Robert Millar (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Millar was a Scottish American
soccer forward
and coach of the USA team
at the first FIFA World Cup
. During his at times tumultuous Hall of Fame
career, Millar played with over a dozen teams in at least five U.S. leagues as well as two seasons in the Scottish Football League
. He finished his career as a successful professional and national team coach.
. He left Mirren in 1911 to move to the United States, joining Disston A.A.
during the 1912-1913 season. In 1913, he moved to the Brooklyn Field Club
of the National Association Football League (NAFBL). In January 1914, Brooklyn played Disston in an early round of the first National Challenge Cup. During the game, Millar was involved in a fight with a Disston fan on the sidelines which resulted in a brawl between fans and players from both teams. Brooklyn won the Challenge Cup over Brooklyn Celtic, with Millar assisting on the winning goal. This victory made Brooklyn the first team to win what could become known as the U.S. Open Cup.
In September 1914, Millar moved to Bethlehem Steel F.C.
for the 1914-1915 Allied League of Philadelphia season. That season, he scored fifty-nine goals in thirty-three league and cup games, setting a U.S. record. The season culminated with Bethlehem winning the 1915 National Challenge Cup, 3-1 over Brooklyn Celtic. Millar scored Bethlehem’s first goal.
In early 1916, Millar signed with Babcock and Wilcox
of the NAFBL, but played on loan to both Philadelphia Hibernian
and Allentown. At some point, Millar may have played for a team in the St. Louis Soccer League
as a December 27, 1918 newspaper article mentions his return from playing there. In December 1918, Millar rejoined Bethlehem Steel, but left seven months later to sign with Robins Dry Dock
for the 1919-1920 season. However, he had significant disagreements with his team mates and left Robins some time in the spring of 1920 to join J&P Coats of the Southern New England Soccer League
. He then moved to Erie A.A. for the 1920-1921 season.
In January 1921, he was suspended for two months after striking former Robins team mate Neil Clarke during the halftime of Erie’s National Challenge Cup loss to Robins. Since Millar was unable to play for the remainder of the NAFBL season, Erie loaned him to Tebo Yacht Basin F.C.
In May, Millar met up with Robins when Tebo defeated Dry Dock in the New York State Cup. Ironically, Robins Dry Dock and Tebo Yacht Basin were both subsidiary companies of Todd Shipyards. Millar rejoined J&P Coats for the first season, 1921–1922, of the recently established American Soccer League
.
In 1922, Millar left Coats and signed with the Fall River Marksmen
, but the team released him in January 1923, after he played only six games. He joined New York Field Club
, for the remainder of the season, as well as the 1923-1924 season. However, he again did not complete the season with New York, but moved to the New York Giants
. In August 1925, Millar signed with Indiana Flooring
as a player and coach. In 1927, Charles Stoneham
purchased Flooring and renamed the team the New York Nationals. Millar continue to coach and play for the Nationals until the onset of the 1928 Soccer Wars. In that internecine conflict, the United States Football Association declared the American Soccer League
an “outlaw league”.
In October 1928, Millar resigned from the Nationals, informing the team management, “"I hereby advise you that I must refuse to continue as playing manager of the New York Nationals Football Club. I hereby tender my resignation, because to engage further in unsanctioned soccer football will materially endanger my status in organized soccer and will thereby affect my future livelihood as a professional soccer player. You have not lived up to the terms of my contract, which call for me to play and manage under the rules and regulations of the United States Football Association, and by forcing me to engage in outlaw soccer, you are breaking my means of gaining a living. I am compelled to seek a position in organized football." He then jumped to the New York Giants
who had been expelled from the ASL as part of the “Soccer War”. The USFA then brokered the creation of the Eastern Soccer League as a home for ASL teams which wanted to regain their status as “official” FIFA teams. He remained with the Giants until they returned to the ASL in 1929.
. Canada won the first game, 1-0, on June 27, 1925. The U.S. won the return game, 6-1, on November 11, 1925. This game was tied 1-1 at halftime, but Millar assisted on the second U.S. game, scored by Archie Stark
soon after halftime.
in 1925 as both a player and a coach. He remained with Flooring as coach through its 1927 name change to the New York Nationals, but resigned in October 1928 during the soccer wars. He later coached the Newark Skeeters
in 1929.
. The success of the national side at the first World Cup in finishing as semi-finalists came as a surprise, more so since they won both of their group matches (against Belgium and Paraguay
) without conceding a goal. In the semi-final they suffered considerable ill-luck, two players being injured during the game against Argentina
. Following their elimination from the cup, the U.S. played a series of exhibition games against South American professional and regional All Star teams. Of those games, a 4-3 loss to Brazil
was the only official international game. Millar finished his term as national team coach with a 2-2 record.
Millar was inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1950.
Scottish American
Scottish Americans or Scots Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in Scotland. Scottish Americans are closely related to Scots-Irish Americans, descendants of Ulster Scots, and communities emphasize and celebrate a common heritage...
soccer forward
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...
and coach of the USA 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...
at the first FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
. During his at times tumultuous 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:...
career, Millar played with over a dozen teams in at least five U.S. leagues as well as two seasons in the Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
. He finished his career as a successful professional and national team coach.
Professional
In 1909, Millar began his professional career with St. Mirren of the Scottish Football LeagueScottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
. He left Mirren in 1911 to move to the United States, joining Disston A.A.
Disston A.A.
Philadelphia Tacony Disston Athletic Association Football Club, better known as Disston A.A. and nicknamed The Sawmakers was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Disston Saw Works company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team played for several years in local Philadelphia leagues before joining...
during the 1912-1913 season. In 1913, he moved to the Brooklyn Field Club
Brooklyn Field Club
Brooklyn Field Club was a soccer team that existed from 1898 to 1924, one of the few to predate the United States Soccer Federation. The club played in Brooklyn, New York. Between 1909 and 1916 they played in the second National Association Football League , winning the 1913-1914 league title...
of the National Association Football League (NAFBL). In January 1914, Brooklyn played Disston in an early round of the first National Challenge Cup. During the game, Millar was involved in a fight with a Disston fan on the sidelines which resulted in a brawl between fans and players from both teams. Brooklyn won the Challenge Cup over Brooklyn Celtic, with Millar assisting on the winning goal. This victory made Brooklyn the first team to win what could become known as the U.S. Open Cup.
In September 1914, Millar moved to 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...
for the 1914-1915 Allied League of Philadelphia season. That season, he scored fifty-nine goals in thirty-three league and cup games, setting a U.S. record. The season culminated with Bethlehem winning the 1915 National Challenge Cup, 3-1 over Brooklyn Celtic. Millar scored Bethlehem’s first goal.
In early 1916, Millar signed with Babcock and Wilcox
Babcock and Wilcox (soccer)
Babcock and Wilcox was a U.S. soccer team which had its origins as the Babcock and Wilcox company team of Bayonne, New Jersey. It spent five seasons in the National Association Football League and finished as runner up in the 1918 American Cup.-History:They were members of the New Jersey State...
of the NAFBL, but played on loan to both Philadelphia Hibernian
Philadelphia Hibernian
Philadelphia Hibernian, also known as Hibernian F.C., was an early twentieth century U.S. soccer team which played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:...
and Allentown. At some point, Millar may have played for a team 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:...
as a December 27, 1918 newspaper article mentions his return from playing there. In December 1918, Millar rejoined Bethlehem Steel, but left seven months later to sign 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...
for the 1919-1920 season. However, he had significant disagreements with his team mates and left Robins some time in the spring of 1920 to join J&P Coats 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...
. He then moved to Erie A.A. for the 1920-1921 season.
In January 1921, he was suspended for two months after striking former Robins team mate Neil Clarke during the halftime of Erie’s National Challenge Cup loss to Robins. Since Millar was unable to play for the remainder of the NAFBL season, Erie loaned him to 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....
In May, Millar met up with Robins when Tebo defeated Dry Dock in the New York State Cup. Ironically, Robins Dry Dock and Tebo Yacht Basin were both subsidiary companies of Todd Shipyards. Millar rejoined J&P Coats for the first season, 1921–1922, of the recently established 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...
.
In 1922, Millar left Coats and 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...
, but the team released him in January 1923, after he played only six games. He joined New York Field Club
New York Field Club
New York F.C. was a successful early American soccer club.The club was originally a member of the amateur National Association Foot Ball League then became an inaugural member of the professional American Soccer League in 1921.The club won the Southern New York State Football Association in...
, for the remainder of the season, as well as the 1923-1924 season. However, he again did not complete the season with New York, but moved to 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...
. In August 1925, Millar signed with Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring were a New York soccer team that played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1927. They replaced New York Field Club. Before joining the ASL, the team had played in various state leagues....
as a player and coach. In 1927, Charles Stoneham
Charles Stoneham
Charles A. Stoneham was the owner of the New York Giants baseball team, New York Giants soccer team, the center of numerous corruption scandals and the instigator of the "Soccer Wars" which destroyed the American Soccer League.-Business ventures:Stoneham began his career as a board boy, updating...
purchased Flooring and renamed the team the New York Nationals. Millar continue to coach and play for the Nationals until the onset of the 1928 Soccer Wars. In that internecine conflict, the United States Football Association declared 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...
an “outlaw league”.
In October 1928, Millar resigned from the Nationals, informing the team management, “"I hereby advise you that I must refuse to continue as playing manager of the New York Nationals Football Club. I hereby tender my resignation, because to engage further in unsanctioned soccer football will materially endanger my status in organized soccer and will thereby affect my future livelihood as a professional soccer player. You have not lived up to the terms of my contract, which call for me to play and manage under the rules and regulations of the United States Football Association, and by forcing me to engage in outlaw soccer, you are breaking my means of gaining a living. I am compelled to seek a position in organized football." He then jumped to 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...
who had been expelled from the ASL as part of the “Soccer War”. The USFA then brokered the creation of the Eastern Soccer League as a home for ASL teams which wanted to regain their status as “official” FIFA teams. He remained with the Giants until they returned to the ASL in 1929.
National team
In 1925 Millar was called into the U.S. national team for two games with CanadaCanada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
. Canada won the first game, 1-0, on June 27, 1925. The U.S. won the return game, 6-1, on November 11, 1925. This game was tied 1-1 at halftime, but Millar assisted on the second U.S. game, scored by Archie Stark
Archie Stark
Archibald “Archie” Stark was a U.S. soccer forward who became the dominant player in U.S. leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. He spent nine seasons in the National Association Football League and another twelve in the American Soccer League. He also earned two caps, scoring five goals, as a...
soon after halftime.
Club
Millar began his coaching career when he was hired by Indiana FlooringIndiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring were a New York soccer team that played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1927. They replaced New York Field Club. Before joining the ASL, the team had played in various state leagues....
in 1925 as both a player and a coach. He remained with Flooring as coach through its 1927 name change to the New York Nationals, but resigned in October 1928 during the soccer wars. He later coached the Newark Skeeters
Newark Skeeters
The Newark Skeeters was an American soccer club based in Newark, New Jersey and was a member of the American Soccer League and the Eastern Soccer League.The club folded upon the merger of the ASL & ESL after the fall 1929 season.-Year-by-year:...
in 1929.
National team
Millar was selected as the coach of the U.S. national team for the 1930 FIFA World Cup1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
. The success of the national side at the first World Cup in finishing as semi-finalists came as a surprise, more so since they won both of their group matches (against Belgium and Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
) without conceding a goal. In the semi-final they suffered considerable ill-luck, two players being injured during the game against Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
. Following their elimination from the cup, the U.S. played a series of exhibition games against South American professional and regional All Star teams. Of those games, a 4-3 loss to Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
was the only official international game. Millar finished his term as national team coach with a 2-2 record.
Millar was inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1950.