The Daily News THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1904. THE UNDESIRABLE FOOTBALLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 163, 14 July 1904, Page 2

The Daily News THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1904. THE UNDESIRABLE FOOTBALLER.

The (ootllaUcr, apart from the game, is in every respect an ordinary individual. Os the field, with his club colours encircling his form, and the scent of battle in his nostrils, he is in many cases an objectionable creature, without semblance of honour or manliness, or sense of right. For instance, there were the cases reported on Tuesday in a telegram from Dunedin, when one player was disqjualifiecT'for kicking an opponent whilst lying on the ground, and another for obscene language. The first offence was a dastardly ono, though not without parallel even in New Plymoutn, for only last week a member of the Waimate team vented his feelings in a similar manner by kicking at one of the Tukapa team. With the cunning that seems to bo an innate feature of the creature—it would be a sin to call him a man—he directed this cruel and cowardly attack when Ihe referee was unable to see it owing to his position on the opposite side of the scrimmage. Several Rugby Union officials and members of the management committee were, however, in a position to sec the occurrence, but evidently missed it, or more would have been heard of the matter. Two spectators saw the affair, and express surprise that the offender has not been called to account. Obscene language on the tield is fortunately rare in this district, and long may it continue so. It is also fair to assume that no nteiifUer of a Taranaki foolbyll club is capable of so degrading himself as to follow the practice of the two Auckland players who placed pecuniary profit before club interests. There is another matter, however, in which foottbtillers offend, and disgracefully so, and that is their conduct after matches. The New Zealand 'limes, in an article on .the objectionable I behaviour of the footballer, Bays : ! "An extraordinary and unaccountable latitudo is allowed the lads and young men who truvel in company as a football team, and who conceive it to be the height of pleasure to render themselves unpleasant and disagreeable to their fellow-lrnvel-lerß. There seems no good reason why becauso they play football they should annoy others by howling like a pack of wolves, cursing like Liverpool firemen, sii|/ju{r shameful and generally fehaving in a coarse aad uncultured fashion. Only a few days ago a lady wrote complaining of the conduct of one of this species on board a ferry steamer, and the companies have- decided to deal with offenders in drastic fashion—a very commendable decision. A more regrettable instance of this mistoehaviour has now to be protested against. On Saturday a first-class smoking carriage on the 0 p.m. train from Petone was taken i*osse&sion of by a pack of footballers travelling on second-class tickets. Ol course, that was the business of the Railway Department— probably there were not sufficient second-class carriages on the train to accommodate them. The point may fairly be raised, however, as lo whul rights are possessed by the traveller who pays additional"money for the privilege of escaping the rowdyism of a secoiidclass carriage on a footballers' train, is ho expected to travel in the guard's van'. 1 The first-class car in question was crowded to suffocation, and immediately the train moved oIV the objectionable exhibition commenced. One of the party was called upon lor a song, and he " obliged" with something that had reference to a lady's clothing which was indelicate, if nothing worse. Another of the party followed with another elfort, and after one or two more so-called songs und choruses, the whole party broke loose, and bellowed several versis of a song marked by disgusting obscenity. It was shocking —shocking beyond words. The youths far over-stopped the limits which may be permitted to an overflow of animal spirits or boisterous fun, und it is a pity that the railway officials did not take steps to teach them a lesson. Some of the ringleaders might properly have been introduced to the police." This is an unfortunate, though not uncommon feature among travelling teams', though drinking lo excess and rowdyism are not continul to those who have to journey after a match. Sad to say, a victory on the held is often made the pretext for an evening of drunkenness and ill-behaviour that does more than anything else to condemn football"in tiie eyes of a largo section of the public. "We do not object to tho game," they suy, "but protest emphatically against the increasing practice of 'wetting a win.' " There is the evil, where is tho remedy ? For it is useless to [Joint ito a weak spot without having something! wherewith to repair the frailty. At the commencement of the present football season a member of the manajsenient committee of tho Taranaki Rugby Union sought to introduce a rule which should provide for all players lx-img under the control of the unios from the time of starting a match until midnight of that day. As notice had to be given, the motion was hotel over, but there is every prospect of it befog brought forward again at tho next annua! meeting of delegates from tho clubs,

The matter is one that deserves immediate attention, and if some regulation can be framed which will prevent young and clubfidolised players of promise from being spoiled by late nights and bad behaviour, let it be named forthwith. OX THE FOURTH PAGE. The lludget. ! Fane rs' Union. ] An Interesting Case.