American League of Professional Football
The American League of Professional Football ( ALPF ) was the first professional football league in the United States. It was only in the 1894 season, which was also not played to the end. The ALPF was founded by the operators of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball to fill the stadiums outside of the baseball season. On the other hand, the immigrants should be made aware of baseball.
At the ALPF attended six teams: Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. The framework was based heavily on the English model. The Schedules saw five home and five away games per team. The first game to be held on October 1, 1894, the last round was scheduled for 1 January 1895. How big was the reference to the baseball league, the fact that the teams were given the same name as the baseball teams.
The professional ALPF did not encounter anywhere on reciprocal love. The existing since 1884 Amateur League American Football Association (AFA ) forbade it on 17 September that players who were active in the ALPF, were allowed to participate in events organized by the AFA.
Although the club owner ansetzten low entry prices, the average attendance was disappointing 500 visitors per game. This was partly due to the unfortunate kick-off times in the afternoons during the week.
Soon after the start of the league to serious problems began. Baltimore had made England the coach A.W. Stewart and brought with him several professionals from Manchester and surrounding areas. Although this star studded drove the audience into the air, but hurt the balance of the league about moderation. The Orioles won 8-1 against Boston, 6-1 against Philadelphia and 10:1 against Washington. The other club owners took the not harmless back and accused Baltimore of fraud. After the press had taken up the scandal, also the state authorities off, and began to investigate.
In this difficult situation, making rumors of a new baseball league, the round, which should be in competition with the MLB. Given the choice to finance a poorly performing soccer league or to put the money in the baseball team, the club owner for the U.S. national sport chosen. After only six games - the teams had a different number at this time, however, completed at games, the league was at the end. Some of the club owners were in favor of a resumption of the games in the spring of 1895 found for this project but no majority.
Table
Pl = space; Sp = games; S = Wins; D = Draw; N = Losses; Tordi. = Goal Difference; Pts = Points