SOCCER CAREER
OF
ROBERT C. CORBETT (BOB)

1946-47 SEASON: ST. LOUIS RAIDERS

Things picked up for ME in the 1946-47 season. The North American Soccer League was formed and the St. Louis Raiders was St. Louis' entry in the league. Dad was playing with them. Home games were played at Sportsman's Park and the team travelled a lot, most travel by train. Dad took me with him on quite a few of the trips, so I got to do some travelling in the years of the touring league.

1947-48 SEASON: ST. LOUIS RAIDERS
PLAYING COACH

I'm a bit confused by this season. While my father was the palying-coach of the Raiders, the Raiders now seem to be playing in a pro league that is made up of 4 St. Louis teams. Yet I have conflicting data I'll have to work out as time permits.

Below is my photo of the 1947-48 Raiders.

Top row from left: Tony Mercurio, trainer, Leo Puttin, Bill Mehan, Bill Murphy, Bill Keogh, Harold Dia, Phil Kavanaugh, Ollie Bohlman, Bob Corbett, Amiel Munuz and Nick Jost, sponsor

Bottom row: Mike (Tusky) Montani, Gus Alberici, Frank Licavoli, Blow Muniz, Abe Fitzgerald and Harry Keough

This was Bob Corbett's first time as a coach. Jack Giesler somehow got this photo from Frank Nazzoli and sent it to my father.

From the left: Mike Montani, Ollie Bohlman, Coach Bob Corbett, Gus Alberici and Al Fink

1948-49 SEASON: PAUL SCHULTE MOTORS

Standing from left: Nick Jost, Joe Hennessy, Tony Mercurio, Gino Pariani, Larry Kind, Bob Fitzgerald, (unknown man in suit) Jack Rooney, Al Fink, Phil Kavanaugh, Blow Muniz, Willie Murphy, Hal Weigel, Warren Bockwinkle, Paul Schulte

Front row: unknown kid, Ollie Bohlman, Bob Corbett, Mike Montani, Oscan Corona, Harry Keough, Herman Wecke, Emil Muniz, Gus Alberici, Ray Bordeau

1949-50 SEASON: AFTER ACTUALLY RETIRING, BOB PLAYED A FEW GAMES FOR SPANISH AMERICAN YOUTH IN THE CUP PLAYOFFS

Dad's best running days were over. He didn't quite have the incredible speed and endurance which made him such an overpowering inside man. He decided to retire, but did agree to play for SAY at the end of the season in either cup or league playoffs. I do recall that they had him playing center forward again, which he hadn't done in many years. He didn't have to run as much. I do remember him heading in some critical goals off corner kicks in a game down at Carondelet.

Other than Bob Corbett (top row, third from left), I don't know any other players on this photo. If you know any of the others, please e-mail me. Thanks.

1950-51 SEASON: ST. JAMES CYC SENION TEAM
BOB CORBETT WAS THE COACH, PLAYED IN A FEW GAMES

Kneeling from left: Bill Dowling, Jack (Weed) McVey, Tom (Rusty) Crowe, Frank Pilla, Bill (Shorty) Connors, Jim Brady

Standing from left: Ed Brennan, Tom Troll, Mickey Mayor, Bob McVey, Irv Shurman, Bill Hense, Bill Meehan, Jim McEvoy, Jim Moral, Bob Corbett, coach

Bob Corbett was retired, although he played a couple of times. People tended to think he was much older than he was -- perhaps he did himself, given the on-set of knee problems that plagued him the rest of his life. Howerver, St. Louis fans were just used to him being around so long. He had hit the serious level of soccer running in 1932 at the age of 16. Now, only 18 years later, and Bob only 34 years old he was much younger than most would have believed. Perhaps the general view of Bob, including, as I suggested, himself, was captured by a fan in the world of sports writer Bill Kerch who overheard the comment:

THIS ENDS THE CURRENT RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON MY FATHER'S SOCCER CAREER. I DO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DATA, PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS ON HIS POST-CAREER DAYS OF AWARDS AND CONTINUED SOCCER ACTIVITY. ALL THAT IS COMING SOON.

Additionally, I will so post a story on the Corbett family and soccer. Bob was the best known of the five Corbetts, but his four brothers are also members of the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame, and I will present a bit about them in a follow-up story --
COMING SOON.