The Len Oliver Archive

In addition to being a player and a coach, Len Oliver was also a student of the game before he passed away this week at the age of 88.

A longtime supporter of SASH, Len contributed several essays to the SASH website and participated in a Q&A that accompanied the serial republication of his 1992 essay, “American Soccer Didn’t Start with Pele: Philadelphia Soccer in the 1940s and 1950s.”

Below are links to his work.

Philadelphia soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 1

• Q&A with Len Oliver: Philly soccer in the 1940s & 1950s

Philadelphia soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 2: Youth & Junior League soccer with the Lighthouse Boys Club

• Q&A with Len Oliver: Youth and junior soccer with Lighthouse Boys Club

Philadelphia soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 3: Moving up through the amateur ranks

• Q&A with Len Oliver: Philly amateur soccer in the 1950s

Philadelphia soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 4: High school and college soccer, products of the clubs

• Len Oliver Q&A: The impact of club soccer on Philly’s high school & college game

Philadelphia Soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 5: The pro game in 1950s Philadelphia

• Len Oliver Q&A: Playing in the pros in 1950s Philadelphia and beyond

Philadelphia Soccer in the 1940s and 1950s, part 6: In retrospect

• Len Oliver Q&A: Looking ahead

Perseverance in soccer: A useful trait