SOCCER'S KICK-OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 87, 13 April 1927, Page 12

SOCCER'S KICK-OFF.

OPENING FIXTURES MADE. EIGHT SENIOR TEAMS. Tb'* Auckland Football Association man-nzi-mout coinmittco last nizht set matters in trim for the opening of thn 1t»27 season so far as the hiu-lur grades arc concerned. Fixtures were made for the opening; day, April 'J.'!. and it w;i> decided to have eight teams in the senior grade, the two newcomers l»ein.ir Unehiiiiira and Navy. Mr. Andrew Mi-im.'s- presided and there was a iar.u'e attendance of delegates. Tlie cliairrniln at tlie outlet extended a hearty welcome to two of ihc n.-Miciation's vice-proidents. M« ssrs. lt.-iiltloii and H. It. Mackeiizi. , who were present and referred to tin- support tiicv had given the code on various occasions. Moth Mr. l>aiidoii and Mr. Mackenzie addressed tlie committee in relation to tlie forthcoming municipal election. Mr. I'aildon said lie considered the su.-ire*i ion of Mr. Men/.ies to call a coii-fi-rence of local bodies with a view to provUlins greater ri-crc.ition areas a very :rood one. and promised [>i <lu his utmost in tin- matter. Senior Grade. A discii.-Mon arose reir.-inliiig the liuiiiber of teams to lie admitted to the senior grade. Mr. Reason moved and Mr. Eraser seconded that eight teams be admitted to ih- senior grade. Mr. Baker considered that the committee) -hould have some indication as to the | -'andard of play of the proposed new teams, I Navy and Onehmiira. j Mr. Fletcher Hiiichun:a) ipiestioneil how the management committee could arrive at a standard. He said that last "-ason there were displays by senior teams which were certainly of doiihtful standard. (»n a vote being taken it was decided that, eiirlit teams comprise ihr senior grade. Mr. A. J Hyde was appointed delegate of the A.F.A. to tlie N.Z.F.A. The Auckland Ktighy I'nion wrote that the dates of ihe Canadians' visit to Auckland had been noted and would be remembered. and extended best wishes for the success of the tour.

Season's Programme. The grounds committee reported that commencing the season on April 2i5. and playing eight teams in tiic senior grade, tiie programme would be as folows :— Senior competition games, two rounds. 14 Saturdays. Falcon Cup 8, Chatham Cup 3, English trophy (v. Wellington) 1. Canadian te-ini North Island final Chatham Cup (possibility) 1 ; total Saturdays. It was suggested that in the senior grade two complete rounds be played, but if at tlie completion of tlie first round or earlier, it was found impossible to complete the second round, the four loading teams in the first round play otT for the championship, a one round competition for the remaining four teams to be provided. In regard to the second grade, it teams have entered and a compel it ion of one round will be carried through. The commit tee suggested that the representative team go on lour early in August (after the completion of the Canadian tour) and meet Otago at Ihinedin on August anil Canterbury at Christchurch oil August 20. If might be possible to arrange a match in the South Island between these games. The report was adopted. First Draw. The first draw in the senior grade re. suited as follows: — Y.M.C.A. v. North Shore. Ouehunga v. Norlheote. Thistle v. Tramways. I'oiisonby v. Navy. It was decided that the matches for the opening day. April be : — l'onsonhv v. Navy. -J p.m.: Thistle v. Tramways, r.iandford Park. i> p.m.: Y.M.C.A. 'v. Norili Shore. lievnnport. .'! p.m.: Onehiinga v. Northcote, Ouehunga. p.m. Takaniii i v. Thistle. Tam.ikl v. Newmarket. Northcote v. I'oiisonby, North Shore v. Hirki'iiluad. Manurewa v. Oneliuuga. Y.M.C.A. v. Metropolitan, tilen Eden v. Kiwi.