PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2097, 4 June 1907, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS MADE.

United Press Association— Copyright LONDON, June 1. The Northern Rugby Union has completed arrangements for twenty. boven matches against New Zealanders, and has banked £3OOO to meet the expenses.

WHAT ABOUT SOCCER?

A PROPOSED VISIT FROM HOME PROFESSIONALS.

The following letter appeared m the Evening Post of Thursday last: > “I notice, with regret, that the ‘Soccer’ football authorities of Wellington are extending an invitation to prominent English clubs—Everton and Aston Villa I think were mentioned—to send out a team to play in this colony. Is it generally known that these are both professional clubs, whose shareholders receive a I dividend every year, and whose players, in most cases, receivo the maximum wage, £204 per annum; and, in addition, a good gate benefit occasionally ? I think not, or the proposal would have found opposition here long before this. The projected tour of the teams referred to s monstrous and pernicious, as local players may be tempted to become professionals. If they do visit this colony, it is to be hoped that the bodies governing football here both. Association and Rugby—will look to the amateur morals of their players, and get all to first sign \a! declaration that they will not be won over to the professional ranks. It is certain f either of these clubs send out a team, and any ‘stars’ are discovered in New Zealand, they will bo enticed away ‘Home’ by tempting offers. 1 trust some abler pen than mine wi aid in the endeavor to suppress this infamous proposal.—l am, etc., A. H. Baskiville.”