Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 April 1901, Page 21

Association Football.

The annual general meeting of the Council of the Wellington Football Association was held last week, and the Secretary (Mr. H. McKeowen) and Treasurer (Mr. F. J. Courtney) presented creditable and satisfactory reports and balance-sheets respectively. The Secretary, in his report, regretted that grounds, suitable and commodious, were not obtainable for the

Fourth-class Association last season, which necessitated a limited number of entries being received for that championship. The Secretary also added • — "This is a matter for general regret, as it is to these young players that we look forgame, and, if circumstances occur ward to to promote and sustain the which are unavoidable and hard to overcome, the result will be detrimental to Association football in Wellington." The report recommended that the incoming committee should devote special attention to this particular branch of the game. The report mentioned likewise that the Association is greatly indebted to the Manawatu Railway Company and Mrs. W. B. Rhodes for the free use )f grounds at Thorndon-quay and Kai■vvarra respectively. For something like ten years have the "socker" players trespassed on their good nature by playing on the "Rec." as it is usually termed. Previous to "socker" finding its way to the "Rec.," Rugby football predominated, but, by the steady growth of "socker" in Thorndon, Rugbyites wiped the dust from their feet, and sought to kick the oval on fields and pastures new. With the "Rec." is associated the name of Mr. R. H. Davenport, a man who has devoted much time and energy to foster the game on the ungrassed grounds of the Manawatu. A season has never passed without some monetary help from Mr. Davenport, and if Association football ever attains the portals of athletic fame, Mr. Davenport will be one of the immovable pillars. The Red Cross Football Club, after an adjourned meeting, have at last held their annual meeting, and have decided upon one of the most important steps in the history of that club. It was proposed by the secretary (Mr. H. MeKeowen) that a qualified part of the junior team of last season, with additional members, be promoted to senior rank, and that the balance of juniors and part of last season's third-class champions enter the junior rank, and, along with the balance of members of the club, form a third-class eleven. The proposal was discussed at considerable length, and with careful consideration, by the members of the club, and it was finally decided, on the motion of Mr. P. McLeod, captain of last year's junior team, to enter an eleven for senior honours. The club also decided to enter elevens for the junior and third-class championships. The Red Cross Club deserve the greatest admiration of other clubs for raising itself to the highest grade of Association football. The club, although a young one, has great prospects. Mr. H. MeKeowen, who has held the post of Secretary to the club since its inception, found it necessary to relinquish the post of General Secretary, and is now free to devote himself entirely to the senior eleven, and, under his guidance, good form should be shown when the season opens. With him is associated Mr. N. Ewatt, who will devote his time to junior and third-class elevens.