CLEARANCES FROM CLUB

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5275, 16 May 1928, Page 3

CLEARANCES FROM CLUB

TWO RUGBY PLAYERS’ REQUEST.

DISSATISFIED WITH WEST CLUB.

At a meeting of the. management committee of the Paeroa Rugby Union ■on Monday night a request for a clearance from the West cluo to the East club was made by E. E. Neil and H. McKee, two senior players- In support of thei applications the writers stated that they were financial members of the West club. Mr. L. E. Shaw said that he was sorty to see the attitudte adopted by the applicants, one of whom (McKee) had actually been selected to play on Saturday last, but had refused to take the field. It was an unsportsmanlike spirit to show, and he. would object to the clearances, much as the East club needed senior players. If another man was a better player, the weaker man should be prepared to stand down, with a good grace.

Mr M. Crosby said he understood that the players concerned had been asked; by the West club’s selector; to tram, and had been assured of a game in the team during the season, yet in the first match after that information had been given them they were dropped in favour of two Railway employees. ■

Mt; Shaw pointed out that McKee had been selected to play on Saturday but had refused to take the field. Mr J. Pinder, said that the players concerned 1 had told him that they had not been treated fairly by the selector, and that they would not again play for the West club. Father Taylor said he did not know cither of the players, but the discusr tion appeared to be based on hearsay evidence. He moved that the players concerned be requested to state their reasons for wanting clearances in writing on or before Monday next. Seconded by Mi; Shaw.

On Mr Pind.er advising that Neil was on the premises, Father Taylor agreed to withdraw his resolution and that Neil be brought before the committee and asked to state his case.

In explaining his reason for apply ins for a transfer, Neil stated that on the previous Saturday McKee, and he bad played for, their club against Suburbs at Hikutaia,. On riiat afternoon Lewis and Dudley were engaged at tliqir. work on the railway. Last Saturday Lewis, a.nnd Dudley were available, and he was stood on the line. A definnite promise had bee.n. ngiven by Mr Shand, the selector, that he and McKee would both be playing all the season, but the selector had broken his promise, in spite of the fact that on receiving such an assura.nce they had purchased new football gear. In answer to the secretary Neil said that East club’s senior selector had promised them a position, in- the East •team if they, obtained their clearances.

After Neil had withdrawn from the meeting Mr Crosby moved that Neil be granted a clearance, and that he be. allotted to the East; club, Seconded by Father Tayor and -carried. On the motion of the chairman" it was resolved that McKee be asked to appear before the committee on Monday night -or else state his case in writing for consideration at that meeting.