"Local resident John Roberto established the Wakefield Redskins semi-professional football team in 1961 as part of the New England Football Conference which included teams from Quincy, Haverhill, Lynn and Framingham. A contest to name the club was held in July 1961 with several entrants submitting the winning name. Prizes included a season pass to the five home games and a gift certificate to Steve's Deli. Although the team was initially denied the use of Walton Field, General Manager Roberto eventually received approval to rent the field for home games. During its first year, the team was coached by Saugus High School Athletic Director, John 'Tex' Scarborough of Lynn. The games attracted crowds of up to 1,100 fans, with an admission price of $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. Team expenses included the rental of lights for the field, payment for the officials, cost of footballs, and a stipend for opposing teams. In 1962, Wakefield High School teacher, Dom DiGiammarino, coached the Redskins. The opening game against Whitman was 'Kids Pony Night,' It was reported that 2,500 children attended the game with 1,000 paying adults. Although attendance during the season was estimated to be 2,200 per game, gate receipts indicated there were many fence-hoppers among them. The Wakefield Redskins ended the 1962 season with a 3-3-0 conference record. Although 20 players reported for practice at Nasella field in the summer of 1963 and a Redskins Boosters Club was in place, the team was disbanded. Wakefield's other semi-professional sports team is the Merchants, established in 1962 as part of the Carling Intercity League by Field Manager Les DeMarco and General Manager Larry McShane." -- Text from calendar. Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2002 Photo courtesy of John Roberto and the Roberto family.
