Francis Ryan

Ryan grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he played soccer with Frankford High School. He also played for the Lighthouse Boys Club team. He maintained his amateur status which led to his selection to the national team at the 1928 Summer Olympics. In 1929, he signed with New York Galicia. After one season, he moved back to Lighthouse Boys Club. Once again, he spent only one season with Lighthouse before moving to the Philadelphia German-Americans in 1931. He continued with the team until at least 1936. In 1933, Philadelphia joined the American Soccer League (ASL). The German-Americans won the 1934-1935 ASL championship and the 1936 National Challenge Cup. Ryan served with the Custer Division in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. Upon is return to Philadelphia, he played with the Philadelphia Nationals, leading the team to the ASL Lewis Cup in 1948-49 and 1951–52. Ryan also played with the Pennsylvania All Stars in May 1931 against Glasgow Celtic during the Scottish team's first North American tour.