Berlin Rangers
(1884-1914 )
The Rangers, the original powerhouses of Canadian Football were the brainchild of the so-called “Father of Canadian ‘Soccer’” Scottish born, David Forsyth, win the…
Western Football Association Challenge Cup
…at their very first attempt (1885), going on to hoist the trophy on a further six occasions, the final hoist coming in 1900…
The club’s finest moment, however, must surely have been when they took on & beat the famous English Pilgrims touring side of 1902, 2-1…
Pilgrims’ nogress…
Come 1914 & the dawning of warring in Europe, the British contingent of Berlin are fast falling out with the Germanic one & in April it’s decided to hold a referendum on whether to keep the city’s name or change it to something just a little more loyal sounding…
Ich bien ein Kitchener, now !
To Berlin or not Berlin, that was the question…
…& if one thought the Brexit referendum was a bit bitchy at least no-one found themselves tied to a horse & dragged through the streets… (well, not that we’re aware of…)
…If one should care to know a little more about the whole wretched episode, there’s a good retelling of events, here…
Berlin Rangers Key-Players, here…
Key-Players
Sol Brubacher
After completing two succesful tours of Britain, Wattie is persuaded to remain in England becoming the first foreign born player to make for himself a living in the Football League, turning out a few times for Accrington before a big money move to Manchester City…
Club creator & original Captain of the Canadian National team… Born in Perth, Scotland, David’s family had emigrated when he was just two years of age…
David Forsyth
Fred Killer
A bookkeeper by trade, Full-Back Freddy was also a bit of a mean pianist !
Walter Bowman
A partner & secretary of the renowned Dominion Button factory, poor unfortunate Solomon