LEAGUE FOOTBALLER

G. D. GILBERT IN ENGLAND MAY PLAY AS AN AMATEUR G. D. M. Gilbert, the former All Black, has joined the Bradford Northern Rugby League Club, says the Hkrald's London correspondent. Gilbert, who was looking very bronzed and well, told a reporter that- the first part of his journey was rough, but the last few days had been very enjoyable. He was welcomed at the stadium by officials of the club and several hundred supporters. Gilbert's registration papers, sent by him in the Panama zone and forwarded bv air mail to Bradford on January 28, did not arrive in time to be placed in tho hands of the secretary of the Rugby League before inidnight on February 1, the last day on which registration papers could be handed in to enable players to play as professionals in the Rugby League Challenge Cup competition.

The name of Gilbert as an amateur was submitted by Northern, but it was not accepted by the secretary of the Kugbv League. Northern contended that there was nothing in the Rugby League rules io bar Gilbert from playing In the Cup as an amateur. Mr. Hornbv said that, as Gilbert was unable to play in the first round of the Cup they would have to wait until the match had been decided before any further move could be made. "I have explained the whole matter to him," he said, "and he has left it unreservedly in our hands. He is quite prepared to play as an amateur as long as we want him to. is going to help the Bradford Northern Club to make history."