New England Football League (1962)
Atlantic Coast Football League (1963-1964)
Tombstone
Born: 1962
Moved: 1965 (New Bedford Sweepers)
First Game:
Last Game:
ACFL Champions: 1964
Stadia
1962: Chelsea Memorial Stadium
1964: Everett Memorial Stadium (11,000)
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owner: Ted Barron
Our Favorite Stuff
ACFL Logo T-Shirt
The Atlantic Coast Football League of 1962 – 1973 was likely the closest pro football has ever come to having a true “triple-A” minor league, similar to baseball. At the league’s peak in the late 1960’s, NFL teams such as the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins maintained farm clubs in the ACFL.
This ACFL design is also available today as a Crewneck or Hooded Sweartshirt, 3/4 sleeve Raglan or Women’s Tank Top at Old School Shirts!
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Background
The Boston Sweepers were a semi-pro football outfit that drew crowds of a few thousand per game on the northern outskirts of Boston during the early 1960’s. The team formed in 1962 as a new entry in the New England Football League. Press accounts alternately referred to the team as the Boston Sweepers, Chelsea-Everett Sweepers and Nu-Way Sweepers that fall. The latter name derived from team owner Ted Barron’s Nu-Way Disposal Service business.
The Sweepers went undefeated in New England that autumn. They concluded the year with a December road trip to Atlantic City’s 12,000-seat Convention Hall for an indoor exhibition against the Paterson (NJ) Miners. The Miners dealt the Sweepers their only loss of 1962, besting the Bostonians 20-10.
In 1963 the Sweepers joined the more competitive Atlantic Coast Football League. The Sweepers found it tougher going in the ACFL, scuffling to a 2-9-1 record that autumn.
The Sweepers bounced back in 1964 under the direction of new Head Coach Butch Songin. Songin’s charges reeled off an 11-3 record in the regular season. The Sweepers traveled to New Jersey on December 5, 1964 and defeated the Newark Bears 14-10 in the ACFL’s 1964 championship game.
After the 1964 season owner Ted Barron moved the Sweepers an hour south to New Bedford, Massachusetts. After two further seasons in New Bedford the team went out of business.
The Atlantic Coast Football League closed its doors in 1973.
Trivia
Former Boston College quarterback Don Allard, the #4 overall pick in the 1959 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins, was the starting quarterback for the Sweepers from 1962 to 1964.
Boston Sweepers Shop
Editor's Pick
Outsiders II
by Bob Gill with Tod Maher & Steve Brainerd
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Downloads
August 15, 1964 Boston Sweepers Roster
8-15-1964 Boston Sweepers Roster
Links
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2 Responses
Sweepers is a unique nickname.
I played the Boston Sweepers when they moved to New Bedford. It was in 1965 and I was playing on the New Jersey Jets team as a taxi squad member of the New York Jets to keep in game-playing shape. It was a great game with a thrilling last second ending.
Arnold Simkus
586.260.3220