ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19473, 7 May 1925, Page 4

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

By Coeneb Kick. The opening of the 1925 season was favoured with fine conditions all round, the heavy rain of the previous night did not affect the grounds to. any extent. Tho s-tandard of play shown by the majority of the clubs was on the low side, and more solid training will be required to bring them up to the necessary fitness if they are to be in at tho finish. Few spectators attend the opening games as a rule, and Saturday was no exception, Culling Park, where Old Boys and Mornington met, boasting only a handful. Tho best match of the day, that between SeaclifF and Northern, was played at Seaclitf. Tho 01(1 Boys in their one goal victory over Mornington, showed greater superiority in combination and speed, and on their play were value for at least a three-goal win. Their shooting at times was not up to the mark, although Eraser drove in some nice low shots in tho first spell. An injury to one of his legs during the game practically put him out of action in the second half. Owing to tho absence of Pryde, Gould played in the backs, Chapman, a junior, taking up the loft half position in which he did very well. Tho club, although on the joung side, and light of build, have the material at hand and should tako a lot of beating. Imrie at. back played a fine defensive game, kicking with suroness and judgment. He has profited by his short experience in senior football. Mornington gave a very disappointing display. The manner in which they changed and chopped about during the game did not help towards a happy understanding amongst the players. Both Braithwaite and Dickel had a turn in the forward line, but were not successful there. Braithwaite is of more service- to his side in the backs, as was fully demonstrated by his good defensive work in the second spell, when he took up his old position. The two junior lads, Watkins and Skene, both of the third grade last season, promise well, -Jhe former especially showed some clever work on the left wing. He has also a fine strong centre which caused Old Boys' defence some anxious moments on Saturday. The team as a- whole require a spoil of solid trainn.g. Tho new entrants into senior grade, Tech nical College Old Boys, met a strong team from tho Kmlangata Club in their first oncounter. Tlio "miner*'" 'mid includm "Tyer" Thomson in goal, Rarity and Dunn full-backs, Jock Campbell, Hansen, and Smith half-backs, and Tripp, "Kitch"' Thomson, -V- Thomson, Munsey, and M'Arthur in tho vanguard; and against such experienced footballers the young team from Technical College did well to finish as they did. It was, I understand, well on towards the end of tho second speli bofore the home side showed a marked superiority, Hansen Rarity, Munsey, »uid Tripp were, the outstanding players on tho Kaitangata side; whilst Morrow (cei.trehalf), M'Donald and Middlemass (fullbacks) were tho most prominent for the visiting team. Holden, Tochnical's goalie, had more to do than the opposing custodian, and came out of the ordeal well. Although Soacliff finished with a threegoal lead, I am informed that the scoro does act £ivo a fair criterion of tho gamo, as Northern had ais much of tho play as their opponents, only they did not tako advantage of tho opportunities offered, especially two golden ones in the first half. Both goalies gave a splendid display. One point in favour of the Northern's goalkeeper was that he took his own goalkicks, (t Anderson played as of yore, his lacking and tackling being good, Rogers did not impress one as a full-back, and the same might be said of Cherry in the Northern team, Tho Seacliff half-backs were good on defence, but their attack was weak. A half-back's position is tho hardest on the lield if played thoroughly, and not many halves in Gtago have the necessacy ability for defensive and attacking play. Murray was slow, whilst Cooper, of whom much was expected, seldom attacked. Fotherir.gham wa.j not a sfceoss, and Northern made good tactics in playing to his wing. The home forwards were spasmodic and minsed that cap a bio inside-right, Simmons. M'Dougall is not an int-idc forward, lis cannot give tho nice through passes that Simmons sends along for Hooper, and this was a disadvantage for tha centre-forv/aid on Saturday. Tho Northern forwards did not link up too well, hat" when they come to a better understanding of each other's play, they will shake up many defences. M'Cormack overdid the shooting habit instead o> centering moro, and should remember that an outside player is not there to scoro except when a real opening comes along. Jtuddiman was in good form and made fcvery use of his opportunities. J. Dryden played his usual solid game in tho halve?, more *speci<dly in th'» second spoil, but Jones was tho beat of tho three, his tackling being of a high order. Ueorgo is an honest, hard-working hulf-back, never letting up till tho final whistle. M'Phercon played a good game at l«ick, although the third goaf was partially his fault. The next meeting between the two clubs should make an interesting game. In appointing Mr F. Campbell, of Wellington, to act as their delegate on the New Zealand Football Council, Otago have secured the services of a keen supporter of the game, and the local body should be kept more in touch with the affairs of the parent body than formerly. In writing his acceptance of tho position, Mr Campbell mentioned that he felt sure tho coming season is going to muke progress As far as the Now Zealand ■ F.A. is concerned matters which have not been very satisfactory have now been seen to and that at the end of the season's play all associations will have confidence (which begets loyalty,- without which the parent body cannot hope to do right work) in the NewZealand F.A. Players and referees should note the fact that on the majority of grounds tho circle in the centre of tho field has been cut out to a five yards' radius instead of ten. On behalf of the patients, tho Rev. F. C. Cumniings handed to Dr M'Killop before his doparture from Seacliff a 6up for competition &mong the mental hoepital teams in New Zealand. Seacliff are to be holders for tho present, and conditions are now being drafted to govern the games. The cup is a beautiful trophy, and is to be known as tho Thistle Cup. * Local Soccerites will regret to hear that Dr A. C. M'Killop is lying seriously ill \n the Ashburton Hospital. The telegraphed report of the annual meeting of the N.Z.F.A. hold last Thursday conveyed little information of the proceedings. From Wellington papers I gather the meeting was of a lively nature, the council being severely criticised for its ! failure to arrango for tho English "Soccer" team to visit Now Zealand. It was pointed out, however, that tho lack of financial support from tho affiliated associations had made it impossible for the council fo venture to arrange a visit | of the English teqm to the dominion. Ex- J cept in tho case of Canterbury, the looal | associations had not given any definite < financial encouragement lo the council. I Canterbury had agreed to a straight-out i offered fo make a similar guarantee if i guarantee of £650; but Otago had only ! the local association was given the first

cut at the gate. Auckland, which no doubt had its hands full to a certain extent with its now football ground, had not I come to light xvith a guarantee at all; j nor had any of tho other associations, j Tho balance sheet of the Chinese tour ' also came in for some adverse comments, ■ exception being taken to tho heavy ex- ! penditure on such items as advertising- and printing, the outfit of the Chinese team, the expense of entertaining the team in the different centres, etc. Detailed explanations were gix-en by Mr H. G. Mayer (vice-president), Mr H. I. Graves (hon. treasurer), and Mr F. Campbell (chairman of the Finance Committee), who, in the course of his reply, is reported as saying: ‘‘The association has not sulfered, the affiliated associations have not suffered; you have ail got your money back, and you have had some glorious gomes. You have helped to popularise the game in New Zealand. . . This is tho ffalance shoot of the most successful tour ever hold in New Zealand. We xvould have made more money had it been with any team but tho Chinese. When they got here xve xvere laced xvith bills that would have staggered most people. Assembling and outfitting xve never thought of. Wo had to provide them with hoots, .socks, and pocket money. The team was beaten, and they became very disheartened, tt-xvus a great relief when they played Ufo last match. But for Colin Koid they would novel- have finished.” If associations had boon more loyal to the counoil, there would have been a bigger credit balance than there is to-day. When they spend money without referring it to ua, wo pay, and that is why tho balance is not. bigger. Give tho council the loyalty it (U'scrvc-s, and you xvill get better results.” -Mr A. E. Wells said that, on behalf of the Wellington Association, he had been inclined to criticise tho balance sheet, but after having heard tho explanations he thought, they had no kick coming at all. Tho council iiad clone wonders. He advocated closer co-ordination between delegates and their associations in tho future. The balance sheet xvas adopted. Regarding the English team, which is due to play in Australia this month, the Otago Association, suggested to the council the advisability of getting the English tourists to extend (heir tour for a month to play games in the four main centres in New Zoanlnd. A reply has noxv been received from the secretary of (ho council staling that the Australian authorities have arranged a full programme of matches right up to tho time of tho team’s departure from Australia, and it is doubtful xvhother it xvill bo possible to arrange for matches in qll the main centres of New Zealand, but the council hope to at least have one match played against a Now Zealand team. The matter is to bn discussed at the next meeting of the council. Although (he English team are not likely to he seen in Dunedin, tho folloxving particulars of the players should be of interest: ■S. 11. Hardy (.Stockport • County, Sec-uni Division), goalkeeper: Many Soccer enthusiasts, are under the impression that it is tho famous Sam Hardy, but it is not so. Ho, however, is u relation. This player kept goal on 42 occasions for Stockport during the 1923-24 season, and is still going strong. Was given a trial for tho North v. South last year. C. Boynton (Tottenham Hotspurs, First Division) hack: Appeared on ten occasions fot the Spurs in th« 19234 season, and has appeared regularly this closing season.T. Whittaker (Arsenal, First Division), back: Appeared in Arsenal's first eleven on eight occasions iu 1923-4, and up to time of leaving appeared regularly this season. J E. Davison (Sheffield Wednesday, Second Division), hack: Played on 26 occasions last season, and appeared regularly lately. A sound defensive player. S. Charlton (Exeter City, Third Division), half-buck: Was on deck 39 times in .season 1925-4, 1 and xvas a regular member of tins City this season, appearing in their Oup ties. C. Spencer (Newcastle Uniter!. First Division), centre-half: Transferred from Scotland in 1923-4 season, and appeared on 19 occasions; xvas u member of the Cupwinning team of that year; a real clever player. . J. Hannah (Norwich City, Third Division), right or centre-half: Appeared on 40 occasions in 1923-4 for the Canaries (Norwich), and is a very clever and polished halfback. L. Graham (Millwnll Athletic. Third Division), half-back or forward: Played so well this season that he xxus kept hack to plav for England v. Scotland. W. (leaser (Dulwich Hamlet, Amateur), half-buck: Has represented England os an amateur, and hold? an Amateur Cup medal. J. Hamilton (Crystal Palace, Second Division), half-back or forward; joined tho police towards end of 1925-24 season, appeared on nine occasions, and is a. regular member this season. .... Stanley Seymour (Noxx'castle United, First Division), outside-right; xvas top goal scorer for the Magpies in 1923-24. Is one of the stars of tho (.earn. Was a member of the nip-winning team 1925-24, appearing on 83 occasions. J. Elites (Tottenham Hotspurs, .First Division): A versatile player, and can play a good game anyxvhere. Joined the Spurs from Southampton. -Was held hack as first resorx'o for England. Played on 37 occasions, scoring 11 goals 1923-24. (A . O. Bassett, of West Bromwich and England fame, said: “Elites xvas the best centre-half ho had seen for many years.”) W. Williams (West Ham, First Division), cenfro-forxvard ; represented England as a West Ham schoolboy, and signed forms for West Ham at tho ago of 15. The Hammers are nursing him: ho played on five occasions last .season, but has appeared quite a few times this season. Is reported to be x-ery clever and full of tricks. C. Hannnford (Clapton Orient, Second Division), centre-forward; appeared on 13 occasions in 1923-24, but is a regular member of tho Orient this season, E. Simms (Stockport County. Second Division), inside forward; playicd 17 matches, scoring nine goals for South Shields in 1923-24, and xvas transferred to Stockport, appearing 20 times for eight goals. When xvith Luton xvas a prolific goal scorer. , If. G. Batten (Plymouth Argylo, Third Division), inside or centre; Toured the Argentine with tho Argylc last year. Is a good goal-getter, and appeared 37 times for the season 1923-4. J Walsh (Liverpool, First Division), forward, any position: Appeared on 37 occasions for Liverpool, and scored 16 goals, being top scorer. Appeared m Cup match this season. Is a good shot. W. Sago (Tottenham Hotspurs, First Division), outside left; Was understudy to Jimmio Dimock in 1923-24, and appeared on six occasions in the first eleven, and is now appearing regularly. This team, although not England’s best, is quite good enough to show the public of Australia how Soccer should be and can he played. The hard grounds of Australia may prove a handicap lo the team, but tho team would be at home on the soft grounds of New Zealand. Tho managers are; Mr J. Lewis (Blackburn), and .Mr Mark Fronde. Mr Lewi's is tho best known as an olu player, referee, and administrator. As a referee ho gained the highest honours, and is one of tho host authorities on loforooing. What an assistance he xvould have been as a lecturer to our budding referees in Now Zealand. The team opens the tnnr In Melbourne on Mav 18. and xvill bo followed eloselv bv thousands of Soever lovers in Nexv Zealand.