Soccer Sidelights

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 337, 24 April 1928, Page 13

Soccer Sidelights

PASSING NOTES By “PERSEUS.”

Poaching Players. —Some of the clubs are complaining bitterly of the manner in which members of other clubs are making a habit of approaching players to secure their transference. and it is suggested that the A.F.A. should protect clubs against the inroads of “poachers.” It is very disheartening for a sporting body of enthusiasts to find, after building up a useful combination, that some of thenplayers are inclined to listen to the voice of the charmer and sign on for a rival club. What first put Soccer on its feet, so to speak, in the old days, was the district scheme which compelled a player to join up with his local club, and this also had a good effect on both Rugby and cricket. But with the growth of the city, suburbs lost their local identity, and the district scheme fell into disuse. It would probably be difficult to revive it, but the A.F.A. might consider adopting a. rule that there shall be no transfers without the consent of the players’ original club, if that club is willing to play him in the same grade as he is sought for by the club approaching him.

English Cup Final. —Another Cup Final has to be added to the long scroll of winners, and another surprise victory was registered when Blackburn Rovers defeated the favourites, Huddersfield, so decisively. A three goals to one result is unusually large scoring for the final tie, as the team notching the first goal usually settles down to a stonewall game of “mark your man,” and kicks out consistently to prevent the opposing side scoring the two goals needed to win. Blackburn Rovers are hovering around the bottom of the senior league, and battling hard to avoid an “Irish rise” to the second division. Winning “f Coop” is some consolation, and the battling rounds to reach the final are a source of great profit, but relegation to lower grade also means a great falling off in the gates.

English Championship. Athough Huddersfield failed to take the Cup to Yorkshire they are in a strong position for winning the first division championship of the league, with Everton close on their heels, while the Sheffield Wednesday seem doomed to

go down next year. Manchester United has to fight hard to avert relegation, but Chelsea and Manchester City seem the likely ones for promotion. The City Club deserves it, after missing so narrowly last season, and holding a “false alarm” celebration. Chelsea will add another to the three London clubs already in the senior competition, but Fulham, the neighbouring club, is a candidate for lowering to the Southern section of the third division.

South Auckland’s Progress. —The annual meeting at Hamilton on Saturday night promises well for the opening of the season in the Waikato district on Saturday next. The game is growing by leaps and bounds both in this and the Thames Valley district, and the playing of the North Island schoolboy championships at Huntly this season should be useful propaganda work for the code in South Auckland. Last seasons working showed a profit of £32 14s 6d, and it was pleasing to note that a special commendation was passed on the splendid work of the enthusiastic veteran, Mr. George Cox, who has been honorary secretary and treasurer for many years. #

N.Z.F.A.’s Troublous Times. —The governing body of the Soccer code in Wellington has a very dismal report to place before the district delegates at the annual conference, and it is expected that there will be some plain speaking about the blundering organisation and the extravagance of the Canadians’ visit. The methods of selecting and assembling the New Zealand teams were scandalous. Players were kept away from home for weeks, and then left out of the team. Others were rushed to the venue of the test matches only to be “not wanted,” and this meant a lot of money wasted. A coach was engaged in New Zealand and paid to accompany the team throughout the tour; an unwarranted and unnecessary luxury for the Canadians. Then, too, yt is stated that the Canadian youths were paid four guineas a week all the time from Canada to New Zealand and back to Canada; while New Zealand players, some married men. were absent from home for weeks and received no allowance for loss of wages. These facts and the loss of £2,136 on the year's working are sure to call for severe criticism, and new blood on the N.Z.F.A. would appear to be urgently needed.