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Team and League History

January 21, 1961

	1961 Selma newspaper ad for game against the "Ironclads"

Birmingham is one of three cities to join the Dixie Professional Football League for their inaugural season. Bessemer and Montgomery were the other two cities. They are joining previously awarded cities of Selma and Gadsden.

The DPFL is a semi-pro football league and is run by Virgil Pierson of the Alabama State Fair Authority.

Originally, the league was to be named Tri-States Professional Football League because the league was set to include teams only from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. League officials decided to change the name to reflect the additional interest from other states such as Mississippi and Tennessee.

All home games will be played at Rickwood Field.

Billy Hicks will be the Vulcans player/coach.

March 26, 1961
At a league meeting, a schedule was drawn up for four teams. Birmingham, Gadsden, Montgomery, and Selma are the cities set to play. Each team will play nine games.

Spring training will begin on April 3rd with the season kicking off on September 2nd. Playoffs begin November 4th and a championship game will be played on November 11th, possibly in Miami's Orange Bowl.


September 1961

1961   Dixie Professional Football League

Birmingham Vulcans

Gadsden Raiders

Montgomery Confederates

Selma Falcons

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	1962 Birmingham Vulcans newspaper ad for non-league pre-season game

A few games into the season, Hicks steps down from his coaching duties and Jimmy Vines is named head coach.

October 25, 1961
Vines announces there will be no DPFL post-season.

Instead, an All-Star team of players from the Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma franchises will meet the league's champion, the Gadsden Raiders, on November 18th in Gadsden.

Players will be paid a percentage of the gate.



September 1962

1962   Dixie Professional Football League

Anniston Victors

Birmingham Vulcans

Gadsden Raiders

Huntsville Rockets

Montgomery Confederates

Selma Falcons

September 29, 1962
After one complete season and two games of mounting losses and poor attendance, team owner Billy Johnson announces the team has folded. Contact Gene Crowley
Last update: March 24, 2022