AUCKLAND IGNORED?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 15

AUCKLAND IGNORED?

SOCCER’S SOLE SELECTOR

AN EXTRAORDINARY POSITION (By “Perseus.”) Following on the protest made by the Auckland Football Association management at Tuesday evening’s meeting against the sole selector of the New Zealand Soccer teams, Mr. Salmon, of Wellington, ignoring the resolution of the New Zealand Council that he should consult with the district selectors, an exchange of telegrams has taken place between Mr. Salmon and Mr. Neesham, the sole selector for Auckland, who lias been instructed to advise Mr. Salmon on the form of the Auckland district player^.

Mr. Salmon wired yesterday that he had picked Tinkler (Tramways) and Innes (Ponsonby) as Auckland certainties, together with McDouga.ll, Anderson, MeGirr, Newman and Balk, for the first tivvo Tests against the Canadians. Mr. Salmon also invited suggestions fior possible wing-halves, centre, and inside-left forwards, and a reserve fuß-back. This gave Mr. Neesham no time to communicate with some of Auckland’s “possibles,” but it is known thaat Baxter, Jones and Carter, if availabVe (halves), with Spencer Ccentre-forwacd), and Hislop (insideleft), have basn recommended in a return wire; ajso that the Auckland selector has written to Mr. Salmon giving his full opinion on the problem. ’ The action of Jthe New Zealand sole selector in ignoring the district selectors has aroused much comment, and the selection of Tinkler as a “certinty” apparently f*or the all-important position of centre-Jialf. has come as a shock to followers? of the game and qualified critics, who have been far from impressed wifih the form the Tramways player has shown at centrehalf this season, and 1 regard him as having very little hope of a place in the Auckland team against the Canadians next month. There is sure to be an outcry against tpiis ignoring of the claims of Auckland players who have every claim and (Qualification to represent New Zealand on their merits.