SOCCER RIFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 13

SOCCER RIFT.

EFFORTS AT SOLUTION.

NEGOTIATIONS IN PROGRESS.

AFFILIATION OR AMALGAMATION

| For some weeks past there has been a movement in Auckland in the direction of healing the breach which some weeks ago was caused in the local Soccer code through the withdrawal of Thistle Club from the Auckland Football Association, and the subsequent formation of the Auckland City and Suburban Association. The prime movers are several influential business men of Auckland, who are keenly interested in Soccer, and have interests in Blandford Park, the association's ground. Neither the A.F.A. nor the Suburban Association was connected in any manner with the origination of the movement, and none of the promoters is concerned in any way with either association.

The first move taken by the business men concerned was to have informal conversations with prominent officials of both bodies, and a conference was held last week, when a certain basis of negotiation was placed before a meeting of representatives from the two managements. It was decided that the clubs in both associations should be consulted, and subsequently the proposals were outlined to meetings of club delegates. A further meeting of the two associations and the mediators was convened last night. Another lengthy discussion took place, when there were members of the respective management committees, delegates from clubs playing under the jurisdiction of both, and members of the business men's committee, who are endeavouring to find a solution of the trouble and are anxious 1 - to get over circumstances that are retarding the progress of the code in the city. All the negotiations have been conducted in camera, but it has been learned by the "Star" that the principal issues to be decided are affiliation by clubs in the Suburban Association with the New Zealand Council, and consequently the A.F.A., or the amalgamation of the Suburban Association as an association, retaining its individuality while becoming an integral part of the code in the city with equal rights in the use of Blandford Park.

It was further agreed that the negotiations be continued by a committee composed of four representatives from the A.F.A., the Suburban Association, and the business men concerned, who will further explore any avenues of settlement of the disputes.

SOUTH AUCKLAND SIDE

I The following players will represent South Auckland against North Auckland, at Hamilton, on Saturday :—Goal, D. Hunter (Hamilton Wanderers) : backs, J. McKinstry (Waihou). T. Dodds (Pukemiro Junction) ; half-backs, A. E. Gardner (Claudelands Rovers), W. Moon, W. Kennedy (Wanderers) : forwards, A. Black. R. Bate (Pukemiro Junction), A. Moon (Wanderers). R. Dodds, P. Hunter (Pukemiro Junction). Reserves: W. English (Claudelands Rovers), A. Bryan (Wanderers), G. Deacon (Rovers). Mr. A. E. Parkinson, of Auckland, has been appointed referee.