MASTERTON FOOTBALL CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9047, 24 March 1908, Page 7

MASTERTON FOOTBALL CLUB.

ANNUAL REPORT,

The following is the annual report of the committee' to be placed before members at the general meeting to be held on Friday in Y..M.C.A. Haoms:— The Club commenced the season in 1902 with an active .membership of a little over 30, and an honorary membership of 26, making a total of 58. Since then the membership has fluctuated between 60 and .90, owing to the removal from the district of different players and the formation of a rival Club, but now the aggregate of life, honorary and active members has reached '7B, and has settled down to a steady increase. In reference to the re-suscitation of the Red Star Club, although of/necessity the memi bership of your Club was materially affected, it meant a great deal for football in the Wairarapa generally, a»d Masterton in particular. Some notable games have been played between the two Clubs, and have caused a revival of interest on the part of the local public. The finances of the Club, as indicated in the balance sheet, are in a thoroughly sound position. It is of interest to note that the season 1902 .opened with a debit balance of £ls, but your Club is now well on the road to having ; a similar amount on the other side of the ledger. During the past season the Club took part in 25 matches, three of which were against the Oriental, Athletic and Southern €lubs of Wellington- The Senior team had a most successful year, and although it only managed to secure second place ii the Championship fixtures, two jWtciies alone were lost'by the narrow margin of penalty goals. The , record of matches reads:— Versus ■•' Oriental, lost by 21 to 6; versus ' Gladstone, won by 31 to 3; versus Carterton, draw, no score; versus lied Stars, won by 9 to 3; versus Grevtown, won by 9 to 0; versus Gladstone, won by 39 to 0; versus Carterton, lost by 3 to 0; versus Grey town, won by 37 to 0; versus Red Stars, won by 10 to 6; versus Carterton, lost by 9 to 5; versus Red Sturs, won by 12 to 0; versus Athletic, draw, no score; versus Red Stars, won by 12 to 0. 'The Junior players again demonstrated their ability to fight gamely under extreme difficulties, and against heavy odds. Most of the matches during the early part of the season were tt won, but the co3t and inconvenience ¥of travelling soon began to tell their inevitable tale on players, and the record did not improve in consequence. Out of J.2 matches played 5 were won, 1 drawn and 6 lost. Points for, 107; against, 76. The question of allotting the Henderson and Cochrane medals was again decided by ballot, and resulted in a majority of votes being recorded in favour of J. O'Leary and R. H. Spackman, for the third time in succession. Junior medals presented by Mr T. Porter and the Social Committee were won by P. H. Holmes and J. rlanley respectively. The most noticeable featur3 of last season's racord was the inaaguration of an an- ' nual social and dance at the hands of a few prominent members and some enthusiastic ladies. Never Before in the history of the present Club have ladies been so closely identified with I our affairs, and it must be said that the experiment has proved a huge success. Owing to the untiring efforts of the committee, including Misses O'Leary, Barker, Duggan, Reynolds and Mesdames Wheeley, O'Connor, Lamb, Perry and Johnstone, the secretaries, Messrs J. P. Lyall and W. G. Lamb, were enabled to place the handsome su aof i>9 15s 9d to the. credit of the Club. It was with keen regret that the Senior players were compelled to go through the greater part of the Championship without the services of Mr D. K. Logan, who was incapacitated early in the season. Your Committee regrets the loss of Messrs ,C. Ross, D. Baird and P. J. O'Leary, all of whom have been transferred to other districts. The thanks of your Committee arc due to those gentlemen who showed their interest in the Club's welfare by holding honorary official positions, to those making voluntary donations as enumerated in the balance sheet, also to Mr A. P. Wha't- ;*■■ man for permitting use of Boxing y Hall for gymnasium work free of charge. As a result of a ballot taken amongst senior players, the Renall j Cup, won three times in succession by. the Club, was presented to J. O'Leary as being the most useful player during, each year in which it was won.