CORRESPONDENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1922, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

FOOTBALL ETHICS. (To the Editor.) Sir.—The action of th© Westland SubUnion in granting two members of the Cronadun Football Club transfers to the United Football Club on the morning of an important match, in which the latter team was engaged, has aroused something of a furore in football circles in this part of the world. In the ordinary course of events the transferring of players is jrerloctly legitimate. but in the case under discussion, there is a suspicion, based upon tangible evidence, that, the Sub-Union has acted in a manner that can be appropriately designated as “peculiar.” In fact, its methods have brought- hack to mind visions of Bret Harte’s immortal Chinese, with his ways that were strange.

Apart from the very questionable action of calling a special meeting of the Union a few hours Indore an important match for the cxepress purpose of having two men transferred in order that they would lie eligible to play that day, there is another momentous query: Were the members of the Sub-Union perfectly satisfied that the men were bona fide residents? My interpretation of the rule re transfers is that before a player can he granted a transfer. he must reside in the district for at least fourteen days and lie must prove to the Union that he intends to become a bona fide resident. It is perhaps superfluous to remark that 1 am watching with interest the movements of two very recent arrivals from Croliaduii. Then again, why were not all the members ol the Sub-Union notified of the special meeting 'i The country delegates received no notification. Finally 1 am going to be presumptuous enough to tender the members of the Sub-Union a little advice. In the first place it is the duty of of the Union to keep the sport clean, and the best means of attaining that very laudable end is for the Union to give a lead. The game can he played as fair and .square in a committee room as on the playing fields. If tile members of the Sub-Union think that last Saturday’s proceedings was playing the game then, according to the British code, they are labouring under a big delusion. Subterfuge is incalculably derogatory to anv sport and in my opinion tile attitude of those members who were instrumental in having the Cronadun players transferred was unworthy of men helping to control our national game. 'Die Sub-Union is undoubtedly guilty of a regrettable faux pas and one which justly arouses the censure of every fair minded man.— I am etc., KOKATAHT SHORT. August 30th., 1922. [There are two sides to most questions, and wo understand there is another side in this instance. Our columns are open for the ventilation of ally grievance in the matter—real or imaginary, —Ed. G.] !