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
|
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.
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.
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
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.
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
|
| XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
| XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
| XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
| XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
XXXXXX
|
| IFA
|
North
|
Central
|
West
|
| XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|
| XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|
| XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|
| XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|
XXXXX
|