SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 354, 15 May 1928, Page 11

SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

Overseas Season Ends.—The close of the British Soccer season naturally approximates to the opening of a new one here, and the final curtain fell on the British competitions on May 5. The cabled news merely stated that Middlesborough and Tottenham Hotspur were dropped to the second division. It is now reported that the first division of the English League was won by Ever ton on goal average, with Huddersfield runners-up. The Yorkshire team attempted too much in trying to land the great Soccer double —Cup and League—and three hard fights a week is a lot to ask from a team, although the feat has been performed. This season Rangers won both the Scottish Cup and the First League championship, with Celtic the runners-up in both competitions. * * ♦ The "Ups” and “Downs.” The wealthy Everton Club had a narrow escape from relegation to Division 11. last year, and spent about €25.000 in the purchase of costly professionals to save the situation. The Liverpool suburb has benefited this season by that outlay, and rewarded with the championship, but the gaining of it savours somewhat of the auction dock a ' “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Middlesboro’ did a meteoric stunt *n securing promotion last season and relegation again now. but the ’Spurs must have struck a remarkable patch of bad luck in dropping all points in the final five games. The Tottenham team put up a great performance by winning the Southern League in 1919, going straight to the top of Division 11. in 1920, and just missing Division I. championship in 1921-22 as runners-up. Manchester City and Leeds United are promoted to Division 1., Chelsea just missing the bus in the final stages. In Division 11. Fulham and South Shields go down, I'lllvsrall and Bradford filling the vacancies. * * * Ireland on Top.—ln the international Soccer contests there was great joy in Erin when the enemy across the Irish Sea were outed, and the Shamrock claimed the national honours. Wales finished second. Scotland third, with England a bad fourth. Ireland and Wales both drew liberally on English clubs for native players, and of Scotland’s best have been tempted south of the Tweed. The fact of the two “weakest” countries now finishing first and second in the national contest. shows the strides Soccer is making where Rugby was once regarded as the “national game.” No Soccer For Dacre. —A chatty

Passing Notes By “PERSEUS"

letter from “Ges” Dacro announces his safe arrival in Bristol, where he was hospitably received by the Gloucester County officials, and all arrangements had been made for him to settle down and get into harness without delay. Liacre’s immediate duties are to take charge of the county cricket “nursery” (as he calls It), and do the “Plunket” work for the budding Graces. Jessoj.s and Hammond, of tire future. Ces was hoping to get his shooting boots on, and try his strength on the local Soccer fields. Bristol Ibjvtrs were anxious to try Dacre out. and on his best form here he would have acquitted himself creditably. But the county cricket authorities put a ban on football for a start, probably fearing the possibilities of injury. • • • New Judicial Body.—When a. remit from the A.F.A., to the annual meeting of delegates, proposed to set up a new independent tribunal for aeahng with offences against discipline, some doubt was expressed by delegates as to the scope, functions, and status of such a committee. However, it was decided to give a trial to the suggestion of the retiring Management Committee, but after functioning for two weeks the operations of the new courr. of inquiry will probably come up for a critical review this evening. The management has taken the initiative on account of the meagre information accompanying the findings and recommendations of the new court, but players who have had an unenviable appointment with the three “assessors ' are very far from satisfied with the procedure adopted at the “trials.” Player’s Complaint.—One player who was awarded a week’s holiday for what he thought a very* minor offence, complains that he was not allowed to when the charge was madagainst him, and, naturally, could ask no questions of witnesses or learn full details of the alleged offence. He had to cool his heels outside the cham!*er until the evidence was heard, and then he ..as invited in to “please explain.” Such a unique procedure can scarcely be expected to meet with the approval of the clubs, and an appeal to the governing body in Wellington would probably lead to a “wash out.” with some pungent comment on the proceedings. It would be better if all interested parties were permitted to bt present, and the court open to the press, even if a suppression of names or details were requested. As it stands, the experiment is not heading toward unqualified success.