IS SOCCER DEAD IN TARANAKI?

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 June 1924, Page 9

IS SOCCER DEAD IN TARANAKI?

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In my opinion it looks as if soccer is dead in Taranaki, for in the fixtures set apart for to-day at Auroa neither Manaia nor the Hawera team put in an appearance. Both the Auroa teams Avere ready stripped to take the field at the appointed times, and the spectators, which consisted of a large number, gradually drifted aAvay in disgust. Noav, sir, at the present time in Auroa soccer is very strong. The club have a membership" of nearly 60, it being the strongest in Taranaki, and the residents support it right royally. But to be disappointed by visiting teams hits them very hard, and tliev are beginning to Avonder whether it is Avorth Avhile keeping up that interest in the game. HaAvera or late years have been A'ery strong, but this year it seems as if they have no one to lead them, for Avhen they are engaged in a match they are either late taking the field or they have not got the ground ready. But it is rarely they neglect to keep an appointment. On" tAvo occasions this week they haA'e failed—once against Eltham and again against Auroa. In the Eltham case they had nearly a fortnight’s notice, and tlien at the last moment put the match off. It may as Avell he mentioned that Hawera had one sport Avho travelled from Norma nby to Auroa to play at the appointed time, and 1 am afraid he will have something to say to the rest of his club Avhen he meets them. Manaia had also one played off the field at the appointed time, but had a few more later on to see the Hawera v. Auroa B match, but were disappointed. It appears to me, sir, that if a dub cannot at the time get a full team aAvay they think it not Avorth Avhile. Quite recently a team took the field with olny eight men and a_veteran, and succeeded in drawing with their opponents, and only for the failing light Avould inne won. 'This team took a.sporting view on this occasion, and said: “We will give it a go.” This is what I call sport. This is the first occasion that I can recollect that Manaia haA r e failed to keep an appointment, some of their players being indisposed. The Auroa teams have not had a match for some considerable time, and in consequence think they are hard hit. Noav, sir, vve liopo that in future visiting teams will keep their appointments Avhether they are winning or losing, and play the game for the game’s sake, for in vieAv of the visit of the Chinese soccer team to Taranaki on August 6 AA’e need all the practice Ave can. get, and it is only bv the good faith of the dubs ‘concerned that we can succeed. Trusting that players will realise their responsibility to the .game and to the controlling bodv, who ;-|>oji«:l long hours from time to time in tleir interests.—l am, etc.. FAIR FLAY. Auroa, June 14.