Boston - Boston Common: Oneida Football Monument

On this field the Oneida Football Club of Boston, the first organized club in the United States played against all comers from 1862 to 1865. The Oneida Goal was never crossed. This monument was placed on Boston Common, November 1925 by the seven surviving members of the Team.

The Oneida Foot Ball Club, the first of such kind with a regular roster, consisted of a group of secondary school students from relatively elite public schools in the area, such as Boston Latin School and the English High School of Boston. played matches against pickup teams throughout the Boston collegiate community. Although both soccer and American football followers claim the Oneida team to be their own, it is unknown what, if any, kind of rules they followed. It is, however, believed to have had an influence on the "Boston Game," a code which was popular in the area until into the late 19th century.

Designed by I. Howland Jones; bas relief by Joseph Coletti.