The 1906 American Cup was the fifteenth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. After being inactive for several years, the AFA reorganized in February 1906 with eight initial entries from the New Jersey towns of Harrison, Paterson, Kearny, and Newark. At their February 13 meeting at the Caledonian House in Paterson it was decided to send additional invitations to Metropolitan league teams. On February 17 at the Cosmopolitan Park House in East Newark Hal A. Holden of Kearny was elected president, Harry Craig of Paterson as treasurer, Peter Martin(Bronx Rangers) as vice-president, Herbert Turner of Paterson as recording secretary, James Allen Jr. of O.N.T. as financial secretary and Dr. John W. Reid as honorary president. On February 24, exhibition games between the West Hudsons of Harrison and Pan Americans of Fall River coincided with the association meeting at Cosmopolitan Hall in order to have a representative, in this case C.C. Murphy, present for New England clubs wishing to join the tournament. On this occasion four additional teams from the Metropolitan district joined bringing the total to twelve. Entries were open until March 3. John Swithenby who was in possession of the old trophy donated it to the association to once again award it to the winner of the tournament.

Entries

There were thirteen participants in the 1906 AFA tournament.

NameCityLeagueManagerGrounds
CaledonianKearny, NJAFAH.HoldenCosmopolitan Park
Celtic A.C.East Newark, NJNJAFLWilliam HarrisonCosmopolitan Park
CelticPaterson, NJNJML-Ryle Park
HibernianHarrison, NJNJAFL-Harrison Oval
O.N.T.Kearny, NJAFA-Cosmopolitan Park
RangersBronx, NYMAFL-Bronx Oval
RangersPaterson, NJMAFLW.MulholenRyle Park
RiversideKearny, NJAFAJ.SwithenbyCosmopolitan Park
Robert Burns SocietyNew York, NYAFA-Equitable Park
Scottish AmericanKearny, NJNJAFLSamuel ReynoldsWiedenmayer's Park
StarsKearny, NJAFA-Cosmopolitan Park
True Blue F.B.C.Paterson, NJNJAFL/MAFLD.MacMillanRyle Park
West HudsonHarrison, NJNJAFL/MAFLRobert MarshallCosmopolitan Park

NJAFL - New Jersey Association Football League, MAFL - Metropolitan Association Football League, NJML - New Jersey Minor League

First round

The first round draw took place at the AFA meeting in Swithenby's Hotel on Saturday March 3, 1906. On Wednesday March 6 at Ford's Hall in Kearny the association met to select the referees for the first round matches and were scheduled to reconvene at Evan's Hall in Kearny on March 19 at the close of the first round. Bronx Rangers, Riverside, and Scottish Americans drew byes. The Celtic-O.N.T. match was protested because the referee had the teams play ten minutes extra time each way after a regulation tie. The game was ordered replayed because that rule had not passed the sanction of the AFA.

March 11, 1906Paterson Celtics4–2O.N.T.Paterson, NJ
3:00PMTurner Burns M. MenamyHolden SaggisStadium: Ryle Park Referee: William Ritchie (Paterson)
Note: Celtic: GK Granson, FB Barr, Boydell, HB Nesbit, M.Menamy, Critchley, RW Turner, Townsley, C Scott, LW Muller, Burns. O.N.T.: GK McCormick, FB Allen, Rumble, HB Coaliclough, Saggis, Holden, RW Belt, Lennox, C R.McMillan, LW Hopkinson, W.McMillan.
March 18, 1906East Newark Celtics0–0StarsEast Newark, NJ
Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Attendance: 700 Referee: Patrick J. Hughes (Kearny)
Note: Celtic: GK Conover, FB Miller, Brockey, HB Reid, Bennett, F.Hackett, RW Holden, Kettles, C Henn, LW Riker, F.Hughes. Stars: GK Parker, FB Brown, Tallman, HB Smith, Kennedy, McCarthy, RW McCabe, Murphy, C Hearn, LW Boyle, Arndt.
April 1, 1906Robert Burns Club5–3CaledoniansNew York, NY
Robertson Taylor Wilson Hunter ,Partridge , ParksStadium: Equitable Park Referee: James Hood (East Newark)
Note: Burns: GK Warburton, LB Dewar, RB Lawrence, LHB Robertson, CHB Leonard, RHB A.Robertson, OL Golighty, IL Wilson, CF Hunter, IR Taylor, OR McDonald. Caledonian: GK W.Partridge, LB Healy, RB Kennedy, LHB R.Holden, CHB McCarty, RHB J.Partridge, OL Brown, IL Rowley, CF Parks, IR Duff, OR R.W.R. Holden.
April 1, 1906Hibernians3–5West HudsonNewark, NJ
Vincent (1H) Lennox (2H)Magee (1H) McClung (2H) Greenhaigh (2H) Gorman (2H) J.Marshall (2H)Stadium: Morris Park Referee: David Shaw (Paterson)
Note: Hibernian: GK Gunderman, FB Brindle, Eccles, HB Christie, Lennox, Scott, RW Mulvey, Miller, C Vincent, LW Swiss, Hibbitts. West Hudson: GK Hayes, FB McMahon, John Donald, HB J.Brown, Neil, Young, RW McClung, Magee, C Gorman, LW Greenhaigh, J.Marshall.
April 1, 1906True Blue4–1Paterson RangersPaterson, NJ
3:15PMOldfield (1H) Spencer (1H)MurrayStadium: Ryle Park Attendance: 1,200 Referee: Montgomery (Newark)
Note: True Blues: GK Miller, LFB Taylor, RFB Cockran, LHB Beattie, CHB Tommy Murray, RHB Smith, OL Tommy Turner, IL Harry Lauder, C Bobby Spencer, IR Jimmie Oldfield, OR Johnny Howarth. Rangers: GK Garside, LFB John Campbell, RFB J.Martin, LHB Lawson, CHB Mason, RHB Finigan, OL George Murray, IL Conners, C Dunn, IR Inglis, OR Tommy Piecey.

replays

March 24, 1906O.N.T.10–3Paterson CelticsNewark, NJ
3:00PMW. McMillan 60', 64'(1H) Young (1H), 89' R.McMillan 74', 90' Fairweather 75' Waters 81'Manary 5' McCurry (1H) T.Wingate (2H)Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Referee: William Ritchie (Paterson)
Note: Celtic: GK Greyson, LFB Barr, RFB Boydell, LHB McMinnery, CHB McCurry, RHB Townsley, LW Wingate, LW B.Burns, C T.Wingate, RW Turner, RW Manary. O.N.T.: GK Gordon, LFB Sansom, RFB Murray, LHB A.Burns, CHB Saggis, RHB Allan, LW Waters, LW Charles Young, C Robert McMillan, RW Fairweather, RW W.McMillan.
April 1, 1906East Newark Celtics3–2StarsEast Newark, NJ
Seddon 30'(pen.) Kettles Holden 88'Bromley 20' J.Boyle (pen.)Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Referee: Patrick J. Hughes (Kearny)
Note: Celtic: GK Kenworthy, FB Brockey, Miller, HB Hackett, Seddon, Bennett, RW Kettles, Benny Holden, C Hughes, LW Waldron, Reid. Stars: GK Parker, FB Towman, Brown, HB Tier, Jones, F.Boyle, RW McCabe, Murphy, C Bromley, LW J.Boyle, Arnot.

Second round

The second round draw was held on Tuesday April 3 at Evans Hall in Kearny, New Jersey.The games were to be played by April 22.

April 15, 1906East Newark Celtics2–2Scottish AmericanEast Newark, NJ
3:40PMKettles 30' Waldron 80'Cale 8' Laurie 75'Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Referee: Allan Montgomery (Newark)
Note: Celtic: GK Kenworthy, FB Seddon, Miller, HB F.Hackett, Reid, Bennett, RW Kettles, Conover, C Hughes, LW Waldron, Brochey. Scottish: GK Saunders, FB Wilson, Rennie, HB A.Purdie, Oschwald, W.Purdie, RW Jamison, Douglas, C Laurie, LW Craig, Cale.
April 21, 1906O.N.T.5–4Bronx RangersEast Newark, NJ
3:45PMSaggis 2' W.McMillan 12' Young 21'(1H) Stewart 60'Hunan 20', 70' R.Martin 26' Hill 55'Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Referee: Richard Swithenby (Kearny)
Note: O.N.T.: GK Metcalf, LFB Sansom, RFB Murray, LHB A.Burns, CHB Saggis, RHB McKay, LW Watters, LW Charles Young, C Stewart, RW Robert McMillan, RW W.McMillan. Rangers: GK P.Martin, LFB Porter, RFB Harper, LHB Forrest, CHB Hill, RHB Keeler, LW R.Martin LW Ingals, C Hunan, RW McGuler, RW A.Martin.
April 22, 1906Riverside2–4True BlueEast Newark, NJ
1:25PML.Fisher 18' C.Fisher 85' Holden 88'Murray (pen.), 89' Howarth ,Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Attendance: 1200 Referee: Patrick J. Hughes (Kearny)T.J.Hughes East Newark
Note: Riverside: GK Kelly, FB Graham, Elchler, HB McGarry, Campbell, Sammy Meeker, RW J.Fisher, Leonard Fisher, C Donohue, LW Charles Fisher, Taylor. True Blue: GK Miller, FB Bobby Taylor, Cochran, HB Smith, Tommy Murray, Beattie, RW John Howarth, Jimmy Oldfield(c), C Spencer, LW Lauder, Turner.
April 22, 1906West Hudson5–0Burns ClubEast Newark, NJ
3:55PMLone 12' Miller 51'(1H) Young MageeStadium: Cosmopolitan Park Attendance: 2000 Referee: William Ritchie (Paterson)
Note: West Hudson: GK Hayes, FB McMahon, Kettles, HB Young, Neil, Lone, RW McClung, Knowles, C McMillan, LW Magee, L.Miller. Burns: GK Thomas Warburton(William Cook), FB Dewar, FB A.Robertson, HB Ronaldson, HB Leonard, HB H.Robertson, RW Taylor, Donaldson, CF Hunter, LW Geddes, Golightly.

replay

April 29, 1906Scottish American1–0East Newark CelticsEast Newark, NJ
Laurie 60'Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Attendance: 1800
Note: Celtic: GK Kenworthy, FB Singleton, Miller, HB F.Hackett, Reid, Bennett, RW Kettles, Dowell, C Henn, LW Hughes, Conover. Scottish: GK Saunders, FB Wilson, Rennie, HB Craig, Oschwald, W.Purdie, RW J.Purdie, McNeil, C Laurie, LW Hyslop, Cale.

Semifinals

May 5, 1906O.N.T.2–3True BlueEast Newark, NJ
4:07PMR.McMillan 33' Stewart 36'Murray 8', 13'(pen.)) Oldfield (1H)Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Attendance: 1500 Referee: James Caldwell (New York)
Note: O.N.T.: GK J.Hall, LFB Allen, RFB C.Murray, LHB A.Burns, CHB Saggis, RHB McKay, LW McWatters, LW Charles Young, C Stewart, RW Robert McMillan, RW W.McMillan. True Blue: GK Miller, LFB Bobby Taylor, RFB Corcoran, RHB R.Hall, CHB Tommy Murray, LHB Beattie, RW John Howarth, Jimmy Oldfield(c), C Spencer, LW Lauter, Turner.
May 6, 1906West Hudson4–4Scottish AmericanEast Newark, NJ
3:55PMMiller 75' McClung (ET) Young (ET) McMillan (ET)Hyslop 82' Laurie (ET) Cale (OT)Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park Attendance: 3300 Referee: Earl (Newark)
Note: West Hudson: GK Hayes, FB McMahon, Kettles, HB Young, Donald, Lone, RW McClung, Neil, C McMillan, LW Magee, L.Miller. Scottish: GK Saunders, FB Wilson, Rennie, HB Craig, Oschwald, W.Purdie, RW J.Purdie, McNeil, C Laurie, LW Hyslop, Cale.

Charity match

On May 13 a benefit game was arranged by the AFA, the proceeds of which would be split between Benjamin Holden of the East Newark Celtics and Thomas Warburton, goalkeeper of the Robert Burns Club. Warburton suffered a broken leg in the April 22nd match against West Hudson. Holden also had his leg broken in a game. The match was set for Cosmopolitan Park in East Newark between the West Hudson squad and a picked eleven from the other AFA teams. The 'All American' team was made up of GK Parker (Kearny Stars), FB Taylor (True Blues), FB Wilson (Scottish American), HB Hackett (East Newark Celtics), HB Hill (Bronx Rangers), HB McKay (O.N.T.), FW Murray (Paterson Rangers), FW Holden (Caledonian), FW Fisher (Riverside), FW Hunter (Burns FC), FW Manner (Paterson Celtic). The West Hudson lineup was GK Hayes, FB McMahon, Donald, HB Young, Neil, Lone, RW Knowles, Tate, C McMillan, LW Magee, Oldfield. James Caldwell of Newark officiated. Before a crowd of 2,200 people West Hudson won 2–0 on goals by Tate and Oldfield.

Semifinal replay

May 20, 1906Scottish American1–3West HudsonNewark, NJ
3:55PMHyslop 17'Young 2' McMillan 22' Miller 40'Stadium: Morris Park Attendance: 4,000 Referee: R. Morrison (Burns Club)
Note: West Hudson: GK Hayes, FB McMahon, Donald, HB Young, Neil, Lone, RW Tate, Knowles, C McMillan, LW Magee, L.Miller. Scottish: GK Sanders, FB Wilson, Rennie, HB A.Purdie, Ross, W.Purdie, RW Laurie, Ochswald, C Craig, LW Hyslop, Jamieson.

Final

The location selected for the final was Morris Park in Newark, New Jersey. After the match ended in a one all draw the AFA met at Evan's Hall in Kearny, NJ and decided that in the replay in case of a tie at full time, extra time would be allowed until one team scored.

May 27, 1906West Hudson1–1True BlueNewark, NJ
4:21PML. Miller 5'Spencer 43'Stadium: Morris Park Attendance: 1,000 Referee: James Caldwell (New York)
Note: West Hudson: GK Hayes, FB McMahon, John Donald(c), HB Young, Neil, Lone, RW Tate, Knowles, C McMillan, LW Magee, Louis Miller. True Blue: GK Robert Miller, FB Bobby Taylor, FB Andy Cochrane, HB Smith, HB Tommy Murray, HB Beattie, RW Dean, Jimmy Oldfield(c), C Spencer, LW Lauder, Turner.
June 2, 1906True Blue1–3West HudsonNewark, NJ
4:07PMSpencer 35'Tate 55', 85' L.Miller 65'Stadium: Morris Park Attendance: 3,500 Referee: James Caldwell (New York)
Note: West Hudson: GK Arthur Hayes, RFB William McMahon, LFB John Donald, LHB John Young, CHB Frank Neil, RHB John Lone, RW John Tate, Thomas Gorman(c), C McMillan, LW John Magee, Louis Miller. True Blue: GK Robert Miller, LFB Bobby Taylor, RFB Andy Cochran, RHB Hall, CHB Tommy Murray, LHB Beattie, RW John Howarth, Jimmy Oldfield(c), C Spencer, LW Lauder, Turner.

Champions

American Cup Bracket

First RoundSecond RoundSemifinalsFinals
New JerseyHibernian3
New JerseyWest Hudson5
New JerseyWest Hudson5
New York (state)Robert Burns Club0
New York (state)Robert Burns Club5
New JerseyCaledonian3
New JerseyWest Hudson4–3
New JerseyScottish-Americans2–4
New JerseyEast Newark Celtic0–3
New JerseyStars0–2
New JerseyEastern Newark Celtic2–0
New JerseyScottish-Americans2–1
New JerseyScottish-Americans
bye
New JerseyWest Hudson1–3
New JerseyPaterson True Blues1–1
New JerseyPaterson Celtic4–3
New JerseyClark O.N.T.2–10
New JerseyClark O.N.T.5
New York (state)Bronx Rangers4
New York (state)Bronx Rangers
bye
New JerseyClark O.N.T.2
New JerseyPaterson True Blues3
New JerseyRiverside
bye
New JerseyRiverside2
New JerseyPaterson True Blues4
New JerseyPaterson True Blues4
New JerseyPaterson Rangers1

New England Cup Tie Series

There was growing interest in New England for a cup tournament. Randolph Howarth, manager of the Rovers and president of the Inter state league was notified by AFA president Holden of an upcoming meeting regarding the reforming of the American Cup tournament. Pan American manager C.C. Murphy had traveled to Newark and was informed that his team can join the AFA tournament provided seven other clubs join as well. The most that could be secured in short notice were five teams. Mr. Howarth needed more time to round up the remaining teams. A meeting was called for by AFA secretary Herbert Turner to inform the New England representatives of the rules, regulations and by-laws of the organization. The meeting was scheduled for 8PM on Thursday March 8 at the rooms of the City Football league on Quequechan street in Fall River. However word was received late Thursday afternoon that the AFA met on Wednesday and decided because it was too late in the season, they would continue without the New England teams as they were beginning the first round a few days later on March 11. It was then decided by the members of the Fall River meeting to continue to conduct a tournament apart from the AFA and call themselves the New England Association Cup-Tie League. The officers elected were William Allan of Pawtucket as president, Nat Frazer of Boston as vice-president, Randolph Howarth of Fall River as secretary, and C.C. Murphy Jr. of Fall River as treasurer.

Participants

There were eleven entries for this tournament. Fairlawn was originally drawn in the ties however they failed to pay the entry fee by the due date and were replaced by Taunton.

First round

The first round was due to be completed by March 31. The Pan Americans originally drawn with Fairlawn had a bye when they were scratched. The Thornton Rangers who originally drew the bye were paired with Taunton when they entered.

Pan Americansw/oFairlawn
March 24, 1906Rovers11–2GorhamsFall River, MA
Stadium: Athletic grounds Referee: Eccleson (New Bedford)
March 31, 1906J&P Coats2–1LynnPawtucket, RI
Referee: Robert Pickup (Fall River)
March 31, 1906Lindsay1–3Fore RiverPawtucket, RI
Referee: William Moss (Fall River)
April 7, 1906Howard & Bullough4–1WesterlyPawtucket, RI
Stadium: Sabin street grounds Referee: William Moss (Fall River)
Thornton2–1TauntonThornton, RI
Referee: Bruxby (Pawtucket)

Second round

The second round draw was held April 2, 1906 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. H&B and Thornton drew byes.

April 7, 1906Rovers1–2Pan AmericansFall River, MA
Stadium: Athletic grounds Attendance: 1500 Referee: Eccleston (New Bedford)
April 14, 1906J&P Coats4–2Fore RiverPawtucket, RI
3:30PMStadium: Lonsdale ave grounds Referee: Eccles

Semifinals

April 14, 1906Thornton2–3Pan AmericansThornton, RI
Referee: Eccleston
April 28, 1906Howard & Bullough0–0J&P CoatsPawtucket, RI
Stadium: Sabin street grounds Referee: Moss
May 5, 1906Howard & Bullough3–0J&P CoatsPawtucket, RI
Stadium: Lonsdale ave grounds Referee: Eccles

Final

May 26, 1906Howard & Bullough2–2Pan AmericansPawtucket, RI
Stadium: Lonsdale ave grounds Attendance: 2395 Referee: Pemberton
June 2, 1906Pan Americans3–0Howard & BulloughFall River, MA
Stadium: Athletic grounds Referee: Gordon

New England Cup Bracket

First RoundSecond RoundSemifinalsFinals
Rhode IslandHoward & Bullough4
Rhode IslandWesterly1
Rhode IslandHoward & Bullough
bye
Rhode IslandHoward & Bullough3
Rhode IslandJ&P Coats0
Rhode IslandJ&P Coats2
MassachusettsLynn1
Rhode IslandJ&P Coats4
MassachusettsFore River2
MassachusettsFore River3
Lindsay1
Rhode IslandHoward & Bullough2–0
MassachusettsPan Americans2–3
Rhode IslandThornton Rovers2
MassachusettsTaunton1
Rhode IslandThornton Rovers
bye
Rhode IslandThornton Rovers2
MassachusettsPan Americans3
MassachusettsFall River Rovers11
Rhode IslandGorhams2
MassachusettsFall River Rovers1
MassachusettsPan Americans2
MassachusettsPan Americansw/o
Rhode IslandFairlawn

See also

1905–06 Haverford Fords men's soccer team