New York Fillies - New York 1972

Beautiful certificate and agreement from the New York Fillies issued in 1972. This historic document was printed by Excelsior-Legal Stationery Company and has an ornate border around it with a vignette of an eagle. This item has the signatures of the Company's President, Jim Eagan and Secretary and is over 35 years old. There is also an agreement signed by the team members agreeing to a $25 per game salary.


Certificate Vignette


Certificate Vignette

New York Fillies General Manager: Joe Kover

President: Jim Eagan

Coaches: Bill Bryant, Jody Friend, and Mitch McCarroll

The New York Fillies were in action in Sid Friedman's Women's Professional Football League at least during the 1972 season. Approximately 100 women turned out for New York Fillies' tryouts in February/March 1972. According to one article, four Fillies coaches quit before the first game when owner Jim Eagan didn't buy insurance for the players. 1972 won-loss record: 0 wins, 4 losses The New York Fillies played a home game versus the Detroit Cowgirls at Long Island's Freeport Stadium on Sunday, June 4, 1972. The game was broadcast on WMCA radio.

Mr. Eagan, after losing all of his $20,000 investment in the New York Fillies, disbanded the team after the 1972 season and let the players keep their uniforms. There would be three ownership changes for the New York Fillies between the end of the 1972 season and the beginning of the 1975 campaign. Even after Jim Eagan bailed out on the New York Fillies women's football franchise, first-string team members continued to have workouts and practices twice a week in Central Park.

In the mean time, Fillies player Carol Brown took it on herself to find new financial backing for the team. One Fillies player offered to pay the head coach from her waitressing salary. In 1974, the New York Fillies were renamed the Long Island Herricanes. Team members contacted the Service Corps of Retired Executives for advice on how to reestablish the franchise without big financial backing. It is unknown whether or not the Long Island Herricanes of 1974/1975 ever played an actual game.

History from Wikipedia and OldCompanyResearch.com.