Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1930, Page 4

It is just as essential for gaoJ football that the onlookers should be as ordeiJy as .the players themselves. When the 1 Grmer exceed what is proper and right, there are scenes winch are not creditable to the reputation of the town. There is a disposition locally to carry the privilege of “barracking” too lar. Ibis was noticeable on Saturday when several folk who should have Known oetter were unable to constrain men.selves and vociferated very loudly. liie re.eiee was the object of their derision, but the thougniless might wen pause and remember that the ofuciai with the whistle is there to do ms best, and invariably does it. One pair of eyes cannot see everything ol : course, but the average referee, keen m following the game sees more than me onlooker because it is his duty to watch the play intently. The onlooker disposed to vociferate in far flung "barrack,” usually has a jaundiced eye in any case, and is disposed to sec tiie game oniy from one angle. With him the wish is father to the thought .nat the said lie espouses should and must win. Anything that happens to interrupt that conclusion he is disposed to howl clown very readily. Such an attitude is not only bad form, it is also not sport. The true sport wishes the better side to win. He asks for nothing more than a lair held and no favour. It is the referee’s duty to mete out those two essentials, and the public should have confidence in the referee that he will do so. The confidence will beget the best deal possible from the releree, and because of that it is die duty of all sports to give the official their moral support. If a referee is guilty of anything fingrpnt the Rugby officials will quickly note it, and can take remedial action. The public, however, should not attempt to sit in unofficial judgment on the spur of the moment, because they arc not in the position to see all that transpired. Unless the referee is given fair play there is the danger of the play deteriorating all round heenuse the better men will not accept the position to become the jibe of every Tom, Dick and Harry.