German American Kickers - GAK

n: http://www.gasociety.org

The soccer program began in 1930, with Germany suffering from one of the worst economic depressions, more immigrants sought refuge in the Americas. These immigrants expressed their love for their native sport, soccer, by forming a team aptly named "Trenton Liederkranz" due to the club's main focus (a singing society), competing with other local teams as well as European teams in Philadelphia. The home field was Wetzel Field in the Chambersburg section of Trenton. During the war years, club activity virtually came to a halt. Many of the club members served in the armed forces of our country, others lent their skills building armaments for the victorious outcome of the conflict. The year 1950 began with an acceleration of arriving new immigrants. First the displaced Germans from the Balkans, Romania, Hungary, etc. and later, when restrictions were more relaxed, a repetition of postwar era of the first World War, saw a heavy influx of young Germans from virtually every corner of Germany. Again their main interests were sports oriented and it is no wonder then that in a relatively short period of time another soccer team was formed, which should be considered as the forerunner of today's GAK, with many former players active as managers, coaches or as part of the GAK Soccer Committee. The current German American Kickers Soccer Club was formed in 1962, after a fusion of the Liederkranz Trenton (founded in 1888) and the Aurora Club (founded in 1905). The current facility on Uncle Pete's Road in Yardville was inaugurated on October 10, 1969 to provide a clubhouse, soccer field and picnic grounds needed to sustain the activities of the club.

2022 marks the 60th Anniversary of the GAK in it's current form. One of the most well known and respected clubs in the tri-state area, the club has sent many players to play at the collegiate and professional levels (too many names to mention here). It continues it's program of soccer excellence today, supporting both girls and boys teams and a men's team which competes at the highest amateur level in the region. For more information on the GAK, visit our website at http://www.gakfc.org