WINCHESTER FOOTBALL CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1632, 10 September 1887, Page 3

WINCHESTER FOOTBALL CLUB.

The Winoheiter Football Club wound up the season by an invitation auppar and danoe, which was held in tbe large press-room of Mr 18. Smith’s woolthed, Smithfleld, on Wednesday evening last. The gathering proved one of the most successful and enjoyable that has been hold at Winchester for some time past. From 35 to 40 couples accepted the Club’s invitation. The room had been very niooly decorated with greenery, among which some large pieces of flax looked very nice indeed. The letters W.F.0., worked in laurel leaves, were placed at the end of the room. The floor was almost perfect for dancing, and was very highly praised by al' those present. The lady fiiands of the Club, foremost amongst whom were Mrs B. and Mrs H. Smith, had entered into the affair with great spirit, and had done everything in their power to make the gathering an enjoyable one. Not by any means an unimportant feature was the excellent supper they bad prepared, and which was fully appreciated by the guests. The muaio was supplied by Messrs Haar (8), and was capitally rendered. Mr T. Hart, the Club’s popular quaTter-back, ao-ei as M. 0., and proved to be quite as efficient in the ball-room as on the football field. Tbe brothers Smith (3), all renowned footballers, and to whose oare and assistance the Club to a great extent owes its present efficiency, were tireless in their efforts to make the evening pleasant. In fact, one and all appeared to vie with each other in this respect, with the result, as above, of securing the thorough enjoyment of all present. Daring the evening songs were rendered by Messrs Bent, J agger, and Shallard, senr. Mr GK Smith, Captain of the Club, expressed his pleasure at seeing so many there, and of the evident interest the ladies took in the noble game. Ho said some people denounced football as rough and cruel. He could assure those present who had never played the game that it was not so if played in a proper, manner, but it required as much skill and science as itdid to construct a piece of machinery, (Applause). He then went on to speak of the matches played and won by the Club during the season. They were also much indebted to the kindness of Mr B. Smith, who was always willing to allow his employees to get away to play a match. (Applause). Mr B. Smith responded. He had always been a lover of football, and was ever willing to forward the interests of the Club. He felt he was to a great extent the father of football in Winchester. He could quite endorse what the previous speaker had said as to the game being a scientific one when properly played, and although he had been hurt at it himself he did not consider it a rough game. Accidents would happen at any sport that was worth a rap, and the slight risk run only enhanced the pleasure of the game. (Applause.) Dancing was kept up till about five o’clock, and the Olub are to be congratulated upon the thorough success of their gathering. It is one that will be looked forward to with 1 much expectancy next year by those who had the pleasure of being at the gathering on Wednesday evening last.