Association Football. [By Goalkeeper.]

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 43, 27 April 1901, Page 21

Association Football. [By Goalkeeper.]

The acquisition of new grounds at Miramar will go a long way towards promoting the standard of play in "socker" football. These grounds are by far the best yet obtained, and opinion, after last Saturday's practice, is confirmatory of this statement. The Management Committee of the Wellington Football Association have shown themselves alive to the interests and welfare of the game by choosing grounds conducive to good sport, which is natuially expected by players in return for their money — club subscriptions — and I hope the result will be a capital exposition of "socker" football, and laiger "fields" to witness the sport. Arrangements are now r almost completed w"ith the Ferry Service Company relative to the conveyance of players and spectators to Miramar. A deputation from the Wellington Football Asfaocuition waited upon the Rugby Union

with reference to the above matter, and the interview was highly satisfactory to both parties. Opinions were also ex*changed as to several important points affecting the interests of both bodies, and a basis was laid down for joint action. This interview, I hope, will lead to more frequent conferences on points tending to ensure the welfare and facilitate the progress of football sport in the city. The Unions are kindly disposed to each other, and there is every reason why they should be, instead of being kept apart through variance in opinion on account of the merits or demerits of their respective kinds of football. The Management Committee of the Wellington Football Association, at a special meeting, accepted all proposals re the ferry service. The one which has the widest interest is with reference to admittance to the playing grounds. Under the agreement, every person entering the football ground presents a ticket, which will be a counterpart of the steamer's or a player's ticket. In the event of non-produc-tion of either, the sum of sixpence will be charged for admittance. Whilst personally not favourable to the proposal of charging for admittance to grounds, I cannot fail to admit that it is to the material advantage of the Association. As a rebate on each steamer ticket is granted, the loss of the spectator's contribution, travelling other than by the steamer, calls for some provision, in justice to the steam-er-travelling public. The senior championship matches start on Saturday. The contestants are Red Cross v. Rovers (at Miramar) and Petone v. Diamond (at Petone). The Red Cross team consist of last year's junior eleven, and it is worthy of remark that this club made progress so far w ith practically the same team, and this fact alone may account for their signal successes in the past. The Rovers have practically the same team as last season. I hear Paton is again to don the colours of his club. There was great regret at his inability to play at the commencement of the practice season, and now his ability to play is hailed with great satisfaction by his club mates. He will be a tower of strength to the half division of his club. Petone have a decidedly weak team. Bernsten, the representative goal-keper of last season, is noticeably absent, and his place in that club will be hard to fill. As a rule, players are very reticent about occupying such a position. They seem to think it is a sinecure post. The whole team, with the exception of three of four of last year's seniors, is composed of third - class players, but some of whom, by the way, were well qualified for junior ranks. Diamonds have a fairly strong team, but the half division is incomplete at time of writing, although it contains that prominent player Taylor. Through some unforeseen accident, he was prevented from contesting a place in the representative team which visited Auckland last season, but was what one would term a "cert." Councillor Izard deserves the thanks of Association footballers, and of footballers in general, for his outspokenness on the want of grounds in Wellington. An anplication from the Wellington Football Association, for the use of Newtown Park and Nairn-street Reserve, was under consideration at the City Council's meeting, and was about to be relegated to the waste paper basket, when Councillor Izard, by his personal knowledge of the lamentable lack of adequate grounds, was the means of the Association being granted the use of the Nairn-street Reserve. It will admirably suit the Fourthclass Association as a playing ground. Hitherto, form the want of playing grounds, the game has languished in this quarter of Wellington. It is now hoped that, grounds having been obtained at last, fresh enthusiasm will assert itself, and the juveniles, or as many as possible, will find scope on the Reserve to enjoy the game from which they have been debarred so long. The Charity Cup competition was inaugurated m 1899, and, up to the present, has been without a trophy. The Diamonds — winners since its inception — have coveted the honours as champions, but have had to dispense with the usual laurels. A letter received from the Swifts Football Club will probably overcome the want. The Izard Challenge Cup, which was won outright by the Swifts in 1897, was restored to the Wellington Football Association, in order that it micrht be awarded to a- junior competition. The Wednesday Competition found its way on the field and the cup was ordered to the Wednesday Association for competition. Ultimately, the Wednpsday Association fell through, and the cup has lam unchallenged in the possession of Mr. T. Shields. The Swifts Football Club now recommend that this cup be offered for the Charity Cup competition, and, no doubt, the suggestion will be adopted.