I thought it worth noting, before all the soccer-hype of the last few weeks brought on by the FIFA World Cup in South Africa dies down, that our family has a special soccer connection.  My great-grandfather (my mom's mom's dad) is an inductee in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.  I took the following text from their website.  It makes sense that my brother, Mike, was such a great soccer player – it runs in his blood. And after reading the first sentence of his bio, I realize that our competitive nature also runs deep.  Wish I had video footage of that game!

Harry_fairfield

Harry H. Fairfield

Remembered in his birthplace as the player who ignored the phenomenon and stuck with the ball to score the winning goal as 21 other players and the spectators stood transfixed at the sight of Halley's Comet in 1910.

Personal Information

Class of 1951
Born: March 22, 1890 – Birmingham, England
Died: February 6, 1991 -  Pittsburgh, PA

Emigrated to the United States and played as a goalkeeper until he flipped the ball over his head and into his own net. Returning from active service in World War One he refereed and held various offices in the Referees' Association until 1923. Served as president of the West Penn Association twice and as secretary three times, the last being from 1936 to 1950. He was made a life member in 1951. Served as vice president of the United States Football Association from 1938 to 1945 when he was elected president, an office he held until 1948. Helped organize the North American Confederation of the U.S., Canada, Cuba and Mexico in 1947 and represented the parent body at the FIFA Congress in London in 1948. He was a sports reporter with the Pittsburgh Press starting in 1923 and a member of the Brentwood Borough Council from 1938 to 1944 when he resigned.

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One response to “Soccer Connection”

  1. Mom Avatar
    Mom

    Don’t you know he would be pleased to know that “football” is becoming more popular in the US? What I remember most about him is that he would write me letters and use “big” words. He fostered my love of writing and words . . .

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