Fifth Ward Democrats
| Founded | September 1933 |
|---|---|
| Folded | November 1933 |
| Based in | Delaware |
| League | Wilmington Football Association (1933) |
The Fifth Ward Democrats were a short-lived semi-professional American football team that played one season in the Wilmington Football Association. The team played five games before forfeiting their franchise in mid-November. The team was based in Delaware.
History
[edit]In September 1933, the Wilmington Football Association announced the additions of two teams for the 1933 season: the Fifth Ward Democrats, and Ninth Ward Ducks.[1][2] The Ducks had previously been a league member while Fifth Ward was new. The league arranged the Democrats' first game to be against the Eleventh Ward Whitejackets, who had won the championship[3][4] for the past two seasons.[5][6] The game, scheduled for October 1 at Lattimer Field,[7] ended in a 0–26 defeat.[8] The Morning News wrote, "Approximately 3500 fans witnessed the game at the Whitejacket's new field and were well pleased with the orderly manner in which the game was conducted. The Fifth Ward eleven while boasting a strong eleven, the starting lineup containing several Penn-Del players, showed the need for more practice, and if this fault is overcome the Taylor outfit should give the rest of the clubs a merry chase for title honors."[8]
The team's next matchup was against the Defiance Bulldogs, the oldest member of the league as well as two-time champion. Fifth ward was able to tie the Bulldogs 7–7, due to a late 95-yard interception return to tie the game in the fourth quarter.[9] A game recap by The Morning News said, "In a hard-fought battle at Talleyville yesterday, Defiance and Fifth Ward Democrats battled to a 7 to 7 deadlock in their Wilmington Football Association game."[9] Defiance led from the second quarter (on a touchdown by Haley) to the fourth, before Taggart, of Fifth Ward, returned a Defiance pass 95 yards to tie the game.[9] The tie put them fourth of six in the league's standings.[10]
Fifth Ward would move one place down in the standings following their week three game against the Delaware Panthers. The Panthers "smothered" Fifth Ward, shutting them out 0–65.[11] The game was played at Panther Field on October 15. The next week would also be a shutout, losing 0–26 versus the Ninth Ward Ducks on the same venue.[12] The loss moved them down to last place in the league, sharing the position with the St. Mary's Cats.[13] The team's next scheduled game, against the last-place St. Mary's, was postponed as both teams were eliminated from the first-half title race and desired to rest to prepare for the second half.[14]
An October 30 article by The Morning News wrote, "The Democratic Club, with the addition of several new players, expect to give a good account of themselves in the second half."[15] The team's first second half game was the same as the first, against the Eleventh Ward Whitejackets, who had just won their third consecutive league title.[16] The game, played in Lattimer field again, finished with a 0–13 loss.[16] The next game was against Defiance, at Krebbs Field.[17] Fifth Ward forfeited the game and was dropped from the league in the following week. The rest of its games were considered to be forfeits.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ninth Ward, Fifth Ward Get Grid Loop Births". The News Journal. September 20, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wilmington Football Association Formed With Six Clubs". The Morning News. September 20, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "3 More Enlist For Army Service". The Evening Journal. November 30, 1932 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Penn-Del Eliminates Eleventh Ward From Title Race With 7-0 Victory". The Morning News. November 25, 1932 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Whitejackets Called For Drill Each Night This Week". Wilmington Morning News. September 26, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Football Association May Go With Five Clubs". The Morning News. September 27, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Grid League To Plan Openers". The News Journal. September 26, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "11th Ward Opens With 26-0 Victory". The Morning News. October 2, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Defiance, Fifth Ward Tie". The Morning News. October 9, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eleventh Ward Takes Grid Association Lead". The News Journal. October 9, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Defiance, 11th Ward Tie As Panthers, Ducks Win". The Evening Journal. October 16, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jackets Boost Grid Loop Lead". The News Journal. October 23, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eleventh Ward Wins". The Morning News. October 23, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jackets Tackle Ducks In Loop". The Evening Journal. October 28, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fifth Ward Democrats Will Practice Tonight". The Morning News. October 30, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "League Champs Continue Sweep". The Evening Journal. November 6, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Grid Association Teams Battle For Second Half Title". The Morning News. November 11, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jackets Cinch League Crown". The Evening Journal. November 20, 1933 – via Newspapers.com.
