FOOTBALL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 75, 10 January 1936, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

DECLINE OF A SOCCER GENIUS. HIGHLY PAID IN PAST YEARS. Of all the players of Soccer none has captured the imagination of the public so completely as Alex. James, the little Scotsman, who for six. years has been the star member of the famous Arsenal team. But his career is quickly coming to an end, although I do not think he is prepared to accept this .view. At any rate, he. insists that there is still a deal of football in him. Clubs usually try to nurse their older, players, butthe difficulty is that, unless they continue to play regularly, the stiffening of their muscles is hastened, and if they once drop out it is scarcely possible for them to come back, says an English football critic. James has now been out of the Arsenal team for several Weeks, and although he may come back opcasicnally, he has now arrived at an age when he cannot hope to keep up with younger men. He has held first-class rank for about 15 years, and this is a considerably longer career than most players enjoy. He will be remembered as the greatest player of his time. I doubt whether there, has ever been one to equal him. Moreover, I think he has earned more through the game than any other man, although he has always been on the same level as ethers in drawing the maximum wage of £8 a week. Owing to his popularity, however, he has had several other sources of income. Last summer he made a tour of the Scottish cinemas, giving a short talk between the pictures; he has always drawn big fees for his contributions to the newspapers, and for two years he spent two* hours a day in the sporting goods section, of one of the chief stores. In fact, during the seven seasons he has been in London his income has not fallen below £ISOO a year, and, in addition, he has received a benefit of £650 from the Arsenal. James is a fascinating little figure with a quaint turn of mind. He has ahvays insisted on wearing longer shorts 1 than other players, as though to give him some distinction on the field, and he has been a wonderful box office attraction. The Arsenal paid £9OOO for his transfer, but I should say that he has been worth fully £10(000 a year to them. His loss will he serious. There is no player in the game who* can fill his. place, and there is a real fear that the team may be unsettled until they accustom themselves to another forward who plays in more orthodox style. : *