Francis Higgins (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Francis Higgins was a U.S. soccer goalkeeper
who spent two seasons in the American Soccer League
and an unknown number in the Southern New England Soccer League
.
Higgins’ career details are sketchy. He appears to have spent most of it with teams based in Fall River, Massachusetts
. In April 1920, he backstopped the Fall River Rovers
of the Southern New England Soccer League
in a 2-1 loss to Fore River in the 1920 National Challenge Cup
semifinals. In 1922, he signed with the Fall River Marksmen
of the American Soccer League
. That season he split time in the goal with Tommy Whalen. It is unknown what teams he played for from 1923 to 1925. In 1925, he signed with the New Bedford Whalers
. He played only five games before leaving the team and league.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who spent two seasons 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...
and an unknown number in the Southern New England Soccer League
Southern New England Soccer League
The Southern New England Soccer League was a semi-professional soccer league based in New England which was established in 1914 and collapsed in 1921. During its short existence, it featured some of the top teams in the northeast United States...
.
Higgins’ career details are sketchy. He appears to have spent most of it with teams based in Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
. In April 1920, he backstopped the Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers
Fall River Rovers were a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They won the 1888 and 1889 American Cups as well as the 1917 National Challenge Cup. In 1921 Rovers were disbanded and a new team, Fall River United were formed to enter the newly established American Soccer...
of the Southern New England Soccer League
Southern New England Soccer League
The Southern New England Soccer League was a semi-professional soccer league based in New England which was established in 1914 and collapsed in 1921. During its short existence, it featured some of the top teams in the northeast United States...
in a 2-1 loss to Fore River in the 1920 National Challenge Cup
1920 National Challenge Cup
The 1919–20 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This edition featured 99 teams in two divisions. The western division had 41 teams in six districts while the eastern division had 58 teams also...
semifinals. In 1922, he signed with the Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
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...
. That season he split time in the goal with Tommy Whalen. It is unknown what teams he played for from 1923 to 1925. In 1925, he signed with the New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers was the name of three United States soccer teams based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The first Whalers played in the Southern New England Soccer League between 1914 and 1918. The second Whalers played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1931 before merging into Fall...
. He played only five games before leaving the team and league.