PASSING OF A GREAT FOOTBALLER.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 August 1919, Page 7

PASSING OF A GREAT FOOTBALLER.

Old-time .’follow‘el‘s of Rugby will note with regret the (‘loath here recently of A, E. D’Arcy, one of the finest. b'ecks New Zealand has had. In the early nineties he was full-back for fhe New Ze.a)l'and representative team that toured Australia in 1893. In 1897 Mr D’Arcy tookeup his residence in the Auckland district, and was induced tb play for the Parnell Club, which was then in 9.1 decline. although a few years previoiisly the premier club team of the Queen City. At. the annual meeting of the Parnell Club in that y'ear

D’Arcy was asked for advice in re-‘ gard to the club ’s future welfare, and his rep{l‘y was: “There is only one».thing, encourage your junior players.” Furtller, he gave emphasis to his point by relating the rise and fall of a Wairarapa. Club in consequence of the fatal policy of importing outside talent. Throughout the 1897 season, D’Al-cy Was a tower of strength to the Parnell senior team, and his straight—running at five-eigliths, plus an asset of 15 stone weight, made him a fo.rmidable opponent. From that time he was through with serious football, and he retired before his powers waned. After a long stretch of years it is inter.esting to recall‘ that in the following season the Parnell Club did not profit by D’Arey’s advice, and five outside" players were imported in the hope of restoring the club’s fading glory. In the years that followed Parnell’s fate was the same -as the Wairarapa. Club was the premier position reached. The aeriestinuefllndmi‘Zof?Rt oto gdsrv advice that Mr D’Arey gave in 1897 is just as valuable to-day, and the watchword of every club Should b'e: “Encourage the junio.l,'s.”'