Thanks to Bill Hense for a start on the names below. Others I matched from the 1922 Hense's team which had the names on the photo.
Top row: 1. Dave Reid, 2. William H. Hense, 3. Will Reid, 4. Mike Delaney, 5. John Schurwan, 6. John Wilson, 7. .....
Middle row: 1. Kling, 2. "Tuts" Runge, 3. Edward Phelan, 4. Thomas Haley and 5. McCune
Bottom row: 1. Frank Cummings, 2. Festus Signaigo, 3. Fern Mitchell, 4. John Rooney, 5. Father Lloyd Sullivan
Note: In newspaper articles about games other names mentioned in the line ups are: (Slim) Reid, Henley, Runge, McGrew
The Henses won the Sherman Park division of the St. Louis Muny League in the 1924-25 season and had to play St. Matthews for the city championship. It was a 2 out of 3 series and St. Matthews won the first game on Sunday March 1st.
After this game the Hense’s threatened to forfeit the second game and the championship unless outside an outside referee was brought in.
In an unidentified newspaper story from the first week of March 1925, we read:
It was learned today that the importation of J.B. Stark from Detroit to referee next Sunday’s Municipal Soccer League final between the St. Matthews and the Henses followed closely upon an ultimatum served on Supt. William F. Yorger by the management of the Hense team.
“The Municipal Soccer League referees are so incompetent and are so afraid to enforce proper decisions that, after last Sunday’s roughhouse game at Fairground I decided that my team would not be permitted to take the field unless an out-of-town referee was in charge of the game,” said William Hense Jr., manager of the Hense team.
“We told Mr. Yorger that there was on use of our team playing such a game as the issue was all cut and dried for the St. Matthews to win the pennant. The conduct of the referees proved that to us last Sunday. Mr. Yorger did not volunteer to bring Stark or any other referee to St. Louis for this game as has been reported. He was forced to do so because we had refused absolutely to play under any Municipal League referee.”
Manager Hense recounted several instances of what he characterized as flagrant breaches of the rules and evidence of ignorance of the rules on the part of the referees.
Spectators at Sunday’s game were impressed with the unnecessary roughness which bordered upon dangerous charging which prevailed throughout the game.
Stark, who will be in charge of Sunday’s game, the second of a three-game series, is one of the most efficient soccer referees in America.
In the third game St. Matthews won since later on the Henses are called the “runner-ups” for the Municipal Championship. But, I haven’t found those stories yet.
However, after the season ended, the Henses then played an exhibition game against Vesper-Buick of the professional league and upset them 1-0.
An unidentified newspaper reports:
By Jack M. Van Pelt
Two feature soccer games will be played tomorrow at St. Louis University Field, Grand and Laclede. In the initial contest at 2 o’clock the Ben Millers, champions of St. Louis, will oppose an “All-Star” team composed of Scullin and Ratican Players. In the final battle, the Henses, runnup for the title in the Municipal League, will take on the Vesper-Buicks of the professional circuit.
Allie Schwarz, forward on the Scullins, will referee the first game, while the veteran Tate Brady will officiate in the second contest.
The Henses are on edge for the Vesper-Buicks. The Wise Avenue squad held a workout last night in preparation for the game. The players on the Sherman Park eleven are confident they will give the “Big Leaguers” a real battle. The Henses are a smoother working machine than the St. Matthews of the Muny League which won the championship.
Soccer followers are also of the opinion that the Henses will make a creditable showing. The Buicks are taking no chances and will face the Muny Leaguers with their strongest lineup. The McCarthyites also practiced yesterday for the inter-league clash.
Manager Wm. Hense of the Sherman Park eleven will start with the same lineup he used all season. Up to the elimination games the Henses were scored upon in only one game. It is thought that the Vespers will watch Johnny Rooney, Mitchell and Signago very closely. Sullivan and Cummings, the other Hense forwards are also highly rated.
Both teams have dependable goalies. Delaney of the Sherman Park team is classes as one of the best in the Muny League circles. “Charlie” LaBarge, who holds the goal berth for the Buicks, has been scored upon fewer times than any other guardsman in the city.
The Buicks are very strong on defensive. Besides having the best goalie in the city, the Automen have two classy full backs in Hand and Scott. McCarthy’s squad also has a powerful halfback line, “Ollie” Fink, Eddie Burke and “Chick” Oster form the Buick halfback line.
The “All-Star” team , which is managed by Harry Ratican, will have Leo Diel as its goalie; “Dutch” Oellerman will act as alternate. Hitchcok and Wawer will be the fullbacks while Ganley will be alternate. On the halfback line Rodriquez, Redden and Schurwan will be seen. Joe Sprintz, formerly of the Muny League, will be the alternate.
Al McHenry, Bochnicek, Brannon, Jimmy Burke and Hart will compose the forward line for the picked eleven. Bringle and Hensick will be used as substitutes.
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