Sam FLETCHER

Born in Manchester, England in 1890. Died: Cranston, Rhode Island, January 22, 1972.

Sam Fletcher played in the Manchester and District League before coming to Canada in 1910 to live in Hamilton, Ontario. In Hamilton he played for the Independent Labour Party Team, Hamilton Lancashire and then in Niagara Falls for the Rangers. In October of 1914 he joined Bethlehem Steel where he played for seven seasons, partnering Jock Ferguson at fullback. In 1919 he went to Scandinavia on tour with Bethlehem Steel.

Duringthose years in Bethlehem he won U.S. National Challenge Cup medals in 1915, 1916 and 1918, and American Cup medals in 1916 and 1917. When the ASL was formed Sam played for Harrison and Newark before joining the new Providence franchise in 1924. At Providence he was both a player and a manager and the Providence Clamdiggers were often referred to as "The Fletchermen" in those years. In 1925 in addition to coaching the Clamdiggers he also became coach of Brown University in Providence a position he held for 20 years. In the early 1930's Sam Fletcher was also secretary of the American Soccer League.

Source: Colin Jose, Historian, National Soccer Hall of Fame


Player Biographies
Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club