 | |||
| Full name | New England Tea Men | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1978 | ||
| Dissolved | 1980; 45 years ago (1980) | ||
| Stadium | Schaefer Stadium,Foxborough, Massachusetts Nickerson Field,Boston, Massachusetts Providence Civic Center(indoor)Providence, Rhode Island | ||
| Capacity | 60,000 11,940(indoor) | ||
| Coach | Noel Cantwell | ||
| League | NASL | ||
TheNew England Tea Men were an American professionalsoccer team based in theGreater Boston metropolitan area. They played in theNorth American Soccer League (NASL) from 1978 to 1980. Their home venues for outdoor play wereSchaefer Stadium (shared with the NFL'sNew England Patriots) inFoxborough, Massachusetts, andNickerson Field nearBoston University. They also played one season ofindoor soccer in the NASL, using theProvidence Civic Center for home games.
The Tea Men were originally owned byUnilever'sLipton subsidiary and given their unusual name as a nod to both the company's product line and theBoston Tea Party.
The Tea Men won their division in 1978 and made a further playoff run in 1980. However, the team struggled for financial solvency in Massachusetts. Right at the start of the1980–81 indoor season[1] they relocated toJacksonville, Florida and became theJacksonville Tea Men.[2]
Led in its initial season by formerCharlton Athletic F.C. strikerMike Flanagan, the Tea Men won their division to much public acclaim, with Flanagan winning the league MVP award.
Subsequent seasons proved not as successful for two important reasons. First, Flanagan, contracted to Charlton, remained in England (an attempt to secure him via a transfer failed, reportedly over endorsement rights). Second, the team was temporarily evicted fromSchaefer Stadium inFoxborough, Massachusetts when the owners ofFoxboro Raceway – located next door – claimed that the Tea Men's matches were causing traffic problems on racing dates.
After spending one unhappy season atNickerson Field on the campus ofBoston University, the team reached an accord withFoxboro Raceway to play in Foxboro, but not on racing dates. As a result, the Tea Men had to play many Monday night matches, which caused attendance to dwindle. At one home game during the 1980 season, only 254 fans attended a game, an all time low for the NASL.[3]
After leaving New England, the team moved toJacksonville, Florida and became theJacksonville Tea Men.
| Year | League | W | L | Pts | Reg. season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | NASL | 19 | 11 | 165 | 1st(t), American Conference, Eastern Division | Lost 1st Round (Ft. Lauderdale) | 12,064 |
| 1979 | NASL | 12 | 18 | 110 | 4th, American Conference, Eastern Division | did not qualify | 6,562 |
| 1979–80 | NASL Indoor | 2 | 10 | — | 5th, Eastern Division | did not qualify | 3,249 |
| 1980 | NASL | 18 | 14 | 154 | 3rd, American Conference, Eastern Division | Lost 1st Round (Tampa Bay) | 8,748 |
Division Champions (1)
NASL Most Valuable Player
U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
| All-Star first team selections All-Star honorable mentions
|
Derek Carroll – President Bill Alex – Play-by-Play Announcer
Noel Cantwell – Head Coach
Dennis Viollet – Assistant Manager
