Football News.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 268, 20 March 1894, Page 2

Football News.

(By" Koro Ikb.") The extremis heat of Saturday afternoon was no doubt accountable for the poor attendance of footballers at the Oval for the 'opening game, but it is to be -hoped that in view of the match on Wednesday week with the Eketabuna reps., that every player will make an effort and be on the ground on Saturday next, so that at least they can have one proper practice before the first match. The visiting team, it 4s reported, are bringing through an exceptionally strong combination which /includes D'Arcyfi3*he sensational back, who ~ gained so much praise for his play an the late tour of the New Zealand reps. I am greatly afraid that the Feilding men will taste the bitters of defeat against the bush men— not that I think they are inferior in play, physique, etc., but simply condition. It can hardly be expected for men to take the field and oppose men who in view of their trip have been in active training for the last month. However, I trust that our boys will in the next ten day endeavour to get themselves into as good a fettle as possible and make a big bid to win back a little of - the glory that has departed from Feilding. The prospect of football for Feilding is extremely bright for the coming season. The club are to be congratulated on securing the services of such a popular gentleman as Mr Matheson as skipper, while the vice-captain, Joe Matravers, is a worthy lieutenant, and I am sure will work tooth and nail to restore the club to its former prestige The forward division will take a lot of rubbing out, this year, headed by such men as Matheson, Big Smith, Oldham, and the veteran Bob (who is going to have one more season). Things will be pretty lively for any ■opposing local team, of the back division I cannot yet say anything as there are a lot of new men with big reputations to be tried. 1 am glad, however, to see our red-headed-boy j. back in Feilding once more, and his appearance behind the scrams will be welcomed by all old players. ! I hear Bob Parr has decided not todosert his old club. On his play of last season I think he will find his ! way into the reps, this year. The match committee are composed of three gentleman who will without fear or favor put the best team at all times in the field. They will on Saturday next be on the ground, so it I behoves every player to roll up. An old member of the club has ordered from Mr Scott, jeweller, a trophy consisting of a gold football watch pendant similar to the trophies presented to the New Zealand reps., and it is his intention to. present it to the member of the first fifteen who shows the most- unselfish play during the corning season.