RUSSIANS NOW!

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 3

RUSSIANS NOW!

SUGGESTED SOCCER TOUR How would a Soviet Soccer team be received in New Zealand? ■ The question arises from a suggestion made recently in Australia that such a side bo asked to make a tour of that country. 'The possibility of the tour was mentioned by Mr Tom Crawford, a prominent Northern League official, and was to have been discussed by the executive of the State, Soccer League. “ The last occasion on which the plan was mooted the politicians threw all sorts of obstacles in our way, and demanded from us £IOO a man as deposit,” declared Mr Crawford. “As there was a possibility of 17 Russians making the trip, it meant we had to find £1,700 for the deposit. This we could not do, as the English team which visited Australia had shown us a loss of £7OO.

“ The standard of play in Russia is of a high quality. Wo i are not concerned with Russian politics—wo only want Russian football. My personal opinion is that a Russian tour would be a good business proposition, particularly as it is forecast that the fares of the players would be paid by the Soviet Union.

“ Our people in England and Scotland have turned us down, and will not send) teams. The Scottish Association said it was prepared to send a team, but during the off season only. As the team would be travelling for about three months, their stay_ in Australia- would be so short that it would he doomed to financial failure.

■ “ Australians have a peculiar psychology—they want a team which is able to defeat the home representatives, otherwise they will not attend tho matches, “ I consider a Russian team would be a splendid draw, and a better proposition than an English side.”