Sign in

Brian D. Bunk

@brianbunk.bsky.social
1.7K followers 243 following 65 posts

I study the early history of soccer in the United States. My new book "The Shortest History of Soccer" is out now.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Wonky Target Man @dancreel.com · 15/09/2026
Advertisement for the Celtics of Jersey City in the First Round of the National Challenge Cup. It was the only match won by the ASL team as they disbanded after only seven competitive matches. www.newspapers.com/article/jers...
newspapers.com
Advertisement for National Challenge Cup match between Celtic of Jersey City and Federal Ship F.C.
Clipping found in Jersey Observer and Jersey Journal published in Jersey City, New Jersey on 10/22/1921. Advertisement for National Challenge Cup match between Celtic of Jersey City and Federal Ship F...
1141
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Patrick Sullivan @atlsoccerpast.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Found a copy of “The Shortest History of Soccer” by @brianbunk.bsky.social on the shelves of Market Block Books in Troy, NY!
172
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 19/08/2026
18k words, five appendices, and a downloadable spreadsheet with 251 matches. New on the SASH site from Ed Farnsworth, “The unofficial USA-Canada internationals: Representative AFA and WFA matches, 1884-1893” www.ussoccerhistory.org/the-unoffici...
066
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Samuel J. Redman @samueljredman.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Happening now - 50% off sale on books at @nyupress.bsky.social (code: NYUP50) - nyupress.org/978147980933... #nonfiction #museums #history #books
nyupress.org
The Museum
Celebrates the resilience of American cultural institutions in the face of national crises and challengesOn an afternoon in January 1865, a roaring fire swep...
021
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Protagonist Soccer @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
⁉️ Who Are Ya!: San Francisco Vikings SC (SFSFL) ▪️San Francisco Vikings Soccer Club began play in 1922, a decade before the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began. We have always wanted to know more about one of the longest running clubs in the US… www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/who...
067
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 13/08/2026
Does SASH build tifo? No. But SASH helped inspired one at a @mnufc.com game in early August. @brianquarstad.bsky.social has the story www.ussoccerhistory.org/does-sash-bu...
ussoccerhistory.org
Does SASH Build TIFO?
Does SASH build tifo? No. But SASH helped inspired one at a Minnesota United game in early August.
0115
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
University of Illinois Press @illinoispress.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Happy #NationalSoccerDay! 1️⃣ BEYOND THE FIELD: How Soccer Built Community in the United States 2️⃣ FROM FOOTBALL TO SOCCER: The Early History of the Beautiful Game in the United States 3️⃣ THE WORLD'S GAME: A History of Soccer
Beyond the Field
How Soccer Built Community in the United States
Author: Brian D. BunkFrom Football to Soccer
The Early History of the Beautiful Game in the United States
Author: Brian D. BunkThe World's Game
A History of Soccer
Author: Bill Murray
041
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
University of Illinois Press @illinoispress.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Last day of the @fifaworldcup starts today! Let's wrap it up with some 📢 BOOKS!📢 1️⃣ BEYOND THE FIELD: How Soccer Built Community in the United States 2️⃣ FROM FOOTBALL TO SOCCER: The Early History of the Beautiful Game in the United States 3️⃣ THE WORLD'S GAME: A History of Soccer
Beyond the Field
How Soccer Built Community in the United States
Author: Brian D. BunkFrom Football to Soccer
The Early History of the Beautiful Game in the United States
Author: Brian D. BunkThe World's Game
A History of Soccer
Author: Bill Murray
064
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Polly Olly Fights to Save Democracy @pollyollydoodle.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
My grandfather Lino Mouriño played for the Hispano FC, most likely from mid 1920s to the 1930s.
221
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Patrick Sullivan @atlsoccerpast.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
“The Shortest History of Soccer” displayed front and center at Eagle Eye Bookshop in Decatur, GA @brianbunk.bsky.social
061
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 11/07/2026
Today in Hoboken at the Hoboken Historical Museum at 1pm:
033
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Julia Carrie Wong @joolia.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
In honor of Canada v Morocco, here’s my grandfather and two of his brothers with their Chinese Canadian football team in 1929. The club organized a successful school strike to oppose racial segregation in the Victoria, BC schools.
A black and white photo of a soccer team from 1929. The players are ethnically Chinese. Caption: “FIGURE 1 The Chinese Canadian Club soccer team, 1929
This group of locally born young men initiated the students' strike and were the first to use publicly the term 'Chinese Canadian' to describe themselves. Originally a social club, by 1922 the club's members had become politically active. Source: Stuart Thomson Photo, Vancouver Public Library, VPL 118o1
225760
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 The US has long been a soccer playing nation. @illinoispress.bsky.social #America250 #America250UIP #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCup2026 #USMNT
The cover of the book From Football to Soccer by Brian D. Bunk in front of a US flag background. The words My Books make history are written at the topThe cover of the book Beyond the Field by Brian D. Bunk in front of a US flag background. The words My Books make history are written at the top
053
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
David Kilpatrick @davidkilpatrick.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
“The World Gets Concacaf’d,” in The Business of the FIFA World Cup, will be available from July 6th. www.routledge.com/The-Business...
031
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Summer sale ends today, don't miss a chance to read up on the history of soccer in the US! Use code SUMMER26 to get 50% off. #soccer #WorldCup #FIFAWorldCUP #USMNT #AmericanOutlaws #football
010
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Dr Alexander Jackson @dralexanderjackson.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Ahead of tonight's game between Belgium and Egypt, here here is preview of The Pharaohs in the official tournament programme for the 1934 FIFA Men's World Cup - they were the first African country to participate in the final tournament. (Courtesy of the Priory Collection)
1114
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
University of Illinois Press @illinoispress.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The #FIFAWorldCup starts today! Let's kick it off with some 📢 BOOKS!📢 1️⃣ BEYOND THE FIELD: How Soccer Built Community in the United States 2️⃣ FROM FOOTBALL TO SOCCER: The Early History of the Beautiful Game in the United States 3️⃣ THE WORLD'S GAME: A History of Soccer
Beyond the Field
How Soccer Built Community in the United States
Author: Brian D. BunkFrom Football to Soccer
The Early History of the Beautiful Game in the United States
Author: Brian D. BunkThe World's Game
A History of Soccer
Author: Bill Murray
064
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Just 2 days to go! The National WW1 Museum and Memorial 2026 Digital Summit - The World’s Game: Football and WWI, will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 10 am-2 pm Central. It is a free event and here are the sign-up details: www.theworldwar.org/symposia
theworldwar.org
Symposia
The National WWI Museum and Memorial's annual symposiums bring together the leading historians on the World War I era. Recommended for all who have a general or professional interest in the periods pr...
023
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Grab some soccer history books before the World Cup and save some money. Also great gifts for Father’s Day! www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0... www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...
press.uillinois.edu
From Football to Soccer
063
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 03/06/2026
SASH Session, Friday, June 5 at 12 PM ET: Michael Lewis will discuss his new book, “Around the World Cup in 40 years: An American Sportswriter’s Perspective.” More info at www.ussoccerhistory.org/sash-session...
012
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Samuel J. Redman @samueljredman.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
The Table of Contents + Introduction for my new book, Tarnished Promises: Indian Peace Medals in North America, now available on the University of Colorado Press website. Let me know what you think! upcolorado.com/university-p... #history #nonfiction #books #NativeAmericanHistory #museums #heritage
042
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 02/06/2026
In “The Lexical Transit of ‘Socker’ to America,” @davidkilpatrick.bsky.social pushes the earliest use of the imported word “socker” in the US to the early 1890s, usage that also reinforce the word’s English etymology, www.ussoccerhistory.org/the-lexical-...
ussoccerhistory.org
The Lexical Transit of ‘Socker’ to America
The imported word “socker” began to see wide use in the US around 1905 with “soccer” quickly becoming standard. David Kilpatrick has identified its use in US sources a decad…
1138
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Old Street Publishing @oldstpublishing.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
The UK edition of Brian D. Bunk's THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF FOOTBALL is out now as a paperback original. From the muddy trenches of Flanders to the stadium-palaces of Saudi Arabia, this is the perfect literary companion to the 2026 World Cup.
011
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
University of Illinois Press @illinoispress.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Last day of the @nassh1972.bsky.social annual meeting! Visit our virtual exhibit and take 50% off all sports books with code NASSH at checkout! www.press.uillinois.edu/wordpress/na... #NASSH2026 #SportHistory cc: @journsporthist.bsky.social
North American Society for Sport History
Austin, TX
May 22-25, 2026
Get 50% off our books!
Use promo code: NASSH
Offer expires June 1, 2026
University of Illinois Press
044
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
German Historical Institute Washington @ghiwashington.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Looking forward to our event this Wednesday (May 13): “Globalizing Soccer: Clubs, Leagues, and Fan Culture between the Local and the World,” a conversation featuring @stevengoff.bsky.social, Dee Kundra, & Chukwuka Onwumechili. For info on attending please visit: www.ghi-dc.org/events/event...
Poster for the event: “Globalizing Soccer: Clubs, Leagues, and Fan Culture between the Local and the World”
042
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
International Centre for Sports History and Culture @icshc.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
‘How about that trip to Worcester!’ Building sporting links between Britain and the USA in the 1920s. Article by @icshc.bsky.social Emeritus Prof. Dilwyn Porter for the Society for American Soccer History - www.ussoccerhistory.org/how-about-th... #sportshistory #soccer #soccerhistory
012
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Gerry Farrell @gerrytastic.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
The story of the time some of English football biggest stars got a summer payday to play a 5-a-side tournament in Dalymount Park. All organised by a junior club from Clontarf! abohemiansportinglife.com/2026/05/02/a...
abohemiansportinglife.com
And Puskás makes 6 – the Dalymount 5-a-side tournament
In May 1957 Belgrove F.C. of Clontarf won the Junior Cup beating Virginians in the final. No mean achievement. Three weeks later they would organise a tournament featuring the cream of British and …
022
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 29/04/2026
SASH member Mark C Franek's new book “American Soccer Nation” has just been published. We talk with him about the role of soccer history in advancing soccer in the US. www.ussoccerhistory.org/eleven-quest...
0135
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Protagonist Soccer @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
📚 The Protagonist, Issue Three: Legends of St. Louis is heading into layout & editing within the next two weeks. ✍️ Writing by: ▪️Tom Franklin ▪️Tim Thomas ▪️David Lange ▪️Dan Creel 🎨 Art by: ▪️Gonz Jove ▪️Rob Armbrister & ▪️Beth McCamish www.protagonistsoccer.com/shop
074
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Happy Independent Bookstore Day! You can pre-order my book The Shortest History of Soccer here: bookshop.org/p/books/the-... #ShopIndie #WhatToRead #indiebookstoreday
Book cover with black and white text on a green background. There is a soccer ball in the lower half. The Shortest History of Soccer. From Ancient Kicking Games to the World's most Popular Sport by Brian D. Bunk
030
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Please consider helping out some of the folks at Hampshire College who will be out of work in a few weeks. The Early Learning Center was one of the best things about the place. gofund.me/f01190006
gofund.me
Donate to Bridge Fund for ELC Staff Facing Sudden Closure, organized by Maina Handmaker
On April 14, at 8:14 a.m., as our smiling infants, toddlers, and presc… Maina Handmaker needs your support for Bridge Fund for ELC Staff Facing Sudden Closure
085
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
This is basically a two for one deal on US soccer history books. From Football to Soccer: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0... Beyond the Field: www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0... Use code OAH at checkout!
Graphic from the university of Illinois Press. Text reads Organization of American Historians. Philadelphia, PA April 16-19, 2026. Get 50% off our books! Use Promo code: OAH. Offer expires April 26, 2025
020
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Swedish Football Club from Brooklyn, New York, 1943-44. The team formed in 1924 and its clubhouse still exists today at 725 65th St. In addition to the A team, they had a B squad and a junior side. 🇸🇪
A black and white photo of a soccer team standing in front of bleachers. The front row of players is kneeling while th back row is standing. Other people can be seen on the bleachers in the background. Typed at the bottom in red ink is Swedish F.C. A-Team, 1943-1944.
262
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 14/04/2026
"I think there’s an inability for those people who have wealth in the country to understand and value something like Hampshire. It was dedicated to a transformational education, in an era when higher education has been hijacked by the transactional" - Ken Burns '75 www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/u...
nytimes.com
Hampshire College Will Close Amid Student Enrollment Declines
03517
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Wonky Target Man @dancreel.com · 14/04/2026
We've made a ton of updates to the Soccer Almanac site. A new search box is available on every page to help find specific information you'll be looking for. In addition, we've done a complete refresh of the look and feel of the site. socceralmanac.com 1/
socceralmanac.com
Home | Soccer Almanac
161
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Frank MacDonald @frankmsounders.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
#OTD 1927 – Billy McGrath, player/manager of Seattle Electro Dentists, dies at 41, moments after playing at Longview Timber Barons.
frankmacdonald.net
A Long Overdue Ode to Billy McGrath - The Frank MacDonald Blog
I’d like to introduce you to someone exceptional, also someone gone too soon. You’re going to meet a man who, in retrospect, might have been Washington’s first to be enshrined in the National Soccer…
032
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Studio portrait of an unidentified player from the Howard & Bullough team of Pawtucket, RI. They played in New England leagues with clubs from MA and that might explain why the photo studio was in Lawrence. They won the American Cup in 1911, but based on the uniform the photo is from c. 1916. 🌊
Black and white photo of a soccer player in uniform taken in a studio. He wears a light and dark vertical striped shirt, white shorts and dark socks. H & B logo is on the chest. Likely for Howard and Bullough company from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the team's sponsor.
023
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Football and War Network @footballandwar.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
The Beautiful Game Exhibition has now opened at The National WW1 Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. The Beautiful Game is an extraordinary exhibition revealing the profound connections between the world's most beloved sport and the Great War. More information @ www.theworldwar.org/exhibitions/...
theworldwar.org
The Beautiful Game
Open April 2, 2026: Journey through the story of football's impact on WWI and explore the poignant influence of “the beautiful game” on people living during wartime.
042
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Portrait of a soccer player presumed to be Bob, c. 1904-18. Writing on the back reads "with best wishes from Bob." 📸
Postcard with a studio portrait of a man wearing a soccer kit and boots. His shirt has vertical stripes and his shorts and socks are a dark color. Photo is sepia colored.
131
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Soccertown Media @soccertownmedia.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Yeah, yeah, it’s another NJ soccer story… but it’s also a gateway to a larger U.S. story, etc. What other soccer podcast is giving you Tab Ramos, US civil rights history, and the Pilgrims FC tour of 1905? pod.link/1826903443/e...
122
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Tacony is a neighborhood in Northeastern Philadelphia. The side won the American Cup in 1910 and reached the final twice between 1912-14. Unfortunately for the Tacks, both turned out to be heartbreaking losses. Still, they made this postcard celebrating reaching the final.💔
A postcard printed with 10 oval photos of soccer players and a man in a suit. It reads Tacony, finalists American Cup 1913-14.
021
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Samuel J. Redman @samueljredman.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Geeked to see Tarnished Promises go "live" on websites like Barnes & Noble - www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tarnished-...
barnesandnoble.com
021
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
The Ben W. Miller Hat Co. of St. Louis had a slogan that read “Ben Miller wants your head.” One way to get those noggins was to sponsor soccer teams. In 1913-14 they had an amateur and a professional team. The photo is likely from an amateur match between the Hatters and Claxton. 🎩
Five men playing soccer, three of them are wearing baseball hats. One has a shirt with Ben Miller on the chest another shirts reads Claxton. Fans stand in the background. The photo is torn on the bottom.
160
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Zach Bigalke (he/him/his) @zbigalke.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
It's a long shot, but what the hell... as Michael Scott quoted Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." I'm scrambling to find a copy of FIFA's official report from the 1930 World Cup. Anyone know where to find a PDF of this document and/or have a PDF they could send my way?
Front cover of FIFA's official report from the 1930 World Cup

Text reads, top to bottom, in French (and Spanish?):

La organizacion de la COUPE DU MONDE
(Montevideo, Julio 1930)

La Inntervención del Football Uruguayano
En Las Olimpiadas de Paris 1934
Y AMSTERDAM 1928

Negociaciones
Internacionales

Bruselas,
Marzo de 1932
036
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Society for American Soccer History @ussoccerhistory.org · 30/03/2026
Now on the SASH site from @arrowsalkeld.bsky.social: “‘The daddy and guardian angel of soccer football here’: Thomas Corden Powell and soccer in Topeka, Kansas, 1910-1917” www.ussoccerhistory.org/the-daddy-an...
ussoccerhistory.org
“The daddy and guardian angel of soccer football here”: Thomas Corden Powell and soccer in Topeka, Kansas, 1910-1917
Owner of Topeka’s Scotch Woolen Mills and an impersonator of Scottish singer Harry Lauder, Thomas Corden Powell was also a soccer organizer.
034
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
University of Illinois Press @illinoispress.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
"A masterful addition to the historiography of early American soccer." Garrett Lewis reviews BEYOND THE FIELD by @brianbunk.bsky.social in Journal of Sport History (@journsporthist.bsky.social) Vol. 53, No. 1 on @projectmuse.bsky.social: muse.jhu.edu/pub/34/artic... cc: @nassh1972.bsky.social
Cover of Journal of Sport History, Volume 53, Number 1, Spring 2026
Background image of yellow metal stadium seatsBeyond the Field
How Soccer Built Community in the United States
Author: Brian D. Bunk
Black and white photo on a chalkboard green background with yellow and white text.
062
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Thanks to everyone who came out to my talk last night at @ghiwashington.bsky.social. It was an honor to be invited to participate in the 2026 Spring Lecture Series: Soccer: The Beautiful Game. 🇩🇪🇺🇸
020
Brian D. Bunk @brianbunk.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
My new book is available for pre-order! Best price is here: bookshop.org/p/books/the-.... Many people who follow me already know a lot about soccer. Still, maybe you have a friend or loved one who might be interested in sharing your interests. ⚽ #soccer #football #sports #history ⚽
Cover of a book called The Shortest History of Soccer. From Ancient Kicking Games to the World's Most Popular Sport by Brian D. Bunk. Cover has a green base with black and white lettering and a soccer ball
221
Reposted by Brian D. Bunk
Patrick Sullivan @atlsoccerpast.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
A StoryMap about the people, places, and events associated with early soccer history in Metro Atlanta from late 19th century until the arrival of the Chiefs. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c271...
storymaps.arcgis.com
Soccer Gets Started in Atlanta
Exploring the City's Early Soccer Landscape, 1890s - 1968
3185