ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1479, 29 June 1912, Page 16

ASSOCIATION.

[Br "Centue-Half."l INTEREST IN "THE DOUBLE." Obituary—Mr. A. Dixon, On Tuesday evening, at his late residence, 19S Adelaide lioad, Mr. Alexander Dixon, president of tho Thistle Football Club, passed away. The news of his! death came as a surpriso and shock to all Association football enthusiasts on account of its painful suddenness. Only last Saturday tho late Mr. Dixon was out at Minimal' along with members of his club, and was then in his usual health. . 111 1 . Dixon was a real "soccer" enthusiast. He was one of tho original founders of the Wanderers' Football Club, being treasurer of that institution for o. number ot' years. Later hi> joined the ranks of the newly-formed Thistle Club anil was elected president. Mr. Dixon was a keen supporter of the Scotchmen and was always lo be seen on the line when his team was playing. His son is a prominent member of tho team and was picked to represent Wellington against Manawatu at Palmerston yesterday. Although the kite Mr. Dixon was closely connected with the Blues ho was always willing to do what lie could for football and footballers generally and his familiar face will bo much missed at all football matches in the future. At the meeting of the Management Committee this week Mr. J. J. Roberts, chairman, made feeling references to the event. Who Wins the Double? "What is going to win the Double?" This question is being asked by practically every "soccer" player and .enthusiast in Wellington at the present time. In some circles it is freely stated that Hospital will secure tho senior championship for 1912, although tho Dkuuoilds Club is considered a very "dark horse." Swifts, last year's champions, are rightout of the running, and could not get up ivitlf'tlie bunch it' they tried. Regarding the winners of tho Charity Cup, now that Corinthians have the services of Roberts (late Swifts) they must stand a very fair chance of annexing that trophy. Perhaps it is a littlo too soon to speculate, but on the faco of things, it looks as if "tho double" will be won by Hospital, and Corinthians. ■ Well Done, Hospital. Hospital Club deserves credit for the manner ■ in which it has' fought its way up the ladder. They are at'the top now with 1G good • championship points, and from appearances aro likely to keep ahead. Diamonds are next with 12 points but they aro a game behind the Hospital men. This gives the Porirua team a lead of two points. To-day, tho Blacks and the AVhitcs meet. It will be a stren- I uous encounter. Some Stray Notes. Under tho heading "Tasmaniau Topics," the Sydney "Referee" saysAn interesting budget is forward from the Isle of Apples. Inter alia, it is noted that ground is already being broken' re the visit to New South Wales in .July. It is more than probable,, that a gaino will be played in - Melbourne, either out or home, negotiations being conducted to that end at. present. Although tho Cricket Ground was not in use on a cerlain occasion, tho Australian football authorities frowned at;; .the-.idea! of allowing "soccer" to be played there. Seeing what a "ga!o" means to the sportsmen who are running the affair, the sporting proclivities of the powers that be controlling that particular, ground can hardly bo commended.

Whittle, who played in-goal for Corinthians against Ramblers last Saturday, is said to have played the '"game of " his life." 'l'his weighty goalkeeper was at the top of his form, and executed some splendid saves.

Mr. Lithgow, a prominent referee, is un- • der orders to transfer from Wellington to Nelson. To-day will lie (.he last time this Reason on which this capable referee will 'blow the whittle in Wellington football. Ho is down to referee in the DiamondsHospital l 'go" at I'orirua this afternoon. Word reached Wellington from Dunedin during (he week that (lie Otago Football Association have disqualified (till the end of the 1913' season) A. Wyncss, a member of the lioslyn-Waikari Club, who was reported for having used improper language to a referee. .It seems that O.F.A. are "determined." Every case that has como up before them has been severely dealt with. It is reported from Auckland that Hie Y.11.C.A. Club is at the top of every list in club competitions. This clnb lias a bright future before it, as it realises the wisdom of building a club from the foundation. In all probability the y.M.C.A. club next year will be represented in even' division, from sixth division to senior. The club is to bo congratulated on its fine performances so far this season. . Boys' games played on tho Metropolitan Grounds at Auckland are improving every week. The various competitions are well worth watching. It is said that the team that will be sent to Wellington at the eiul of the <=eason will give our lads something to think about. Reports to hand from Australia state that the "soccer" game is booming in all parts, and 'especially in Queensland. Every week applications are received for conies of rules. This season is undoubtedly a record one for the 0.8. F.A. . Tho Tewnsville Association, 1(100 miles from Brisbane, is one of the most recent affiliations, while the game is going strong also in Rockhanipton, Maryborough, Howard, Ipswich, and Toojvoomba districts. Mr. .T. Lewis, secretary of the Corinthian Club, canably handled the business of the recent benefit performance at tho Adelphi Theatre. It was a capital affair, and goes to show what can be done if a thing is taken up with enthusiasm. The Corinthians' coffers have benefited to the extent of between ,£!!") and «£3O. In committee, the W.F.A. did not grant a transfer to Moore, of Wanderers, tn Thistle. 'Roberts, of Swifts, was granted leave to play for Corinthians, however. What Of the Swifts? Tho opinion of that censorious individual, yclept the Li\e Critic is dead agaiust tho policy which directed Swifts . to send out a weak team to meet tho Hospital men at Porirua on Saturday last. Obviously, football teams do not as a matter of ambition, look for defeat, and oven the weakest team in the Senior League goes forth to war inspired by tho divino hope that something—they don't quite know, what—may happen to turn tho scale of victory in their favour. But when one of tho strongest clubs in the association sends out a weak combination (o meet a team which it knows perfectly well would, under the most advantageous circumstances to tho visitors, just about bent them, then there is nothing more to be said than this: Thero must-be something wrong with tho esprit do corps of the club which ventures upon such a disastrous policy. Is there anythiug wrong with Swifts? Or, were tho fateful circumstances of last Saturday dne to. influences beyond tho club's control? Time will show.