FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 21 March 1914, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

the star club, annual Meeting. There was a good-attendance'at the annual meeting of the Star Football Club last night, presided over by Mr. Jas. Clarke, in the absence of tl.e President, Mr. E. Dockrill, who arrived later. The report stated:—Durng the last few years this club, in common with other clubs in the district, seems to have had many ups and downs, and although last year was perhaps the worst, it is now hoped that the club has turned the corner and the coming season will see the Stars right themselves both financially aud on the playing field. A little nioro energy, not by one or two, but by every playing member, is all that is now required to place the club within striking distance of taa premier position in the competitiors. The committee feel certain this could be done with a little more combined effort on the part of the players themselves. The gate receipts have'been smaU and we are satisfied that this cannot altogether be attributed to the loss of u (crest by the public. But no club can rxyect patronage when those attendin" arc given what has been too common of '»tc, that is, teams plaving two or tliri* tnc-i. short, matches starting unpunctui • Iv and other doings which show a lack of interest by the actual players thansc ves. Whilst it is not contemplated t'-at players should play for the gats t-ioney. nothing is more calculated" to l"i'vr the standard of any came or pislinic thnn the loss of support bv tl>" public, more especiallv when the losi of the support is mostly brought about bv Oi want of interest in the game bv tm> players themselve-. If the pla-«rs wish to retain the public support thinmust be there to start with a full team *t fh.' advertised time, properlv uni- '! 'Hi"d and be clean and smart in nniwnju't. Many of the plavers do this. «ud it v S generally found that thev phithe game in the same manner. To this >!asi■ 0! man, of course, this criticism (.00-i rot apply, and foe can accept ,'t v.:r.lici,t offence. The financial nositi n; o* the club might be worse. The amount o*uig only exceeds the available ea,.'i by £5 Ifis Bd. We*hope the menibe-s" will right this at once, as local tradesmen, many of whom are ardent suppo.ters, sbould not be penalised by having to wait so long for their money. T'h committee trust that these accounts will be paid before the coming season commences. During the past season Mr. Preece resigned the position of secretary, and Mr. James took his pb,<e. The thanks of the club are due to oot'i these gentlemen for their past Servian. You will be called upon to-night to elect a new secretory, as Mr. James wishes to retire. In conclusion, we wish to thank the press, the referees, the ladies' committee and others who assisted la« year. .

The balance-sheet showed that receipts had amounted to £2l 12s 2d, the principal items being, subscriptions fll 12s Gd, gate money £5 19s Cd, and insurai.ee money £2 7s fid. The expenditure amounted to £lB ]Ss Bd, the principal items being: Travelling expenses £4 9s, affiliation fees £2 12s. secretary's bonus £3 3s, and insurance £(i. ..Tlii* report was adopted. The following new members were elected:—W. Inch, G. Kay, Carroll, Thwaites, R. H. Espincr, W. Mcintosh, H. O'Donnell, W. Harvey, Murray. C. Crone, W. Crone, A Glceson. C. Roberts, F. Throstle, E. Hill, 11. Curline, J. Drury, H. Paterson, W. Gill, and MrWilliams. ' , ' Officers were elected as follow:—President, Mr E Dockrill (re-elected); vicepresidents, Messrs. S. J. .Smith, F. Richards, J. Arthur, D. Penwardcn, G, Tabor, .T. McKean, and Dr. Fookes; secretary and treasurer, Mr. .1. Box; club captain, Mr A. L. Humphries; management committee, Messrs G. Bertrand, P. Page, C. Sadler, H. MeGahey, McKay, J. Rocli, and A. James, with the club caDtain arid teams captains, cx-oflicio; auditor, Mr .las. Garcia; .delegates to Taranaki Rugby Union, Messrs. H. Stocker and A. L. Humphrica; selectors—seniors, Messrs G. Bertrand, J; Box, and McKay; juniors, Messrs. Jame3, MeGahey, and Harvey. Mr. MeGahey was appointed to manage the juniors, and Mr Box the seniors.

The seniors will open the season on April 4, and the juniors on April 9. The club will enter a Saturday senior and two junior Thursday teams. On the-' motion of Messrs .). Clarke and G. Mertrand, it was resolved to endeavor to get the Saturday players an extra representative on the management committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union.

The delegates will also be asked to bring before the Rugby Union the unsatisfactory position of the refereoing in some of the junior matches, unaffiliated referees being appointed. Votes of thanks, were accorded the Press, the ladies, the outgoing officers, and the Referees' Association.