SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 132, 25 August 1927, Page 9

SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

PASSING NOTES

(By

Perseus

Blandford Park. —The surface conditions at headquarters have become so bad that players are now xn-otest-ing against being called on to play there, and at the last meeting of the Management Committee one senior club recorded its objection officially. One sympathises with the unfortunate players who, on occasions such as the second game last Saturday, have to wade through a sea of mud to play a hopeless draw, and find their futile attempts at ball control greeted with howls of laughter or derisive cheers; neither is it encouraging to spectators who have grown to enjoy the code to find it becoming a chronic comedy. But it has always to be considered that the A.F.A. has undertaken heavy financial obligations in forming Blandford Park, and unless it can retain its admirable headquarters the game will be knocked back a generation. * * * A.F.A. Enterprise. —lt was a fine forward movement when the Auckland F.A. as a sign of its faith in the code undertook the costly enterprise of converting a gully into what will some day be a model stadium. Interest has to be paid on mortgages and debentures, and to meet this constant expenditure, and other charges, revenue must be found which can only be secured through the “gates.” We have been unfortunate in experiencing one of the worst winters on record and other grounds have suffered similarly through being churned uj> and never having a chance to dry up. So players must grin and bear it, and nothing is gained by grousing. Soccer Scots in Canada. —While our recent Canadian visitors were touring New Zealand, and cleaning us up in good style, a powerful xjrofessional Scottish team was avenging us handsomely in Canada by giving the Maple Leaf bearers some lessons in the Soccer game on their native heath. Owing to the grounds being frozen hard in winter, or snowed under, the game is mostly a summer one in Canada, and played in the evenings after tea. The all-conque.ring Scots were having a strenuous time playing three games a week, and doing as much travelling in that time as would take them right round Britain. The Nortli Britishers had met their “Buller” at Toronto, the only defeat

of the tour, but were taking no risks afterwards and going right out to win every time. Unprofitable Tours. —lt came as a shock to learn that a loss of £1,155 was incurred in the tour of the Canadians, and but for the two bumper gates in Auckland at the close of the tour the visit would have been disastrous from a financial point of view. Betails of the balance sheet are not yet available, but the hopeless manner in which the selection and assembly of the teams for the four tests was muddled must have been a costly item. One member hit the naii on the head in advocating that in future New Zealand should share these touring teams with Australia. There has been more antipathy than co-operation between the controlling bodies here and in Australia for several seasons past, and something should be done to bring about a better spirit of mutual aid, interchanges of visits, and a working partnerships with the Aussies in sharing the cost of overseas teams. League Champion’s Profits. —The English League champion team, Newcastle United, had a wonderful season this year. Receipts at the home ground, St. James’s Park, amounted to £53,096, and £8,157 was received from away games. Players’ wages, bonuses, benefits and transfer fees cost about £20,000. The profit on the season was over £S,OOO, and, in addition to a long lease of the municipal park, Newcastle is in the happy position of having well over £30,000 invested in gilt-edge security, so the “Geordies” feel very happy. Auckland’s Southern Tour. —The local Soccer representatives will leave for the South on Wednesday next to meet Otago on September 3 and Canterbury on September 10 in the English trophy series. Wellington having lost to Auckland and Otago are now out of the running. Auckland is keen on retaining its position as premier province and holders of the trophy, and a strong team is available for the Southern trip. Gerrard cannot go, and Alan Reid is a doubtful starter, which may weaken Auckland’s last line of defence; but the attack will gain in strength by Murray Kay being again available and Baxter at Mr. Neesham’s choice in the half line.