ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 80, 6 April 1926, Page 8

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

THE NEW 1 SEASON'S PROSPECTS

AUCKLAND'S BRIGHT OUTLOOK.

Season 1026, which will open, weather permitting, on Saturday week, promises to be another successful and progressive one in the realm of Association football in Auckland. Though indications at present are that the senior grade will be composed of six teams as against eight last season, the standard of play is likely to be stiffened in consequence. It was found that season 1925, with eight teams, was overdrawn. However, while the senior grade will be eased numerically, a healthy strengthening' is already reported in the lower grades, from which the seniors of to-morrow will be drawn. A further propitious factor is the • concentration on junior play by the constitution of the junior management committee, under whose aegis this department will be carefully and skilfully nourished.

In both the senior and junior departments the administrative affairs will be in the hands of keen enthusiasts and trained businessmen, and with the proper spirit of co-operation the season about to be embarked upon should be characterised by harmonious working and solid progression.

The Seniors. Although the hour for the closing of entries has not yet struck it seems reasonably certain that the senior grade will consist of North Shore. Thistle, Ponsonby, Northcote, V.M.C.A. and Tramways. There will be bitter disappointment should ' Navy fail to enter for the senior competitions. No side was more popular, and no players put more heart into their game than the lads in navy blue. Apart from their prowess at Soccer, they have always commanded a large element of patriotic support, and as the Association code is the only sport into which the Navy enters seriously in Aiickland, it will be unfortunate if the public is unable to see the defenders of these shores displaying their capabilities. It is stated that" the exigencies of the Service will prevent a side of senior standard being retained in the ships in port during the winter months. There is still a glimmer of hope in some quarters that the Navy will again be to the fore on the field of Soccer.

Hellabya have gone tne way of the watersiders of last year and of the Harbour Board of the year before, with the result that some other clubs will benefit by obtaining the services of the best of their players. In this way is the standard of play improved. Some indication of this is found in the fact that Craxton, the Auckland and New Zealand representative of numerous occasions, is finding it difficult to get in a senior club. Such is likely to be the experience of some others of last season's seniors. Young and promising lads are coming on, and, as in all spheree, youth rnuet be ser\ r ed.

Thistle. Last year's premier team will to a large extent be seen wearing the black and white of the Thistle Club. The spirit of camaraderie (some people call it clannishnese) which did so much to carry the Scots through last year expressed itself in the wish of the team with one exception to be re-engaged before the close of last season. Nevertheless, some solid team-building has been done. In addition to Jack, Ferguson, Reid. Tinkler, Bell, Dickson, Dunsmore, Hislop, Kay and Buchanan, who were of the fold last term and are again available, Moon, a South Auckland representative, has been acquired for a place in the defence. Christie, who last year assisted Ponsonby to the semi-final of the Chatham Cup, is booked to fill the gap caused by Dodds' departure to Tramways and should fit in the Scottish game with much success. Marshall has exchanged from V.M.C.A. to Thistle, with Humphries, who so successfully signalised his advent amongst the Young Men on Saturday. The centre berth will probably prove a problem to Thistle. Stewart, a lad who played once or twice for Northcote last season and who came up from South Canterbury has also been secured with the idea, no doubt, of improving the forward line, but Humphries will be found a difficult man to replace. So far as defence is concerned Thistle should prove a hard nut to crack, but the same can hardly be said of their attack at this stage.

North Shore. In a quiet way North Shore has been doing much preparatory work for the season's activities- The team will be

much the same as last year. Should Navy be absent from the competition the services of Baxter will no doubt be found very acceptable to Shore in the half J back line. In this division, Mitchell, last season of Fonsonby, is also at the disposal of the club, and with McGarry and Dan Jones, the half-back line promises to be a very strong one. Reinforced with Lipscombe (goal) and Corbett and Gerrard (backs) the defence will be difficult to penetrate. This season speed is being demanded as essential in defence, though it certainly is not a big feature with Shore. At the same time the craft and strategy represented in the players above mentioned is likely to make up for any defect in fleetness of foot. In attack no outstanding captures have been reported from Shore, and the first line is likely to be much on the basis af last year. Dacre, Palmer, and young Woolley are certain starters, but the outside positions maw not be so settled. Nevertheless, Shore are contemplating having their name once more inscribed on the senior trophies. .

Ponsonby. It frequently happens that a team which has nothing striking to commend it on paper creates the surprise in actual fact. There is just a chance this will be what will come from Ponsonby thia season. The team at present does not contain many of what Americans would call erack-a-jaoks, but there is dogged determination in the side, and that {roes a long way. The defence is characterised by speed and pluck, and there is much ability forward, though the team front to back is light and inclined to be small. The club management has taken a bold but commendable step in preferring Hall, a youth of their own rearing, to the famous Craxton in goal. It must 'be said for Hall that he is a very promising lad and has already proved his ability in the senior team. Williams, left back, is likely to be partnered by Whomell, late of Hellabys, while the club hae also benefited by the signing of Wilson for centre-half, who last season assisted the butchers. Phil Neesliam had made up his mind to give up the game ere he was elevated to the upper house of Soccer, though many people, including the writer, considered that his career had been given a premature end. Xevertheless, Wilson, should he play up to the form he showed last year, will go a long way to filling the position of one of the best footballers and finest sportsmen Auckland Soccer has known. Morrison and Kennedy will flank Wilson, and both are players who will never acknowledge themselves defeated. Bob Innes and Ahem are the only two forwards of last season's side likely to reappear. W. Knott has come over from Northcote to Ponsonby, and should be an acquisition. Williams, of last season's Thistle, before the advent of Kay, is on the Ponsonby list, while Hitchen and Cumpsey are players who are so far unknown, but are available. Hunter, who showed clever football with the suburban side last season when the club had to fall back on its juniors, is likely to be again tried out in the top division.

Tramways. Batty, McElligot, Simpson, Watson, Shreane, Davis, Lewis, Sims, and Copland, who wore the green and black with distinction last year, are likely to be seen y\ action again. In addition, Dodds, who is a corporation servant, will be introduced into the front line. There is every possibility that Tramways will bo further greatly strengthened by the inclusion of Kissick, who made history when on the last Australian tour with the Xew Zealand reps. Kissick is now in Auckland, and will be in the game here this season. Tramways are hot on his trail. Kissick was with several of his fellow-Scots at Victoria Park on Saturday last, but that may be merely a coincidence. Spencer is another newcomer from whom much is expected.

Northcote. It may be said that Northeote are at present passing through a lean period. Most teams have their off seasons, and the test of endurance is to battle through and hope for the return of success. The Northcote senior eleven to do duty through the term about to be commenced will be a blending of youth and experience. Chesney, Thompson, Hibbert. Bell, Tremain, and Burford have signified their intention of sticking by the team, and it is fortunate for the club that there is promising talent in the lower grades to pick from. Until an opportunity has been found of testing out what material is at hand Northcote will be an unknown quantity. As in the past, they can 'be relied upon to put up a sporting fight whoever they play.