FIFTY REP. GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 228, 26 September 1934, Page 14

FIFTY REP. GAMES.

AUCKLAND SOCCER PLAYER PETER GERRARD'S FINE RECORD.

When he appeared for Auckland 011 Saturday against South Auckland ill a rep. game, Peter Gerrard, the Auckland and New Zealand right back, made his fiftieth appearance in rep. Soccer. Reared in the game in tlte North Shore Club, Gerrard was first :liosen for rep. honours for Auckland in 1926, in what ha* become known as "Neesham's" team, which for some live or six seasons was never defeated. Gcrra r d was subsequently given New Zealand honours and made the tour of Australia with the Dominion team of last season, when he

A" as chosen by his club mates as the most consistent player of the side and was the recipient of a presentation to mark the esteem of his fellow tourists. The tally of 50, which has been compiled by the Shore player, includes Auckland rep. games, interisland matches and Raines on the Australian tour. Though these have been spread over a period of eight years, Gerrard can by no means be termed a veteran member of the team —he is still in his twenties— save in the period", ho has been playing senior Soccer, which he started at a very early age. His performances this season still keep him in Dominion rep. class and his cleverness and studied play, combined with his evident ability to stay the pace, would seem to indicate a veritable Peter Pan of Soccer. Though he has scored his half-century as a Soccer rep., Gerrard has scored more than 50 for Auckland as a cricket rep., and has been a member of the Auckland elevens on four occasions, his highest score being 75 against Canterbury." He has also played against Otago and Victoria. One of the most modest of players, Gerrard is at the same time one of the finest sports to wear the Auckland colours and never fails to give of his l>est. Followers will wish him many further rep. caps. "While 50 rep. games may not be the record for Soccer, it is certainly an unusual number. Few players arc likely to have such a tally. In Auckland Soccer. Bob Innes and Dan Jones would probably be the only other players who would be likely to come near this figure.