ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1926, Page 12

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

REFEREES AND LINESMEN. CO-OPERATION VERY ESSENTIAL. In the changed conditions of the game this season when speeding up has been the ordter, and the referee has a deal more running to do with lightning changes from end to end of the ground without the slackening down consequent on the off-side interruption, it. is very essential- that the closest cooperation, should exist between referees and linesmen. The game will be the better controlled that is watched by three pairs of eyes instead of one. At the same time it often happens that a

linesman signals a breach which is obeyed by the players though not observed by the referee. In some cases teams have gained much advantage from such incidents, and it is these occurrences which emphasise the necessity for the closest co-operation between the men on the line and the knight of the whistle. Players are, of course, always advised to play to the whistle, but in cases where a linesman signals and where the referee may not have observed his indication that something is wrong, the man with the flag should persist until he is taken heed of. Steve Bloomer's Advice. That old veteran; Steve Bloomer, dealing with this self-same subject gives some sound advice. This is what he says: "I always remember Billy Meredith telling mc of an incident which happened some years ago at Liverpool between the Everton Club and Manchester City. If I remember aright, the referee that day was Mr. Jack Turner, of Preston. The incident happened a minute from time. The linesman on Sammy Chedgzoy's aid* of the field flagged off-side against the winger, and the Manchester City players stopped playing, with the result that a goal was scored. A scene then ensued, and might have had an unhappy termination if the referee had not been very firm in his attitude. He refused to stop play because he was right in line with the play, and knew that Chedgzoy was not off-side w_ien he

for.the ball. Billy 1 Meredith always said that he had a big grouse against any players who did, not play to the whistle, and, of course, he is right. "That is the best advice which can be given to all players. Play to the whistle is a wise dictum, for, after all, it is the man with the whistle who decides. At the same time, the need for co-operation and understanding between referees and linesmen is a matter that should be earnestly developed. Without these two virtues amongst the officials at matches there will be a lot of trouble and heartburning. "For one thing, I haven't the slightest doubt in my own mind that, some linesmen do their best to inflict their judgment upon the referee. ' Their little flags are always being wagged, and nothing pleases • them better than to know that they have an official. who will take notice of them. Well, this sort of .thing is all right if it is a. prearranged plan between the referee and his assistants, but if it is simply a case of a lesser official trying to make himself a ruling factor then the sooner referees put their foot down the better. "The referee who is competent will see that he has every help to maintain that competency. He will have a talk with his linesmen before a match, and he will tell them to flag only when the ball jroes out of play or only when something very serious has happened and which he (the referee) has not seen. The firm referee will stand by his own judgment, yet he will tell his linesmen that if he is in doubt he will immediately, take counsel with them. It is up to referees to keep linesmen in their places just as much as it is up to linesmen to help the official in the middle, and the only way that help and co-operation can be given in a proper manner is for them .all to have a working plan laid down by the referee before the match starts. And 'Play to the whistle and not to the flag' ought to be the rule followed out by players. OFFER TO AUSTRALIA. FOR NEW ZEALAND TOUR. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The secretary of the New Zealand Football Association states that a cablegram has been received from Australia in which it is stated that an Australian team is prepared to tour New Zealand for live playing Saturdays, provided the New Zealand Football Association allows £100 to cover the cost of outfit and Incidentals. This sum is in addition to the allowance of 10/ per day per player, assembly and dipersai charges. It was decided that Australia should be offered £300, this amount to cover all the personal allowances, outfits, assembly, dispersal and other charges, the tour to be for a period of six playing Saturdays in New Zealand. Unless these terms are accepted by the Australian body, there will be no tour of a Commonwealth team ln New Zealand this year. HAMILTON'S OPENING. The season was opened on Saturday by the senior match between Hamilton United and Frankton Railway, being preceded by a junior game. The matches were played on Seddon Park before a fine attendance considering the bleak afternoon. The senior game ended in a draw with two goals each. United by King (a penalty), and R. Ashton with Moon and Storey getting the Ballway's goals. The game was Keenly eon* tested, and for a first of the season match, the play was' quite good. The Junior game was between Claudelands 3, and V.M.C.A. 0.