OFFER DECLINED

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1933, Page 5

OFFER DECLINED

BERT COOKE’S NEGOTIATIONS.

WITH BALMAIN LEAGUE CLUB.

SYDNEY, February 28

A few weeks ago considerable interest and -excitement were aroused infootball circles here by the report that A. E. Cooke was coming from New Zealand to settle in Sydney, and that he would play for Balmain. Cooke is older than lie has been,' and in the matter ; 0 f years lie must be on the down grade., bub last season lie was still good enough to. give a. splendid display against .the English League team, and anyona who has ever seen him at his best iri his younger days, when he was the mainstay of the All Blacks, must know that he possesses that instinctive skill at tliei game which is closely akin to genius. QUESTION OE TERMS. Even now Cooke would he a great asset for any League team in Australia. He would have made a tremendous difference- to Raima in, which is much in need of one of two brilliant backs.

This week the P-almgin executive declined Cooke’s offer, but reluctantly “turned it down” on, the ground that “the terms are prohibitive.” Cooke’s representative, it seems had informed the officials that “Bert” would not accept a contract for the football season only, but wanted a contract for -C6 5s a week, of a position of equivalent value, for two years, i _