ENGLISH SOCCER TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 31, 6 February 1925, Page 7

ENGLISH SOCCER TEAM.

REFUSAL BY AUCKLAND. 'nil'". LOCAL POSITION. In nn interview xvith a "Star" representative, Mr. A. Menzics, chairman ot he Auckland Football Association manIgemctll limit tee. stated that several itc-s messages have recently been pubisbc.l stating that the proposed tour of in F.nplisll Association football team lad been cancelled owing to New Zea!and licit, •■ unable to iirrange the necesiiuy flliai,cc. and (lint Aneklainl. wiih linen haxe been mentioneil as the two; issociations xi In. would iml agree with [he conditions asked. ".My association ivisbcs it to be distinctly understood."' lie said, "thai the arrangement of the necessary finance xvill be immediately forthcoming when a proposal is submitted xvhich we consider fair and equitable, but Xi c xvill not be associated in any tour whatever unless we have some voice in tlie arrangement*. "We object to the tour for several reasons. ' XX'c consider the estimated -..sl nf £7..01> excessive for the number ~f mulches 113 lto be played in New Zealand. We ait- positive that, it i> impossible 1 i nel an average gate of £7711 throughout New Zealand. \\ c haxe bad the example of the recent I Chinese tour for xvhich guarantees of £i:i.".o xi ere considered by tin' Nexv Zealand Football Association to be sufficient to cover expenses, but xvhich now have been exceeded by approximately £40011. We have bad no balance sheet so fur fnr the Chinese tnur, ami our guarantors haxe not yrt been released by the Nexv Zealand Football Association. All estimated profit of flnOO has actually been reduced to £_.-.0, according In a statement by the treasurer nf the Neiv Zealand Football Association. We consider Unit a financial hiss on the Kngiish tnur would entail a loss of prestige with our guarantors, and this] would be reflected in our association."! The possible educational value of the] tour was detracted from, said Mr. Menzics, by the large number of profes- I sional " players include,l. there being; nil-litV of 'amateur players equally as good." Tlk- Auckland Association Consiilers that the New Zealand Football I Association should have been free to j negotiate xvith the Kngiish body direct. | They were convinced ibnt a strong nma-j lew- team could still be arranged for! at ii future dale, and tn accomplish this, xv.,old use I heir best ellilcl villus, while in the meantime consolidating and improving the game here by 'playing more club and iiitei'proviuria! matches.