The Globe -- Bethlehem
Monday, April 2, 1923
A Swing Along Athletic Row

A Very Good Idea
It remained for the Scullins, of St. Louis, to come East and introduce an innovation in soccer which undoubtedly would be a very good plan and every effort should be made to have it included in the code governing the sport. The innovation was presenting the team with each player numbered similar to the numbering of players in football. These numbers were included on the program which certainly made much easier for the estimated fifteen hundred fans who witnessed the National Cup final to identify the individual players. It was the first time in the history of the National Challenge Cup competition of the United States Football Association which was launched ten years ago for the players to wear numbers. It is usual that many soccer fans witness games and know but a few of the players. Naturally if the player unknown should figure in an important bit of strategy or score a goal, it is usually the first instinct of the fan to turn to his neighbor and inquire the name of the individual. As a medium of inspiring greater interest and becoming more familiar with the players, the numbering plan seems to be a very good idea and one which the executives of the American League should consider for adoption.

McNiven Tops List for Individual Scoring
"Big Dan" McNiven, center forward of the Bethlehem F. C., and Thomas Fleming, former Bethlehem booter and now a wingman with the crack J & P Coats eleven of Pawtucket, R. I., were deadlocked on Saturday for the individual scoring honors in the American League. However, at the conclusion of the ninety minutes of hostilities, they were played on the Steel Field, "Big Dan" Fractured the deadlock and jumped into the lead. Four goals were counted by McNiven's individual efforts which game him a total of 18 to date. Fleming will trail in second place with a total of fourteen.


1922-1923
Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club