SOCCER SIDELIGHTS PASSING NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 109, 29 July 1927, Page 10

SOCCER SIDELIGHTS PASSING NOTES

(By

Perseus)

“Dicky'’ Bird, R.M. It was pleasing at the last big te on Saturday to meet again one of tl outstanding Soccer exponents in Ne Zealand, one “Dicky” Bird, of the Roy

Marines, who skippered the Royal Navy team last year, and was longing to be in the arena at Carla w Park with an All Black jersey on to drive off the Kanucks. In last year’s games Dicky proved himself a fine exponent, of the centre - half game, and when opposed to the mighty Kissock in the Auck-

land v. Navy match proved quite capable of looking after himself —and Kissock. But Bird has been a sick-bay patient at the naval base most of this winter, being crippled with rheumatism and gone in the essential Soccer joints. Had he been on deck and in action he would have been just the Bird that Mr. Salmon or Air. Neesham would have liked to select to stand up to any shock tactics opposing teams might put up. He proved this last winter when he pulled his weight in the North Shore boat in the Chatham Cup knock-outs. “Jock” Bradshaw, Colonial-born “Jock” Bradshaw has been on the sick list for several weeks as the result of contracting severe blood-poisoning in the leg after an

injury at Blandford Park. However, he has made a good recovery and now reports himself fit lor action again for the Shore eleven. “Jock” is one of our colonialborn, who learned to love the roundball game in Wellington, and is an old pupil of Colin Reid, the ex-St. Mirren trainer-

coach, who has been a useful “loan” from us to the Canadians for their tour. “Jock” Bradshaw at his best is a fast and bustling type of wing-forward, who enjoys a good hard tussle and has the idea that the bigger his opponents are the better he likes them. He has donned the Auckland colours on occasions, and will be welcomed back to the playing field, for he is one of our most popular sports.

A Stony Silence AN hen a A\ aika to referee w pointed by the .New Zealand Pn' Association Council for themL? i’ ll *. lest last Saturday, there"" 1 Sc '"' outcry from the local Refereec *. ’w* ■at.on. who brought the matter

the local Management Committee ar were supported by them in a prote* about what appeared to be ‘anotherit justice to Auckland.” Rut at the hu* tion after the game. Mr. Campbell c the New Zealand Council, pointed V that nominations for the position ha been invited from Auckland, but not had been submitted! Why then th : outcry wh o n a gentleman outside th* city was selected? The answer to tha question is a stony silence, and . attack in a section of the Press on th - highly-con pettmt referee who officiate is now intensified by a silly suggest; • that Mr. Cox was not really to biar for his actions, as he was apparent: only “carrying out. orders.” Those who knew the popular secre tary of the South Auckland Footba! Association for the many years he L been in the game, know that he wouk. be the last man in such a position t listen to “orders” from anyone, nor would any referee worthy of a Nev Zealand badge do so. A referee is. t; course, more open to public criticisr. than any player, and is usually rewarded with more epithets than bouquets from the fans, followed by stup: innuendos of an ignorant nature.