SOCCER SENSATION.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 12, 4 January 1924, Page 4

SOCCER SENSATION.

TI-l F CHINESE TEAM. Australian Authorities Impugned. A.i.r.le justification (ii was repre-sciir- j ert to a N,".v Zealand Times reporter > . is jWliioiiiing for the New Zealand Football Association Council in insist- j jug- upon the. .strongest guarantees 1,1 ! the event of a visit from the Chinese Soccer team, which recently concluded a tour of Australia according to n ,-toiy which came to a New Zealand Tilues representative. A FIVE FIGURE BUSINESS. A Wellington gentleman, who returned from Sydney a lev days ago, stated that at the beginning of the ■ month ten Chinese Soccer players were m:\nagevioss in Sydney. They vvcre members of ilie team which had been touring the various States, and the sum of their objection was that their amateur status had been exploited. It is alleged that a sum runmug into live figures has found its way into the hands ol the men who brought tlicm to Australia. PROPOSAL TO NEYv* ZEALAND COUNCIL. The possibility of the Chinese team paying a visit to New Zealand was 1 mooted several times, and was considered most carefully by the New Zealand F.A. Council. Eventually i they succeeded in getting an offer in ! writing- from Hie company which hud been formed in Australia under the title of “Australian Tours, Ltd,” but the offer was one which simply could not be entertained, and th r c<»uncii declined to accept it. So the tour of New Zealand by Ul2 Chinese team last season did not eventuate, and though there was considerable disappointment on the part of the different associations north and south, in the light of events now disclosed the New Zealand Council lias reason io congratulate ilseU upon having kept its hands clean of wliat appears to have been a peculiar transaction. KNOWN IN NEW ZEALAND. Among ihe persons who were instrumental in getting' tlie Chinese team to Australia, and were shareholders ii) Australian Tours, Ltd., wore Sydney Storey, secretary of the N.S.W F.A.. and assistant-manager of the Australian team which visited New Zealand in the 19 21-22 season, and Arthur Morgan, manager of the team. In hits report subsequent to the tour Mr. Storey was anything but complimentary to the New Zealand council, and also members of the Now Zealand team, and it was hoped that on the return of the New Zealand team from Australia last

season a report would be presented on this subject. This has not been received, or if received has not been made public. T H I.; P R OCEEDIN GS. At the express invitation of a certain person, a Chinese Soccer team earlier in the year landed in Australia, for a l'rieudly and non-reuiun-erative tour, simply asking that their expenses should be paid. Their engagement was contracted in the city of Victoria, Hong Kong. Six Sydneyites and a Queenslander, before the Chinese had even been landed, had concluded an agreement with a certain association to take a controlling interest in the tour. This association seemed glad to v. ash irs hands of the visitors for a consideration of 25 per cent of the takings. A further 2 5 per cent, was to be deducted to pay expenses. Timi hut s‘) per cent, for private enrichment. WOULD PLAY FOR CHARITY. This body of seven men was duly formed into a company, and registered under a fanciful name in Sydney. Upon Llieir arrival in Australia the Soccer team signed an agreement which placed them in the hands of these seven men. The Chinese completed this contract io th>‘ letter, and the last match was played at Launceston.

Upon their return from there they V ore asked to play a match at London. Before the Chinese left their homeland if was their intention to devote Hid proceeds of their matches oiU- • -‘u- ihoso provided for by any con-irn.-i vo charily; so from the Hotel Windsor, wln-ve they were stopping, a lei t r —s penned to Sydney suggesting ihill ilie proceeds of tile Essen don in a Lcli be given io a Melbourne hospital. BUT PROPOSAL IGNORED. Tiu* Joiner was ignored, but the Chinese had had an idea that the suggest ion liad -,.0t been overlooked. On Wednesday, October 33, they v.ore suddenly and summarily ordered to entrain for Sydney, ami were informed that a charity match arranged for at Goulburn bad been cancelled. Although they resented Hio cursory order they agreed to depar', provided the Sydney match takings should go to a Sydney hospital. Wish their proposal ignored again they began :o wonder whether tiling wirt wrong. Tiiej- further re-ciiie-.ru ;; charity match for Molboiivn •. They suspected they were being :xp ! cited. EXPLOITED FOR PRIVATE ENDS. Aii astute 'Melbournian informed tlie team that they were being exploited for private cuds. The team, considering that they had fulfilled their contract to the letter, and resenting such exploitation, declined to go to Sydney. As their wishes regarding at leaston** charity match per State had not been considered, they decided to stop in Melbourne and see the Melbourne Cup. There is absolutely no dissension in the team. The whole trouble is between a team, as a team, which desires to play now only for charity, and a self-seeking few who will only benefit, themselves. AMATEUR STATUS AND CHARITY. “The facts of tlie tour when known in China will raise a storm among tlie newspapers 4 there,” said a prominent Chinese when spoken to on the subject a week or two ago. “This team came out with two objects in view, amateur status and charity.”

Tlie company concerned is regia; lerod as Australian Tours, Ltd. names of the shareholders are: William Lincoln Annandale, 200 shares; Artliur Morgan, Brisbane, 50; Sydney Storey (believed to be also of the Commonwealth Soccer Association). Drummoyne, 100; Stephen Slack (believed to be also of the 'Commonwealth Soccer Association), Manly, 100; Frank West, of Kogarah, 50: Chas. Dixon, Willoughby, 50; William Allerdicc, Hurstville, 100. THOSE CONCERNED. Tlie association concerned is the Commonwealth Soccer Association. Storey and Slack arc bclidved to be concerned in the invitation of the Chinese. Tlie Chinese players objected to tin* company making money out of them. Mr. 11. A. Millard* representative of the Common weii If it -Soccer’? Association, is believed to have some connection with Australian Tours, Ltd. lie was tlie actual one who issued the invitation to the Chinese. AN UNPLEASANT BUSINESS. The whole business (it is said) is Caluciilated to give Soccer a tremendous set-back in Australia, and may even react in New Zealand unless the New Zealand Council takes "up a definite stand in the matter. It is possible that one or the affiliated bodies in Australia or New Zealand will bring the matter befef.c the English Football Associatiotnlro that the whole matter is sifted to jgj.e bottom, and those who arc proved to have exploited the Chinese and the game for private gain, may be removed from all further association with the code. CLEAR THE AIR. i In view of the witKlin which New Zealand is confusedAvith Australia it is thought that the New Zealand Council should at any rate clear the air with the English F.A. so far ns they are concerned, and should even ask for a delegate solely to represent. the Dominion, leaving another to be appointed for Australia.