ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 139, 8 March 1920, Page 5

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

ANNUAL REPORT. Tho twenty-ninth annual report of the Wellington Football Association points with pride to the splendid record of Association football in the city and its environs during last season. The entries for the various competitions in tho year under review compare more than favourably with those of past seasons, and as ninny players of tho senior grades continued to return from the front, it was gratifying to the Association to nolo thnt tlio play shown was of a very high standard and was far in advance of thnt shown even prior to the war. Tor the first tirno since their entry in the f.rst div sion competition, Y.M.C.A. were successful in winning tho championship, but a very hard fight had to be put up b* fore the premier position was attained T.M.C.A. also won the Charity Cup. 'IV other competitions, including the school series, were also fought out to a success' ful - conclusion. Tho representative matches played in-AVellington were splendidly contested, nothing better being seen throughout the scries than that played against tho team from 11.M.5. New Zealand in the second match played on th» Basin Reserve. During the season the number-of.matches played amounted In ttlij, the number-being made up as follows:—Representative, 8; championship, 173; Cup, 69; Scouts, 0; Senior Cadets, 8; and Schools, 28; and that, in addition. K? six-asido -matches were also played. A.9 usual, the City Council granted the Association a fair share of grounds on the various city reserves. The courtesv attended to the Associat'on by tho members of the council Reserves Committed en many occasions was highly appreciated, and the good feeling shown by both nides was conducive to a better under standing. Tho three grounds situated on Ihe Association Park were utilised to their full extent. Owing to necessity, far too many games were played than w»« good for tho ground, which at the end of the soason showed considerable signs of wear. Tho committee states that it has not lost sight of the question of holding a combined carnival and bazaar. It is hoped that in tho neAr future the scheme will- bo brought forward in. a definite shape,' and that the enthusiasts of clubs will do their utmost to mako a success of tho project. Although the committee. had had in mind for some considerable timo past the question of holding a sports meeting, so far nothing has been done owing to a very prolonged season. Attention is drawn in the report to the fact. that negotiations are well under way for tho visit of an English team to the' Dominion during the 1921 season, Messrs. A, E. Gibbes, F. J. Courtney, and B. L. Salmon having interested themselves in the matter. . . The committee also confidently anticipates that in'a short whilo tho New South Wales Football .Association will also forward a team to tour New Zealand. The statement of finances an excess of assets over liabilities of .£623 17si 3d., and a credit balance of income over expenditure of ,£'l7 18s. sd.