A Slur On the Organisation?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 95, 13 July 1927, Page 13

A Slur On the Organisation?

MORE SOCCER TROUBLES SELECTION OF TEAMS THE fact that there was not an Auckland representative chosen to play for New Zealand in the international Soccer test against the Canadians last Saturday did not appear to be overwhelmingly appreciated by those who attended the meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Football Association held last evening. “It is a slur on the organisation, the city and the province, which is a senior one,” said Mr. Drew, delegate for the Tramways Club. “I think that nearly every other body of sport in Auckland has succeeded in having representation among those chosen to represent New Zealand. But it is evidently not the case with the Soccer code,” he continued.

The chairman, Mr. Menzies, stated that there had certainly been a considerable amount of trouble in the selecting of players, and while he was in Wellington the matter was brought up. Mr. Drew said that when players were chosen they should be notified in the correct manner and, he contended, that if the selector required the services of any player that player should be notified officially and not per medium of the Press. He gave an instance where one player was notified of his inclusion in the team by the selector over the phone. Tlie notification was purely verbal. The player obtained leave, packed his kit and was about to leave when he noticed in the Press that he had been dropped out. Had he not happened to take up the paper he would in all probability have made the trip and arrived at his destination only to find he was not required. CANADIAN VISIT The special committee set up to handle arrangements of the visit of the Canadians to Auckland presented to the meeting a carefully compiled programme of events organised for the entertainment of visitors. It is evident that the officials of the A.F.A. intend the players who wear the maple to thoroughly enjoy themselves during their short stay in the Queen City. Thieving from the clothes of players while they are on the playing field continues. It was reported that 13s had been stolen from a player’s pockets last Saturday afternoon at the Domain, and it was urged that it was about time someone was appointed to keep watch on players’ clothing. It was the feeling of many of the delegates that the thieving wap carried on among the players, as on various occasions the sheds had been watched and when outsiders had not been in the vicinity at all, thefts had taken place. In view of the bad state of Blandford Park after the recent wet weather it was resolved to play the Chatham Cup semi-finals at Victoria Park on Saturday. Mr. R. Harrison was appointed de-puty-chairman of the Management Committee. Regradings were approve as follow:—L. Atkinson, Y.M.C.A. third grade, to fourth grade: E. Marlow. Glen Eden second grade to fourth grade; W. Mowat, North Shore senior grade, to second grade. CHINESE AT SOCCER A WIN IN AUSTRALIA By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright SYDNEY, Tuesday. In an Association football match China defeated the Gladesville Club by three goals to one.—A. and N.Z