Big News But Few Headlines

1950 – Around the World and Close to Home

Just as McCarthyism winds down in D.C., a costly ‘police action’ begins on the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, at home, Seattle’s Northgate becomes the nation’s first shopping mall, Seafair is introduced to King County’s summertime tradition and, in sports, the Stan Sayres-piloted hydroplane Slo-mo-shun IV shatters the world speed record on water, hitting 160mph on Lake Washington.

Big News But Few Headlines

Soccer’s profile remains relatively low, but in a watershed year for the National Team, a Washingtonian is plucked from seeming obscurity to be honored nationally.

More than four months before the United States pulls off the biggest shock in World Cup history to date, George P. “Barney” Kempton is among the 16 men who form the charter class of what becomes the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Kempton is the only inductee hailing from west of the Rockies and among just three from west of the Mississippi River.

Kempton, 60 and a native of Ireland, had immigrated in 1910 and come north from San Francisco in 1914. Immediately he became one of the state’s top players. Numerous clubs, from Seattle Construction to Maple Leaf to Dr. Reid’s Electros, rose to the top of the state league due to his attacking exploits and inspiration. After his playing days Kempton served the game as an administrator and promoter. He organized the parochial schools’ program, served as junior soccer commissioner to the state association and introduced soccer to the state reformatory.

In 1926 Kempton offered to mail anyone a copy of the Rules of the Game for the price of a postage stamp. He organized interregional play and benefit matches and also promoted the game and state league play through his contributing stories to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He is among the first to be known around Puget Sound as Mr. Soccer.

Still, little mention is made locally of Kempton’s induction, and the Americans’ triumph over England in Belo Horizonte barely registers a blip on the radar either.

Among those lost to the soccer community is William H. “Bill” Chapman, 77. Since 1905, the England-born Chapman had been prominent as an organizer. He served as state association president for 23 years before retiring in 1949.

On the field, Edmund Craggs is ushering in a new era. After forming Fremont Boys Club into a perennial youth power, the boys join the senior division of the state league for the fall of 1950.

State Men's Champion
Matheny & Bacon
State Knockout Cup
Acme Tyee 3:0 Matheny & Bacon

1950: Big News But Few Headlines

It's a watershed year in terms of a U.S. shocker at the World Cup and Puget Sound's Mr. Soccer being recognized nationally.

UW Offers First Soccer Class
October 19, 1950

The University of Washington's Fred King begins instruction of the first soccer class in the school's physical education curriculum. Several state league players are in attendance at the class, held at Broadway Playfield.

First Half Victor Finally Determined
April 2, 1950

Matheny's Builders secure the first half title, strangely, a week after clinching the second stanza. The Builders had won the two games in hand caused by snow postponements to draw level with Acme Tyee and force the playoff. A goal in the final five minutes wins the playoff, 2-1 at White Center. In the other half of the White Center doubleheader, Sunny Jim, the second half's fourth-place side bolstered by the infusion of some guest players, defeats a cast of Portland all-stars, 4-1.

Four-time WSSFA President Passes
March 12, 1950

William H. (Bill) Chapman, who served four different terms as president of the Washington State Soccer Football Association, dies at 77. Born in England, Chapman had been associated with Pacific Northwest soccer since 1905. His last term was from 1944-49.

Buchan Baking Debuts
September 17, 1950

A team comprised primarily of teens, Buchan Baking makes its debut at the state league's senior level. Eddie Craggs coached Fremont to the boys' club championship in their final year, and secured sponsorship from Buchan. His boys battle Seattle Soccer Club on equal terms before falling, 1-0. Elsewhere, state champion Acme Tyee is now known as the Vikings.

Cathedral Wins Parochial League
November 26, 1950

Cathedral School, winners of the Southern Division, get goals from Jack Hawley and Donald Tucker to defeat St. Joseph’s, 2-1, in the Seattle Parochial League final at Lower Woodland. A week later, Cathedral visits B.C. and defeats Vancouver College, 4-1.

Vikings Victorious Over First Half
November 26, 1950

Emmett Brennan scores both goals as the Vikings emerge undefeated over the first half of 1950/51 by beating Seattle Soccer Club, 2-0.

Matheny's Wins Second Half
March 26, 1950

Matheny & Bacon rout Tacoma Cammaranos, 6-3, at McKinley Park to clinch the second half of the state league. Matheny's goes 5-0-1 to force a playoff with first-half winner Acme Tyee for the overall crown.

Acme Stops Matheny Trophy Haul
April 23, 1950

Acme Tyee denies Matheny's Builders a fourth trophy by winning the Puget Sound Power & Light trophy, 3-0, at White Center. Acme becomes the first Scandinavian entry in 25 years to win a state title. Einar Eliasson scores a goal in each half.

Kempton Among Charter Inductees
February 18, 1950

Seattle's Barney Kempton, 59, is among the charter class of inductees to the National Soccer Hall of Fame during ceremonies conducted by the Philadelphia Old-Timers Soccer Association and held at the Rifle Club. The Belfast-born Kempton arrived in Seattle in 1916. He played for various clubs, including the Electro Dentists, Maple Leafs and West Seattle. Since then he's been a state association officer, CYO organizer and soccer columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Hansen's Bid for National Team Goes Sour
March 31, 1950

Earling Hansen, the dynamic left half for Acme Tyee, sees his bid for a place on U.S. National Team evaporate before arriving for tryout. Hansen had been nominated and was to take part in an East-West game in St. Louis April 2, only to learn the World Cup team had already been chosen.

Catfish Rules Five-a-Side
April 30, 1950

Catfish Five win the grand prize of $125 in savings bonds for the 7th annual Five-a-Side tournament at West Seattle Stadium. The Catfish defeat Acme Tyee, 4-1, in the final 15-minute game. Acme received a consolation prize of sport coats. They had advanced from the semifinals on the corner kick tiebreaker after tying Black Diamond. Proceeds benefit youth soccer programs.

We’ve paid our annual $25 affiliation fee to the United States Football Association for 27 years to get opportunities like this, and Hansen has been slighted.
WSSFA Secretary Vic Weston, regarding Earling Hansen being denied fair trial for U.S. National Team
Not since the World War I days has local soccer been graced by an international representative. At that time England’s Johnnie Wood and Ireland’s Geordie Cochrane starred in a topflight Shipyard League.
Barney Kempton, Seattle P-I columnist, on Norselander adding former Finnish international Aoke Forsman
On this Day in History