Ben Millers
Encyclopedia
Ben Millers was a U.S. soccer club sponsored by the Ben W. Miller Hat Company of St. Louis, Missouri
. Founded in 1913, it entered the St. Louis Soccer League
two years later, winning seven league titles and one National Challenge Cup before its disbandment in 1935.
. St. Leo's, the city’s only fully professional team joined with several other St. Louis teams, including Ben Millers, to form the Federal Park League. This league existed only two seasons as the differences dividing the previous SLSL teams were reconciled leading to the re-establishment of the SLSL in 1915. Ben Millers joined the reconstituted SLSL, immediately asserting its dominance by winning three consecutive league titles. While the National Challenge Cup was established by the United States Football Association in 1914, the St. Louis teams did not enter it until 1918. In 1920, Ben Millers became the first team outside of the northeast to win the trophy. While they never repeated as champions, they made the final in 1926. The team continued strong into the late 1920s but began to fade with the new decade. Frankie Vaughan took over as manager for the 1935-36 season.
owned Ben Millers in the early 1920s. Following his death in 1923, his widow owned the team for a time.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. Founded in 1913, it entered the St. Louis Soccer League
St. Louis Soccer League
The St. Louis Soccer League was a soccer league based in St. Louis, Missouri, that existed from 1907 to 1938. At its founding, it was the only fully professional soccer league in the United States.-History:...
two years later, winning seven league titles and one National Challenge Cup before its disbandment in 1935.
History
In 1913, Ben Millers entered the Federal Park League in St. Louis, Missouri. The Federal Park League had been created that season after disagreements about permissible levels of professionalism had split the St. Louis Soccer LeagueSt. Louis Soccer League
The St. Louis Soccer League was a soccer league based in St. Louis, Missouri, that existed from 1907 to 1938. At its founding, it was the only fully professional soccer league in the United States.-History:...
. St. Leo's, the city’s only fully professional team joined with several other St. Louis teams, including Ben Millers, to form the Federal Park League. This league existed only two seasons as the differences dividing the previous SLSL teams were reconciled leading to the re-establishment of the SLSL in 1915. Ben Millers joined the reconstituted SLSL, immediately asserting its dominance by winning three consecutive league titles. While the National Challenge Cup was established by the United States Football Association in 1914, the St. Louis teams did not enter it until 1918. In 1920, Ben Millers became the first team outside of the northeast to win the trophy. While they never repeated as champions, they made the final in 1926. The team continued strong into the late 1920s but began to fade with the new decade. Frankie Vaughan took over as manager for the 1935-36 season.
Team ownership
Peter RaticanPeter Ratican
Peter Joseph Ratican was an American soccer midfielder who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He born and died in St. Louis, Missouri....
owned Ben Millers in the early 1920s. Following his death in 1923, his widow owned the team for a time.
Record
| Year | Record | League | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913-1914 | 7-4-2 | 2nd | Did not enter |
| 1914-1915 | 8-3-2 | 2nd | Did not enter |
| 1915-1916 | 12-5-3 | Champion | Did not enter |
| 1916-1917 | 10-8-2 | Champion | Did not enter |
| 1917-1918 | 9-5-3 | Champion | |
| 1918-1919 | 5-9-7 | 4th | |
| 1919-1920 | 8-6-7 | Champion | Champion |
| 1920-1921 | 8-3-6 | 2nd | |
| 1921-1922 | 8-7-6 | 2nd | Fourth Round |
| 1922-1923 | 4-8-5 | 4th | |
| 1923-1924 | 2-8-4 | 4th | First Round |
| 1924-1925 | 11-4-3 | Champion | Did not enter |
| 1925-1926 | 8-3-3 | Champion | Final |
| 1926-1927 | 8-3-1 | Champion | Quarterfinal |
| 1927-1928 | 5-7-2 | 3rd | Semifinal |
| 1928-1929 | 5-7-5 | 3rd | First Round |
| 1929-1930 | 3-4-7 | 3rd | First Round |
| 1930-1931 | 6-7-4 | 4th | Semifinal |
| 1931-1932 | 7-7-2 | 2nd | First Round |
| 1932-1933 | 5-8-2 | 3rd | First Round |
| 1933-1934 | 6-6-1 | 2nd | Second Round |
| 1934-1935 | 0-10-4 | 4th | First Round |
| 1935-1936 | 2-6-0 | 4th | First Round |
Notable players
- Eddie Croak
- Jimmy DunnJimmy Dunn (soccer)James “Jimmy” or “Ebbie” Dunn was a U.S. soccer forward. He spent nine seasons with Ben Millers in the St. Louis Soccer League and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1974.-Biography:Dunn began his career with Christian Brothers College of the St...
- Walter GieslerWalter GieslerWalter John Giesler was an American soccer player, referee, and businessman.-Early life and career:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Giesler would become a towering figure on the Midwestern sports landscape. After playing at McBride High School, he would compete in several amateur and professional...
- Harry RaticanHarry RaticanHarry Jay Ratican was a U.S. soccer forward, coach and team owner. He began and ended his career in the St. Louis Soccer League with several years in both the National Association Football League and American Soccer League...
- Peter RaticanPeter RaticanPeter Joseph Ratican was an American soccer midfielder who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He born and died in St. Louis, Missouri....
- Raphael TraceyRaphael TraceyRaphael “Ralph” Tracey is a former U.S. soccer player. Tracey spent his club career with several teams in St. Louis, Missouri. He also played in all three U.S. games at the 1930 FIFA World Cup...
- Frank VaughnFrank VaughnFrank J. “Frankie” Vaughn was a U.S. soccer full back. He spent his entire career in St. Louis with the Ben Millers, was on the U.S. roster for the 1930 FIFA World Cup and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.-Professional career:Vaughn was born in St...