PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2100, 7 June 1907, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

AN ENGLISHMAN’S OPINION. Press Association. I AUCKLAND, yesterday. The ex-champion of one of the lar- I gest Yorkshire football clubs, now in I Auckland, has received information that the Northern Union intends to I play the New Zealanders against weaker teams at first, to give the visitors an opportunity of learning the game as played by the Northern Unions, before meeting tho strong teams. He says it is admitted that Rugby is on tho down grade, and tho object of tho present tour is with the idea of causing a revival of interest. As regards finance, he states that £BOOO is about the most they could take in twenty-seven matches.

WELLINGTON PLAYERS CAR-

PETED. KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE TEAM. » WELLINGTON, yesterday. Wright, Cross, and Byrne, who bad not signed the declaration, attendee, a meeting of the Rugby Union and explained that- they had at first refused because they considered it unfair that a few should be singled out. They considered every player should be asked to sign. They had no intention of going with the professional team, and ’knew nothing about it. They had now signed the declaration.

CHRISTCHURCH PLAYERS.

CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. Christchurch has been less concerned than the other chief centres o the colony with the organisation o ] the proposed professional football team for England, because it to very few players this season qualified for a place in a first-class team, and just how far Christchurch will be counted in it is impossible to say, owing to the secrecy observed by the promoter of the tour. Christchurch has not more than eight players whose field merits give them any claim to consideration in the selection of a high-class colonial team, and it is assumed that' three, perhaps four of these players have not been approached. Of the remaining fpur, two would more than likely refuse'; the other two are spoken of as likely to be selected, and on such evidence as is available it is concluded these two players will be the city s contribution to the team.

THE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA

FURTHER PRECAUTIONS

AUCKLAND, last night. David Gallagher, the Auckland member of the committee which selected the New Zealand team for Australia, arrived from Christchurch to-day. From what he has heard in the South, Mr. Gallagher is of 'the opinion that the professional team will fall through. “They may be able to get good forwards,” he said, --‘but I do not think they can get gcod backs. As for the ‘All Blacks’ they may get one or two (not selected for Australia), but I do not think they will get any other. The general opinion in the South is that, the tour is ‘off,’ though the promoters may proceed with the men whom they can get.” It was the belief in the South, ho said, that the movement was being mainly organised in Auckland, color being lent to this by twelve Aucklanders refusing to sign. The team for Australia was chosen on Monday night, but' it is impossible to publish it, the reason being that all players before being ' cl rcVa ra ti oVrgrl— ri or~ri"sw orn~~tl e" claration. Mr. r Gallagher brought copies of the undertaking with him, and all the players selected whom he has seen have signed it. Until all have been seen not only in Auckland but also in the South the team cannot be announced, the selectors having chosen several alternatives in view of the possibility of some ol tho selected refusing to sign. When all willing to do so have signed, the names will be telegraphed to Wellington, and from there the team will be announced to-morrow.