SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1006, 24 June 1930, Page 13

SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

PASSING NOTES

(Bv

PERSEUS.

Auckland’s Cup Contenders.—By its surprising: and emphatic win over Y.M.C.A. the Thistle Club will, for the first time in its history, be Auckland’s representative for the national knockout trophy presented by the former flagship Chatham. Since the competition was started in 1923. Auckland has won the cup on three occasions. Harbour Board (1924). Ponsonby (1927) and Tramways (1929) being the successful teams. The usual studied play of the Scots is not suitable for a ding-dong knockout, and there was none of this on Saturday when Thistle bustled the Young Men into oblivion. A Costly Competition.—The response here to the call for entries this year in the Chatham Cup was very poor, only lour clubs nominated and Trams subsequently scratched. Neither North Auckland nor South Auckland entered any teams, and there is no word of Poverty Bay nominating; so that Thistle has not been very severely tested so far. There were eight entrants in Wellington; Diamond, Waterside, Hospital and Petone surviving the first round, and the winner among these will probably be the club to journey here to decide the North Island finalist. Then, if Thistle wins, it must -bear the cost of journeying to Wellington to meet the South Island winner to decide who holds the trophy. Owing to its financial position the Auckland Football Association is unable this year to assist its contenders, and it is hoped the burden will not be too much for the Thistle club, if it succeeds in reaching the final. Soccer Old Boys.—At the annual meeting of the Soccer Ohl Boys' Association, Dr. Neil McDougali presided over a moderate attendance, a large number of apologies for absence being received. The annual report and balance sheet were read and received, the position being considered very satisfactory. Mr, George McMillan was elected patron, Dr. Neil McDougali, president. Mr. K. Takle was reelected honorary secretary, and Mr. W Smithyman. honorary treasurer, with Mr. L. C. ll.' Dawson auditor. The following will act as committee this season:—Messrs. It. Beswick, J. Rowat. J. Hollows, G. Hunt. L. Brown, J. McDougali, F. C. Jacobs, G. Booklass, F. Ritchie, A. R. Webster, and H. Gribble. The programme committee will consist of the president, secretary and treasurer, with Messrs. Beswick, Dawson, Hollows, Jacobs, Ritchie and Grant. Wellington's Coming Visit.—After tho Falcon Cup ties on Saturday the following week will present the first representative provincial game of the season, when Wellington will arrive to play its challenge for the coveted Foot-

ball Association trophy. The Soccer public is indebted to the New Zea- j land Council for speeding up the date of the match, as some such tonic is i needed to strengthen public interest • in the code, and an early decision for ; the first match will give Auckland ample time for a return challenge, if it should happen to lose, or will clear the . way for further challenges if Wellingland’s solo selector evidently intends ! to rely mostly on Inst year’s represen- : tatives. but Forrester has been dropped from tho team that was tried against i Navy again partner Innes. Mr. Neosham • holds a unique record in starting his i fifth season as sole selector without j having once had his side beaten in the • trophy games, and it should draw n . g rea t - rowd to see Wellingtoi . ai - lower Auckland’s colours. Judicial Committee Methods.— There appears to bo a prospect of friction > again occurring between the Judicial' Committee and the Control Board. The present suggestion is that the Judicial Committee should merely take the evidonee in cases of reports for diseiplin- 1 ary offences, and leave the rest to the j Control Board. Formerly the committee fixed what it thought a fitting • punishment where offences were ! proved, and its recommendations were ( usually approved pro forma by the ; Control Board. The Judicial Commit- : too consists of Messrs. W. E. Grant. F. j M. Ritchie and F. C. Jacobs, who are all old players of wide experience and independent of any club influence. To attempt to limit its functions may lead to the loss of their services, and ; bringing disciplinary matters into the j club’s atmosphere of the Control Board j is considered by many to be a reactionary measure. Ais dissatisfied with the committee’s de- j cision has, the right of appeal to the ' Control Board, and that should be: sufficient. Empire Games Dispute.—There is a lively dispute on between the Canadian Soccer Control and the English Association in connection witli the Soccer tournament to be staged at tho Empire Games meeting at Hamilton. Canada. The point in dispute is the replacing of players injured during a match, anu this practice in Canada is repudiated by the Football Association which refuses to sanction the practice, and Canada says: 4 ‘lf the Old Country cares to remain asleep let her.” Replacing in Rugby is not permissible under international rules, but is the established custom in New Zealand, and on several occasions the Auckland president, Mr. Andrew Menzies, has moved at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association that replacing of injured players be made a domestic practice here, but so far his good intentions have lacked support from other associations.