James Ford (soccer)

James "Jimmy" or "Bow" Ford was an American soccer outside right who earned one cap with the U.S. national team in 1916. He played professionally in the National Association Football League and the American Soccer League, scoring goals in the first two National Challenge Cup Finals.

Jimmy Ford
Personal information
Full name James Ford
Date of birth 1889
Place of birth Kearney, New Jersey, United States
Position(s) Outside right
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1914–1915 Brooklyn Field Club
1915–1916 Bethlehem Steel
1915–1916 Jersey City
1916 → New York Clan MacDonald (loan)
1916–1917 Kearny Ryerson
1917 Kearny Scots
1919 Bethlehem Steel
1920–1921 Erie A.A.
1922–1923 Harrison S.C. 24 (6)
1923–1924 New York Giants 4 (0)
1924–1925 Newark Skeeters 22 (5)
International career
1916 United States 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Professional career

The son of English immigrants, Ford was born in 1889 in Kearney, New Jersey. In 1913, Ford, along with his brother John, turned professional with the Brooklyn Field Club of the National Association Football League. In 1914, Brooklyn won the 1914 National Challenge Cup with Ford scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute.[1] Later in 1914, Ford signed with Bethlehem Steel[2] On May 3, 1915, Ford scored in his second consecutive Challenge Cup final, as Bethlehem defeated Brooklyn Celtic. However, he soon after moved to Jesey City in the New Jersey National League.[3] In the spring of 1916, he went on loan to New York Clan MacDonald. In 1916, he was with Kearny Ryerson, also known as Kearny A.C., when he was called up for the first official U.S. national team games. That fall, he signed with the Kearny Scots and played with the team until inducted into the army when the United States entered World War I. After serving with the 29th Division in France.[4][5] In 1919, he joined Bethlehem for a tour of Scandinavia. In 1920, he joined Erie A.A. of the NAFBL.[6] In 1921, Erie joined the newly established American Soccer League and changed its name to Harrison S.C. In 1923, he moved to the New York Giants, then to the Newark Skeeters in 1924. He retired in 1925.

National team

Ford earned his one cap with the national team in its first official game, a 3-2 victory over Sweden on August 20, 1916.[7]

References
  1. The US Open Cup Final: 1914-2010
  2. SCHWAB CORNERS FOOTBALL STARS; Steel Man Gathers High-Class Soccer Tea... - Article Preview - The New York Times
  3. BETHLEHEM STEEL WINS OVER JERSEY CITY, SCORE, 5-0
  4. SOCCER TEAMS IN TIE.; New York F.C. and Scottish-Americans Hold Each O... - Article Preview - The New York Times
  5. Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club - July 15, 1919
  6. Robins' Clash With Erie Stands Out on Week-end Soccer Schedule
  7. USA - Details of International Matches 1885-1969 Archived 2010-01-13 at the Wayback Machine
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