PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2094, 31 May 1907, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

THE POSITION IN AUCKLAND, ALL SIGN THE AFFIDAVIT. A NEW CLAUSE INSERTED.

Press Association. AUCKLAND, yesterday. Tuolve Auckland football representatives who refused, on Saturday, signed the declaration last evening. Mr. V. Langsford, secretary of the local Rugby Union, pointed out the necessity of the Rugby Union taking up the attitude they had done in requesting all representative footballers of the colony to sign tho declaration. The All Black players pointed out that they had objected,! on Saturday because they could not conscientiously sign the declaration, inasmuch as when on tour in Great Britain tlioy received moneys from the Now Zealand Union itself. It was jsjlso explained that those of tho 12 who had not been members of the All Black team had not signed because they realised the position of tho Now Zealand representatives. Mr. Langsford added a clause to the declaration which- removed tho risk the players thought they were running. This clause then read that they had never received any moneys oxcopt moneys received by members of tho All Black team from the New (Zealand Union during the tour of tho New Zealanders to Great Britain. With this amendment all 12 players signed the declaration. They also framed and signed a letter to the New Zealand, Union, in which they pointed out they had never in their long service abused the confidence placed in them, and also expressed tho opinion that tho step taken was uncalled-for in their case. None of these players will be able to play in the North Island team, but when the declarations are accepted by the Union they will be eligible for future representative matches.

“NO CONNECTION WHATEVER,” WELLINGTON, last night. The Rugby Union has cabled to the English Rugby Union disclaiming any connection with tho proposed visit of the professional team to the Northern Counties.