Clark A.A.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clark Athletic Association, also known as Clark O.N.T. and East Newark Clark A.A., was a U.S. soccer team sponsored by the Clark Thread Company. Established in the 1880s, the team competed in the annual American Cup, winning the first three championships. It also spent two seasons in the National Association Football League where it was co-champion in 1909.
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[edit] History
[edit] Name
The Clark Thread Company originally named its soccer team Clark Our New Thread (Clark O.N.T.) as part of a marketing campaign introducing a new product. As the product became established, the company renamed its athletic team to the simpler Clark A.A. While the Clark Thread Company factory was originally located in Newark, on the west bank of the Passaic River, the team played at Clark Field located on the east side of the river, an area known as East Newark. This gave rise to the team’s last name, the East Newark Clark A.A.[1]
[edit] Competition
The origins of the team is unknown, except for its acting as a company team. However, in 1884, it won the first American Cup. It went on to win the next two cup championships, giving it the right to call itself the first U.S. soccer dynasty. After that it fell from competitive view until entered the National Association Football League in 1906. They lasted only one season, then dropped out, but in 1907, they won a fourth American Cup. This time they were listed incorrectly as Kearny Clark as many sportswriters frequently confused Kearny and East Newark. In 1908, Clark A.A. rejoined the NAFBL, finishing the season tied for first with West Hudson A.A. Clark again withdrew from the league. After losing the 1909 American Cup final to the Paterson True Blues, the team fell from sight.
[edit] National team
Besides its league and cup records, Clark A.A. had a part in the first two, now unofficial, U.S. international games. The American Football Association sponsored two games with the Canadian national team in 1885. On November 28, 1885, Clark contributed both its field and five of its players to the game, won by Canada. The referee was also provided by O.N.T.[2]
[edit] Year-by-year
| Year | League | Reg. Season | American Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | ? | ? | Champion |
| 1886 | ? | ? | Champion |
| 1887 | ? | ? | Champion |
| 1906/07 | NAFBL | 5th | Champion |
| 1907/08 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1908/09 | NAFBL | 1st | Final |
[edit] Honors
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- Winner (4): 1885, 1886, 1887, 1907
- Runner Up (1): 1909
League Championship
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- Winner (1): 1909
