American soccer writing, history & data.
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Two big changes occurred in the offseason before the 1929-30 St. Louis Professional Soccer League season. First, Tate Brady, owner and manager of the Wellston team, took $1500 from a new sponsor and renamed his team Hellrung & Grimm after a local furniture store. And, also, Phil Kavanaugh took over as manager of Madison Kennel Club replacing Jimmy Burke. Cold winter weather suspended the league schedule for the entire month of January with the teams having to make due by playing a couple of indoor matches a The Arena on Oakland Avenue. The time off badly affected attendance as the league matches in late February and early March only drew about 500 fans. On March 2, 1930, Tabler, with Harry Ratican back as a player after a year's absence, made it to the National Challenge Cup Western Semifinal. But, the squad lost 3-1 before 3500 at Sportsman's Park to Bruell Insurance of Cleveland. That match was the largest crowd to see the professional teams that season. The next Sunday, Tablers defeated Madison Kennel in the league doubleheader before only 500 fans. The next Sunday, March 16, no SLS matches were played. Instead, Tabler beat Kolsters, the Municipal League champions, 4-1 at Sportsman's Park before 3500 to win the city championship. Just after the match, with Tabler up three points in the SLSL standings, Winton E. Barker, president of the league, announced that Tabler had won the league and due to the lessening of interest in soccer (especially due to no further NCC matches to come) decided to close the season early.
Last modified on Feb. 7, 2022, 1:02 p.m.