FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 273, 8 April 1911, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

PURIFICATION l.\ AUSTRALIA. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, April 7. A meeting of members of League and I Association football clubs discussed the 1 management of football with a view to I establishing the sport as a respectable game. It was resolved that the two steps immediately necessary to purify and maintain its prestige were the appointment, of one united governing body and the recognition and legitimatising of open payment of players. NOTES. [ (By "Old Stager.") At the annual meeting of the Tukapa Football Club on Monday night, Dr Fookea, the president of the club, himself a player of international repute, paid a high tribute to H. J. Mynott, the popular Tukapa skipper. In proposing "Simon" as club captain, he expressed the great satisfaction and pride the club had always taken in his achievements on the field. In his opinion Mynott was the finest of sports, the cleanest of players, and the "whitest" of men. Everyone, he felt sure, would like to see him go on playing, but if not they would all like to see him continue to steer the ship, as his influence for good was so great on the young players. Personally, he could honestly say that he had never plaved behind a man who made better openings for Ins backs, and he had had considerable experience, botn here and the other side of the world, His opinion was also borne out by the extraordinary way in which "Simon" had always caught the eye of the selectors not only for Taranaki but for the New Zealanu team. The president continued that he had had letters from friends at Home, that assured him that "Simon" had done most of the work although his partner caught the eye of the critics more. Tnen, as if to show his cver-ness,' he took the All Blacks to Australia last year, when his play was as brilliant and versatile as ever.' Mynott had been the nurse of the Tukapa club, and it was due to his upbringing that the oJub had developed into such a big fat, boy as it had. He always had the greatest ad-1 miration for Mynott as a player and a man, ana, in conclusion, proposed that \ he be appointed club captain and made I a lire member of the club. Mr A. R.) Standish seconded. • Mr 11. J. Mynott thanked the speaker] for his flattering remarks, and though • not taking an active part, his spirit would always be with the boys and he would willingly assist in any matter he could. He only hoped that the new fieid captain would have the same assistance from members as he had. He then gave some wholesome advice, wnich members would do well to follow. There would, he said, be a lot of young players in the team this year, and they could only succeed by training hard and following carefully the captain's instructions. A light team in good condition would always bent weight, if that weight was not as fit. Moreover, it was not fair to players who did train to see other members come on the field untrained. "Come up boys, and train; you might all get in the New Zealand team and get a trip Home. Who knows!" With this exhortation he resumed his soat amidst applause. Some new blood has been infused into the Taranaki Rugby Union Management Committee, Mr. P. O'Dea, of Hawera, replacing Mr. W. C. Cargill for the southern end, and Mr. H. Chalmers, of Eltham, replacing Mr. Jas. Clarke, of New Plymouth, for the northern end. Both the retiring members have worked hard in the interests of football, the former having been chairman for the past two years. Mr. T. Buchanan has been appointed chairman this year. Three of the leading officials are town clerks, Mr. F. T. Bellringer (president) occupying that responsible position at New Plymouth, Mr. Buchanan, chairman of the committee, is town clerk at Waitara, and Mr. Skoglund, the secretary, has just succeeded to the town clerkship at Stratford. Clifton should be able to put a good team in the field this year. Practically the whole of last year's players are available, and in addition, Coleman, formerly a representative half-back, and Martin, the native forward, will probably don the green and gold jersey. The Inglewood Club, which has been in a very bad way for some seasons, will be no better this year. At present the club is undecided whether to play with the Saturday clubs or to remain in the Thursday competition. / Opinion is fairly evenly divided among members, and a meeting will be held next week to thoroughly discuss the position. Everyone has admired the club's pluck in sticking to its engagements in the face of overwhelming defeats, and there would be much joy if they could head the list. This position they have a far better chance of attaining among the Saturday teams.