Firebirds remembered in ‘The Timeless Victors’
Ahalf-century after their heyday, the Pottstown Firebirds still resonate with football fans in the community.
For the diehard followers of theminor-league franchise that was the “farm team” for the Philadelphia Eagles in the late 1960s, a book has been published about the Fire birds. It became available Tuesday with online sales and shipment of orders commencing.
“The Timeless Victors, ” a 224-page account focusing on the Fire birds’ memorable championship season sin Pot ts town — they won the Atlantic Coast Football League title in 1969 and 1970 — is available by going to pottstownfirebirds.org for more infomation and ordering details. It was compiled by author Bruno Baltazar and features a collage of photos, personal interviews with teampersonnel and details on the Firebirds’ games.
“It’s contemporary,” Baltazar said. “We can all connect with it. We all have a dreams and do what we do to reach those dreams.”
The first edition is limited to 125 copies, with a possibility of a smaller second edition being released contingent on initial sales. Cost per volume is $35.
“I’m estimating we’ll sell out within a month,” Baltazar sai.
The Pottstown Firebirdswere both a member of the Atlantic Coast Football League, and based in Pottstown, from 1968 to 1970. The Firebirds — former National Football League, college football high school football
players— played their home games at what is now Pottstown High School’s Grigg Memorial Field. They were provided with equipment and helmets already emblazoned with Eagle wings.
The Firebirds were perhaps best remembered as the subject of a 1970 NFL Films documentary, “Pro Football, Pottstown, Pa.”, which documented the ties between the minor league club, its players and their hometown of Pottstown. Of particular notewas theportrayal of the Firebirds’ star quarterback, Jim “The King” Corcoran. “The King” was described as the “Poor Man’s Joe Namath” for his flamboyance, preferring to be a star in the minor leaguesover a backup in the NFL,
In 2000, NFL Films returned to Pottstown for an episode of their Lost Treasures series. “Pottstown Revisited.” The episode covered some surviving players reminiscing about their days on the team, remembered the town’s relationship with the long-gone/ football team, and filmed a 30-year player reunion.
Baltazar noted former players like Billy Rakow, Bill Stetz,Tommy Davis, Greg Berger and Art Alois are among those believed to be still alive. His book also mentioned several of the team’s ball boys: Bob Calvario, John Katch and Dave Musser.