Soccer COMPLAINT BY CLUB

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 17

Soccer COMPLAINT BY CLUB

Paragraph In Programme A protest from the ShamI rock Club against the naming of one of the members of its first division team for illegal play in the programme for last Saturday's matches was received by the management committee of the Canterbury football Association last evening. The programme, in a column commenting on good or bad features of the previous week's organisation and play, had included a mention of this player's tripping an opponent. The letter said: By naming this player, the writer is defaming his character as a citizen and as a good sportsman. People who saw the game can judge a statement like the one printed on its merits. but others who were not at the park generally would take it as being authoritative to a certain degree. "The player has no defence in a case like this other than entering into correspondence over the matter in the same programme, which is an unpleasant business for all concerned." Members of the committee agreed that the column was an interesting one. but that perhaps such comments were better not included. "It is the official programme of the association, but perhaps complications could set in when players are named.” said the chairman (Mr J. Smith). The editor of the programme. Mr T. C. Gottermeyer. said that the player concerned had already commented to him upon the paragraph. After giving more thought to the matter, he agreed that names should be omitted from the programme, said Mr Gottermeyer. "I don’t think that anyone else will have cause for complaint,” he said.