Future Research - Early Philadelphia & British Football Clubs
It was always a family legend that my Dad's Great-Grandfather received a soccer medal from the Queen of England. While I still can not verify this alleged fact, I can, however say that George Beech Sr. and his sons Harold Beech (1889-1979), Alfred Beech, and George Beech Jr. were quite involved in the early landscape of Soccer, or "Football" in Philadelphia. Right now, my research is fairly preliminary, and I have dabbled in trying to surmise which Football Clubs may have been in their area of England before their immigration, but I still have much research to do.
George was born in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. He was a carpet weaver and worked in the textile mills in both his home country, and in the U.S. The first record of this is when George was working in Kidderminster at the carpet mills, even at the early age of 17 years old. Ten years later, he even moved with his wife and children to Dundee, Scotland in the Civil Parish Liff and Benvie, where there were at least five major textile mills. He arrived in the United States in May of 1903 along with other passengers who were carpet weavers and would be headed to Philadelphia.
In a glowing 1912 review George Beech is noted as managing the Centennial team within the St. George League. "Much of the success of the team was due to t he capable management of George Beech, who for several years managed the Cambria team. His untiring efforts have been responsible for the fine combination of the team, and he has been amply rewarded for his success. Centennial shares the honors with Tacony of the Pennsylvania league, both teams having went through the season without being defeated".
This success seems to have lead to even more opportunities, Beech is mentioned in The Philadelphia Inquirer in September of 1912 (Beech to Pilot Eleven) when he is chosen as the manager for the Philadelphia managers of the American League of Association Football Clubs. In addition to this, he would serve on the executive board. The article goes on to mention the undefeated of 1911 when George Beech Sr. led the Centennials through their entire campaign of the St. George's League "without suffering a defeat". It looks as though there was a new addition, the Athletics, which would strengthen the foot ball club. George Beech's selection for manager was a big deal, and described as the most important topic of the confab.
Interestingly, James Doyle was selected as president, and on his immigration record to the United States, George Sr. reported heading to his cousin Mrs. Doyle, on American Street in Philadelphia. Likely, this would have been his cousin's husband.
The next year (1913) the Philadelphia Athletic Association Football Club reorganizes. At a meeting at Doyle's Hotel on 4th & Lehigh Ave, an enthusiastic and well-attended meeting discussed the remaining game in the American League vs. Camden. The Philadelphia Challenge Cup Competition vs. Camden would mean that the league would need to put their strongest team on the field. At this same meeting, officers were elected. George Beech Sr. (representative to the league and alternate) was one, this time joined by his son Alfred Beech (manager).
In 1919 George Beech was involved in the creation of a Soccer club at the carpet mill Hardwick & Magee. The team would organize and apply for franchise in the Industrial League for the following season. Beech is mentioned as a President and later provides a statement to the paper that there are a number of well-known players at the plant. Right now, they have 14 players recruited and some well-known players are mentioned. George Beech, mentioned as goal tender for the Victors three years ago (unclear whether it is Sr. or Jr.) and Harold Beech, my great-grandfather, who "sported the Victors colors.
Unfortunately, George Beech Sr., along with Alfred Beech, George Beech Jr. and Harold Beech were on their way to their summer home in Wildwood, NJ in June of 1937 when involved in an automobile accident that led to the death of George Sr. At the time he was 74 years old.
Future Reading: https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/soccer/The_origins_of_Philadelphias_first_soccer_league.html
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