PREMIERSHIP "TAKEN."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 174, 25 July 1928, Page 17

PREMIERSHIP "TAKEN."

AUCKLAND "ROBBED."

F.A. TROPHY DECISION. UNPRECEDENTED FINDING. The decision of the New Zealand Football Association Council last night in regard to the English Football Association trophy, the interprovincial premiership of the code in New Zealand, is probably without precedent in the realms of sport in the Dominion. In effect it means that because Auckland at the moment is not prepared to guarantee a sum in the neighbourhood of £115 to provide the travelling expenses of Canterbury to come here, they have been robbed of the title and emblem of premiership, which they have held for two seasons, during which they have maintained an unbeaten record -in interprovincial Soccer. The history of the dispute regarding the English trophy goes back three seasons. The trophy is one of the most valuable and handsome sports prizes under competition in the Dominion today, and was given by the English F.A. i for the purpose of fostering the game here. The N.Z. Council decided at the outset to constitute the competition on the Plunket Shield conditions, and undertook to be responsible for the financing for the first two years. These were disastrous for the finances of the game in the Dominion. The Canadian tour, with its withering loss of over £1800, all but shattered the little nest egg the association owned in a £2000 profit from an art union, and it was found that the travelling up and down the Dominion of the teams competing for the English trophy also met a loss amounting to £GOO in t> e two years. Thus the council had to adhere to its decision to relinquish the

financing of the competition after tW allotted two years. Last year Auckland did most of the travelling and went as far south as Otago, playing Canterbury on the return journey, while Wellington came north. The results of the games, as far as Auckland and Canterbury concerned, were:— Coals. P. W. 1.. D. F. A. Pts. Auckland . . o l t; a Canterbury .3201805 The rules of the competition provide that where points are equal the decision shall be on goal average. Auckland contends tiiat their goal average of 6 for and 3 against is better than !S for and o against, but the N.Z. Council declined to express an opinion on tlie matter, which it referred to the English Association for a decision. That was done at the en of last season, but the parent body appears to be still cogitating over the perplexing problem, for it has promulgated no finding. This season the N.Z. Council came to a decision as between Canterbury and Auckland to the effect that they play off for the trophy, tiie game to be played where the teams might mutually arrange, but if agreement cot Id not be come to, that the match be played at Christchurch. The conditions were that travelling expenses be allowed, hence Auckland's decision that it could not guarantee the necessary money for Canterbury to come north. Canterbury are apparently in the same position, while the drawing possibilities at the City of the Plains r.re in striking contrast to Auckland, as on the occasion of the visit of Auckland last year, the Christchurch gate was somethintr li'<e £35. It is difficult to trace the reason of tie council in brushing Auckland aside and virtually taking the trophy from them. The council, by allowing the Canterbury challenge against Auckland, inferred that Auckland were the holders. Now they decide that Wellington, who last season lost all three matches and were at tb-> bottom of the table, should be the holders this season, or at least should be allowed to accept a challenge on their own ground from Canterbury. It is felt here that the Council has been strangely generous to Wellington, but have taken a most cumbersome way of spiriting the premiership away from the north. The taking of the trophy from Auckland Is a serious matter for the local association, and it is not likely to be agreed to by the local association without much ado. Auckland only asks that the competition from its jnception this season should be on Brown Shield rules, which provide that travelling expenses are a first charge on the gate takings. The Council proposes that in regard to the first match, the home team should pay the travelling cos:« and thereafter the competition be on Brown Shield conditions. It is well known that Canterbury could not finance Auckland's travelling, and because Auckland cannot finance Canterbury coming here, the local association is deliberately cut out of account and Canterbury is given its chance against Wellington, who were never in the running, and on the results of last season's games have no title or right to consideration.