January 19 (1913)

In one of the most infamous games in St. Louis soccer history, the top two teams in the professional St. Louis League collide violently at Athletic Park (Garrison and North Market streets). With league-leading St. Leo’s ahead of Innisfails 3-2, 10 minutes to play, and a player from each team already thrown out for fighting, the game degenerates into a brawl. The spark to the explosion comes when St. Leo’s aptly nicknamed Richard “Bull” Brannigan knocks down goalkeeper Tim Irvine. “Irving (sic) recovered, rushed Brannigan and planted a straight jab on Bull’s jaw,” writes W. J. O’Connor in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Players tussle and many of the 2,700 fans rush the field. Sixteen police officers are needed to separate the players. Referee Paul McSweeney ends the game, throws his whistle over the fence and announces he will never referee again. “I wouldn’t referee another game on a bet,” McSweeney tells the Post-Dispatch. The game will be recognized as the beginning of the end for 10-time city champion St. Leo’s, one of the greatest teams in St. Louis soccer history. Miffed at the league’s refusal to award them the victory over Innisfails, St. Leo’s will jump to a new pro league in St. Louis the next season. St. Louis fans will balk at supporting two pro leagues. St. Leo’s streak of St. Louis city titles ends in 1915 when Innisfails beats St. Leo’s 4-2 in the city championship game, a replay of an earlier 2-2 tie.