THISTLE CLUB STANDS FIRM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 77, 22 June 1927, Page 9

THISTLE CLUB STANDS FIRM

REFUSES TO WITHDRAW LETTER SENT TO CONTROLLING BODY THE Thistle Football Club and "*■ the Management Committee of the A.F.A. still appear to be as far apart as ever concerning the dispute which has arisen over the wording of a letter received by the committee from the Thistle Club. Last evening at a meeting of the Management Committee the officers of the Thistle Club attended, headed bjr Mr. F. Pickering. Mr. Harrison, presiding over the Management Committee, stated that Thistle had every reason to protest, but should have done it through the proper channel. He considered that at least there was always a courteous way of objecting. “Scotsmen are certainly hot-headed at times, and, further, it appears that I am. yet to hear that Scotsmen are not gentlemen,” continued Mr. Harri- ' Mr* Pickering said that their secretary had not had legal training and there was no doubt that he had been injudicious in his choice of words. A-fter a great deal of persuasion by the chairman the Thistle officials decided that they would leave the room and consider the matter of withdrawing the letter. On returning to the room Mr. Pickering said that his committee was very firm about the subject and would not withdraw the letter or change one word of it. Mr. Pickering: Just in what way would you have liked us to have phrased this letter? Mr. Harrison: Well, Mr. Pickering, if you and I met in conference I guess we could turn out a favourable letter. Mr. Pickering: Yes, I like you as a gentleman, and I am certain we would get on all right, and although personally I would like to change the letter I could not take it on my own shoulders to do so. Mr. Harrison continued'to persuade the members of the Thistle Club to either alter or withdraw the letter, but one by one they refused, and they then left the room. It was resolved by the Management Committee to defer further discussion until next week.