Bob Gormley
Encyclopedia
Robert “Bob” Gormley is a former American soccer forward
who spent seventeen years in the American Soccer League
. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team
in 1954. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
Gormley was born and raised in Philadelphia where he began playing youth soccer with the Lighthouse Boys Club
before moving to another local club, the McKinley Soccer Club. In 1933, he signed with the Philadelphia German-Americans
of the American Soccer League
. However, he spent three years with the reserve team before leaving the team in 1936 to sign with the Kensington Blue Bells of the Eastern Pennsylvania League. After only one season, he returned to the German-Americans where he spent the rest of his career. In 1937, he scored ten goals. In 1944, he scored sixteen goals in nineteen games. In 1947, he scored twelve goals in nineteen games and in 1948, he added another thirteen goals. That year, he played two U.S. exhibition games, which are not considered full internationals, against Israel. In the second of the two games, played on October 14, 1948, Gormley scored a goal in the 4-1 U.S. victory.
Gormley did not play with the full U.S. national team until a meaningless April 3, 1954 victory over Haiti
in a World Cup qualifier. By this game, the U.S. had already failed to qualify for the finals. That year he ended his career with the German-Americans, now known as Uhrik Truckers after having been purchased by the trucking company during the 1953-1954 season. During his seventeen years with the team, Gormley was captain for twelve.
He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1989.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who spent seventeen years in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He also earned one cap with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in 1954. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.
Gormley was born and raised in Philadelphia where he began playing youth soccer with the Lighthouse Boys Club
Lighthouse Boys Club
The Lighthouse Boys Club is an American soccer established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1897. The team was the dominant U.S. youth soccer club of the early twentieth century. While other youth teams grew in prominence by mid-century, The Lighthouse was still winning national championships in...
before moving to another local club, the McKinley Soccer Club. In 1933, he signed with the Philadelphia German-Americans
Uhrik Truckers
Philadelphia German-American was an American soccer club based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was an inaugural member of the professional American Soccer League.Before the 1941/42 season the club became known as the Philadelphia Americans...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. However, he spent three years with the reserve team before leaving the team in 1936 to sign with the Kensington Blue Bells of the Eastern Pennsylvania League. After only one season, he returned to the German-Americans where he spent the rest of his career. In 1937, he scored ten goals. In 1944, he scored sixteen goals in nineteen games. In 1947, he scored twelve goals in nineteen games and in 1948, he added another thirteen goals. That year, he played two U.S. exhibition games, which are not considered full internationals, against Israel. In the second of the two games, played on October 14, 1948, Gormley scored a goal in the 4-1 U.S. victory.
Gormley did not play with the full U.S. national team until a meaningless April 3, 1954 victory over Haiti
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
in a World Cup qualifier. By this game, the U.S. had already failed to qualify for the finals. That year he ended his career with the German-Americans, now known as Uhrik Truckers after having been purchased by the trucking company during the 1953-1954 season. During his seventeen years with the team, Gormley was captain for twelve.
He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1989.