LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 241, 11 October 1934, Page 18

LEAGUE FOOTBALL.

RECRUITS FOR ENGLAND. | I SCHTJXTZ AND HARDGRAVE. BOTH BOOKED BY YORK CLUB. Two Auckland footballers are to leave next week for England, where tliey will play under engagement to Rugby League clubs. Roy A. Hardgrave is returning to play for the York Club, and he will be accompanied by Leonard F. Schultz, the young ex-Jlarist Old Boys' liveeighths, who, with Hardgrave and other Newton and Marist players, recently joined the Mount Albert United Club which entered a team that participated in the Auckland League's Roope Rooster knock-out competition. Schultz also will sign up with York, which is the club to which Lou Brown was attached until lately as a right wing three-quarter. Hardgravo. who is the son of Arthur ("Shaver") Hardgrave, recalled as a fine full-back and centre three-quarter of Taranaki and Auckland in the two Rugby codes, went to England in 1929 with Lou Hutt and Trevor Hall, and the trio gained distinction as members of the St. Helens Club. The two big forwards returned to Auckland within the past two years, Hardgrave arriving here in time to make a reappearance shortly after the start of the season just closing. He has just turned 28 years of age, and, profiting by his former experience abroad, should have some years of play ahead of him. Schultz, who is 21 years of age and weighs 11.6, is a popular player. After being educated at the Vermont Street Marist Brothers' School, where he was prominent in the Rugby Union team, he took up Rugby League with the Marist Club, playing in the various grades up to seniors. He is regarded as one of the finest young inside backs in Auckland. Just before this season commenced ho received a shoulder injury in a friendly match, and since recovery has confirmed the predictions of competent judges who marked him out for a fine career in the code. His departure is regarded as a distinct loss to the game locally. Hardgrave said to-day he had been much impressed by Schultz, who bore out the good reputation ho had built locally and he felt that under English coaching ideas the young player would develop. "I am pleased he is coming with me to York," he added, "and he will be receiving an encouraging fee for a start." Hardgrave said lie much regretted the misunderstanding in which he recently became involved and particularly ho desired to contradict a suggestion that ho had been financed by the Auckland League or any club to return to New Zealand recently. He had intended to come back here for the trip, in any case, for the benefit of Mrs. Hardgrave and their child, who would be returning with him to York. He did not care to disclose the terms of his induccfnent to return to England, but it was advantageous, and he expectcd to be under contract probably for four years. He and Schultz were booked to leave by the Tainui next week and would be in England about November 23, in time for Christmas and cup tie fixtures.