Timeline of the National Central Football League: Difference between revisions

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|Toronto Lakers
|Toronto Lakers
|Texas Horses
|Texas Horses
|-
|}
== The 1960's The Three Leagues NCFL-NFL-IFL ==
=== 1960 ===
The National Football League (NFL) was founded with 6 teams, as a rival to the NCFL. Composed mostly of wealthy owners in non-NCFL markets.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''1960 NFL'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Northern Division'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Southern Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Baltimore Ramming Goats
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Cincinnati Bears
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Minnesota Valkyries
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Florida Crocodiles
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Philadelphia Penguins
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Texas Spiders
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+1960 NCFL
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Boston Meerkats
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Chicago Giants
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|DC Elephants
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Los Angeles Armored Lizards
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Detroit Raptors
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Mexico City Aztecs
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New York Dragons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New Orleans Knights
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Philadelphia Hammers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|San Francisco Tigers
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Pittsburgh Falcons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|St. Louis Warriors
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Toronto Lakers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Texas Horses
|-
|}
=== 1961-1962 ===
The NFL expanded aggressively adding teams in NCFL cities such as {{wp|Washington D.C.|Washington}}, and {{wp|New York City}}.
{| class="wikitable"
| style="background-color:#A8E4A0;" | First season in NFL ** 
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''1961-1962 NFL'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Northern Division'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Southern Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Baltimore Ramming Goats
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Cincinnati Bears
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Minnesota Valkyries
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Florida Crocodiles
|-
|style="background-color: #A8E4A0;"|New York Eagles
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Texas Spiders
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Philadelphia Penguins
|style="background-color: #A8E4A0;"|Washington Roughriders
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+1961-1962 NCFL
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Boston Meerkats
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Chicago Giants
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|DC Elephants
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Los Angeles Armored Lizards
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Detroit Raptors
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Mexico City Aztecs
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New York Dragons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New Orleans Knights
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Philadelphia Hammers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|San Francisco Tigers
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Pittsburgh Falcons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|St. Louis Warriors
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Toronto Lakers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Texas Horses
|-
|}
=== 1963 ===
Several NCFL teams began exploring alternatives following the rapid expansion of the NFL in certain markets.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ 1963 name changes
! 1962 team name
! 1963 team name
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Washington Roughriders||style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Washington Red Pandas
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''1963 NFL'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Northern Division'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Southern Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Baltimore Ramming Goats
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Cincinnati Bears
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Minnesota Valkyries
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Florida Crocodiles
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|New York Eagles
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Texas Spiders
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Philadelphia Penguins
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Washington Red Pandas
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+1963 NCFL
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Boston Meerkats
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Chicago Giants
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|DC Elephants
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Los Angeles Armored Lizards
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Detroit Raptors
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Mexico City Aztecs
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New York Dragons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New Orleans Knights
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Philadelphia Hammers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|San Francisco Tigers
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Pittsburgh Falcons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|St. Louis Warriors
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Toronto Lakers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Texas Horses
|-
|}
=== 1964 ===
The Elephants left Washington D.C. for Nashville to deny the city hosting an NFL team, following economic troubles in Washington, in the face of increasing competition.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ 1964 name changes
! 1963 team name
! 1964 team name
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|DC Elephants||style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Nashville Elephants
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''1964 NFL'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Northern Division'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Southern Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Baltimore Ramming Goats
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Cincinnati Bears
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Minnesota Valkyries
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Florida Crocodiles
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|New York Eagles
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Texas Spiders
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Philadelphia Penguins
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Washington Red Pandas
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+1964 NCFL
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Boston Meerkats
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Chicago Giants
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Detroit Raptors
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Los Angeles Armored Lizards
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Nashville Elephants
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Mexico City Aztecs
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New York Dragons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New Orleans Knights
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Philadelphia Hammers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|San Francisco Tigers
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Pittsburgh Falcons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|St. Louis Warriors
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Toronto Lakers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Texas Horses
|-
|}
=== 1965 ===
The NCFL and the NFL added two teams each
{| class="wikitable"
| style="background-color:#00FF00;" | First season in NCFL * 
| style="background-color:#A8E4A0;" | First season in NFL ** 
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''1965 NFL'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Baltimore Ramming Goats
|style="background-color: #A8E4A0;"|Denver Dynamo*
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Cincinnati Bears
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Florida Crocodiles
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|New York Eagles
|style="background-color: #A8E4A0;"|Kansas City Wheat Kings*
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Philadelphia Penguins
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Minnesota Valkyries
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Washington Red Pandas
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Texas Spiders
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+1965 NCFL
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Boston Meerkats
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Chicago Giants
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Detroit Raptors
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Los Angeles Armored Lizards
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Nashville Elephants
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Mexico City Aztecs
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New York Dragons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New Orleans Knights
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Philadelphia Hammers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|San Francisco Tigers
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Pittsburgh Falcons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|St. Louis Warriors
|-
|style="background-color: #00FF00;"|Tampa Bay Octopuses*
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Texas Horses
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Toronto Lakers
|style="background-color: #00FF00;"|Washington Wolverines*
|-
|}
=== 1966 ===
The International Football League was founded in 1966 and launched with 4 teams. Causing concern to both the NCFL and the NFL, leading to them establishing a championship game between both leagues termed the Orange Cup.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''1966 IFL'''
|-
|style="background-color: #03fc77;"|Arizona Armadillos|| {{0}}||style="background-color: #03fc77;"|Guadalajara Scorpions
|-
|style="background-color: #03fc77;"|Havana Sugarcanes|| {{0}}||style="background-color: #03fc77;"|Mexico Rattlesnakes
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''1966 NFL'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #FFA7A7;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Baltimore Ramming Goats
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Denver Dynamo
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Cincinnati Bears
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Florida Crocodiles
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|New York Eagles
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Kansas City Wheat Kings
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Philadelphia Penguins
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Minnesota Valkyries
|-
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Washington Red Pandas
|style="background-color: #FFCCCC;"|Texas Spiders
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+1966 NCFL
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Eastern Division'''
!style="background-color: #B7D0FF;"|'''Western Division'''
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Boston Meerkats
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Chicago Giants
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Detroit Raptors
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Los Angeles Armored Lizards
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Nashville Elephants
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Mexico City Aztecs
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New York Dragons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|New Orleans Knights
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Philadelphia Hammers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|San Francisco Tigers
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Pittsburgh Falcons
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|St. Louis Warriors
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Tampa Bay Octopuses
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Texas Horses
|-
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Toronto Lakers
|style="background-color: #D0E7FF;"|Washington Wolverines
|-
|-
|}
|}

Revision as of 04:45, 15 December 2023

This timeline of the National Central Football League (NCFL) tracks the history of each of the league's 36 current franchises from the early days of the league, through its merger with the National Football Association (NFA), and the International Football Association (IFA). The history of franchises that began as independent teams, other defunct leagues are shown as well.

1920-1933 Birth of the NCFL

1920

The National Central Football League is formed September 17, 1920, at Canton, Ohio. The fourteen teams were mainly drawn from the Ontario-Quebec State League, New York professional League, and other leagues. A $100 membership fee was charged. The Chicago Giants folded after the season.

Team folded this season ^
1920 NCFL
Albany All-Pros 0 Detroit Tigers
Boston Hammers 0 Montreal Blues
Brooklyn Steel 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Ontario Lakers
Chicago Giants^ 0 Philadelphia Renegades
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Rochester Americans
Cleveland Lions 0 Toronto Wolves

1921

With the low entry barrier of a $100 membership fee, the number of teams balloons to 20. Four of these franchises would last only one season, with the Chicago Chippers only making it through a single game. Two other franchises folded mid-season.

1921 name changes
1920 team name 1921 team name
Brooklyn Steel Brooklyn Steelers
First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^ Only season in the league *^
1921 NCFL
Albany All-Pros 0 Indianapolis Indians*
Baltimore Cannon*^ 0 Louisville Reds*
Boston Hammers 0 Mississauga Millers*^
Brooklyn Steelers 0 Montreal Blues
Buffalo Warthogs 0 New York Dragons
Chicago Chippers*^ 0 Ontario Lakers
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Philadelphia Renegades^
Cleveland Lions 0 Rochester Americans
Detroit Tigers 0 St. Louis Triangles*
Hartford Whaling Ships*^ 0 Toronto Wolves^

1922

Two Franchises were awarded. While two disbanded.

1922 name changes
1921 team name 1922 team name
Indianapolis Indians Indiana Indians
First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^ Only season in the league *^
1922 NCFL
Albany All-Pros 0 Louisville Reds^
Boston Hammers 0 Montreal Blues
Brooklyn Steelers^ 0 New York Dragons
Chicago Centrals*^ 0 Ontario Lakers
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Rochester Americans
Cleveland Lions 0 Rockford Rail Kings*
Detroit Tigers 0 St. Louis Triangles
Indiana Indians 0 Syracuse Spartans*

1923

Two new franchises were awarded

First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^
1923 NCFL
Albany All-Pros 0 Montreal Blues
Boston Hammers 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Ontario Lakers
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Rochester Americans
Cleveland Lions 0 Rockford Rail Kings^
Detroit Tigers 0 St. Louis Triangles
Indiana Indians 0 Syracuse Spartans
Massachusetts Meerkats* 0 Washington Presidents*

1924

Two new times were franchised, while the Cleveland Lions folded mid-season.

1924 name changes
1923 team name 1924 team name
St. Louis Triangles Missouri Chiefs
First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^
1924 NCFL
Akron All-Stars* 0 Missouri Chiefs
Albany All-Pros 0 Montreal Blues
Boston Hammers 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Ontario Lakers
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Providence Minutemen*
Cleveland Lions^ 0 Rochester Americans
Detroit Tigers 0 Syracuse Spartans
Indiana Indians 0 Washington Presidents
Massachusetts Meerkats 0

1925

The Boston Hammers relocated from Boston to Chicago, to become the Chicago Hammers. The Rochester Americans and the Albany All-Pros merged into the Albany Americans, at the end of the season.

1925 name changes
1924 team name 1925 team name
Boston Hammers Chicago Hammers
First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^ Team merged into another ^^
1924 NCFL
Akron All-Stars 0 Missouri Chiefs
Albany All-Pros 0 Montreal Blues^
Baltimore Braves* 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Ontario Lakers
Chicago Hammers 0 Pittsburgh Hawks*
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Portland Islanders*
Detroit Tigers 0 Providence Minutemen
Indiana Indians 0 Rochester Americans^^
Massachusetts Meerkats 0 Syracuse Spartans
Milwaukee Redskins 0 Washington Presidents

1926

One team was franchised, while the Milwaukee Redskins folded.

1926 name changes
1925 team name 1926 team name
Albany All-Pros Albany Americans
First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^
1926 NCFL
Akron All-Stars 0 Milwaukee Redskins^
Albany Americans 0 Missouri Chiefs
Baltimore Braves 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Ontario Lakers
Chicago Hammers 0 Pittsburgh Hawks
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Portland Islanders
Detroit Tigers 0 Providence Minutemen
Indiana Indians 0 Syracuse Spartans
Kalamazoo Kangaroos* 0 Washington Presidents
Massachusetts Meerkats 0

1927

Two franchises the Brooklyn Rangers and the Philadelphia Phillies were franchised, while the Washington Presidents folded.

First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^
1927 NCFL
Akron All-Stars 0 Massachusetts Meerkats
Albany Americans 0 Missouri Chiefs
Baltimore Braves 0 New York Dragons
Brooklyn Rangers* 0 Ontario Lakers
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Philadelphia Phillies*
Chicago Hammers 0 Pittsburgh Hawks
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Portland Islanders
Detroit Tigers 0 Providence Minutemen
Indiana Indians 0 Syracuse Spartans
Kalamazoo Kangaroos 0 Washington Presidents^

1928

Two teams were added to the league, the Lancaster Lancers, and the New York Giants. This was the first year that no team folded. The Ontario Lakers changed their name to the Toronto Lakers.

1928 name changes
1927 team name 1928 team name
Ontario Lakers Toronto Lakers
First season in NCFL *
1928 NCFL
Akron All-Stars 0 Lancaster Lancers*
Albany Americans 0 Massachusetts Meerkats
Baltimore Braves 0 Missouri Chiefs
Brooklyn Rangers 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago Giants* 0 Pittsburgh Hawks
Chicago Hammers 0 Portland Islanders
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Providence Minutemen
Detroit Tigers 0 Syracuse Spartans
Indiana Indians 0 Toronto Lakers
Kalamazoo Kangaroos 0

1929

A team was franchised, and another folded. The 22 team high of the NCFL would not be matched until 1970.

First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^
1929 NCFL
Akron All-Stars 0 Lancaster Lancers
Albany Americans 0 Massachusetts Meerkats
Baltimore Braves 0 Missouri Chiefs
Brooklyn Rangers 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago Giants 0 Pittsburgh Hawks
Chicago Hammers 0 Portland Islanders^
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Providence Minutemen
Detroit Tigers 0 Syracuse Spartans
Indiana Indians 0 Toronto Lakers
Kalamazoo Kangaroos 0 Washington Elephants*

1930

The Great Depression resulted in the folding of 8 teams, including two during the season, the Providence Minutemen and Syracuse Spartans. The Kalamazoo Kangaroos moved to Milwaukee, as the Greens.

1929 name changes
1929 team name 1930 team name
Kalamazoo Kangaroos Milwaukee Greens
Team folded this season ^
1930 NCFL
Akron All-Stars^ 0 Massachusetts Meerkats
Albany Americans 0 Milwaukee Greens
Baltimore Braves^ 0 Missouri Chiefs
Brooklyn Rangers^ 0 New York Dragons
Buffalo Warthogs 0 Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago Giants 0 Pittsburgh Hawks^
Chicago Hammers 0 Providence Minutemen^
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Syracuse Spartans^
Detroit Tigers 0 Toronto Lakers
Indiana Indians^ 0 Washington Elephants
Lancaster Lancers^ 0

1931

The Great Depression resulted in the folding of 8 teams, including two during the season, the Providence Minutemen and Syracuse Spartans. The Kalamazoo Kangaroos moved to Milwaukee, as the Greens.

1931 name changes
1930 team name 1931 team name
Massachusetts Meerkats Boston Meerkats
Team folded this season ^
1930 NCFL
Albany Americans 0 Milwaukee Greens^
Boston Meerkats 0 Missouri Chiefs^
Buffalo Warthogs^ 0 New York Dragons
Chicago Giants 0 Philadelphia Phillies^
Chicago Hammers 0 Toronto Lakers
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles 0 Washington Elephants
Detroit Tigers 0

1932

Last new team in the NCFL until XXXXXX. NCFL reduced to its 8 team configuration.

1932 name changes
1931 team name 1932 team name
Chicago Hammers Philadelphia Hammers
First season in NCFL * Team folded this season ^
1932 NCFL
Albany Americans^ 0 New York Dragons
Boston Meerkats 0 Philadelphia Hammers
Chicago Giants 0 Pittsburgh Falcons*
Cincinnati Fighting Eagles^ 0 Toronto Lakers
Detroit Tigers 0 Washington Elephants

1933–1947: Start of Championship Game and Original 7 era

1933-1937

The league split into Eastern and Western Divisions with the winner of each division playing in the Championship Game.

1933-1937 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
New York Dragons Detroit Tigers
Philadelphia Hammers Pittsburgh Falcons
Toronto Lakers Washington Elephants

1937-1941

The Detroit Tigers folded at the end of the 1937 season, leaving only 7 teams. The demise of the Tigers led to financial restructuring throughout the NCFL, and its teams. Beginning of the Original 7 era.

Team folded this season ^
1937-1941 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
New York Dragons Detroit Tigers^
Philadelphia Hammers Pittsburgh Falcons
Toronto Lakers Washington Elephants

1941-1947

The Original 7 remained mostly unchanged between 1937 until 1947, bar the change in the Elephants name. Financial and roster concerns due to World War II, ensured the league remain committed to 7 teams in uneven divisions. Only after the end of the war, did the NCFL seriously consider expansion again.

1941 name changes
1940 team name 1941 team name
Washington Elephants DC Elephants
1941-1947 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
New York Dragons DC Elephants
Philadelphia Hammers Pittsburgh Falcons
Toronto Lakers

End of the Original 7 era (1947-1960)

1947-1949

The NCFL expanded for the first time since 1929, ending the original 7 era, and growing to 10 teams, with 5 in each division.

First season in NCFL *
1947-1949 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
Detroit Raptors* DC Elephants
New York Dragons Detroit Warriors*
Philadelphia Hammers Pittsburgh Falcons
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses*

1949

The Detroit Warriors moved to St. Louis following two seasons in Detroit. The NCFL favored relocation over folding, moving foward.

1949 name changes
1948 team name 1949 team name
Detroit Warriors St. Louis Warriors
1949 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
Detroit Raptors DC Elephants
New York Dragons Pittsburgh Falcons
Philadelphia Hammers St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

1950-1954

The NCFL expanded to the west, with the establishment of the Los Angeles Armored Lizards. The NCFL returned to Montreal after close to 30 years, with the Montreal Tigers. Although the team was plagued with economical difficulties.

First season in NCFL *
1950-1954 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
Detroit Raptors DC Elephants
Montreal Tigers* Los Angeles Armored Lizards*
New York Dragons Pittsburgh Falcons
Philadelphia Hammers St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

1955-1956

The financially struggling Tigers moved in 1955 from Montreal to San Francisco, after being invited by the mayor of San Francisco Elmer Robinson. The Pittsburg Falcons were moved from Western to the Eastern division.

1955 name changes
1954 team name 1955 team name
Montreal Tigers San Francisco Tigers
1955-1956 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
Detroit Raptors DC Elephants
New York Dragons Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

1957-1960

The NCFL successfully expanded to Mexico City and New Orleans, leading to a further realignment in the divisions to maintain them even. The league settled into 14 teams

First season in NCFL *
1957-1960 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
DC Elephants Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Detroit Raptors Mexico City Aztecs*
New York Dragons New Orleans Knights*
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

The 1960's The Three Leagues NCFL-NFL-IFL

1960

The National Football League (NFL) was founded with 6 teams, as a rival to the NCFL. Composed mostly of wealthy owners in non-NCFL markets.

1960 NFL
Northern Division Southern Division
Baltimore Ramming Goats Cincinnati Bears
Minnesota Valkyries Florida Crocodiles
Philadelphia Penguins Texas Spiders
1960 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
DC Elephants Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Detroit Raptors Mexico City Aztecs
New York Dragons New Orleans Knights
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

1961-1962

The NFL expanded aggressively adding teams in NCFL cities such as Washington, and New York City.

First season in NFL **
1961-1962 NFL
Northern Division Southern Division
Baltimore Ramming Goats Cincinnati Bears
Minnesota Valkyries Florida Crocodiles
New York Eagles Texas Spiders
Philadelphia Penguins Washington Roughriders
1961-1962 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
DC Elephants Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Detroit Raptors Mexico City Aztecs
New York Dragons New Orleans Knights
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

1963

Several NCFL teams began exploring alternatives following the rapid expansion of the NFL in certain markets.

1963 name changes
1962 team name 1963 team name
Washington Roughriders Washington Red Pandas
1963 NFL
Northern Division Southern Division
Baltimore Ramming Goats Cincinnati Bears
Minnesota Valkyries Florida Crocodiles
New York Eagles Texas Spiders
Philadelphia Penguins Washington Red Pandas
1963 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
DC Elephants Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Detroit Raptors Mexico City Aztecs
New York Dragons New Orleans Knights
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

1964

The Elephants left Washington D.C. for Nashville to deny the city hosting an NFL team, following economic troubles in Washington, in the face of increasing competition.

1964 name changes
1963 team name 1964 team name
DC Elephants Nashville Elephants
1964 NFL
Northern Division Southern Division
Baltimore Ramming Goats Cincinnati Bears
Minnesota Valkyries Florida Crocodiles
New York Eagles Texas Spiders
Philadelphia Penguins Washington Red Pandas
1964 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
Detroit Raptors Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Nashville Elephants Mexico City Aztecs
New York Dragons New Orleans Knights
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Toronto Lakers Texas Horses

1965

The NCFL and the NFL added two teams each

First season in NCFL * First season in NFL **
1965 NFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Baltimore Ramming Goats Denver Dynamo*
Cincinnati Bears Florida Crocodiles
New York Eagles Kansas City Wheat Kings*
Philadelphia Penguins Minnesota Valkyries
Washington Red Pandas Texas Spiders
1965 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
Detroit Raptors Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Nashville Elephants Mexico City Aztecs
New York Dragons New Orleans Knights
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Tampa Bay Octopuses* Texas Horses
Toronto Lakers Washington Wolverines*

1966

The International Football League was founded in 1966 and launched with 4 teams. Causing concern to both the NCFL and the NFL, leading to them establishing a championship game between both leagues termed the Orange Cup.

1966 IFL
Arizona Armadillos 0 Guadalajara Scorpions
Havana Sugarcanes 0 Mexico Rattlesnakes
1966 NFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Baltimore Ramming Goats Denver Dynamo
Cincinnati Bears Florida Crocodiles
New York Eagles Kansas City Wheat Kings
Philadelphia Penguins Minnesota Valkyries
Washington Red Pandas Texas Spiders
1966 NCFL
Eastern Division Western Division
Boston Meerkats Chicago Giants
Detroit Raptors Los Angeles Armored Lizards
Nashville Elephants Mexico City Aztecs
New York Dragons New Orleans Knights
Philadelphia Hammers San Francisco Tigers
Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
Tampa Bay Octopuses Texas Horses
Toronto Lakers Washington Wolverines

The 2000's

2014-Present

2014–present NCFL teams
NAFA North Central South
Boston Meerkats Cincinnati Bears Chicago Giants
New York Eagles Philadelphia Penguins Indianapolis Phantoms
Quebec Sharks Detroit Raptors Nashville Elephants
Toronto Lancers Pittsburgh Falcons St. Louis Warriors
NFA North Central West
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IFA North Central West
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