The Green Bay Packers are unique as the only publicly owned club in professional sports. Founded as a town team in 1919 by E. L. "Curly" Lambeau, who coached them to six world championships, they first obtained jerseys by persuading a packing company to provide money for equipment and originally played in an open field where fans passed the hat. Developed into a professional football power that left a lasting imprint on the sport, they became the first team to win three consecutive National Football League titles in 1929, 1930, and 1931, a feat repeated under Vince Lombardi in 1965, 1966, and 1967 and still unequaled. In all, they have won 11 world championships, more than any other club in league history. Long a state team that played annual games in Milwaukee as well as Green Bay, they became a national institution with fans in all 50 states.