Buffalo Soccer History

Digital archive of Buffalo and western New York state soccer history. Contact me if you would like to contribute material. Tweets by @shollander2

[Scott Hollander @shollander2]

In 1990-91, officials investigated the possibility of #Buffalo hosting 1994 #WorldCup soccer matches at either Rich Stadium or the not yet built stadium at #UBuffalo. ⚽️🦬

➡️ Neither were deemed feasible and the idea was dropped.

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

@OfficialBDSL No longer exists in Portland as far as I know.

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

Who was Andrew Tehel?

A Hungarian immigrant. #Buffalo soccer leader. National referee. Founder of the #Tehel Cup in two cities.

His story stretched from #Budapest to #Buffalo, #Portland, #Chicago, and #NYC.

Will be publishing his full biography soon.

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

Alfred Ernest “Alf” Tovey

➡️ Born in Shropshire, England in 1861
➡️ Immigrated to #Buffalo in 1883
➡️ Played center-forward for the Buffalo Football Club

He was a leading organizer of Buffalo soccer in the late 1890s. ⚽️🦬 #BuffaloSoccerHistory

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

On #MemorialDay weekend of 1966 - a team composed of #Buffalo and #Rochester all-stars played the Hertha '03 Zehlendorf club of West Berlin in an international friendly.

➡️ The game was televised on WBEN-TV Channel 4.

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

The Niagara Falls #Rangers were organized in 1908 by the Lyall brothers. This photo is from 1914.

Club Headquarters - 22nd & Walnut Ave, #Niagara Falls, NY

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

#Buffalo, NY had organized soccer as early as mid-1880. These teams, fierce rivals, were from 1895.

• Iroquois Football Association - Western NY Champions
• Niagara Association Football Team of Buffalo

#BuffaloSoccerHistory ⚽️🦬

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

Buffalo Soccer Pioneer - Billy Grassam (1878–1943)

Born in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland, he played for #MUFC and #WHU before settling in #Buffalo, NY, where he became a player, coach, manager, and organizer in the city’s early soccer scene. ⚽️🦬

➡️ https://t.co/QXW6Gwy3oF

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

Buffalo Corinthians Soccer Team - Spring 1915

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

The United Association Football Team of Buffalo - 1910

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

The “Battling Babes” depart #Buffalo for the Dallas Cup in 1980.

Coached by Michael McDuffie, they went 16-1 in league play and 34-13-5 overall - winning the Regional, Northwestern & Dr. Pepper tournaments.

#BuffaloSoccerHistory #WomensSoccer

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

“Lackawanna Sees First Girls’ Soccer Game”

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

In 1923, the Buffalo Auto Radiator Company donated this cup to the Niagara Frontier International Soccer League.

#Buffalo soccer has deep roots. ⚽🏆

#BuffaloSoccerHistory

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

From spring of 1939: “Sylvester Balash’s movement to make #Buffalo and Western New York soccer conscious is progressing beautifully.” ⚽️🦬

➡️ Balash signed Jim Hersey from #Wolverhampton of England to play for his Beck’s German-American team.

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

The Niagara Falls #Wanderers Association Football Club was organized circa 1908 by members of the Niagara Falls Cricket Club.

Headquarters - 22nd and Pine Street, #Niagara Falls, NY

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

Members of the Buffalo District Soccer League honored at the annual Buffalo Soccer Club dinner in 1958.

Rudi Berger for the Simon Pures and Egon Felgemacher of the DeWalds.

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

The 1910 Buffalo Rangers Association Football Club

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

January 1969

[Buffalo Soccer History @BSHarchive]

From 1976 - 2 time #NBA All-Star (1976, 1978) Randy Smith of the #Buffalo Braves tries out for the Tampa Bay #Rowdies of the North American Soccer League. #NASL