The 1897 American Cup was the thirteenth edition of the soccer tournament organized by the American Football Association. The Philadelphia Manz won this edition defeating defending champions Paterson True Blues after four attempts to complete the final. The committee for this season was H. Goldberg as president, W. Turner as vice president, William Robertson as Secretary, and Hugh Wilkie as Treasurer. The Amateur Athlete was made the official publication of the association. The 'Victor ball' by the Overman Wheel Company was chosen as the official ball for use in cup games. The association originally intended to have a league series and a cup tournament. They later dropped the league idea in favor of having each team play home and away games for the cup ties. If each team won a game, then the managers of each contesting team would flip a coin to see where the third game would take place. Players had to be registered 14 days before a game to be eligible to play.

1897 American Cup
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
Teams9
Final positions
ChampionsPhiladelphia Manz (1st title)
Runner-upTrue Blues
← 1896
1898 →

Participants

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September 24 cover of Athlete
Name City State Manager Grounds
Athletics Kearny New Jersey Flynn Cosmopolitan Park
Caledonian Newark New Jersey Swithemby Cosmopolitan Park
O.N.T. Newark New Jersey W.G.Rabone Cosmopolitan Park
Scottish American Newark New Jersey Spence Wiedenmayer's Park
Crescent Paterson New Jersey T.Grewcock Lakeview
True Blues Paterson New Jersey Yeates Willard Park
 International A.C. New York New York Jamieson Communipaw
Manz Philadelphia Pennsylvania T.L.MacKenzie Wayne Junction
 Taftville Taftville Connecticut Mr. Taftville

First round

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The first round draw took place at the AFA meeting in Ball's Union Hall at East Newark, New Jersey on October 10, 1896. The Scottish Americans drew the bye. The first round to be finished before Nov. 21.

November 1896 International O.N.T. Kearny, NJ
2:30 PM Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
October 31, 1896 True Blues 3–1 Taftville Lakeview, NJ
3:00 PM Turner  ,   80'
Oldfield  
[1] Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 500
Referee: James Lennox (Newark)
Note: True Blues: GK S.Simpson, FB W.Alexander, Binks, HB R.Hall, S.Findlay, J.Upton, FW L.Dodson, J.Oldfield, Robert Spencer, Harry Lauder, Tommie Turner.
Taftville: G J.Brown, FB Gamble, Catterall, HB Baldwin, Wood, Ferguson, RW Smith, Montgomery, LW Nelson, Muttlewain, C W.Brown.
November 7, 1896 Taftville 3–5 True Blues Rose of New England Wheel Club grounds
3:00 PM McIlvane   1H'
W. Brown   60'
Ferguson   2H'
[2][3]   1H'
 ,  ,  ,   2H'
Referee: James Lennox (Newark)
Note: True Blues: GK S.Simpson, FB W.Alexander, Turner, HB R.Hall, S.Findlay, J.Upton, FW L.Dodson, J.Oldfield, Robert Spencer(c), Harry Lauder, Tommie Turner.
Taftville: G J.Brown, FB Boyle, Seddon, HB Gamble, Woods(c), Hutchinson, FW Cottrell, Ferguson, Nelson, McIlvane, W.Brown.
October 31, 1896 Caledonian 0–7 Manz East Newark, NJ
3:00 PM Carmichael  ,   1H'
Gold   1H'
Cooper   2H'
McCartney   2H'
Kerr   2H'
Steel   2H'
[4] Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
Referee: Mr. Humphreys (Internationals)
Note: Caledonians: GK Glynn, RFB Allan, LFB W.Mortimer, RHB R.Swithemby, CHB Joules, LHB Burns, RW Harty, Ross, C H.Singleton, LW Holden, Furfey.
Manz: GK Beaumont, RFB Wason, LFB Brown, RHB Cooper, CHB Gold, LHB Richmond, RW Carmichael, McCartney, C Steel, LW Kerr, Smith.
November 7, 1896 Manz w/o Caledonian PA
[5] Stadium: Wayne Junction
Note: Caledonians forfeited the second match.
November 7, 1896 Crescents 3–3 Athletics Willard Park, NJ
3:00 PM Bloor   7'
Flannery   48'
McGee   59'
[6] Douglass   49', 67'
Stalter   1H'
Stadium: Tourist Oval
Attendance: 400
Referee: William Turner (Paterson)
Note: Crescents: GK J.Lees, FB R.Barr, H.McCrowe, HB White, Philibin, Vernon, RW R.Bloor, J.Band, C P.McGee, LW E.Grewcock, J.Flannery.
Athletics: GK Arthur Hayes, FB William Flynn, Alfred Cutler, HB John McKance, Robert Taylor, Harry Singleton, FW William Salter, C.McGee, J.Nagle, David Douglas, William Marshall.
November 14, 1896 Athletics 8–0 Crescents Newark, NJ
Nagle ,  ,  ,   [7] Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
Referee: Burns
Note: Crescents: GK J.Lees, FB R.Barr, H.McCrow, HB White, Philibin, Findley, RW R.Bloor, J.Band, C P.McGee, LW E.Grewcock, J.Flannery.
Athletics: GK Arthur Hayes, FB William Flynn, Robert Taylor, HB John McKance, Alfred Cutler, Harry Singleton, FW William Salter, C.McGee, J.Nagle, Sampson, William Marshall.
November 21, 1896 Crescents 0–7 Athletics Willard Park, NJ
3:00 PM [8] Salter   3', 1H'
Nagle   1H'
 ,  ,  ,   2H'
Stadium: Tourist Oval
Referee: James Lennox (Newark)
Note: Crescents: GK J.Lees, FB R.Barr, Grewcock, HB White, Findley, H.McCrowe, RW R.Bloor, W.Bunce, C P.McGee, LW J.Flannery, W.Clarkson.
Athletics: GK Arthur Hayes, FB William Flynn, Robert Taylor, HB John McKance, Alfred Cutler, Harry Singleton, FW William Salter, C.McGee, J.Nagle, Sampson, William Marshall.

Second round

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At the AFA meeting on November 28, 1896, at Union Hall in Newark, the committee drew for the semifinals pairing O.N.T. with Manz while the Scots and Athletics would playoff for the semifinal spot against the True Blues with five weeks to complete it.

December 12, 1896 Scottish Americans 2–7 Athletics Newark, NJ
McCullough   1H'
Blackwood   2H'
[9] Marshall  ,  
Nagle  ,  
Saulter  
Singleton  
Samson  
Stadium: Wiedenmayer's Park
Attendance: 600
Referee: Mr. Kirk (Newark)
Note: Scots: GK Wildt, FB P.Wilson, P.Byrnes, HB G.Hopkins, T.Hopkins, R.McDonald, FW McCollough, Blackwood, Laverty, Paton, Gaffney.
Athletics: GK Arthur Hayes, FB William Flynn, John McCance, HB Robert Taylor, Alfred Cutler, Harry Singleton, FW William Salter, C.McGee, J.Nagle, Harry Samson, William Marshall.
January 2, 1897 Athletics 1–4 Scottish Americans East Newark, NJ
3:35 PM McCollough  
Paton  
Gemmel  
[10][11] Nagle   3',  
Salter  
Flynn  
Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
Referee: G. Winters (Centerville)
Note: Scots: GK T.Hopkins, FB P.Wilson, Blackwood, HB J.Hopkins, Galloway, R.McDonell, FW Gemmell, Laverty, C McCollough, RW Paton, Gaffney.
Athletics: GK Hayes, FB Flynn, Sansom, HB Taylor, Cutler, McCance, RW Salter, Douglass, C J.Nagle, LW C.McGee, Marshall.

Semifinals

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The second leg of the True Blue-Athletic semifinal was protested by the Athletics who disagreed with the referee's decision to eject a player.The AFA sustained the protest and ordered the game replayed. The AFA later reversed the decision at an April 17 meeting at Newark. The committee seeing that it was wrong to allow the protest awarded the series to the True Blues.

January 16, 1897 Manz 6–1 O.N.T. Wayne Junction, PA
3:30 PM Kerr  ,  ,  
Carmichael  
Steel  ,  
[12] Grundy   2H' Stadium: Stenton
Referee: James Patrick (Brooklyn Wanderers)
Note: O.N.T.: GK Vrain, FB Winters, Kerr, HB Oliver, Christie, Montgomery(c), RW Neave, Hill, C Jones, LW Grundy, Clarke.
Manz: GK Beaumont, FB Wilson, Wason, HB Gold, Morton, Richmond, LW McCartney, Carmichael, C Steel, RW Kerr, Colsey.
February 6, 1897 O.N.T. 1–6 Manz Newark, NJ
3:30 PM   1H' [13]   10'
  1H'
 ,  ,  ,   2H'
Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
Attendance: 50
Referee: W.Flynn (Kearny Athletics)
Note: O.N.T.: GK Fitzpatrick, FB Winters, Kerr, HB Oliver, Christie, J.Jones, FW Neave, Hill, W.Jones, Montgomery(c), Clarke.
Manz: GK Beaumont, FB Brown, Wason(c), HB Gold, Morton, Richmond, FW McCartney, Carmichael, Steel, Kerr, Colsey.
February 27, 1897 Athletics 3–4 True Blues East Newark, NJ
3:00 PM   1H'
Brown   1H'
Spencer   1H'
Turner   1H' (pen.)
[14][15]   5'
Salter   2H'
  2H'
Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
Attendance: 2000
Referee: Harry Humphries (Internationals)
Note: Athletics: GK A.Hayes, FB W.Flynn, R.Sansom, HB R.Taylor, Singleton, McCance, RW Salter, H.Sansom, C J.Nagle, LW H.McGee, W.Marshall.
True Blues: GK S.Simpson, FB W.Alexander, T.Turner, HB R.Hall, S.Findlay, J.Upton, FW L.Dodson, J.Oldfield, Robert Spencer, R.Brown, Turner.
March 20, 1897 True Blues 7–4 Athletics Paterson, NJ
3:00 PM 46' Spencer   46', 75', 2H', 2H'
  1H'
 ,   2H'
[16][17] McGee  
Nagle   5'
 ,   1H'
Stadium: Willard Park
Attendance: 2000
Referee: Mr. Goode (Americus)
Note: Athletics: GK A.Hayes, FB W.Flynn, R.Sansom, HB Saggus, Singleton, McCance, RW Salter, Douglass, C J.Nagle, LW H.McGee(c), Taylor.
True Blues: GK S.Simpson, FB W.Alexander, T.Turner, HB R.Hall, S.Findlay, J.Upton, FW L.Dodson, J.Oldfield, Robert Spencer, R.Brown, Turner.
April 3, 1897 True Blues 1–4 Athletics Paterson, NJ
  1H' [18]   1H'
Salter   1H', 2H'
Nagle   2H'
Stadium: Willard Park
Referee: Dave Wilson (Manz)
Note: Athletics: GK A.Hayes, FB W.Flynn, R.Sansom, HB Saggus, Singleton, McCance, FW Salter, Taylor, J.Nagle, H.McGee(c), Marshall.
True Blues: GK S.Simpson, FB W.Alexander, T.Turner, HB R.Hall, S.Findlay, J.Upton, FW L.Dodson, J.Oldfield, Robert Spencer, R.Brown, Turner.

Final

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The True Blues of Paterson were entering their third AFA Cup final losing in 1894 and winning in 1896. The Manz team of Philadelphia reached the final having only one loss during the season, that being to the losing semifinalist Kearny Athletics on Christmas Day. The teams split the first two games requiring a deciding game at a neutral site. The third installment resulted in a tie at the end of regulation after which the referee called for 30 minutes additional time however the result remained level and the replay was set for May 22 at Newark.

April 24, 1897 Manz 4–2 True Blues Wayne Junction, PA
3:15 PM McCartney   30', 2H'
Colsey   1H'

Wilson   2H'
[19] Spencer   5'
Turner   9'
Stadium: Stenton Field
Referee: J. Swithemby (Caledonians)
Note: True Blues: GK Simpson, FB W.Alexander, T.Turner, HB R.Hall, Finley, J.Upton, RW Dodson, James Oldfield, C Robert Spencer(c), LW Brown, T.A. Turner.
Manz: GK Miller, FB Brown, Wason(c), HB Wilson, Morton, Richmond, RW McCartney, Carmichael, C Steel, LW Kerr, Colsey.
May 1, 1897 True Blues 3–1 Manz Paterson, NJ
3:30 PM Lauder   70'
Oldfield   75'
Dodson   85'
[20][21] Colsey   2H' Stadium: Willard Park
Referee: J. Swithemby (Caledonians)
Note: True Blues: GK Simpson, FB W.Alexander, Turner, HB R.Hall, Findlay, G.Eaton, RW Dodson, James Oldfield, C Robert Spencer, LW Brown, H.Lauder.
Manz: GK Miller, FB Brown, Wason(c), HB Wilson, Morton, Richmond, RW McCartney, Carmichael, C Steel, LW Kerr, Colsey.
May 8, 1897 True Blues 2–2 Manz East Newark, NJ
3:20 PM   1H'
  ET'
[22][23]   1H'
  ET'
Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
Attendance: 1500
Referee: J. Swithemby (Caledonians)
Note: True Blues: GK Simpson, FB W.Alexander, Turner, HB R.Hall, Findley, Upton, RW Dodson, James Oldfield, C Robert Spencer, LW Brown, Lauder.
Manz: GK Beaumont, FB Brown, Wason(c), HB Gold, McCartney, Richmond, LW Wilson, Carmichael, C Steel, RW Kerr, Colsey.
May 22, 1897 True Blues 2–5 Manz East Newark, NJ
3:40 PM R.Brown   11'
Dodson   25'
[24][25] Wason   8'
Wilson   40'
  75'
 ,   2H'
Stadium: Cosmopolitan Park
Attendance: 1500
Referee: Alexander Jeffries(Pawtucket)
Note: True Blues: GK Simpson, FB W.Alexander, Turner, HB R.Hall, Findley, Upton, RW Dodson, James Oldfield, C Robert Spencer, LW R.Brown, Lauder.
Manz: GK Beaumont, FB Brown, Wason(c), HB Gold, Colsey, Richmond, LW Wilson, Carmichael, C Steel, RW Kerr, McCartney.

American Cup bracket

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First Round Second Round Semifinals Finals
                
  Newark Caledonians 0
  Philadelphia Manz 7 w/o
  Philadelphia Manz
bye
  Philadelphia Manz 6 6
  Clark O.N.T. 1 1
  International A.C.
  Clark O.N.T. w/o
  Clark O.N.T.
bye
  Philadelphia Manz 4 1-2-5
  Paterson True Blues 2 3-2-2
  Scottish-American
bye
  Scottish-American 2 4
  Kearny Athletics 7 1
  Paterson Cresent 3–0 0
  Kearny Athletics 3-8 7
  Kearny Athletics 3 4-4
  Paterson True Blues 4 7-1
  Paterson True Blues 3 5
  Taftville 1 3
  Paterson True Blues
bye

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "In The World Of Sports". (November 2, 1896). The Morning Call, p.1/8 col.5/2
  2. ^ "Local Kickers Win Everything". (November 9, 1896). The Morning Call, p.1 col.3
  3. ^ "Taftvilles VS. True Blues". (November 9, 1896). Norwich Bulletin, p.7 col.3
  4. ^ "Conflicts On The Gridiron" (PDF). Newark Evening News. November 2, 1896. p.9 col.4. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Sporting Talk Cut Short". Philadelphia Inquirer. November 6, 1896. p.4 col.1. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "The Round Of Pastime". Paterson Daily Press. November 9, 1896. p.1 col.3. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "On The Foot Ball Field" (PDF). Newark Evening News. November 16, 1896. p.11 col.3. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "The Entre Nous Scored Against". (November 23, 1896). The Morning Call, p.1 col.6
  9. ^ "Association Foot Ball" (PDF). Newark Evening News. December 14, 1896. p.9 col.3. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "Athletics And Scots Play Fast Ball" (PDF). Newark Evening News. January 4, 1897. p.13 col.3. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Fast Football At Kearny". Jersey City News. January 4, 1897. p.4 col.6. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Manz Wins The First". Philadelphia Inquirer. January 17, 1897. p.8 col.5. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Association Football". (February 11, 1897). The Amateur Athlete, p.12/13 col.2/1
  14. ^ "Exciting Football". (February 28, 1897). The Sunday Call, p.2 col.6
  15. ^ "Football". The Sun. New York. February 28, 1897. p.8 col.4. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "The Round Of Pastime". Paterson Daily Press. March 22, 1897. p.2 col.4. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "The True Blues Win Semi-Final". (March 22, 1897). The Morning Call, p.1 col.8
  18. ^ "The Blues Meet Defeat". (April 5, 1897). The Morning Call, p.1 col.5
  19. ^ "Manz Defeats True Blues". Philadelphia Inquirer. April 25, 1897. p.10 col.3. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Round Of Recreations". Paterson Daily Press. May 3, 1897. p.1 col.5. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "True Blues Triumph". Paterson Evening News. May 3, 1897. p.1 col.5. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Gone To Dixie's Land". Paterson Daily Press. May 10, 1897. p.2 col.4. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  23. ^ "Foot Ball Teams Evenly Matched" (PDF). Newark Evening News. May 10, 1897. p.13 col.4. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "Manz Defeats True Blues". Philadelphia Inquirer. May 23, 1897. p.11 col.3. Retrieved August 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Manz Team Rout The True Blues" (PDF). Newark Evening News. May 24, 1897. p.9 col.5. Retrieved August 21, 2024.