Harry Ratican
Encyclopedia
Harry 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
. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
, grew up in St. Louis, Missouri
, attending the Christian Brothers College High School
and St. Louis University. In 1911, Ratican began his career with Ben Millers
in the St. Louis Soccer League
.
In 1916, he left St. Louis to sign with Bethlehem Steel F.C.
in the National Association Football League (NAFBL). In December, he returned to St. Louis when Bethlehem played two games, one against a St. Louis All Star team, the second against Ratican’s old team, Ben Millers. Bethlehem lost 3-1 to the All Star team, with Ratican scoring the lone Bethlehem goal. They then tied Ben Millers 2-2 with Ratican again scoring Bethlehem’s first goal of the game.
During the 1917–18 season, he and team mate Tommy Fleming led the league in scoring. In April, they both had twenty goals each, but records do not show how many they had at the end of the season.
In 1918, Bethlehem won the National Challenge Cup
, Ratican scoring in the final, and again in 1919
with Ratican again scoring in the final. However, Ratican was out much of the 1918–19 season will an unknown illness.
In July, Ratican signed with Robins Dry Dock
. However, he still traveled with Bethlehem, serving as team captain, on its tour of Scandinavia that summer. In 1920, the St. Louis Soccer League sent an All Star team on a tour of Scandinavia. Despite playing in the ASL, Ratican was still invited and went on the tour. Ratican won another National Challenge Cup
in 1921 with Robins. In 1921, the NAFBL folded when several teams left to form the American Soccer League
. Robins Dry Dock merged with Tebo Yacht Basin F.C.
to become Toddy Shipyards, which was the parent corporation for both Robins Dry Dock and Tebo Yacht Basin. Todd Shipyards lost the 1922 National Challenge Cup
to St. Louis Scullin Steel F.C.
Ratican did not finish the 1921–22 season with Todd, but moved to Harrison F.C.
Ratican began the 1922–23 season with the Fall River Marksmen
, but a torn ligament in his leg prevented him from playing any games with the team.
Ratican left Fall River in September 1922 to coach the West Point soccer team. He was not released from his playing contract with Fall River until December 1922 at which time he began seeking playing opportunities with other ASL teams. When those did not materialize, he left the northeast on the completion of the collegiate season to return to St. Louis to rejoin Ben Millers
, scoring two goals in his debut. He then returned to the ASL later that year to play one game with the New York Giants
.
He then gave up playing for several years, except for guest appearances with various St. Louis teams. In 1925, Ratican began playing regularly with his team Ratican’s
in the SLSL. He remained with Ratican’s until it changed sponsorship in 1927. He then continued playing with the renamed team, now known as Tablers
for the 1927–28 season. Tablers won the SLSL title that season.
then serving as an assistant coach with St. Louis Scullin Steel F.C.
. This pattern continued for several years as Ratican coached West Point then returned to St. Louis during the off season to play or coach local teams.
In 1924, Ratican formed a team, known appropriately as Ratican’s
, which he entered in the St. Louis Soccer League
. The team performed poorly, finishing fourth out of four teams with a 2-12-4 record. They improved the next season, finishing third with a 4-6-4 record. In 1927, Ratican’s again finished last, with a 1-8-3 record. In 1927, Tabler’s took over sponsorship of Ratican’s team, renaming the squad, Tablers.
Ratican was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
and St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1950.
of the Three-I League. Then played outfield for the Bethlehem Steel company team.
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...
, coach and team owner. He began and ended his career in 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:...
with several years in both the National Association Football League and 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 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:...
.
Club career
Ratican, the younger brother of 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....
, grew up in St. Louis, Missouri
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...
, attending the Christian Brothers College High School
Christian Brothers College High School
Christian Brothers College High School , is a Lasallian Catholic college preparatory school for young men in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis and is owned and operated by the De La Salle Christian Brothers Midwest District.-Early years :The school...
and St. Louis University. In 1911, Ratican began his career with Ben Millers
Ben Millers
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.-History:In 1913, Ben Millers...
in 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:...
.
In 1916, he left St. Louis to sign with Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
in the National Association Football League (NAFBL). In December, he returned to St. Louis when Bethlehem played two games, one against a St. Louis All Star team, the second against Ratican’s old team, Ben Millers. Bethlehem lost 3-1 to the All Star team, with Ratican scoring the lone Bethlehem goal. They then tied Ben Millers 2-2 with Ratican again scoring Bethlehem’s first goal of the game.
During the 1917–18 season, he and team mate Tommy Fleming led the league in scoring. In April, they both had twenty goals each, but records do not show how many they had at the end of the season.
In 1918, Bethlehem won the National Challenge Cup
1918 National Challenge Cup
The United States had recently entered World War I, and the soccer world felt the effects as increasing numbers of players joined the armed forces to wage battle in Europe. Soccer was not as hard-hit as some other sports, but all leagues felt the impact; in fact the Cechie team of Chicago lost...
, Ratican scoring in the final, and again in 1919
1919 National Challenge Cup
The 1918–19 National Challenge Cup was the sixth National Challenge cup held by the United States Football Association. Bethlehem Steel F.C. won their fourth title in a 2-0 victory over Paterson F.C..-Open Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket...
with Ratican again scoring in the final. However, Ratican was out much of the 1918–19 season will an unknown illness.
In July, Ratican signed with Robins Dry Dock
Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock
The Brooklyn Robins Dry Dock were an American soccer team which took its name from the workplace it represented. The dock was part of the Todd Pacific Shipyards in Brooklyn who formed the professional soccer club in 1918 to play in the National Association Football League. Robins played until the...
. However, he still traveled with Bethlehem, serving as team captain, on its tour of Scandinavia that summer. In 1920, the St. Louis Soccer League sent an All Star team on a tour of Scandinavia. Despite playing in the ASL, Ratican was still invited and went on the tour. Ratican won another National Challenge Cup
1921 National Challenge Cup
The 1920–21 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.-History:...
in 1921 with Robins. In 1921, the NAFBL folded when several teams left to form 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...
. Robins Dry Dock merged with Tebo Yacht Basin F.C.
Tebo Yacht Basin F.C.
Tebo Yacht Basin was an amateur U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Tebo Yacht Basin company of Brooklyn, New York. It had a brief impact on the U.S. soccer scene from 1918 to 1921....
to become Toddy Shipyards, which was the parent corporation for both Robins Dry Dock and Tebo Yacht Basin. Todd Shipyards lost the 1922 National Challenge Cup
1922 National Challenge Cup
The 1921–22 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.-History:...
to St. Louis Scullin Steel F.C.
St. Louis Scullin Steel F.C.
St. Louis Scullin Steel was a U.S. soccer team established in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. It spent seven seasons in the St. Louis Soccer League, winning three league titles and one National Challenge Cup.-History:...
Ratican did not finish the 1921–22 season with Todd, but moved to Harrison F.C.
Harrison F.C.
Harrison F.C. was an American soccer club based in Harrison, New Jersey that began as the amateur Harrison Erie S.C. who played in the National Association Foot Ball League....
Ratican began the 1922–23 season 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...
, but a torn ligament in his leg prevented him from playing any games with the team.
Ratican left Fall River in September 1922 to coach the West Point soccer team. He was not released from his playing contract with Fall River until December 1922 at which time he began seeking playing opportunities with other ASL teams. When those did not materialize, he left the northeast on the completion of the collegiate season to return to St. Louis to rejoin Ben Millers
Ben Millers
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.-History:In 1913, Ben Millers...
, scoring two goals in his debut. He then returned to the ASL later that year to play one game with the New York Giants
New York Giants (soccer)
New York Giants was a name used by three different New York soccer teams. Two of these teams were associated with the New York Giants baseball franchise. The first team that used the name played in the American League of Professional Football in 1894...
.
He then gave up playing for several years, except for guest appearances with various St. Louis teams. In 1925, Ratican began playing regularly with his team Ratican’s
Ratican’s
Ratican’s was a U.S. soccer team established by Harry Ratican in 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. It spent three seasons in the St. Louis Soccer League before becoming Tablers in 1927.-History:...
in the SLSL. He remained with Ratican’s until it changed sponsorship in 1927. He then continued playing with the renamed team, now known as Tablers
Tablers
Tablers was an American soccer team which spent four season in the St. Louis Soccer League, from 1927 to 1931. During that time it won three league titles.-History:...
for the 1927–28 season. Tablers won the SLSL title that season.
Managerial career
In September 1922, Ratican was hired by the U.S. Military Academy, better known as West Point, to coach the school’s soccer team. Following the completion of the collegiate season, he returned to St. Louis, playing for Ben MillersBen Millers
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.-History:In 1913, Ben Millers...
then serving as an assistant coach with St. Louis Scullin Steel F.C.
St. Louis Scullin Steel F.C.
St. Louis Scullin Steel was a U.S. soccer team established in St. Louis, Missouri in 1918. It spent seven seasons in the St. Louis Soccer League, winning three league titles and one National Challenge Cup.-History:...
. This pattern continued for several years as Ratican coached West Point then returned to St. Louis during the off season to play or coach local teams.
In 1924, Ratican formed a team, known appropriately as Ratican’s
Ratican’s
Ratican’s was a U.S. soccer team established by Harry Ratican in 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. It spent three seasons in the St. Louis Soccer League before becoming Tablers in 1927.-History:...
, which he entered in 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:...
. The team performed poorly, finishing fourth out of four teams with a 2-12-4 record. They improved the next season, finishing third with a 4-6-4 record. In 1927, Ratican’s again finished last, with a 1-8-3 record. In 1927, Tabler’s took over sponsorship of Ratican’s team, renaming the squad, Tablers.
Ratican 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:...
and St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1950.
Baseball
In addition to soccer, Ratican also played minor league baseball. He spent some time with the Quincy GemsQuincy Gems
The Quincy Gems are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Quincy, Illinois. The team plays in the Prospect League, which absorbed their former league, the Central Illinois Collegiate League.Records- Records :CareerGames...
of the Three-I League. Then played outfield for the Bethlehem Steel company team.