SOCCER CODE KICKS OFF

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 26, 22 April 1927, Page 12

SOCCER CODE KICKS OFF

FIRST OF SEASON PROSPECTS

TO-MORROW’S GAMES REVIEWED

To-morrow sees the start of a new season for the Soccer in Auckland and all teams in the three senior divisions will °u* struggling for the first scoring points in the season's championsh' All the clubs have been engaged in active training preparations the task of selecting the teams has caused considerable worry to tk club officials responsible. The luck of the draw for the one i games has provided an exception ally attractive programme for th* local headquarters at Blandford Park.

Ponsonby will meet the Naval Depot team at 2 p.m. for the first game, and last year’s champions, Tramways, will be opposed to their most formidable rivals, the Thistle. A stirring contest is assured, and if weather conditions are favourable a record attendance should be achieved. The start of a new season, with its influx of new players and entry of new clubs, always throws a big responsibility on the shoulders of those elected to the management of the various clubs’ affairs. Players arrive from other Dominion centres, and there are always migrants from the “Old Dart” who are keen and anxious to get into the game here. Many of the clubs also have a promising crop of junior players growing up and gaining experience as the seasons roll along, and the lot of those selecting the teams for the opening games is far from a happy one. One feature of the club officials is their willingness to discuss the problems they have to face and welcome criticism from old-timers on the line who may have some useful suggestions to make. THE SCARCITY OF GROUNDS In common with kindred sports, one great problem which the Soccer authorities have to face is the lack of playing areas to accommodate all the competitions which have to be played. The matter has been brought into prominence during the municipal election compaign now in progress, and has met with a sympathetic response from practically every candidate seeking support from the citizens. A look round Blandford Park shows a marked improvement on previous seasons, and the surface conditions should be better than ever before. The matter of providing grounds for all the games means a big responsibility and a lot of worry for the grounds committee of the A.F.A. Mr. Frank Baker, as chairman of this committee, is often at his wits end to find enough playing fields, and then recommend equitable travelling arrangements which will do justice and hold the balance fairly between the widely-scattered suburban and city clubs. The senior teams recognise, of course, that with the heavy liabilities entailed at Blandford Park the cream of the contests must be staged there. Talking of grounds, a new-comer to the committee is Mr. T. G. Wilkes, \hio will be able to devote his spare energy this season to assisting in solving the problem. Mr. Wilkes represents the Referees’ Association on the

management, and has been appointed to the position of supervising the care of the playing area at Blandford Park. In common with other reclaimed areas, like Eden Park, Victoria Park and Carlaw Park, the Soc-

cer home ground has shown a tendency to get worse before it gets better. The weird collection of rubbish which is used to fill in these former waste spaces naturally takes time to settle down and conglomerate, and Blandford Park is no exception; but it seems to be on the way now to becoming one of the best grounds in the Dominion from a spectators’ and players’ point of view. THE OPENING GAMES Ponsonby v. Naval Depot.—The kick-off honour for the 1927 championships falls to the lot of the “Ponies,” who will be opposed to the Navy for the senior curtain-raiser at Blandford Park, and the western suburb should be able to test fully the always popular men-o’-warsmen. Ponsonby have tried out all their available talent in practice games and will have a solid back defence with Jack in goal, and Williams partnered with Pickett at full back. O’Brien, Wright and Morrison should make a good alf line, and the experiment in the forward line will be watched with interest. Innes wiil fill his old international “possi” at outside-right with a new arrival, Jenkins, playing inside him. Bell should prove a thrustful centre, who will keep the Naval custodian thinking, while Hunter and Booth on the left have every promise of proving a dashing wing. The Navy team will not be at their full strength for the opening game, as some of their best exponents are at sea; but they are fielding a powerful eleven which has been in strenuous training and will not strike their colours until the final whistle sounds. Several of the team were seen in action against the Renown in the “off-season” game, and before the season closes some of the senior teams will have good cause to remember that they have met the Navy. THE MYTHICAL “POACHING” There has been quite a lot of space devoted, quite unnecessarily, to the question of local clubs “recruiting” their team, or “poaching” players from the men on our warships. Bast season the Naval Depot ran a mnior team, while two senior players, Baxter and Bird, joined up with the Shore Club, and Campbell and Merritt signed on for Thistle. No exception was taken to that, and this season Reg. Baxter decided early to remain with the club of his adoption before the question of the Navy entering senior rank had been considered. The rules of the English F.A. provide full protection against poaching from the teams of the sea, land or air forces, and any club buying a discharge for a player in the Navy, Army or Air clubs is not allowed to play him for twelve months. These restrictions are not applicable here, and the question need never have been given so much publicity, as no local club has been known to make the slightest approach in the direction of “poaching” from the Naval club; in fact, there has not been much temptation. THE BIG GAME Tramways v. Thistle.—The feature attraction of the day will be the tussle between the two crack teams representing the Trams and the Scots, who

met m some hard struggles last and w ill fight their battles ov« JS on Saturday afternoon. The ways will have a sterling J, 1 ??- wtth Batty in goal and Sim DSO „ McElligott full-backs. In th? *?*> hne Tinkler will replace KiJSf while Spencer in the pivot Do 22 t will have a lively line to lead*?,!!??'' tre-forward, and the defence will v' hard pressed to keep out the all-Lr qtiering “Trammies" of last But Thistle are one of the best-SS teams in Auckland, and fear no f m any city's coat of arms. l n they have Zuille. who has shown form at practice, while Reid are fit to stop the van. In the half line Christie and Dickson will reappear, while Cartl who comes with a reputation Wolverhampton Wanderers. takestK right wing. The sting of the ThisS! will lie in its forward rank, ww Kay and Hislop will he in their S positions on the left wing. While 2* new right attack will keep the Cor poration defence ousy. Everythin points to a ding-dong struggle andr w ould be a rash prophet who’ would say that a draw’ would not about re present the opposing strengths. ONEHUNGA AT HOME Northcote v. Onehunga.—The One hunga Club are more than pleased r being promoted to senior rank and will be represented at their hoir> ground by a team which is a judicious blend of the club’s last year juniors with some seasoned seniors who have joined up since senior status was as sured. McFea is a good and lively goalkeeper, while Whowell and Taylor will keep most of the “Blues” forwards at a distance. In the half line Kilner, at centre-half, has excellent credentials from England, while Me!lor, Scandle and Murphy will be the main support of the Onehunga attack Northcote have a coming rep. goalkeeper in Lyons, while Hibbert at full-back never lets up until the whistle blow’s. In the half line Woodall will be missed, but McGarry and Hankins have proved themselves good stoppers before to-day. CAN Y.M.C.A. BEAT SHORE? North Shore v. Y.M.C.A.—Last year the Y.M.C.A. was always one of the surprise packets of the competitions, and was the only club to hang the “Trammies’ ” scalp at its belt. Tomorrow* they are journeying to the Shore in the sure and certain hope of getting away with at least one point. With Baton in goal, Gebbie and Otter at full-back, the defence should be hard to pierce, and the Shore will have no Dacre or Palmer to do it. In the half line Y.M. will miss Dick, who is a temporary absen- -

tee, but A. Lewis, Riddolls. and Walters (from Christchurch), should make a good show. Y.M.’s strength would seem to lie in its attack, M with Gale, Humphreys, »/urr, W Lewis and Smith (late Wellington) they now have a front rank which will keep the Shore defenders busy. The Shore club will be one of the hardest to score against with Lips* combe, Gerrard and Colebourne in the back line, while Jones and Baxter are useful in th« midway division. In the front rank the black-and-golds will mLo Dacre and Palmer on the right wing. The Shore club is pursuing its usual policy of bringing along its juniors, and with Woolley, Jay an Bradshaw in the firing line, theY.M* will be kept busy keeping them oul The success of the Shore team in tn strenuous five-a-side contest at Pa.ro* erston North at Easter is evidence, their fitness, and they should be a to secure a full win from Y.M. SOCCER FINAL THE ENGLISH CUP TO-MORROW’S BIG GAME Appropriately enough the opening the Auckland Soccer season synen ises with the fall of the curtain the English Cup contest at WemjJW’ when it is certain the f;amous sita ; will be filled to capacity for M » game between Arsenal and c ‘ The competition is easily the too* l , tractive one in the football w it is quite usual for over & witness the final for the ' oop. the Northerners call it. This ’ to London will be wending its . ’ ena : Wembley to cheer for the loca^ l .-Tafß«= - team against the invading from over the border, while Wa teCg be depended upon to contribu^te of thousands of full-throated s who will warble for Cardiff. i mo st victory in the “English” Cup sgjunthinkable, but it is Quite r , itofln^ s bility in this final, and Itthe v a resting place in Cardiff it the another big boost for kocc been principality where the game growing by leaps and boun