ATHLETICS. By ActÆon in the " Auckland Star."

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 383, 10 July 1889, Page 6

ATHLETICS. By ActÆon in the " Auckland Star."

I There is a matter to which I think it well to draw the attention of the members of the Aaiious clubs. 1 rofer to tho wearing, or rather to the non-wearing, of their unit'oim by club players in tho matehos. Every member of a (iftoon should have enough club spirit in him to lead him to get his proper colours to play in. Moreover, when all the players aie correctly dressed there is much less likelihood of contusion in the play. j.b would be well if the Union insisted on the rule binding players to wear the colours of their club in the matches. Tho following two items may be of interest to local footballers and the barrackers who follow them. Fortunately the bother caused by the latter class of gentlemen in their good feeling and enthusiasm for their respective clubs has been prevented during the labt two seasons by the good arrangements at our ground. The barracker is not dead yet, howover (perhaps he is not yet grown up properly) for the other day I heard a small urchin of some six summers shout to his equally small comrades during the Selwyn-Ponsonby match, "Come along, boys, what's the good of standing here ? Let's go down and barrack for Selwyn." Melbourne "Punch " of a late issue has an interesting article on "Barrackers," which 1 recommend to the perusal of all such :—: — " We do not know whether it is fashionable, or whether it is regarded as a mattor ot necessity, for teams to have a lot of excited screeehers and useless followers, who 2 lory in the title of ' barrackers.' These samo ' barrackers,' however, we regard as the greatest nuisances of our football fields, for aie they not the very iirst to rush a ground, and do they not make the air hideous .with their unceasing howling? But as they exist, and exist strongly, wo presume they must look upon their work as being of some importance to the team they support. In that case, why should not thoir cflorts be publicly recognised ? It has dawned upon us that wo are neglecting a most important duty in not giving some attention to these ' gentlemen,' who prefer to assist at football with their tongues instead of with their bodily stiength. No doubt they are adopting the line in which they are most likely to shine best. But wo feel that we can no longer delay oilering some little reward to these screeching nuisances. Accordingly, in future wo shall publish tho names ot those whom we notice exerting themselves in the direction ot insulting officials, crowding on the ground, or making hideous and unnecessary noise. Why should such labour not receive bomc token of appreciation ? Is it a light task to stand for an hour and a-half yelling until almost black in the face and gasping for breath ? We think not. Is there not a great personal risk incurred in standing 1 ' on the ground almost in the middle of a lot of excited footballers ? Of course there is. Most certainly such devotion should be recognised. In future it shall, where deserving, receive every attention iiom us. " At the Williamstown Police Court on Monday, Stephen May answered to his bail on a charge of insulting behaviour. Accused had made himself conspicuous on Saturday afternoon by rowdy conduct at the St. Hilda v. Williamstown match on the local cricket ground. During the last quarter &ome 30 or 40 Prahran and St. Kilda roughs moved about the crowd outside the enclosure, levying imprecations on the local sfghtseors whenever they applauded some brilliant piece of play. This culminated, at length, in many jumping the enclosure and stopping the football as it was making between the St. Kilda posts. A local barracker immediately walked up to him, and it is said without ceremony, knocked him down. A crowd immediately assembled, and there was imminent danger of a breach of the peace when Sergt. Oliver, wending his way through the crush, seized May, and took him to the lock-up. He was subsequently bailed out by some friends. The playing members of both beams took no action whatever in the disgraceful proceedings. A fine of 20s, or three days, was imposed. The fine was paid." Referring to the popularity of football in Victoria, the " Melbourne Punch " says :—: — " Of late years, so great has been the interest taken in the exciting winter pastime by the general public, that immense sums fall annually into the coffers of the leading Clubs. It is no uncommon thing for a Club, anyway at all well up on the premiership list, to produce a balance-sheet showing a revenue of from £1,500 to £1,700. That has been its third of the money received at matches played during the season, another third going to the opposing Club, and the extra quota to the Cricket Club upon whose ground each match had been played. There can be no two opinions but that very great good has been accomplished by this system of charging, not the least important item being the extremely ornate building sthat have been erected on our cricket grounds, in the shape of pavilions, grand-stands, etc."