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
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933