A history of semiprofessional football clubs in Ohiöthe Ironton Tanks, the Portsmouth Spartans, and others¿and an intimate study of how the citizens and organizations that made up these cities worked to put themselves on the map.
The vast majority of soldiers and sailors fighting in World War II did not engage the enemy directly. Indeed, for every infantryman actually fighting, eight others were supporting him--driving trucks laden with food and ammunition, securing captured areas, servicing the machinery of war, and manning desks.
Early in this century, growing cities seeking to promote their communities came to view the budding local football team as an agent of civic progress and took the necessary measures to see that their interests were ably represented.As a result, semiprofessional clubs such as the Ironton Tanks and the Portsmouth Spartans faced off against such legendary teams as the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. Towns scrambled to raise subscription ...
