MacNaughton Rangers FC

The First Cup: Rochester’s MacNaughton Rangers forfeit replay with Niagara Falls Rangers (Jan. 12, 1914)

January 13, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

1914 Niagara Falls Rangers — Niagara Falls Rangers in the 1913/14 season

TheCup.us introduces “The First Cup” series, which revisits the first running of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (then known as the National Challenge Cup) that took place from the fall of 1913 to the spring of 1914.

Editor’s note: As you read this, you’ll notice a lot of players with just one name. This is not an oversight on our part, but rather, many of the sources of this information (newspapers, publications etc.) only use the last name of players in their stories. If you have confirmation of any of their names, or any other details that would add to our historical records, feel free to reach out to us HERE. We are always looking for help with historical research.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

In another twist to what had been a soap opera-like series of events, the MacNaughton Rangers announced they would not be able to make the trip to take on the Niagara Falls Rangers on Jan. 18 for their second round replay. The MacNaughton management sent word to Niagara Falls that a number of their players had fallen ill, and another two players were out of town and unavailable.

1914 McNaughton Rangers — McNaughton Rangers during the 1913/14 season

The Niagara Falls Rangers protested their 1-0 second round loss on the grounds that MacNaughton’s Bliss had signed an amateur form with the club and was holding a position as a paid high school coach, which, according to the USFA, made him a professional. The federation initially denied the protest on Dec. 14 pending further investigation. After looking into the matter more closely, the USFA reversed their decision and granted the replay on Jan. 5 and also fined MacNaughton $15 for failing to handle admission properly for the original game that took place on Nov. 30.

With the forfeit, Niagara Falls moves on to play Detroit’s Roses FC in the third round.

Niagara Falls manager Glasgow had mixed emotions about the announcement.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "Champions" shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP — Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “Champions” shirt, honoring the five clubs from the pre-Modern Era (1914-1994) to win four or more US Open Cup titles. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

“Their decision is all right, but we would have much rather won our way through,” he told the Niagara Falls Gazette. As for the prospect of playing soccer in Detroit in February, Glasgow seemed less enthusiastic.

“We’ll go alright. It’s going to be an expensive trip, and the prospects of a big gate in Detroit are not very bright in the middle of winter.” Glasgow then smiled and added, “I don’t know whether we’ll ever get back, though.”

The MacNaughton forfeit marked the third walkover of the tournament in the first two rounds. The other two took place in Round 1. The first was Tacony FC’s forfeit to Kensington AFC when they chose to play an American Cup game that was scheduled on the same day. The other was when Farr Alpaca of Massachusetts decided they would not be able to travel to New Bedford for the replay of their protested 1-0 loss.

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

Sept. 12, 1913 / Oct. 11, 1913: How the 1913/14 National Challenge Cup began
Nov. 1, 1913: The inaugural National Challenge Cup gets under way
Nov. 2, 1913: Brooklyn Field Club begins their journey as Round 1 concludes
Nov. 29 1913: Farr Alpaca forfeit Round 1 replay with New Bedford FC
Dec. 6, 1913: Four teams move on to Round 3, two more to be decided by protest or replay
Dec. 14, 1913: Second Round nearly complete as USFA announces protest results, draw for Round 3
Dec. 21, 1913: Third time’s the charm for St. George FC as Round 2 comes to a close
Jan. 12, 1914: Rochester’s MacNaughton Rangers forfeit replay with Niagara Falls Rangers
Jan. 24, 1914: Differing opinions as New Bedford FC eliminates West Philadelphia FC to reach quarterfinals
Jan. 25, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club, Columbia Oval join the quarterfinals
Mar. 8, 1914: Pullman FC beats Hyde Park Blues in Chicago derby to complete quarterfinal field
Mar. 28, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club defeat ‘cup holders’ Yonkers FC to reach Challenge Cup Semifinals
Mar. 29, 1914: Brooklyn Celtic defense carries them past Columbia Oval, into Semifinals
Apr. 5, 1914: Niagara Falls Rangers topple Pullman FC to complete Semifinal field
Apr. 18, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club edge New Bedford FC to reach inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
Apr. 26, 1914: Brooklyn Celtic cruises past Niagara Falls Rangers to reach inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
Before the 1913/1914 Final: By boat or by train, Brooklyn Field Club, Brooklyn Celtic prepare for inaugural National Challenge Cup Final
May 16, 1914: Brooklyn Field Club wins inaugural National Challenge Cup on late winner over Brooklyn Celtic

The First Cup: USFA reverses, orders replay of Niagara Falls Rangers, MacNaughton Rangers Second Round match (Jan. 6, 1914)

January 7, 2013 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

As a result of an emergency meeting held by the United States Football Association on Jan. 5, it was announced that the Niagara Falls Rangers were granted a replay of their 1-0 loss to the MacNaughton Rangers in the second round. The USFA also decided the replay was to take place in Niagara Falls on Jan. 18. The Niagara Falls management would eventually select Aluminum Park as the venue for the replay.

The Niagara Falls Rangers protested their Nov. 30 loss on the grounds that MacNaughton’s Bliss had signed an amateur form with the club and was holding a position as a paid high school coach, which technically made him a professional. The USFA initially denied the protest on Dec. 14 based on a lack of evidence, but after a more in-depth investigation, they reversed their decision.

Niagara Falls manager Glasgow seemed split on confidence and reality as he told the Niagara Falls Gazette: “I think we can beat them on this game with a little horseshoe luck. The Macs are a mighty good team though.”

In a statement to the sport’s growing popularity in Northwestern New York, Captain Fred Milnes commented on the replay decision as well.

“I am glad that the game is to take place in January,” Milnes said. “The number of spectators will show how firm a hold the game has obtained in this city and I think there will be a good crowd present.”

In addition to the question of Bliss’ eligibility to play, the MacNaughtons were also brought to task over how the game itself was conducted. All cup games were to have an admission price of 25 cents. The Macs had been charging 15 cents for their games all season, and protested the additional 10 cent hike in admission due to the fact that their field was not properly enclosed. The USFA refused to move on the matter, and many of the Rochester fans threatened to walk into the game without paying at all.

As a result of the admission fee row, the MacNaughtons failed to provide an official at the gate until almost kickoff, and also failed to repair breaches in the hedges that ran down one side of the field, which allowed hundreds of spectators to enter the game without playing any admission at all. Niagara Falls received only $28 ($619 adjusted for inflation) for their cut of the gate, despite newspaper reports that there were 3,000-5,500 in attendance. As a result MacNaughton were fined $15 ($331 today) for the game admission fiasco.

The winner of the Jan. 18 replay would have to travel to Detroit in early February to face Roses FC in the third round.

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Second Round nearly complete as USFA announces protest results, draw for Round 3 (Dec. 14, 1913)

December 15, 2012 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

1914 Packard FC — Detroit’s Packard FC from the 1913/14 season.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

A full batch of second round games were played on Dec. 14, 1913 in the inaugural National Challenge Cup. Along with a number of intriguing match-ups, the day also featured the draw for Round 3.

1914 Columbia Oval — Columbia Oval from the 1913/14 season

It was Germany versus Ireland at the Lennox Oval as the New York Celtics of the New York Amateur League triumphed over the Metropolitan and District League’s German FC, 4-1. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime with goals from Laurie for Celtics and A. Van der Weghe for German. The Celtics broke the game open in the second half with goals from Humble, Boyle and Dixon.

Meanwhile, a third game will be necessary to break the deadlock between Hudson United and St. George, as the two Metropolitan and District League clubs played to a 1-1 draw at Manhattan Field. The teams played to a scoreless draw back on Nov. 30.

Hudson United led 1-0 at the half on a goal from right halfback Sharrock, but St. George equalized in the second half through Jackson. The two clubs will meet again on Dec. 21 to try and break the stalemate.

At Edison Field in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Celtics had an easy time with Hollywood Inn, disposing of their New York State Amateur League rivals 6-0. The Celtics took command early, leading 2-0 after twelve minutes on goals from Campion and O’Hallaran.

Hollywood regained their composure, and nearly scored on a few occasions before the half ended. In the second half, the Celtics overwhelmed Hollywood for four more goals. Lonie scored two goals to take the score to 4-0. O’Hallaran scored his second of the game soon after, and King finished the scoring after a long run.

In New Jersey, three teams from the New Jersey State Amateur Football League squared off. In Bayonne, Babcock & Wilcox, who ended up finishing runner up in the 1914-15 NJSAFL with a 17-3-1 record, overcame Watsessing FC 5-3. Founded in 1867, by George Herman Babcock and Stephen Wilcox, The Babcock & Wilcox Co. (which specializes in making industrial boilers) still exists today, though now headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

1914 Brooklyn Celtic — Brooklyn Celtic from the 1913/14 season

In Harrison, the West Hudson Juniors and Alley Boys FC played to a 3-3 draw, making a replay on Dec. 21 necessary. The West Hudson Juniors were a reserve club of the West Hudson FC, which finished second to the Brooklyn Field Club in the 1913-14 National Association Football League season by a single point. The senior West Hudson team won the American Cup three times (1906, 1908 & 1912), and the NAFL championship on four occasions (1897, 1910, 1912 & 1913).

1914 West Hudson Juniors — West Hudson Juniors from the 1913/14 season.

Out west at Maloney’s Park in Detroit, extra time could not break the 2-2 deadlock between Packard FC and Roses FC, with another replay scheduled for Dec. 21. About 700 spectators braved the cold weather and turned out to watch the first-ever National Challenge Cup match in the state of Michigan. The game started quickly with Packard’s Ramsay striking the games first goal with just three minutes gone for a 1-0 lead. Roses began the game with only 10 players, when one of their men was late arriving to the game. After fifteen minutes of play Roses were at full strength, and soon afterwards equalized through a goal from C. Sutherland. Packard regained the lead on a strike from Miller, and the score stood 2-1 in favor of the automobile makers at halftime.

Three minutes into the second half, Roses tied the game once again with a goal from Shankland. From that point on the defense of each club took over.

The Detroit Free Press described the play of goalkeepers Standfield (Roses) and Stevenson (Packard).

“Shot after shot was blocked by the men in the cages, who seemed to be human stone walls when the ball came into their territory.”

A few shots from each team hit the woodwork, and on one occasion Roses thought it had grabbed the lead but the goal scored was nullified for offsides. At the end of 90 minutes the score stood 2-2, and an extra 30 to try and settle draw was in order.

The defense of both clubs remained strong in the extra sessions, preventing furious attacks by each teams’ forwards. Packard’s goalkeeper Stevenson strayed out of his goal mouth on one occasion, but Roses squandered the chance to win the game when their shot went wide of the goal, and neither team could find the winner. The Packard Motor Car Company was one of the premier makers of luxury automobiles in the early 1900s. The first Packard cars were built in 1899, and continued until its demise in 1958.

At the end of the day, the United States Football Association held a meeting at the Broadway Central Hotel in New York City to determine the pairings for the third round.

Two protests from the second round were heard and disallowed in the end.

1914 St. George — St. George FC from the 1913/14 season

First was the protest lodged by Chicago’s Clan MacDuff, who claimed that Hyde Park Blues fielded an ineligible player in their 2-0 win over MacDuff on Dec. 6. It was determined that Hyde Park were in the clear, and the MacDuffs call for a replay was turned down.

The Niagara Falls Rangers were also rebuffed in their quest for a replay, this one concerning their 1-0 loss to Rochester’s MacNaughton Rangers. Niagara Falls protested that Bliss of the MacNaughtons was playing under an amateur registration when in fact he was a paid coach of a local high school, but this was turned down due to lack of evidence. It should be noted however, that Dr. G. Randolph Manning had ordered a further investigation of the matter, so the Niagara Falls club held out hope that they might still get the replay they felt they deserved.

The pairings of the remaining 16 clubs for the third round of the National Challenge Cup were announced as follows. Five of the clubs are yet to be determined due to replays or games yet to be played.

West Hudson Juniors or Alley Boys at Clan McKenzie or Columbia Oval
Bethlehem FC at Brooklyn Field Club or Rangers FC
Babcock & Wilcox at Brooklyn Celtics
New York Celtic at Yonkers FC
Hudson United or St. George’s FC at Peabody FC
MacNaughton Rangers* at Roses FC or Packard FC
Hyde Park Blues at Pullman FC

*Pending further investigation of Niagara Falls Rangers protest

1913/14 National Challenge Cup – Second Round
Dec. 14, 1913

Babcock & Wilcox 5:3 Watsessing FC
Bayonne, New Jersey

—————

West Hudson Juniors 3:3 Alley Boys FC

Harrison, New Jersey

—————

Columbia Oval FC 5-2 Clan Mackenzie FC
Grant City, Staten Island, New York

Scoring Summary
Columbia: J. Toal (2), Willard (2), J. Maskell
MacKenzie: n/a

—————

New York Celtic FC 4-1 German FC (1-1 HT)
Lennox Oval – Manhattan, New York

Scoring Summary
Celtic: Laurie, Humble, Boyle, Dixon
German: A. Van der Weghe

—————

Brooklyn Celtic FC 6-0 Hollywood Inn FC (2-0 HT)
Edison Field – Brooklyn, New York

Scoring Summary
Celtic: Lonie (2), O’Hallaran (2), Campion, King.

Lineups
Brooklyn: Kelly, J. Robertson, A. Robertson, Blakely, O’Hare, Butler, Campion, Lonie, McQueen, King, O’Hallaran
Hollywood: McCornick, Rentoul, Inglia, Bland, Owen, F. Martin, McLeod, McNeil, Salmond, Christie, P. Martin
Referee: G. Caldwell | Linesmen: J. Stanley, W. Christie

—————

Hudson United FC 1-1 (aet) St. George FC (Replay)

Scoring Summary
Hudson: Sharrock
St. George: Jackson

Lineups
Hudson: Anthony, Sharrock, Bone, Cusack, Hopper, Jolly, Hasall, Blyche, Brett, Brennan, Buckle
St. George: Dillman, W. Kelly, McWilliams. Molyneaux, Bernstein, Colderbank, Grant, Jackson, Phifer, McHugh, Hampson
Referee: Erksine | Linesmen: Bray, McDonald

—————

Roses FC 2-2 (aet) Packard FC
Maloney’s Park – Detroit, Michigan Attendance: 700

Scoring Summary
Roses: C. Sutherland 1H’, Shankland 48’
Packard: Ramsay 3’, Miller 1H’

Lineups
Roses: Standfield, G. Cowan, Austin, Wink, Richardson, Morgan, Horton, Sutherland, Shankland, Moore, J. Miller
Packard: Stevenson, Stead, Reed, Mair, Stewart, Brodie, Meldrum, Prendergast, J. Miller, Ramsay, G. Miller
Referee: Garrett O’Keefe | Linesmen: Leech, Ferguson

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: Niagara Falls Rangers protest loss to Rochester’s MacNaughton Rangers (Dec. 4, 1913)

December 4, 2012 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

Less than a week after losing to MacNaughton Rangers in the second round of the National Challenge Cup, the Niagara Falls Rangers registered a protest with the United States Football Association. The match, which took place on Nov. 30 at Hudson Avenue Field in Rochester, resulted in the home team winning 1-0 on a 40th minute goal by Stille.

Two members of Niagara Falls management stayed an extra day in Rochester after the game and realized that Bliss, MacNaughton’s left fullback, was holding a job as a high school soccer coach for which he drew a salary.

This makes him a professional, and he had signed an amateur form to play with MacNaughton. While Bliss had played with the Rochester club all season, this technically would make him ineligible to play for MacNaughton in cup games.

To show their support for the club, the Niagara Falls Rangers supporters took up a collection to cover the fee for lodging a protest so that the clubs’ funds would not take a hit.

The matter would be decided with the USFA was scheduled to hold the third round draw on Dec. 14.

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup

The First Cup: A battle of Rangers in Rochester kicks off Round 2 (Nov. 30, 1913)

November 30, 2012 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Links to the full series are located at the bottom of this story.

On the strength of a goal from Stille, Rochester’s MacNaughton Rangers advanced to the third round of the National Challenge Cup by defeating the Niagara Falls Rangers 1-0 at Hudson Avenue Field. It was the opinion of many, including supporters of the Rochester team, that the better club was on the losing end.

From the very start Niagara Falls began to press and after five minutes, Harper nearly brought MacNaughton goalkeeper King to his knees with a hard waist high shot that seemed destined for the back of the net. With Niagara Falls fullbacks Clarkson and Holye sending sending balls into the MacNaughton penalty area, and the shots from the visitors either scraped over the crossbar or just missed the posts.

A long drive from Hoyle landed squarely in the goal mouth, but as Milnes and Forrest rushed in the ball somehow it failed to cross the goal line.

For most of the opening half Niagara Falls goalkeeper Highlett was left with little to do, needing only to save a solitary shot from distance.

However, with five minutes to go until the break it was the MacNaughtons who took the lead against the run of play. Stille took the ball from midfield and made his way around Hoyle, and had Clarkson closing in on him. Stille fired off a shot that sailed about six inches inside the post. Highlett got a hand on the ball, but not enough to push it out of danger.

After the goal Niagara Falls returned to the attack, and soon after was awarded a penalty kick after the Macs’ Bliss was called for a hand ball in the penalty area. As the visiting supporters clamored excitedly in anticipation for the equalizing goal, King disappointed them by making a diving save of the spot kick.

The second half began on a decidedly rougher tone as both teams committed numerous fouls that were left unpunished by referee Ackroyd. Play soon degenerated into stopping whoever had the ball instead of gaining possession of the ball itself. While referee Ackroyd began to call fouls, he failed to send any of the players off the field for their rough behavior.

Midway through the second half the MacNaughtons had a chance to double their lead when Hoyle brought down Stille in the penalty area. Highlett was not required to save the kick as Playfair sent the ball sailing over the crossbar.

Near the end, Forrest of Niagara Falls, who had been playing a stellar game, received a pass from Kemp and just before he was about to shoot, he was brought down in the penalty area. Despite the pleas from the Niagara Falls players, Ackroyd did not call for a penalty and allowed play to continue.

Just before the final whistle MacNaughton made a final charge on the Niagara Falls goal, forcing Highlett to make several difficult saves, twice finding himself in the goal itself after making saves. Clarkson nearly saved the day for Niagara Falls with a free kick sent into the goalmouth, but Murdoch headed the ball safely away to preserve the victory for the Flower City eleven. (Note: In the early 19th century Rochester gained the nickname “The Flower City” when the city became home to an expanding nursery business)

Hudson United FC 0:0 St. George FC

Downstate in New York City, Hudson United and St. George FC squared off in front of a large crowd at Manhattan Field. Both clubs hailed from the Metropolitan & District Amateur League in New York had plenty of fans from both sides cheering them on, but none of those fans could urge their team to score. The teams played to a scoreless draw with the replay scheduled for a week later.

The New York Tribune described the contest as “replete with spectacular plays and the work of both goalkeepers was worthy of mention. They stopped the high and low ones, the fast and slow ones alike and were applauded innumerable times.”

1913/14 National Challenge Cup – Second Round
November 30, 1913

Hudson United FC 0:0 St. George FC
Manhattan Field – New York, NY

Lineups:
Hudson United: Anthony, Bone, Shallot, Cusack, Hopper, L. Longhorst, Hasall, M. Davine, Jolly, W. Devine, Buckle

St. George: Irving, C. Longhorst, Kelly, Durney, Bernstein, Barrett, Farley, Grant, Newman, Dunhavin, Jackson

Referee: Erskine | Linesmen: French, Johnson

MacNaughton Rangers FC 1:0 Niagara Falls Rangers

Hudson Avenue Field – Rochester, NY

Scoring Summary:
MacNaughton: Stille – 40th minute

Lineups:
MacNaughton: King, Broadhurst, Bliss, Lotta, Fleming, Murdock, Gray, McCammon, Stille, Campbell, Playfair

Niagara Falls: Highlett, Hoyle, Clarkson, Pearce, Lameden, Parks, Holmes, Kemp, Forrest, Milnes, Hargee

Missed Penalty: Playfair (MacNaughton) 2nd half

Referee: J. Ackroyd | Linesmen: J. McKin, Tom Kennett

THE FIRST CUP SERIES (THECUP.US)
A detailed look back at the 1913/1914 National Challenge Cup