BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY - Key Persons

Played for Bethlehem in 1929-30. Returned to Scotland after the disbanding of the Bethlehem F. C., and had a successful career in Scotland. He was the captain of the Glentoran F.C. in Northern Ireland and played for his home team, the Greenock Morton. Billy died around 1976.

A former Scottish junior goalkeeper who signed for the Steel club on February 11, 1927. Signed to cover for regular goalie Dave Edwards, but also seen as being capable to assume every position on the team. Had just arrived from Scotland, where he played for the Parkheads Junior Club of the Glasgow League. Made his debut when he came on as a substitue for Edwards in a game where the Steelmen completely vanquished the Philadelphia F. C. 7-0 on March 5, 1927. His only starting league game came on May 1, 1927 in a 6-5 loss to J & P Coats of Pawtucket. This is how the The Globe describes his debut: "Edwards was relieved of the goal tending duties for the game against Coats and Galbraith, a newcomer to the club this season, pressed into service. The speed of the Pawtucket forward somewhat dazzled him in the opening minute of play and after eight minutes Coats had notched its third goal. From then on Bethlehem played soccer with the defense much stronger."

Born: Bellshill, Scotland, August 12, 1895. Died: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 1974. Inside Right. Diminutive in stature but noted for his skilful manipulation of the ball and his ability to outjump taller opponents for headers. Although born in Scotland he grew up in the Pittsburg area and played for Castle Shannon, Arden, Vestaburg and Jennette in western Pennsylvania from 1912 to 1920. In 1921 he joined Bethlehem Steel and played for them in the American Soccer League until 1930. During that time the team won the American Soccer League championship in 1921-22 (as Philadelphia) and 1926-27 as well as the Lewis Cup in 1928. In 1926 he was a member of the Bethlehem team that won the National Challenge Cup and he scored one of the goals in the 7-2 win over St. Louis Ben Millers in the final. In the fall of 1930 he returned to Scotland and spent one season. In Edinburgh playing for Hearts. After that it was back to the U.S. in 1931 to play for Newark and on his retirement from playing to coach junior teams.

Born in Scotland. Goldie arrived in the United States, from Scottish club Clydebank, in the summer of 1922 and almost immediately became one of the top wingers in the game. Goldie played six seasons with Bethlehem Steel often supplying the passes which led to Archie Stark's record goalscoring feats. He helped the Steelers win the ASL championship in 1926-27 and in addition to supplying the ammunition for Stark scored ten goals himself. He was also a mmeber of the National Challenge Cup winning team in 1926. He moved on to Fall River for the 1928-29 season and later played for New Bedford and Pawtucket. Goldie represented the United States against Canada in 1925 and at the conclusion of his playing career coached at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for ten years.

Born in Girvan, Scotland around 1901. Following a mediocre career in Britain with Hamilton Academicals, Queen of the South and Preston North End, Gillespie signed for Bethlehem Steel in the summer of 1926 and immediately became one of the top forwards in the American Soccer League. Playing alongside the great Archie Stark in the Steelers attack they became a two pronged scoring threat with Gillespie scoring 33 goals in 32 games in his first season, as Bethlehem won the 1926-27 ASL championship. The following year he hit 28 goals in 43 games, then 17 in the Eastern Soccer League before surprisingly his production fell off sharply. In the fall of 1931 he returned to Preston but only played four games.