Soccer Association
1947 to 2007
In 1947 a group of eleven (11) mature men whose unshaken commitment to the sport of soccer/football formed the P.O.S.A. (Philadelphia Oldtimers Soccer Association)
Their first meeting took place in the basement of a home in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. Many of these eleven were direct products of the early “Soccer” called the Lighthouse Boys/Men’s Club. The Boys/Men’s Club was physically located at Howard and Somerset Streets and Mascher and Lehigh Avenue in the heart of Kensington, Philadelphia. This area of the city took its name from the section in Great Britain where manufacturing of textiles flourished.
In the late 1800’s the textile, carpet and hosiery industry with its factories and mills had settled and grew in Kensington, Philadelphia. The NEW WORLD attracted immigrants/workers from England, Ireland and Scotland. Other European nationalities made an exodus from their native countries. This was especially true with a huge German influx that settled in and around Philadelphia. They founded rock-solid organizations and clubs that thrive today: notably United German Hungarians, Vereinigung Erzebirge and the Phoenix Sport Club. It was their objective to improve the quality of life for themselves and their family, hence came to America. The immigrant in their leisure time played their “national pastime.” They organized teams and leagues and developed and interested their American neighbors in their “fond sport.”
The Lighthouse Organization with its field and facilities afforded an excellent place and environment to play and develop.
In concert with the P.O.S.A, the ethnic clubs, and the Lighthouse Boys Club with their alumni, laid the cornerstone of soccer’s growth and development in areas contiguous to Philadelphia. Job and family requirements dictated they move from the city into the suburban areas. The alumni would form clubs, create intramural leagues; organize clinics, interest new neighbors and friends in the merits of this great sport.
If you go to a library or access the World Wide Web online you will find very little information on the early development of soccer in the USA and especially in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Oldtimers Soccer Association have met faithfully from 1947 to the present, 60 years, with regular monthly meetings, Board meetings, and special meetings called by the president. It is currently led by its President, Jimmy Kidd, Jr. The P.O.S.A. has had 8 distinguished past presidents. They were: Bill Hankins, Charles Dalton, Bob White, Chick Fallon *, Bob Wimsey, Mel Cassidy and Ernie Knowles.
* The working Committee of 40 was activated during his administration.
July 1971 P.O.S.A. incorporated State of Pennsylvania
1972 First group inducted to Hall of Fame
1972-99 Total Hall of fame inductees- 262 (many deceased)
Inductees
Hall of Fame