THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 272, 13 June 1888, Page 6

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

Association football has a large number of suppoiters in Auckland and in one or two other places in the colonies. As reported in uur Dunedin notes last week, tliere if> a chance of a match being played between the Auckland and Dunedin Association players, and we sincerely trust it may come off. The following article taken from the "Mill Mall (Jazette," will no doubt prove interesting not only to Association but, also to Rugby footballers. To-day is a great one for footballers as well a* for rowing men. The final tie for

the Challenge Cup, given by the Football Association, is to be decided at tho Oval between the Preston North End Club and the West Brotmvich Albion. Both teams have been in careful training for some time, and, although the North Enders are the popular favourites, it is expected that the Midlanders will run them closely. Nearly all the players are professionals, and as touch, of course, receive payment for their services. A certain section of amateurs has resented the introduction of such an element into the game, and it is just now on tho (apif among a number of them to start a cup of their own and boycott professionals. Tho controversy has engendered a great deal of bitterness, and possibly forebodes a large succession from tho present method of competion for the cup Hearing of the probable split, our correspondent interviewed Air T. Lindley, the captain of the Cambridge Football Eleven, on the thorny points of the subject. Mr Lindlcy is considered by many to be the finest ' forward ' of the day. At school he was a prominent player, and has been in tne 'Varsity Ele\on during the whole of hi? residence. ' What soit of a match do you think it will be at the Oval, Mr Lindloy ?' inquired our correspondent. — 'Very close, I think. Preston North End, to my mind, have 'he better combination and also the botter defence, while the West Bromwick Albion are very neat in regard to pacing the ball Baylies, too, w ill keep his forwards well together. A point to their credit is that they are all local men. ' How do you account for such small crowds in London in proportion to tho.se north of the Trent?' — J l think there will be an exceptionally big crowd this time, probably 12,000, as the boat-race ought to increa.se the number. It is only for exceptional matches that so many gather in tho North, and secondary matches have very little interest taken in them. Again, " gateo" in London arc It, while in the North they are 6d and 3d.' ' What lias contributed most to the rapid rise of the Association game ?' — ' Well, I think many people joined the Association because they thought Kugby dangerous. Association, too, is much more pretty to look at, and the rules are simpler, so that an outsider can enter into them thoroughly. Preston North End were once a Rugby team.' 1 Don't you think the cup has materially assisted ?' — ' Yes, it has. The excitement caused by such contests has undoubtedly tended to incieasc the popularity of the gnme, both among spectator.- and players. It has also been the means of raising what would have been second-rate clubs into notice, and bringing them into first-class company, and consequently better fixtureaThe cup, of course, has had a great deal to do with bringingprofessionalismtothefront. 1 ' Has professionalism been a source of trouble or injury to the game?' — ' Well, I don't think it has done much injui} in the fiist-class matches, but in second-rate teams it has. Many of these are too mercenary. Still, if propei ly managed, 1 don't think professionalism a trouble. You see, at cricket they don't define the distinctions k> badly as at football, and the amateur and professional have each their place. Personally, though, 1 don't lay so much on distinctions.' 1 What, then, aie the most objectionable points in professionals?' — ' Well, their style of play. They know they have to win, and are more reckless, whereas the amateur plays for pleasure. With professionals the club must get money, and if they don't win then their ' gate ' falls off and they fall into debt.' 1 Are they paid as. well as cricketers ?' — • Oh, no. You see, a cricketer receives his £5 a match, while the footballer gets about 30s per week ; but has a situation generally found for him as well ' ' What are their good points?' — ' Well, theyha\e a good combination, are very ' tricky,' and can ' dribble ' Still, I think a picked team of amateurs equal to them.' IDo you think amateurs will in for a cup of their own ?'— l Well, there is an agitation in favour ot such, but it would not be carried out if the Football Association opposed. I think that if an amateur team enter for an amateur cup, the}- should not be disqualified for enteiing for the National Cup.' 'You do not fa\our class distinctions, then ?' — ' No .' certainly not. I have no disposition to social position whatever, but only to some of the outcomes of professionalism.' 1 Will it be a southern cup or an amateur one?— 'l think it will be an amateur and not confined to the southern coun'ies.' 'Just a point or two on the game, Mr Lindley, if you please. What would } r ou [ recommend to a team for success ?'—' Well, ! combination in every position, and no individual play. If you hate combination thoroughly carried out among ' backs ' as well as ' forwards ' you must succeed." 1 What would you say are the chief duties of a 'centre-forward'?' — A great thing, of course, is to keep all the forwards together and to use more ' passing ' than 'diibbling,' especially watching well, so as pass to the outside 'wings.' When his forwards are not level with him then ho should go on by himself, and when within about 15 or 20 yards he should ' shoot ' at gaol at every opportunity. A ' centre-for-ward ' should be as far forward as possible when attacking, but always 'on-side,' On defending he should fall back and assist the 'halves." 'How about the 'wings,' then?' — 'X think outside 'wings' should not wait till they get too close to the goal line before ' centring,' but rather that they pass to the inside man, who would then have a better opportunity to ' thoot ' or pass to the ' centre forward.' ' Here the interview ended, owing to the engagements of the Light Blue captain, elsewhere, pressing him for time.