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The '''Pottstown Firebirds''' were a professional [[American football]] minor league team and member of the [[Atlantic Coast Football League]] from 1968 to 1970. The Pottstown Firebirds were former NFL football players, former college football players, and former high school football players that loved to play the game of football. The Firebirds were originally a "farm club" of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] and were provided with equipment/helmets already emblazened with Eagle wings. Only a few Firebirds ever moved up to NFL teams. The Firebirds affiliation with the Philadelphia Eagles was short-lived and was withdrawn in 1970. The Pottstown Firebirds home field was located at the Pottstown High School and it still exists to this day. In their final two seasons of existence in Pottstown (1969 and 1970), the Firebirds won the league championship. |
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{{Short description|Defunct American football team}} |
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{{Infobox sports team |
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| color1 = |
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| color2 = |
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| logo = Pottstown Firebirds logo.jpeg |
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| pixels = |
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| founded = 1968 |
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| dissolved = 1971 |
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| league = [[Atlantic Coast Football League]] |
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| history = |
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| arena = |
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| city = [[Pottstown, Pennsylvania]] |
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| colors = |
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| championships = 2 |
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| titles = |
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| mascot = |
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}} |
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The '''Pottstown Firebirds''' were a professional [[American football]] minor league team and member of the [[Atlantic Coast Football League]] (ACFL) from 1968 to 1970. The Pottstown Firebirds played their home games at Pottstown High School stadium. In their final two seasons of existence in Pottstown (1969 and 1970), the Firebirds won the league championship. |
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In 1971, the Firebirds merged with the [[Norfolk Neptunes]] and left Pottstown. (That year, the [[Seaboard Football League]] established the Schuylkill County Coal Crackers as a replacement team; the Coal Crackers moved to [[Reading, Pennsylvania|Reading]] after one season, bringing an end to professional football in Pottstown.) After the collapse of the ACFL a couple of years later, the World Football League sprang up. Many of the Pottstown Firebirds went on to play for the [[Philadelphia Bell]] as described in Vince Papale's book ''Invincible''. Ron Waller, former Head Offensive Coach of the Firebirds, moved on to become Head Coach of the Philadelphia Bell in 1974. |
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==History== |
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The Firebirds were perhaps best remembered as the subject of a 1970 [[NFL Films]] documentary ''Pro Football, Pottstown, Pa.'' which documented the ties between the minor league club, its players, and their hometown of [[Pottstown, Pennsylvania]]. Of particular note was the portrayal of the Firebirds' star quarterback, [[King Corcoran]]. "The King" was considered the "Poor Man's Joe Namath" and had stints on the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles before landing in Pottstown. |
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The Firebirds were founded in 1968 and were originally a "farm club" of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]]. The team was provided with equipment/helmets already emblazoned with Eagle wings. The Firebirds affiliation with the Philadelphia Eagles was short-lived and was withdrawn in 1970. In 1969 and 1970, the Firebirds won back-to-back ACFL championships. |
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In 2000 NFL Films returned to Pottstown for an episode of their ''[[Lost Treasures]]'' series. ''Pottstown Revisited'' covered some surviving players reminiscing about their days on the team, remembered the town's relationship with the long-gone /football team, and filmed a 30-year player reunion. |
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In 1971, the Firebirds merged with the [[Norfolk Neptunes]] and left Pottstown. After the collapse of the ACFL a couple of years later, the [[World Football League]] sprang up. Many of the Pottstown Firebirds went on to play for the [[Philadelphia Bell]] as described in Vince Papale's book ''Invincible''. Ron Waller, former Head Offensive Coach of the Firebirds, served as interim head coach of the [[San Diego Chargers]] for the final six games of 1973, then moved on to become head coach of the Philadelphia Bell in 1974. |
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==NFL Films documentary== |
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The Firebirds were perhaps best remembered as the subject of a 1970 [[NFL Films]] documentary ''Pro Football, Pottstown, Pa.'' which documented the ties between the minor league club, its players, and their hometown of [[Pottstown, Pennsylvania]]. Of particular note was the portrayal of the Firebirds' star quarterback, [[King Corcoran|Jim "The King" Corcoran]]. "The King" was considered the "Poor Man's [[Joe Namath]]" for his flamboyance; preferring to be a star in the minor leagues over a backup in the NFL, he played a single game in the NFL with the then-[[New England Patriots|Boston Patriots]] in addition to preseason stints with several others. |
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In 2000, NFL Films returned to Pottstown for an episode of their ''Lost Treasures'' series. ''Pottstown Revisited'' covered some surviving players reminiscing about their days on the team, remembered the town's relationship with the long-gone football team, and filmed a 30-year player reunion. |
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== Funding == |
== Funding == |
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== Key Landmarks == |
== Key Landmarks == |
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'''The Downtown Motor Inn's''' name has since gone but the hotel at High and Manatawny Streets still exists. The Firebirds and |
'''The Downtown Motor Inn's''' name has since gone but the hotel itself, at High and Manatawny Streets, still exists. The Firebirds and their staff lived there during the season. |
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'''The Firebird's "Roost"''' was a home near Hanover and Third Streets where a number of the Firebirds players lived. The "Roost" was later torn down and no longer exists today. |
'''The Firebird's "Roost"''' was a home near Hanover and Third Streets where a number of the Firebirds players lived. The "Roost" was later torn down and no longer exists today. |
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'''The Elks Home''', 61 High Street, was the location where important team meetings took place and where the Firebirds ate a number of their meals. The Elks Home is still in operation today. |
'''The Elks Home''', 61 High Street, was the location where important team meetings took place and where the Firebirds ate a number of their meals. The Elks Home is still in operation today. |
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'''Pottstown High School''' |
'''Pottstown High School''' – Firebird home games were played at the high school football stadium that is used to this day. Firebird team players used the high school locker room in the basement for practices and games. Not sure if the old locker room in the basement still exists today (2012) as the school had undergone renovations in the past few years. |
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'''Bellewood Country Club''' |
'''Bellewood Country Club''' – Both mansions at this country club belonged to Gruber and was later purchased by investors to develop the location into a golf course. |
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== 1968 Results == |
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''Second Place Southern Division 6-5-1'' |
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08/17/1968 '''Harrisburg Capitol Colts''' '''10''' at Pottstown Firebirds '''0''' Franklin Field, Attendance of 5,000 |
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08/24/1968 Virginia Sailors '''13 vs Pottstown Firebirds 20''' Hemdon Stadium, Virginia |
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09/07/1968 '''Hartford Knights 13''' at Pottstown Firebirds '''7''' Franklin Field, Attendance of 6,150 |
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09/14/1968 '''Bridgeport Jets 24''' at Pottstown Firebirds '''0''' Franklin Field, Attendance of 5,228 |
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09/21/1968 Lowell Giants '''14 vs Pottstown Firebirds 35''' Cawley Memorial Stadium, Lowell, MA, Attendance of 4,500 |
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09/28/1968 '''Virginia Sailors 10''' vs Pottstown Firebirds '''7''' Hemdon Stadium, Virginia, Attendance 3,723 |
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10/05/1968 Harrisburg Capitol Colts '''7 at Pottstown Firebirds 17''' Franklin Field, Attendance 4,000 |
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10/12/1968 Virginia Sailors '''0 at Pottstown Firebirds 17''' Franklin Field, Attendance 4,820 |
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10/18/1968 '''Bridgeport Jets 27''' vs Potstown Firebirds '''7''' John F. Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport, CT, Attendance 13,246 |
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10/26/1968 Lowell Giants '''14 at Pottstown Firebirds 25''' Franklin Field, Attendance 5,000 |
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11/02/1968 '''Richmond Roadrunners 17 vs Pottstown Firebirds 17''' City Stadium, Richmond, Virginia, Attendance 6,000 |
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11/09/1968 Richmond Roadrunners '''3 at Pottstown Firebirds 14''' Franklin Field, Attendance 2,600 |
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11/16/1968 '''Hartford Knights 35''' vs Pottstown Firebirds '''21''', Dillon Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, Attendance 5,200 |
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11/23/1968 Harrisburg Capitol Colts '''13 vs Pottstown Firebirds 27''', New Island Park, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
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==1968 Roster== |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>1 '''Fonash, John''' – Flanker/Wide-Receiver # 60 '''Levandowski, Leo''' – Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>11 '''Haynie, Jim''' – Quarterback #61 '''Parrish, Phil''' – Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>15 '''Wilson, George''' – Quarterback/Punter #63 '''Speers, Steve''' – Linebacker |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>20 '''Elion, Charles''' – Halfback #64 '''Hall, Ed''' – Defensive End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>22 '''Neal, Ford''' – Halfback #65 '''Hughes, Walt''' – Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>30 '''Bibaud, Jean''' – Fullback #66 '''Morda, Lou''' – Linebacker |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>31 '''Antonini, Frank''' – Fullback #67 '''Stillman, Pat''' – Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>32 '''Burton, Bob''' – Linebacker #68 '''Karl, Don''' – Defensive Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>40 '''Drew, John''' – Fullback #70 '''Bubnis, Brian''' – Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>41 '''Allen, Buddy''' – Defensive Back #71 '''Gassert, Ron''' – Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>42 '''Klein, Jim''' – Defensive Back #72 '''Brooks, Jon''' – Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>43 '''Stancell, Harold''' – Defensive Back #77 '''Fry, John''' – Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>44 '''Ross, Sherman''' – Defensive Back #79 '''Harris, Randy''' – Defensive End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>45 '''Pyne, Ed''' – Kicker/Defensive Back #82 '''Day, Pressly''' – Defensive Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>46 '''Brown, Tom''' – Defensive Back #83 '''Derry, Stan''' – Defensive End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>49 '''DiPhillippo, Jerry''' – Linebacker #84 '''Souels, Dick''' – Flanker/Wide-Receiver |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>50 '''Ross, Tom''' – Defensive Tackle #87 '''Murphy, H.D.''' – OE |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>51 '''[[Mark Kosmos|Kosmos, Mark]]''' – Linebacker #88 '''Pelkington, Bob''' – Tight-End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>52 '''Cercel, Paul''' – Center #89 '''McKnight, Ostell''' – OE |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>55 '''Hale, Danny''' – Linebacker |
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==1969 Roster== |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>3 '''Wilkinson, Don''' – Wide-Receiver |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>10 '''Hayne, Jim''' – Quarterback |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>13 '''Dial, Benji''' – Quarterback |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>16 '''Nauss, Herb''' – Defensive Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>18 '''Harold, George''' – Defensive Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>21 '''Dobbins, Oliver''' – Defensive Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>22 '''Austin, Joe''' – Defensive Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>24 '''Ross, Sherman''' – Defensive Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>25 '''Grimes, Roger''' – Running Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>26 '''Land, John''' – Running Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>34 '''Adams, Gary''' – Defensive Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>35 '''Goodwin, Doug''' – Running Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>37 '''Watts, Claude''' – Running Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>41 '''Allen, Buddy''' – Defensive Back |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>50 '''Alois, Art''' – Center |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>51 [[Mark Kosmos|'''Kosmos, Mark''']] - Linebacker |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>52 '''Speers, Steve''' – Linebacker |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>53 '''DiPhillippo, Jerry''' – Linebacker |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>54 '''Foster, Jim''' – Linebacker |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>58 '''Clay, Roy''' – Linebacker |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>61 '''Levandowski, Leo''' – Offensive Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>63 '''Hughes, Walter''' – Offensive Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>64 '''Barber, John''' – Offensive Guard |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>68 '''Cercel, Paul''' – Center |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>70 '''Sarkisian, Tom''' – Offensive Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>73 '''Stetz, Bill''' – Defensive Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>74 '''Puterbaugh, Bruce''' – Defensive Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>76 [[Wade Key|'''Key, Wade''']] - Offensive Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>77 '''Blake, Joe''' – Defensive End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>78 '''Davis, Tommie''' – Defensive End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>79 '''Ross, Tom''' – Defensive Tackle |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>80 '''Barnhorst, Dick''' – Wide Receiver |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>81 '''Pyne, Ed''' – Split End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>83 '''Angevine, Leon''' – Split End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>84 [[Bob Tucker (American football)|'''Tucker, Bob''']] - Tight End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>85 '''Day, Pressly''' – Defensive End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>87 '''Wink, Dean''' – Tight End |
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<nowiki>#</nowiki>88 '''Carr, Tom''' – Defensive End |
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== 1969 Staff and Coaches == |
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'''Team Owner''' – Ed Gruber |
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'''Head coach''' – Dave Difilippo |
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'''President -''' Robert Calvario |
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'''Offensive Coordinator & Business Manager''' – Ron Waller |
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'''Vice-president''' – William Miller, Jr. |
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'''Assistants -''' [[Joseph Rogers (American football)|Joe Rogers]], John Schweder, Carmen Cavelli |
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'''Publicity Director''' – Bill Dougherty |
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'''Treasurer -''' Donald F. Specht |
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'''Secretary -''' Robert Tyson |
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== 1970 Season == |
== 1970 Season == |
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'''11 Wins |
'''11 Wins''' |
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'''& 1 loss''' |
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09/12/70 Firebirds-41 Roanoke Buckskins-0 |
09/12/70 Firebirds-41 Roanoke Buckskins-0 |
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12/12/70 Firebirds-31 Hartford Knights-0 |
12/12/70 Firebirds-31 Hartford Knights-0 |
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==1970 |
==1970 Roster== |
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Adams, Ernie - Offensive Guard |
Adams, Ernie - Offensive Guard |
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Carr, Tom - Assistant Coach |
Carr, Tom - Assistant Coach |
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Corcoran, Sean Patrick "Jimmy" - Quarterback |
[[King Corcoran|Corcoran, Sean Patrick "Jimmy"]] - Quarterback |
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Davis, Tommy - Defensive Tackle |
Davis, Tommy - Defensive Tackle |
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| Line 83: | Line 279: | ||
Diphillippo, Jerry - Linebacker |
Diphillippo, Jerry - Linebacker |
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DiSantis, Frank - Guard/Linebacker |
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Dolbin, Jack - Wide Receiver |
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[[Jack Dolbin|Dolbin, Jack]] - Wide Receiver |
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Foster, Jim - Linebacker |
Foster, Jim - Linebacker |
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| Line 115: | Line 313: | ||
Sarkisian, Tom - Offensive Tackle |
Sarkisian, Tom - Offensive Tackle |
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Stetz, Bill - |
[[Bill Stetz|Stetz, Bill]] - Defensive Tackle |
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Thrower, Jim - Defensive Back |
Thrower, Jim - Defensive Back |
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| Line 127: | Line 325: | ||
Zegalia, Steve - Linebacker |
Zegalia, Steve - Linebacker |
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President – Bob "Chuz" Calvario |
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== 1970 Staff and Coaches == |
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Team Owner - Ed Gruber |
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President - Bob "Chuz" Calvario |
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General Manager/Head |
General Manager/Head coach – Dave DiFilippo |
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Head Offensive Coach - Ron Waller |
Head Offensive Coach - Ron Waller |
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Team Physician - Dr. Daniel Gross |
Team Physician - Dr. Daniel Gross |
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Trainer |
Trainer – Bill "Scotty" Scott |
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Assistant Trainer |
Assistant Trainer – Bill Kirlin |
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Equipment Manager |
Equipment Manager – John DeGregorio |
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Ball Boys - Dave Musser, |
Ball Boys - Dave Musser, John Katch, and Steve Cavallo |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* [http://www.ovguide.com/tv_episode/lost-treasures-of-nfl-films-season-2-episode-2-pottstown-revisited-130056 Watch Lost Treasures of NFL Films Season 2 Episode 2 Pottstown Revisited (OVGuide)] |
* [http://www.ovguide.com/tv_episode/lost-treasures-of-nfl-films-season-2-episode-2-pottstown-revisited-130056 Watch Lost Treasures of NFL Films Season 2 Episode 2 Pottstown Revisited (OVGuide)] |
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*[ |
*[https://www.amazon.com/NFL-Films-Legends-Autumn-America/dp/B000Z7OTFU Watch the DVD by NFL Films - Big Game America: Legends of Autumn Vol IV (features the Pottstown Firebirds revisited footage and was available at Amazon as of 12-26-12)] |
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* ''The Forgettables'' by Jay Acton - {{ISBN|0-690-00088-X}} |
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* Official website: www.pottstownfirebirds.org |
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*The Timeless Victors Book |
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{{Atlantic Coast Football League}} |
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* ''The Forgettables'' by Jay Acton - ISBN 0-690-00088-X |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Atlantic Coast Football League teams]] |
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[[Category:Defunct American football teams in Pennsylvania]] |
[[Category:Defunct American football teams in Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Montgomery County, Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:American football teams established in 1968]] |
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[[Category:Sports clubs and teams disestablished in 1970]] |
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[[Category:1968 establishments in Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:1970 disestablishments in Pennsylvania]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:42, 12 August 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2020) |
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| Founded | 1968 |
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| Dissolved | 1971 |
| League | Atlantic Coast Football League |
| Based in | Pottstown, Pennsylvania |
| Championships | 2 |
The Pottstown Firebirds were a professional American football minor league team and member of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL) from 1968 to 1970. The Pottstown Firebirds played their home games at Pottstown High School stadium. In their final two seasons of existence in Pottstown (1969 and 1970), the Firebirds won the league championship.
History
[edit]The Firebirds were founded in 1968 and were originally a "farm club" of the Philadelphia Eagles. The team was provided with equipment/helmets already emblazoned with Eagle wings. The Firebirds affiliation with the Philadelphia Eagles was short-lived and was withdrawn in 1970. In 1969 and 1970, the Firebirds won back-to-back ACFL championships.
In 1971, the Firebirds merged with the Norfolk Neptunes and left Pottstown. After the collapse of the ACFL a couple of years later, the World Football League sprang up. Many of the Pottstown Firebirds went on to play for the Philadelphia Bell as described in Vince Papale's book Invincible. Ron Waller, former Head Offensive Coach of the Firebirds, served as interim head coach of the San Diego Chargers for the final six games of 1973, then moved on to become head coach of the Philadelphia Bell in 1974.
NFL Films documentary
[edit]The Firebirds were perhaps best remembered as the subject of a 1970 NFL Films documentary Pro Football, Pottstown, Pa. which documented the ties between the minor league club, its players, and their hometown of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Of particular note was the portrayal of the Firebirds' star quarterback, Jim "The King" Corcoran. "The King" was considered the "Poor Man's Joe Namath" for his flamboyance; preferring to be a star in the minor leagues over a backup in the NFL, he played a single game in the NFL with the then-Boston Patriots in addition to preseason stints with several others.
In 2000, NFL Films returned to Pottstown for an episode of their Lost Treasures series. Pottstown Revisited covered some surviving players reminiscing about their days on the team, remembered the town's relationship with the long-gone football team, and filmed a 30-year player reunion.
Funding
[edit]Bob "Chuz" Calvario and Al Cavallo were credited with founding the Firebirds minor league football franchise in Pottstown. To raise funds, Calvario and Cavallo assembled a group of local investors that all put up a few hundred dollars each and they also sold public stock. In order to secure a franchise, $10,000 was needed to post a performance bond with the ACFL. The franchise was secured but the group fell short of meeting their financial goals to fund an entire team until the entry of local millionaire Ed Gruber. The Pottstown Firebirds financial short-comings were over as Gruber put up the cash to attract the best minor league players money could buy. Ultimately, Gruber became the team owner and called all the shots.
Key Landmarks
[edit]The Downtown Motor Inn's name has since gone but the hotel itself, at High and Manatawny Streets, still exists. The Firebirds and their staff lived there during the season.
The Firebird's "Roost" was a home near Hanover and Third Streets where a number of the Firebirds players lived. The "Roost" was later torn down and no longer exists today.
The Elks Home, 61 High Street, was the location where important team meetings took place and where the Firebirds ate a number of their meals. The Elks Home is still in operation today.
Pottstown High School – Firebird home games were played at the high school football stadium that is used to this day. Firebird team players used the high school locker room in the basement for practices and games. Not sure if the old locker room in the basement still exists today (2012) as the school had undergone renovations in the past few years.
Bellewood Country Club – Both mansions at this country club belonged to Gruber and was later purchased by investors to develop the location into a golf course.
1968 Results
[edit]Second Place Southern Division 6-5-1
08/17/1968 Harrisburg Capitol Colts 10 at Pottstown Firebirds 0 Franklin Field, Attendance of 5,000
08/24/1968 Virginia Sailors 13 vs Pottstown Firebirds 20 Hemdon Stadium, Virginia
09/07/1968 Hartford Knights 13 at Pottstown Firebirds 7 Franklin Field, Attendance of 6,150
09/14/1968 Bridgeport Jets 24 at Pottstown Firebirds 0 Franklin Field, Attendance of 5,228
09/21/1968 Lowell Giants 14 vs Pottstown Firebirds 35 Cawley Memorial Stadium, Lowell, MA, Attendance of 4,500
09/28/1968 Virginia Sailors 10 vs Pottstown Firebirds 7 Hemdon Stadium, Virginia, Attendance 3,723
10/05/1968 Harrisburg Capitol Colts 7 at Pottstown Firebirds 17 Franklin Field, Attendance 4,000
10/12/1968 Virginia Sailors 0 at Pottstown Firebirds 17 Franklin Field, Attendance 4,820
10/18/1968 Bridgeport Jets 27 vs Potstown Firebirds 7 John F. Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport, CT, Attendance 13,246
10/26/1968 Lowell Giants 14 at Pottstown Firebirds 25 Franklin Field, Attendance 5,000
11/02/1968 Richmond Roadrunners 17 vs Pottstown Firebirds 17 City Stadium, Richmond, Virginia, Attendance 6,000
11/09/1968 Richmond Roadrunners 3 at Pottstown Firebirds 14 Franklin Field, Attendance 2,600
11/16/1968 Hartford Knights 35 vs Pottstown Firebirds 21, Dillon Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, Attendance 5,200
11/23/1968 Harrisburg Capitol Colts 13 vs Pottstown Firebirds 27, New Island Park, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1968 Roster
[edit]#1 Fonash, John – Flanker/Wide-Receiver # 60 Levandowski, Leo – Guard
#11 Haynie, Jim – Quarterback #61 Parrish, Phil – Guard
#15 Wilson, George – Quarterback/Punter #63 Speers, Steve – Linebacker
#20 Elion, Charles – Halfback #64 Hall, Ed – Defensive End
#22 Neal, Ford – Halfback #65 Hughes, Walt – Guard
#30 Bibaud, Jean – Fullback #66 Morda, Lou – Linebacker
#31 Antonini, Frank – Fullback #67 Stillman, Pat – Guard
#32 Burton, Bob – Linebacker #68 Karl, Don – Defensive Tackle
#40 Drew, John – Fullback #70 Bubnis, Brian – Guard
#41 Allen, Buddy – Defensive Back #71 Gassert, Ron – Tackle
#42 Klein, Jim – Defensive Back #72 Brooks, Jon – Guard
#43 Stancell, Harold – Defensive Back #77 Fry, John – Tackle
#44 Ross, Sherman – Defensive Back #79 Harris, Randy – Defensive End
#45 Pyne, Ed – Kicker/Defensive Back #82 Day, Pressly – Defensive Tackle
#46 Brown, Tom – Defensive Back #83 Derry, Stan – Defensive End
#49 DiPhillippo, Jerry – Linebacker #84 Souels, Dick – Flanker/Wide-Receiver
#50 Ross, Tom – Defensive Tackle #87 Murphy, H.D. – OE
#51 Kosmos, Mark – Linebacker #88 Pelkington, Bob – Tight-End
#52 Cercel, Paul – Center #89 McKnight, Ostell – OE
#55 Hale, Danny – Linebacker
1969 Roster
[edit]#3 Wilkinson, Don – Wide-Receiver
#10 Hayne, Jim – Quarterback
#13 Dial, Benji – Quarterback
#16 Nauss, Herb – Defensive Back
#18 Harold, George – Defensive Back
#21 Dobbins, Oliver – Defensive Back
#22 Austin, Joe – Defensive Back
#24 Ross, Sherman – Defensive Back
#25 Grimes, Roger – Running Back
#26 Land, John – Running Back
#34 Adams, Gary – Defensive Back
#35 Goodwin, Doug – Running Back
#37 Watts, Claude – Running Back
#41 Allen, Buddy – Defensive Back
#50 Alois, Art – Center
#51 Kosmos, Mark - Linebacker
#52 Speers, Steve – Linebacker
#53 DiPhillippo, Jerry – Linebacker
#54 Foster, Jim – Linebacker
#58 Clay, Roy – Linebacker
#61 Levandowski, Leo – Offensive Guard
#63 Hughes, Walter – Offensive Guard
#64 Barber, John – Offensive Guard
#68 Cercel, Paul – Center
#70 Sarkisian, Tom – Offensive Tackle
#73 Stetz, Bill – Defensive Tackle
#74 Puterbaugh, Bruce – Defensive Tackle
#76 Key, Wade - Offensive Tackle
#77 Blake, Joe – Defensive End
#78 Davis, Tommie – Defensive End
#79 Ross, Tom – Defensive Tackle
#80 Barnhorst, Dick – Wide Receiver
#81 Pyne, Ed – Split End
#83 Angevine, Leon – Split End
#84 Tucker, Bob - Tight End
#85 Day, Pressly – Defensive End
#87 Wink, Dean – Tight End
#88 Carr, Tom – Defensive End
1969 Staff and Coaches
[edit]Team Owner – Ed Gruber
Head coach – Dave Difilippo
President - Robert Calvario
Offensive Coordinator & Business Manager – Ron Waller
Vice-president – William Miller, Jr.
Assistants - Joe Rogers, John Schweder, Carmen Cavelli
Publicity Director – Bill Dougherty
Treasurer - Donald F. Specht
Secretary - Robert Tyson
1970 Season
[edit]11 Wins
& 1 loss
09/12/70 Firebirds-41 Roanoke Buckskins-0
09/19/70 Firebirds-38 Richmond Saints-10
09/26/70 Firebirds-24 Indianapolis Caps-9
10/03/70 Firebirds-20 Jersey Jays-9
10/09/70 Firebirds-30 Bridgeport Jets-26
10/17/70 Firebirds-36 Hartford Knights-27
10/31/70 Firebirds-35 Norfolk Neptunes-24
11/07/70 Firebirds-14 Orlando Panthers-12
11/14/70 Firebirds-34 Indianapolis Caps-13
11/20/70 Firebirds-22 Long Island Bulls-13
11/29/70 Firebirds-7 Norfolk Neptunes-22
12/06/70 Firebirds-18 Richmond Saints-0
Championship Game
12/12/70 Firebirds-31 Hartford Knights-0
1970 Roster
[edit]Adams, Ernie - Offensive Guard
Allen, Buddy - Defensive Back
Alley, Don - Tight End
Barber, John - Offensive Guard
Barnhorst, Dick - Wide Receiver
Baughn, Jim - Defensive Tackle
Berger, Greg - Defensive Back
Blake, Joe - Defensive End
Carr, Tom - Assistant Coach
Corcoran, Sean Patrick "Jimmy" - Quarterback
Davis, Tommy - Defensive Tackle
Demzcuk, Sonny - Tight End
DiMuzio, Tom - Quarterback/Halfback
Diphillippo, Jerry - Linebacker
DiSantis, Frank - Guard/Linebacker
Dolbin, Jack - Wide Receiver
Foster, Jim - Linebacker
Gravelle, Howard - Tight End
Haynie, Jim - Quarterback
Holliday, Ron - Flanker
Land, John - Running Back
Levandowski, Leo - Center
Marshall, Bryan - Defensive Back
McGuigan, Frank - Running Back
Mitchell, Frank - Offensive Tackle
Nauss, Herb - Defensive Back
Puterbaugh, Bruce - Offensive Tackle
Pyne, Ed - Kicker and Tight End
Rakow, Billy - Defensive Back
Ross, Sherman - Defensive Back
Sarkisian, Tom - Offensive Tackle
Stetz, Bill - Defensive Tackle
Thrower, Jim - Defensive Back
Watts, Claude - Running Back
Weedman, Dave - Linebacker
Wells, Harold - Linebacker
Zegalia, Steve - Linebacker
President – Bob "Chuz" Calvario
General Manager/Head coach – Dave DiFilippo
Head Offensive Coach - Ron Waller
Head Defensive Coach - Andy Nelson
Assistant Coach - Tom Carr
Bomb Squad Coach - Pressly Lee Day
Public Relations - Bill "Doc" Dougherty
Public Relations - Denny "Peaches" Pietro
Team Physician - Dr. Daniel Gross
Trainer – Bill "Scotty" Scott
Assistant Trainer – Bill Kirlin
Equipment Manager – John DeGregorio
Ball Boys - Dave Musser, John Katch, and Steve Cavallo
References
[edit]- Watch Lost Treasures of NFL Films Season 2 Episode 2 Pottstown Revisited (OVGuide)
- Watch the DVD by NFL Films - Big Game America: Legends of Autumn Vol IV (features the Pottstown Firebirds revisited footage and was available at Amazon as of 12-26-12)
- The Forgettables by Jay Acton - ISBN 0-690-00088-X
- Official website: www.pottstownfirebirds.org
- The Timeless Victors Book