McGann, George 1978

According to the Registry of Births – City of St. Louis, George Easton McGann was born on Oct. 8, 1893 at 4119 Penrose St. where he lived with his parents and siblings.

George was the oldest boy of eight children, four girls and four boys.

According to the 1900 census, George (6), lived with his father, John (33), his mother Theresa (31), his sisters, Lida (12), Hazel (10), Essie (8) and Margie (2) and his brother, John Gordon (6 months) at 4052 St. Ferdinand Ave., (torn down) St. Louis, Missouri.  John, Sr. was listed as a “deflater Elevator” operator? as an occupation. They rented the place where they lived. John did not read, but he could write and he said his father was born in Ireland which was not true.  John was born about a year or two before his father, Easton left St. Louis and went to Memphis, TN, so he did not know his father and maybe Eliza did not speak of him.  Easton, his father was born in Tennessee.

According to the 1910 census, George (16) lived with his family at 4052 Garfield Avenue (torn down) in St. Louis.  He indicated that he worked as a messenger for a telegraph company.

There is a photo of George and his team mates on the Innisfails soccer team which competed in the St. Louis Soccer League from 1907-1921.

 

According to the 1920 census, George and Margaret Wochner McGann, his wife were living on 1019 California Avenue in St. Louis.

According to the 1930 census, Margaret (33) was living with her husband, George E. (36) (where is Mardell? Jackie?) at 4169 Potomac Avenue in St. Louis. Jacquelyn wasn’t born yet?

According to the U. S. City Directories, 1821-1989, in 1929-30, George with his wife, Margaret lived at 4462 Swan St. in St. Louis. George worked for Graham Paper Company at 1014 Spruce St. in St. Louis. His profession was a clerk. He worked there for 45 years.  After that, he worked as a messenger for a bank.

In addition, George played semi-professional soccer as a forward and later became a coach. In one of his games, he scored three goals in a little over three minutes.

An article from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 4 Apr 1927 Morgan Haulers Beat Killarney Roses, 2-1 to Even Muny Series.  George McGann, fleet Morgan outside left, accounted for the first tally of the game five minutes after the secon half had commenced.  Here the Morgans received a break due to the leaisurely manner in which Nick Reidy handled a shot from Hatchard, allowing Smith to charge and rough the ball out of his grasp so that a pass from the latter to McGann made things for the Hauley star, who sent the oval crashing into the corner of the net, far out of Reidy’s reach…….

…….From then on for the next few minutes play was fairly even until McGann aided by Smith’s heroic effort in wresting the ball from Goal Tender Reidy, scored the intital goal…….. In this manner McGann and Hartigan shone when they sent their aces crashing home.

According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 12 Dec 1927, titled: Geraghty’s Nose: Bus men Annex Eighth and Palermos Seventh Consecutive Victories,  First Place Tie in Carondelet League Remeains as Brandts and St. Thomas Each Win — McGann Stars as Undertakers Cop.  George McGann assisted with the runner-up Morgan Haulers in the last year’s elimination contests can be given well-deserved credit for the Undertaker victory, for his toe was responsible for two of the four goals which found a way through the Wellow Cabs’ goal. Playing forward for the Morgan club, George McGann fleet Morgan outside left, accounted for the first tally of the game five minutes after the second half had commenced. Here the Morgans received a break due to the leaisurely manner in which Nick Reidy handled a shot from Hatchard, allowing Smith to charge and rough the ball out of his grasp so that a pass from the latter to McGann made things for the Hauler star who sent the oval crashing into the corner of the net, far out of Reidy’s reach…..From then on for the next few minutes play was fairly even until McGann, aided by Smith’s heroic effort in wresting the ball from Goal Tender Reidy, scored the initial goal…..In this manner McGann and Hartigan shone when they sent their aces crashing home.

An article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 20 Feb 1928 Geraghty and Angelica Elevens Reach Final in Municipal Title Series: Sherman Park Representatives Defeat St. Thomas 5-2, in Well Played Game, While Fairground Soccer Team Downs Palermos, 5-1.  With McGann playing for Geraghtys, without making any apparent endeavor to execute neat passes and without giving a great deal of attention to combination, The Geraghtys swept through to a clean cut victory.  In moving about they often bumped their opponents a bit too hard, but for the most part they were merely rough and not “dirty”.  Their style, whether developed or natural, was a hard passing, hard running game in which McGann and Rice, the wing men, were often sent galloping after long passes….. St Thomas got a bad break early in the second half when a goal linesman awarded a corner kick when the play should have been called a goal kick, the ball having been played last by a Geraghty forward. On the corner kick, the full back handled the ball and a penalty kick resulted on which George McGann scored.

According to St. Louis Globe-Democrat 28 Jan 1935 the Line up for the Concordia Division shows George McGann scoring two goals for St. John the Baptist.

An article from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 9 Mar 1937 Muny Soccer Series Rivals Prepping for Second Round.  Loser of St. Edwards– Fredricks Game with Drop Out.  Schumachers Play Stags.  Manager George McGann of the Schumacher Undertakers, divisional soccer champions of Carondelet Par, and Manager B. J. Baldwin of the Stag Beers, tops at Fairground par, are putting their charges through some stiff practice this week to gird for the big battle on next Sunday when the two teams meet in the feature of the second-round double-header of the municipal soccer championship series in Fairground Park.

According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 20 Oct 1937, the article: 26th Muny Soccer Season to Open Oct. 31: Art Hohman named President of Association, Art Hohman was named president, George McGann vice president……

According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 17 Apr 1938 is a photo of the Schumacher Undertakers soccer team with the following caption: The Schumacher Undertakers, winners of the Municipal Soccer Association and Missouri State amateur champion- Schumacher, sponsor; Bob Regelski, 0llie Klund, Bill (Doggie) Schuler, Bob Pawlak, Jule Grimm,- Jack Shine, Frankie S, are shown above. They are, left to right, Louis (Mouse) Dietrich,- trainer; Augus Pastor, Whitey Zurfluh, Bill Pastor and George McGann, manager. – – . -Foggily, Tony Gogel, Eddie McInerney, Gene -Tenholder, Jugge Moynihan, Dick Graf, Eddie Dueker, William.  The photo has been saved in Ancestry.

An article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 13 Mar 1939 Manager George McGann has planned well in building his Schumacher club and he was reaping a fully deserved harvest of goals yesterday.  ….

According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 14 Oct 1939 Muny Soccer Opening Moved Back to Oct. 29.  Twenty-four managers attended the Municipal Soccer Association’s meeting last night at Sherman Park Community Center. Items on the docket included the annual election of officers and the moving back of the starting date of the 28th season from Oct 22 to 29.  George McGann was elected president of the association with Art Hohman, vice president……

An article in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat Stokers Out to Clinch Title Today: Victory Over Schumachers Would End Muny Playoff Confident of turning in a winning effort today, the Eddy Stokers and the Schumacher Undertakers resume their duel at 2:30 PM at the Sarah Tower Memorial Field in Fairground Park….. Manager Bob Russell of the Stokers and Skipper George McGann of the Undertakers are not worrying about the past performances.  Both pilots had their teams work hard in practice sessions during the past week and were pleased with the efforts of their men.  Manager McGann who led the Schumachers to the city championship 1937-38 and 1938-1939, expects Wilfred Murphy, the team’s ace scorer to emerge from his slump…..

An article in the St. Louis Star and Times 10 Dec 1941 Corner kicks. Soccer, one of the major sports attractions here for many years is slowly but surely returning to its peak, and if war conditions don’t strip too many young stars, followers of the game should see some excellent battles these next few Sunday afternoons…..George McGann and Bob Russell, both of whom know genuine soccer material when they see it, have done a fine job with the Schumacher club, and even though the team was hit by injuries and the draft, have come forth with a fairly snappy aggregation.

According to the St. Louis Star and Times 12 Jan 1942, Schumachers Protest Natural Set Ups’ 2 to 1 Victory. Soccer Losers Say Art Garci Hit Ball Into Goal with Arm.  The first national challenge cup soccer game played in St. Louis during the past three years is now history.  But if Co-managers Bob Russell and George McGann of the Schumachers have their way about it, the game will have to be replayed as they have filed a protest with the U.S. Football Association’s rules committee in New York over a disputed goal that gave the Natural Set Ups a 2 to 1 victory over the Schumachers at Walsh Stadium yesterday afternoon……

An article from The St. Louis Star and Times 3 Feb 1943 Johnny Hamm Signs with Schumachers.  Another old-timer returns to the soccer wars.  Johnny Hamm, veteran goaltender who starred in the professional league for 10 years has signed with the Schumachers of the Municipal Soccer Association, it was announced today by Manager George McGann.  McGann revealed that when Pvt. Bill Forgerty comes to St. Louis on a furlough from the army about March 15, he will play a couple of games at outside left for the Schumachers.  Serving with the army at Fort St. John in British Columbia, Bill signed his Muny contract there when it was mailed to him by McGann last October.

According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch 9 Jan 1944 Easy Day For Leaders In Soccer.  ….Rafterys and Schumachers, tied for second place in the Open Senior group, meet in what should be an interesting tussle at Sherman. The Schumachers’ 5-2 victory over El Reys last Sunday indicates George McGann’s club has finally come to life.  A bad throat cold which kept Bill Watson from making his season’s debut last Sunday has cleared up and the clever Scot has told Manager McGann he will play today.

According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 1 Dec 1945, Soccer Flareup Still On; New Sponsor Quits………. The announcement came yesterday morning from the office of Fred Geldmacher, supervisor of recreation for the city, who later in the day also announced that George McGann, former manager of the Schumacher Undertakers’ senior team, will enter a team under the sponsorship of William Schumacher.

According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2 Dec 1945 Is McGann Magician?  If he is, he’ll Have Soccer Team on Field.  George McGann the big little man who has led Schumacher soccer teams to three Municipal championships, will attempt a magician’s role today in placing a team on the field with only two days’ notice.  McGann undertook Friday morning to supply a club to replace the suspended natural Set Up team and have it ready to oppose the Carondelet SMAC in a Big Four Open game at Fairground Park this afternoon.  “I can’t guarantee a victory but I’ll be there with a team”, said McGann last night……

An article from St. Louis-Post Dispatch 3 Dec 1945, saved to Ancestry concerning George indicated: Mcgann’s Magic Works… He Fields Team That Ties.  He produced a good soccer club at Fairgound Park on December 2nd, in time to hold the highly favored Carondelet SMAC to a 2-2 draw.  He stepped into the muddied Municipal soceer picture Friday morning when he undertook to fill the gap porduced by the suspension of the natural Set Up Club.  Few of the players McGann gathered to play under the Schumacher club banner on such short notice were name stars and he did not make use of a single one of the former natural team.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 6 Dec 1945, If Soccer War (Like Real Fracas Is Over, Service Players Should Aid Game…………..George McGann, who dug up a respectable team on very short notice last week as a replacement for the suspended Naturals, hopes to have  John Finn in his halfback line……..

According to the article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10 Dec 1945, Schumachers Worn Down by Rafertys……..The Carondelet crowd pulled hard for George McGann’s team and cheered loudly when Inside Right Burton scored the first goal of the game.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 28 Feb 1946, Schumacher-Raftery Games Looks Like Real Contest. It’s hard to keep track of Ted Kirchoefer, soccer center forward, but George McGann manager of the Schumacher club says he is not worried about Ted’s allegiance in Sunday’s Municipal League semi-final.  The reason for the possible confusion regarding Kirchoefer’s whereabouts is the fact that he plays for the Raftery club in national cup matches and switches over to the Schumachers in Municipal League games….  If George McGann has a worry about the outcome it’s because some of his best backs have been away from the game too long.

An article from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 4 Jul 1946 Really Rough Up There, Says McGann.  George McGann manager of the Schumacher senior soccer team who assed Henry Lincks in prepping the Schumacher juniors for their successful bid for the national junior title a couple of weeks ago yesterday corroborated the information we published recently on the difficult problems that arose before and during the championship contest.  “It was really rough up there” McGann said, “and Henry Lincks did a splendid job with the boys, not only in getting ready for the game but in keeping them under control through the contest.”  McGann also praised Pete Rezuli, Eastern soccer executive, for his help in running off the contest…..

According to St. Louis Star and Times 11 Jan 1948 entitled: Schumachers Off for Philadelphia.  George McGann’s Schumacher soccer team left today for Philadelphia, where it opposes the Lighthouse Boys Sunday afternoon for the National Junior Cup championship.  The Schumachers won the U.S. title in 1946.  The youthful Schumacher players will go on a sight-seeing tour at Washington, D.C. tomorrow and after the game Sunday will take in the sights of New York City.

An article in The St. Louis Star and Times 24 Apr 1948 Schumachers Play Heidelbergs Here Soccer Teams in Junior Final Tonight …..With the big boys out of town, youth will be served tonight and tomorrow on the local soccer front.  The Schumachers move into the spotlight with tonight’s Western Junior Cup final against the Heidelberg Club of Pittsburgh at Public Schools Stadium.  George McGann, coach of the Schumachers said his club is ready and will be trying to avenge last season’s setback at the hand of this same club in Pittsburgh….

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10 Nov 1948, Soccer Notes In referring to the victory of the club in their National Open cup match last Sunday, the writer credits Coach George McGann with several previous national Junior cup successes. Actually, McGann reached the national final only once as leader of the Schumacher club.  But for three straight years the same club under the direction of Henry Lincks, went a long way. Linck’s teams won the nation final twice and lost in the western final on another try. McGann was Linchs’ assistant in two of those successful efforts.

An article from The St. Louis Globe-Democrat 16 Jan 1949 Ace, Zenthoefer Play Final-Round Cup Game Today……..The Aces coached by Tony Tabacchi and the Zenthoefers coached by George McGann, both are youthful clubs and each has speed…. McGann’s Zenthoefers have established themselves by winning the state open cup crown when they blanked the Plaza club, 4-0, Dec. 26th.  The majority of their players were with McGann last season when the Schumachers wen to the final round in the nation junior cup competition.

An article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 25 February 1949 Bob Rooney Not Eligible for the Soccer Play-off.  In spite of the fact his team suffered a 5-2 defeat in its recent league meeting with the Spanish club, George McGann today expressed confidence his Zenthoefers would win their Municipal soccer playoff Sunday. “I’ve got a bunch of kids that learn pretty quick,” said McGann. “They learned a lot from that 5-2 licking and I expect them to profit by it.” McGann’s chief regret is that he can’t have Bob Rooney at center forward.  …He did not play the required numer of league games at Carondelet to be eligible for the playoffs. ……

According to st. Louis Post-Dispatch 15 Mar 1949 McGann Wants Fernandez for Dallas Matches.  Looking forward to a couple of national cup games at Dallas, Tx, March 26 and 27.  George McGann coasch of the Zenthoefer soccer club as taken steps to strenghten his line up.  McGann said today he has invited Joe (Apples) Fernanez of the Spanish Youth Club to join his team……..

An article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 8 Dec 1949, Jack Rooney Now Bob’s Teammate on Soccer Eleven. Jack and Bob Rooney, athletic brothers who for several years hae been shuttling back and forth between St. Louis University football and local soccer fileds will be together Sunday when they appear in the lineup of the Zenthoefer soccer club.  Looking forward to a difficult match sunday when his Zenthoefers oppose the Jim MacAteers in a second round of National Amateur Cup game, manager Geroge McGann induced jack Rooney to lace on his soccer shoes again.  …..  And it is logical that McGann should try to bolster his team for Sunday’s game.  It was the MacAteers who defeated the Zenthoefers, 1-0 on Nov. 6 and knocked them out of the National Open Cub series…..

An article from the St. Louis Star and Times 6 Feb 1950 Zenthoefers Win Cup Match, 5-0 Geroge McGann’s Zenhoefers handed the previously unbetter Russos a 5-0 setback before 4,500 fans at Sherman Park yesterday to move into the Western Quart-final round of Amateur Soccer Cup play.

An article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 8 Mar 1950 Kaercher at Center Forward For Zenthoefers in Muny Semifinals.  Looking forward to his Muny semi-final soccer match with the Dogtown team, Friday night, Manager George McGann of the Zenthoefers, is disturbed about a lineup change forced upon him by the departure of Bob Rooney, his center forward, for a baseball training camp leaves a vacancy that may be difficult to fill…. This changed Zenthoefer forward line opens up the Muny playoffs. McGann’s team is no longer the outstanding favorite for it has never played as well with out Bob Rooney’s help….

According to St Louis Globe-Democrat, 30 Mar 1950, there is a small article whick says the following:  Local Soccer Notes  For 40 years soccer has been a a part of George McGann’s life. He played his first game with St. Matthews back in 1910 and wound up with St. John in the Muny League in 1936.  During the final two years, George also served as coach, a job he likes and does well.  Under him, the Schumachers won the city senior championship in the successive seasons of 1937-38 and 1938-1939.  His Zenthoefers can clinch the Muny crown tonight by defeating the McAteers in their rubber game.  Oddly enough, George who was born in St. Louis 3 Oct 1893, became a manager because his wife Margaret (called “Sis” by friends), talked him into it.  They have two daughters, Jackie and Mrs. Mardell Frossard.  George has worked for the Graham Paper Company for the past 35 years.

According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 28 Jan 1952, Zenthoefers Take 7-1 Waltz in Cup Soccer. Boot 3 Players for Row; 10-man Kutis Team Wins.  Scoring almost at will, the Zenthoefers drubbed the Craig Club, 7-1 yesterday at St. Louis softball Park to enter the local semi-final round of the National Open Cup soccer competition.  On the same program, in an American Soccer League game, a Kurtis team that only had 10 men, set down the Schumachers, 1-0, to take the conference lead.  The Zenthoefers join the Brehenys, Carondelet Sunday Morning Club and the Simpkins, all of whom had won earlier, in the semi-finals.  Center Forward Mike Duffy paced manager George McGann’s Zenthoefers with three goals…..

According to Jackie McGann’s wedding announcement, George and Margaret lived at 5022 Elenore Ave. in St. Louis, MO in 1952.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 24 Mar 1953 Soccer Notes. Selection of the annual “most valuable player” in St. Louis soccer rests with the following committee members: George McGann, Danny Murphy and Harry Luecke.

According to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat 19 Sept 1953 Syl Raftery Again Heads Soccer Group. Member of the Missouri Soccer Commission re-elected

sy Raftery chairman of the organization for the coming season at a meeting held Thursday night.  Other officers elected are Ed Heggi, treasurer; George McGann, vice chair, and Harry Lueche, secretary.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 9 Nov 1953 Soccer Board Names 5 Stars. Three players who were members of the United States soccer team four years ago when the United States defeated England are included in this city’s group of five nominees for the 1954 team.  Goalie………..The five were selected by a Missouri Soccer Commission committee composed of Syl Raftery, Harry Luecke, Eddie Croak and George McGann.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1 Jul 1956. Four From St. Louis Included. The United States Department of State has approved a budget of $59,000 to finance the Far East tour of the United States Amateur soccer team on its way to the Olympics, it was revealed in a report of soccer president Ed Sullivan of Philadelphia…….. Harry Luecke, secretary of the Missouri Soccer Commission will be the voting delegate from this area attending the national convention. His alternate will be George McGann former player and manager and more recentlu member of the Missouri commission.

According to Wikipedia. Zenthoefer Furs

Zenthoefer Furs were an amateur U.S. soccer club which played in St. Louis, Missouri during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

They had played as a junior squad named Schumachers in the 1947-48 season where they fell short of national honors when they lost in the final round of the National Junior Cup to Lighthouse Boys of Philadelphia. The Zenthoefers turned senior the next season. Under the guidance of manager George E. McGann they made their way to the 1949 National Amateur Cup final losing to SC Elizabeth by a 6-1 score. They also lost to the Chicago Polish-Americans 5-1 in the 1949 National Challenge Cup quarterfinals. In 1951, they won the St. Louis Major League by ten points over St. Louis Simpkins-Ford. In 1952, they entered the American Soccer League of St. Louis.

On 3 Jan 1965, George took a nap on the couch and died peacefully.  But according to his death certificate, it says that George died at St. Anthony Hospital so maybe he was declared deceased at the hospital.  He died of acute myocardial infarction, coronary inefficiency arteriosclerotic? and arteriosclerosia general.  The first diagnosis was for one hour, the second for four days and the third for more than five years.  At the time he lived with his wife, Margaret McGann at 4235 Bates St., St. Louis, MO. His physician was C H Backelman and I remember my mom, Jackie Evans talking about him.

According to George’s death certificate, he died on 3 Jan 1965, at home at 4235 Bates St. in St. Louis, MO. He died of acute myocardial infarction, coronary insufficiency, arteriosclerotic larteriosclerosis general, which he had for five years. His doctor was C. H. Bockelman.  He was buried on 8 Jan 1965 in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

According to St. Louis-Post Dispatch, 4 Jan 1965, Magann, Soccer Man for 38 Years,(actually over 40) Dies.  George McGann, a soccer player or manager in St. Louis for 38 (over 40) years, died last night of a heart attack.  He was 71 years old.  He lived at 4235 Bates St. McGann played with the old Christian Brothers College, St. Matthew’s, St. Leo’s, the Men Millers and the Trumbles. He managed Schumacher and Zenthoefer teams.  He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. John Evans and Mrs. Harold Frossard.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, at 9 AM at St. john the Baptist Catholic Church.

From Wikipedia:  St. Louis Soccer League (1907–39)[edit]

Main article: St. Louis Soccer League

The St. Louis Soccer League, founded in 1907, was the country’s only fully professional soccer league of its day. St. Leo’s, the league’s only fully professional squad, dominated the standings for seven years.

His Obit:  According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 5 jan 1965 McGann. George E. McGann Sun. Jan 3, 1965, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, dear husband of Margaret McGann, dear father of Mardell Frossard and Jacquelyn Evans, dear brother, brother-in-law, father-in-law, grandfather and uncle.  Funeral from Kriegshauser’s South 4228 S. Kings Highway Friday, Jan 8 8:30 AM to St, John the Baprtist Church. Internment Calvary, in parlors after 7 PM, Wednesday

He was honored and inducted into the Soccer Hall of Fame in St. Louis, MO in 1978.