COMING SOCCER TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 69, 23 March 1937, Page 15

COMING SOCCER TOUR.

ENGUSH VISIT.

LATE ARRIVAL. EFFECT ON PROGRAMME. SUGGESTED ITINERARY , CHANGES. Word was received in Auckland during the week-end that the Tamaroa, on which the English touring Soccer team will journey to New Zealand, and which was due to reach Auckland on May 21. will not now be at this port till May 26, a Wednesday. In the circumstances the alteration of the itinerary will be a matter for consideration by the New Zealand Council. It is hoped the controlling authorities at Wellington will thus be enabled to refute the charges of bungling which the3 r undoubtedly brought upon themselves after publication of the arrangements based on the arrival of the visitors on Friday, May 21. The council should not simply put back the dates of visiting the various centres where matches have been arranged by five days, and proceed with the programme. Although no specific statement could be adduced from Auckland Control Board members, no doubt out of deference to the New Zealand Council and with a view of obviating controversy, several interviews with leading members made it clear that the consensus of opinion is that the tour had been drawn out in a way that raised serious objections from the point of view

a of the financial returns from gates. For instance, it was proposed to play two Wednesday games in Dunedin and to i utilise the Saturday between for a match , at Invercargill, thereby undoubtedly losing an excellent opportunity of a Saturday gate in a metropolitan area. Also it was proposed to send the team to Rotorua for the first week-end in the Dominion and start the matches with a Wednesday fixture in Auckland. Gates Must Average £500 Apiece. It is understood' that the tour of ten games is to cost the New Zealand Association £5000, an average gate of £500 just to pay its way, so that every effort must be made to ensure that the very largest measure of public support is necessary, and to gain this the utmost consideration for public Convenience must be shown. The following itinerary would give the majority of Saturday matches in the most populous centres and thereby afford the greatest likelihood of success for the tour: — Saturday, May 29—V. Auckland. Wednesday, June 2 —v. Hawke's Bay, at Napier. ' Saturday, June s—v. Wellington. Wednesday, June 9 —v. WanganuiSaturday, June 12 —v. New Zealand, at Wellington. Wednesday, June 16—v. Otago, at Dunedin. Saturday, June 19 —v. New Zealand, at Dunedin. Wednesday, June 23—v. Southland, at Invercargill. Saturday, June 26—y. Canterbury. Saturday, July 3 —v. New Zealand, at Auckland.