ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 98, 28 April 1925, Page 10

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

BLANDFORD PARK OPENING. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By " THE SCRIBE.") " There were-no panics last Saturday, but the break will glv« clubs an opportunity of preparing for their next fixtures. The star attraction on Saturday will be tin , Shore-Thistle umtcb. and a real dinsUung battle should result. After their displays last Saturday week both clubs have apparently an equal chance of taking the points, and U Is probable that uo changes will take place, as neither team appear to have any weak links. I'onsonby should run out winners against Watersiders, unless the latter have considerably strengthened their side since losinK to Hellttby's. Tramways v. V.M.C.A. should prove n good game. Y.M. have the advantage of already having played a competition game this year, although Tramways have had.several pretty stiff practice names. Amongst others who will appear for Tramways this year are I'orteous (late Huntly). Hopkins, McEUigott ami J.cwis' (Into Philomel), SI ill 111 (late Ponsonby), so that they .should be able to field n pretty strong eleven. Ilellahys and Koyal Navy lire evenly lialnnced comblnfttlons, and' the result 'is difficult to foresee. although the Navy team have had considerable practice this year. Northcote will be on the line this week, having drawn the bye. It was noticed 'that several incidents occurred to hold up games lust Saturday week. Although the rule on this point has been considerably lightened up, referees should not stop (he game until the ball is out of play if a player is Injured, and if seriously he should direct that I he player be removed from the Held of play immediately.. Nothing is more trylnsr from n spectator's point of view than to have frequent stoppages owing to injuries to players, and the play ceasing for three or four minutes. Another point that the writer is glad to see action has been taken on, is that regarding the studs used by some players. I( is the responsibility of the player to see tlint his studs are in good repair, not only before a match but during the game, as it ofter happens that the nails become exposed (lifting the match. Ne.-.t week the New Zeala:(J Council hold their annual meeting, and Mr. Ritchie, has been appointed to represent the A.X.A. It is hoped that the chairman. Mr. Mcnzies. can also be present, as from reports received from South there lire many contentious matters to be brought forward. From Press reports it seems that the local association has raised the ire of their brethren nt Wellington, but at present it is not apparent as to what has caused this feeling. Surely the A.X.A. are entitled to some commendation for their efforts to boost the Soccer code. The results of their hard work is seen in Blamlford Park, and the players show the Brown Shield anil tin' Chatham Cup as their quota. Of course, there is sure to be a certain amount of soreness over the part the A.1 ,, .A. took in Hsststins to turn down the English tour on the question of finance, but having the example of the Chinese visit before them, could they have done anything rise, specially as it is doubtful whether the Englishman would prove a bigger draw? I.ate cables from Home state that a storm of criticism has arisen over the selection of the players who nre t<. visit Australia. With very few exceptions those chosen are nnt in the lirst flight : in fact, only one player out of the twelve first-class Northern clubs has been allowed to make the trip. It may not be known that the A.F.A. made a gnat effort to get over the financial difficulty which arose when (lie tour was first mooted, and it was realised what a great fillip would resjilt to the code if the visit eventuated. However, the Commonwealth Association quoted a mini inn in amount which was required as a guarantee, but did not state the maximum sum, which was considered b y tin" A.X.A. a very unbusinesslike proposition. However, they suggested to the N.Z. Council that tlill country should offer to the. Commonwealth Executive the sum of £>O«in. and would pay nil the tourists' expenses from Sydney to New Zealand during the whole.visit here, and hack again to Sydney, tlf course ail takings would be the property of the N.Z. authorities. However, this proposition did not find favour, although the KUWX) was always open to discussion.-and probably a larger suiiv would have been found rather than that the tour should he turned down. Perhaps now the true facts are known Soccer followers will sympathise with the local executive in having to take up the position they did, nml taking the result of the Chinese tour us an example, will probably congratulate themselves in I'iavirtg a committee with enough business, acumen to leave alene a bad business' speculation. A visit to Ulandford Park 'was paid by many officials and players' Inst Saturday. The stand Is well on the way to pompletion. «ml the terraces ar/' showing up we]'. In the limited time the contractors have had they have made a wonderful improvement to what was a marshy waste. A beautiful, green expanse now meets the eye with rising tiers each side, the ground bavin--' been well drained. The fin.il touches are being made t<> the snecrntnrn' portion; hut a goodly amount of ashes will be required out It•• upper slopes in case of wet weather. The fence is practically completed, and will mnke a good ndvertlsina space. Saturday week (when (lie ground is to he opened) i-hould nee a further improvement, and followers of the code will be (rb.rl Mint the local unsocial ion hn« had the foresight to gpj .1 home of their own. Many business men in the Hty h.iv lent n helnlnc hand in ninny directions, and Mr. IM.'Midford. nfter whom the Purls is nnmed, h:is been very generous in efforts to get the ground well fnnvnrd. The Referees Association this yenr is stronger than ever, but further members nre required. (>en(li>ineii nble to referee the junior grndes should offer their services, its il is to tb" yr.ung'-r footballers tint we look for our future games, and a helping hand from referees now will mean a lot to lioys when due to play in the senior grades.