report

With the film M*A*S*H being such a hit in Europe, and around the World, featuring its climactic end-sequence depicting an American Football game, the National Football League started promoting the game outside of North America. a game was played in Paris, France in 1972 between 42 NFL players, representing NFL Blue and NFL Rouge.

At the the same time attempts were afoot by the World Football League (1974-1975) and Bob Kapp’s Intercontinental Football League to host teams in cities around the World. While the WFL got no further outside mainland USA than Hawaii, and Kapp’s Intercontinental Football League, with six franchises in Europe, never got off the ground, the NFL continued to work with the IFl, and played a game promoted by both in Tokyo, Japan, between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers.

In 1978 a further National Football League game was played in Mexico City between the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles. All of these games were preseason games, but they were the first steps towards the regular hosting of NFL games outside of the USA and Canada, which were to lead eventually to the International Series of Regular Season Games held annually in London from 2007 to 2019.

References

Website / Sources

[1] Mark L. Ford and Massimo Foglio, The Coffin Corner Volume 27,No. 6, Pro Football Researchers Association (2002) THE FIRST “NFL EUROPE”[Internet] Available from: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-06-1101.pdf [Accessed 20 October 2019]

Bibiography

[2] Massimo Foglio with Mark L. Ford (2017), Touchdown in Europe – How American Football Came to the Old Continent. Second Edition “The Trailblazers: Bleu et Rouge, College and Semi-Pro”. pg. 151-188. Published by the Author (2015, 2017)

[3] National Football League (2014) 2014 National Football League Record & Factbook. “International Games” pg. 508-509. Published by National Football League and Time Home entertainment, New York, NY.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Louise Wills (Kenny) and John Wills.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 11 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

Pacific Pro Football 2020

Pacific Pro Football Logo [Ref: 2]

Teams

TeamsTeams
Los Angeles CountyVentura County
Orange CountySan Diego County
Pacific Pro League Teams 2020 [Ref: 1]

Report

Pacific Pro League is an intended AAA Professional American Football, which was to begin play in 2020 with teams in four Southern California counties: Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County and San Diego County, where the league is headquartered.

In an era where each new AAA or AA Pro League has a different angle the Pacific Pro said it would employ players straight out of high school, who don’t want or cannot play in college..

Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee teamed up with Jamie Hemann, former President of the NFL Network, and three-time Super Bowl Champion Ed McCaffrey to fill the Pro void between High School and the National Football League.

After the League launches in 2020, the plan is expansion, first by putting four teams on the East coast by 2023, and then by 2025 to have a 12 team league by filling in the middle. The League will play an 8-game schedule during July and August, although the impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) may place a block on the league starting in 2020, and there has been no official announcement on the site, which is down, as of 3 May 2020.

References

Websites

[1] Fox 5 San Diego | Wayback Machine (2020) Pacific Pro Football League is looking to make roots in San Diego by 2020 [Internet] Available from: [Accessed 10 April 2020]

Internet Archive

[2] Sports Business Daily (2018) Pacific Pro Football Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/-/media/Images/Daily/2018/02/28/Pac-Pro.ashx?mw=405&hash=834433D0660C338DB50EEFE36ADF225CA19C2972 [Accessed 3 May 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Eoin O’Fearghaill.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 3 May 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

World Series of Pro Football 1902-1903

WSPF Champions 1902-1903

YearChampions
1902Syracuse AC (New York State)
1903Franklin AC (Pennsylvania)
World Series of Pro Football Champions 1902-1903 [Ref: 1]

Report

The World Series of Pro Football was a brief attempt at determining the “World Champions” of American Football that lasted two seasons from 1902 to 1903. It was played as a tournament rather than league, featuring four to five teams.

The first World Series featured five teams: Syracuse AC, New York Knickerbockers, Warlow AC, Orange (New Jersey) AC and a team named New York that was actually made up of players from the Phillies and Athletics from Philadelphia. Syracuse AC won the Series.

The second World series in 1903 was won by Franklin AC of Pennsylvania, with the Oreos AC (Asbury Park, New Jersey), Watertown Red and Blacks and Orange AC the other competing teams.

References

Bibliography

[1] National Football League (2014) “Chronology of Professional Football” 2013 NFL Record & Fact Book. pg. 353

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Mom Tully.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 April 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

Fan Ownership League 2001

Proposed FOL Cities

FOL Cities
Seattle
Philadelphia
New Orleans
Washington DC
Fan Ownership League [Ref: 1]

Report

The Fan Ownership League was a brief attempt by United States Football League founder Dave Dixon to start another Major League / AAA rival American Football League to the NFL.

It had four planned cities: Seattle, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Washington DC, but the emergence of another rival league, the International Football Federation, saw the two leagues consider merging, although it was a third league, the XFL, with its multi-million dollar NBC TV contract which put an end to both leagues.

References

[1] Remember the IFF (2020) Home [Internet] Available from: https://sites.google.com/site/remembertheiff/home [Accessed 15 April 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Ed Murphy

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 April 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

International Football Federation 2000

IFF Proposed Cities June 1999 (First Down)

WestCentralEast
DenverTorontoNew York
Los AngelesChicagoBoston
Orange CountyDetroitHartford
San JoseHoustonOrlando
Honolulu
Original 13 planned IFF cities and possible line-up June 1999 [References: 3]

IFF Proposed Cities and Teams 2000 (Remember the IFF)

WestSouth EastNorth
Salt Lake CityFort LauderdaleToronto Turbos
DenverTampa BayChicago
Las VegasOrlandoDetroit
Hawaii (Honolulu)KentuckyCincinnati
CaliforniaSouth WestEast
Los AngelesHoustonConnecticut Patriots (Hartford)
Anaheim (Orange County)MemphisNew York
San JoseMexico CityBoston Revolution
Northern California
International Football Federation possible line-up 2000 [Ref: 1]

Report

The International Football Federation was a proposed AAA rival league to the National Football League that intended to begin play in March 2000. It had no formal ownership, and no TV contract, and lasted just one press conference.

12 cities were part of the original plan in June 1999, according to First Down, with the owner of the League, Dennis Murphy, , who has an Irish name and who was involved in starting up the World Hockey Association and American Basketball Association in the 1970s, both of whom ended up merging with an established Major League: the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association.

There were five cities placed in an NFL market: New York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Denver; three markets the NFL had deserted: Los Angeles, Orange County and Houston, and five non-NFL markets: Hartford (Connecticut), San Jose, Toronto and Orlando. Honolulu (Hawaii) joined as a 13th team later in June 1999.

The League planned to start in February 2000, and according to the Remember the IFF website 15 Cities were reported to be in the deal by the end, with Mexico City a possibility also, but the formation of the XFL, and its multi-million dollar TV contract with NBC put and end to the league.

According to Marty York of the Toronto Globe, Toronto Turbos, Boston Revolution and Connecticut Patriots were the rumoured names of three of the teams, and the league had intended to have a $4 Million salary cap, with most players paid no more than $85,000 per year.

International Football Federation Press Conference 2000 [Ref: 2]

References

[1] Remember the IFF (2020) Home [Internet] Available from: https://sites.google.com/site/remembertheiff/home [Accessed 15 April 2020]

Images

[2] Remember the IFF (2020) IFF Press Conference 2000 [Internet] Available from: https://sites.google.com/site/remembertheiff/_/rsrc/1327467333265/home/iff.jpg?height=176&width=200 [Accessed 15 April 2020]

Newspapers

[3] (1999) “New League ‘will start in February'” First Down. June 17-23, 1999. pg. 9.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Ed Murphy

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 21 August 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020-2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

Stars Football League 2011-2013

Stars Football League Logo [Ref: 1]

Stars FL 2011

PWLTPFPAPts
New Orleans Jazz220036154
Daytona Beach Racers110031282
Michigan Coyotes10106210
Ft. Lauderdale Barracudas202037460
Stars Football League Standings 2011 [Ref: Compiled from results in: 3-5]

Note: The Results of 3 matches currently unknown

Stars FL 2012

PWLTPFPAPts
*Daytona Beach Racers22002294
+Ft. Myers Swampdogs211023162
+Ft. Lauderdale Barracudas20200200
Stars Football League Standings 2012 [Ref: Compiled from Results in: 6-8]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Semi-Final
14.07.2012Ft. Lauderdale Barracudas21Ft. Myers Swampdogs10
SFL Championship GamePresidents Cup I
28.07.2012Ft. Lauderdale Barracudas14Daytone Beach Racers16
Stars Football League Playoffs 2012 [Ref: 9-11]

Stars FL 2013

PWLTPts
*Miami Ironmen33006
*Ft. Lauderdale Barracudas32104
*Pompano Beach Swampdogs31202
Daytone Beach Racers30301
Stars Football League Final Standings 2013 [Ref: Compiled from results in: 12-16]
DateHome TeamAway Team
Semi-Finals
02.07.2013Pompano Beach Swamp Dogs12Ft. Lauderdale Barracudas8
02.07.2013Miami Ironmen14Daytona Beach Racers0
SFL Championship GamePresident’s Trophy II
06.07.2013Miami Ironmen21Pompano Beach Swampdogs6
Stars Football League Playoffs 2013 [Ref: 17-19]

Report

The 2011 Stars Football League played 6 matches between 4 teams from 3 states [Ref: 5]. There was no Championship Game in the inaugural season, which was wrapped up in front of 1,900 fans at Tad Gormley Stadium, City Park, New Orleans, when the hometown Jazz beat the Michigan Coyotes 21-6. [Ref: 5]

The second Stars Football League season in 2012 featured three teams in Southern Florida, playing a 2-game schedule each, with all three teams making the Playoffs. The Fort Lauderdale Barracudas, taking homefield advantage in the Semi-Final, beat the Ft. Myers Swampdogs 21-10, to advance to the first Stars Football League Championship Game, which was also held in Central Broward Park in Lauderhill, Ft. Lauderdale. [Ref: 6-9]

Having failed to score during the regular season, the Barracudas again put up a much better showing in the President’s Trophy Championship Game, but this time fell short, with the Daytona Beach Swampdogs winning 16-14. [Ref: 9-11]

The Stars Football League expanded to 4 teams for the 2013 season, adding the Miami Ironmen. The Ft. Myers Swampdogs moved to Pompano Beach, also Florida.

The Daytona Beach Racers, defending champions, were unable to repeat, losing all three regular season matches and losing to expansion side Miami Ironmen in the Playoffs. The Swampdogs defeated Ft. Lauderdale Barracudas 12-8 in the other Semi-Final. The Ironmen, who had gone 3-0 during the Regular Season, went all the way, completing a perfect season, winning the President’s Trophy II, 11-6 over Pompano Beach Swampdogs in the Championship Game. [Ref: 13-20]

About

The Stars Football League was a Professional Spring Football League that played from 2011 to 2013, primarily in Florida, but also in 2011 in New Orleans (Louisiana) and Michigan. It is notable for introducing a 1-2-3 Rule after touchdowns, whereby Conversions are worth 1 Point if Kicked, or 2 Points if Passed or Ran into the Endzone from 2 Yards out, and 3 Points if Passed or Ran into the Endzone from 10 Yards out. [Ref: 2]. In 2013 the 1-2-3 Point Rule became a 1234 Point Rule with 4 Points awarded for Passing or Running the ball into the endzone from 20 Yards out. [Ref: 12]

References

Images

[1] Stars Football League (2010) Stars Football League Logo [Internet] Available from:https://starsfootballleague.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/sflLogo.jpg [Accessed 11 April 2020]

Websites

[2] Stars Football League (2011) SFL ANNOUNCES 1-2-3 RULE AFTER TOUCHDOWNS [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/sfl-announces-1-2-3-rule-touchdowns/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[3] Stars Football League (2011) FOOTBALL HISTORY WAS MADE WHEN THE JAZZ-BARRACUDA GAME WAS TIED USING THE SFL’S UNIQUE 1-2-3 RULE. [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/jazz-barracuda-game-tied-sfl-unique-1-2-3-rule/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[4] Stars Football League (2011) DAYTONA BEACH RACERS BEST FT. LAUDERDALE BARRACUDAS 31-28. [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/daytona-beach-racers-ft-lauderdale-barracudas-31-28/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[5] Stars Football League (2011) SFL WRAPS UP FIRST SEASON THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ 21; THE MICHIGAN COYOTES 6. [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/playing-spring-years-come/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[6] Stars Football League (2012) FT. MYERS SWAMP DOGS BEATS THE FT. LAUDERDALE BARRACUDAS [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/ft-meyers-swamp-dogs-beats-ft-lauderdale-barracudas/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[7] Stars Football League (2012) DAYTONA BEACH RACERS RECORDS 1ST VICTORY OF THE YEAR [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/daytona-beach-racers-records-1st-victory-year/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[8] Stars Football League (2012) THE DAYTONA BEACH RACERS DEFEATS THE FT. LAUDERDALE BARRACUDAS [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/daytona-beach-racers-beat-ft-lauderdale-barracudas/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[9] Stars Football League (2012) THE FT. LAUDERDALE BARRACUDAS DEFEAT THE FT. MYERS SWAMP DOGS [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/ft-lauderdale-barracudas-defeat-ft-meyers-swamp-dogs/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[10] Stars Football League (2012) SFL’S FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/2572/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[11] Stars Football League (2012) THE SFL PRESIDENT’S CHAMPION TROPHY [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/sfl-presidents-champion-trophy/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[12] Stars Football League (2011) SFL GOES TO NEW 1234 POINT RULE [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/sfl-new1234-point-rule/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[13] Stars Football League (2013) SFL 2013 SCHEDULE FINALIZED [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/sfl-2013-schedule-finalized/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[14] Stars Football League (2013) THE SWAMPDOGS AND IRONMEN VICTORIOUS IN WEEK 1 [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/racers-ironmen-victorious-week-1/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[15] Stars Football League (2013) MIAMI IRONMEN LEAD STANDINGS AFTER DECISIVE VICTORY OVER DAYTONA [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/miami-ironmen-lead-standings/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[16] Stars Football League (2013) PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FINALIZED [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/playoff-playoff-schedule-finalized/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[17] Stars Football League (2013) TEAM INFO – DAYTONA BEACH RACERS [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/team-info/daytona-beach-racers/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[18] Stars Football League (2013) MIAMI HEADED TO PRESIDENTS CUP GAME [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/miami-headed-presidents-cup-game/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[19] Stars Football League (2013) THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL PRESIDENTS CUP [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/news/stage-set-annual-presidents-cup/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

[20] Stars Football League (2013) TEAM INFO – POMPANO BEACH SWAMPDOGS [Internet] Available from: http://starsfootballleague.com/team-info/gm-head-coach-ft-myers-swampdogs-football-club/ [Accessed 11 April 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Tim Leadingham and Rebecca Martin

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 11 April 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.