ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1091, 1 April 1911, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

CBv CENTItE-HATiF.) Let mo at the outset wish all my readers a happy and prosperous time this season. I trust that those clubs that aro in distress will emerge from their difficulties and that all players under all codes will enjoy the success they merit. \nd this may, indeed, bo a year of progress in our national sports. Let us, who are 'soccer men maintain unity in our littlo corner of sport, and wo need not fear that the 1911 season in -Wellington- nnd New Zealand will prove anything but one of tho most successful on record. "Give Us a Right Understanding." Too many players aro troubled with an exalted opinion of their capabilities, and too clever to learn. A well-known manager said a little while ago:—"Our players do not understand tho off-side rule. They have got their own misconceived ideas and should attend the fortnightly meetings, of tho Referee's Association, where all points aro thoroughly explained, and questions answered with the help of diagrams." For ■ some considerable time past our Referee's Association has invited players to their meetings, lectures, and discussions, but only a very few members of teams have responded. This is indeed regrettable. When a player imagines that he has got beyond tho period of improvement ho is on (ho decline. For players to take the fullest advantage of the rules, and make the most ot their own ability, under those rules, they at least should understand the laws of the.game. They aro then free to scheme and study how they can best overcome opponents within the scope of such laws. A football team does not consist of merely eleven players. There should be a common, well-realised understanding throughout, the team. No section is complete in itself.- The fullbacks must realiso that they have not only an obligation to the goal-keeper, but that they have a duty and service to the forwards. Tho best half-backs aro at times additional forwards, or additional defenders as occasion demands. It is just as much the duty of the halfbacks to assist the forwards, ply them with judicious passes, nnd join in strengthening and forcing home the attack, us it is to break up the advances of tho opposing side. But, if the halfbacks are to undertake such all-round service, there must bo a comnlote understanding with tho backs. The team is one machine, or should be. A centreforward is useless without tho wings. A right-wing cannot successfully carry forward the attack unassisted. Tho team must work together, for the common good of the side. New Homo of the F.A. Mr. F. J. Wall, secretary to the Football Association, has removed to the newborne of tho F.A., at 42 Russell Square, London. In the very early days of tho Association, the meetings wero held in a newspaper office in Fleet Street. The next move.was to Paternoster Row, and later Chancery Lane became tho headquarters of tho governing body. When tho council grew too large for Chancery Lane more spacious 'offices wero secured at High Holborn. The new quarters are likely to be permanent, for the Football Association authorities have taken tho remainder of the leaso of a house owned bv the trustees of the British Museum, and there is not likely to be any difficulty nbmit the extension of tho lease when tho present term expires. Considerable structural alterations havo been necessary in order to provide for a spacious and loftv council chamber. Tho council chamber takes up the wholo of tho first floor, and is a very handsome room, seating over sixty. General City Notes. "Supporters of the Ramblers* Football Glnb will bo pleased to hear of an acquisition to the club in F. Wilson, of tho Wycombe Wanderers Reserve Club. Judging by an extract from the "South Bucks Fr<*> Press," it may be said that Wilson, as -a player, possesses more than the averago -ability, and in matches he was usually one of tho most conspicuous men on the field. He has assisted the Reserves to win tho Wycombe Challenge Cup, In addition, Wilson has played on more than one occasion for the senior team, \ and has also represented hia $lub jjj

county matches. Wilson played his ,last game at Slough, where the Reserves were victorious by seven goals to two. Betoro departing for New Zealand he was entertained at luncheon by his iellow players. During an interval the president of the clun made a presentation to Wilson, this consisting of a beautifullychased silver cigarette case, suitably inscribed. A new goalkeeper has been found ■by Diamonds Seniors in tho person of C. Bennett, lato of Auckland. Bennett represented Auckland as goalkeeper in their match ngainst Wellington ployed on Athletic Park in 1908. 110 has also played for tho North Shore Club for several seasons. No doubt he will prove a worthy addition to the wearers of the blacK shirts. M. K. Kirschberg has "signed on" to play for tho Ramblers Club this season, and at the annual general meeting was hustled into holding many official positions. Ever since he came from South Africa, Kirschberg has played for tho Wellington Swifts, and I think that the wearers of the red shirts will find that they hava lost a very valuable man. At some of the 'annual meetings this year the manner in which the business was conducted was very praiseworthy indeed. While I write I have in mind two clubs which stood out above the others in this respect. One is composed of Scotchmenancl tho other is called after a very precious stone. Another thing which struck the writer at somo of tho annual general meetings was the number of. new faces. In their opening remarks three chairmen at least rtferred to the large numbers nrcsent on thoso occasions, and stated that they had not seen such numbers at club meetings before. ■ It all goes to show that tho good old "soccer" game is still going ahead in Wellington, and is likely to do so. To-day a great many 'teams are to indulge in practice games, and the secretary of the W.F.A. (Sir.-A.. Williams) received quite a budget of applications for grounds to play on. Someone suggested that they be "left in tho hands of tho secretary to deal with," and with his customary quiet smile the good-natured secretary said "all right." Tho clubs will bo satisfied. At the first meeting of the newlyelected Management Committee of the W.F.A., held on Wednesday evening, all the members were present. Present indications point to the new body being alive to the interests of Association football in Wellington. At tno same meeting a voto of thanks was passed to the members of tho old committee, who had retired. Judging by the annual report and enthusiasm shown at the meeting of the Wellington Referees' Association, that body has come to stay. There aro some top-uotchcrs in charge of things, and, given a fair chance, are just tho ones to make things buzz. There is room for many mora referees yet, so the. reader, if he knows of anyone willing to carrv a whistle, should send him along. He's welcome. The. "Athletic News" has stated that an invitation has been received from New Zealand to send a team out ■ from England. The matter has been deferred— for a long time.