Closed Down For Duration Of War.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 51, 1 March 1941, Page 3 (Supplement)

Closed Down For Duration Of War.

ENGLISH LEAGUE CLUBS

gALFORD. Rugby League Cup runners-up and Rugby League champions in the last season before the war, have closed down for the time being —until, as they have indicated, there are more favourable conditions and a more reasonable sort of a competition. So they join Widnes. Rochdale Hornets, Barrow and Hull Kingston Rovers, whose officials decided that a second wartime season was not possible for them.

Salford, it mar be recalled stales the "Yorkshire Evening Post"'), w<rc not at all sure whether they would attempt a second ■wartime i-eason. They made the effort, they lost their manager, Lance Todd (the IS>OS Auckland Rugby Union and 1907 "All Golds" five-eighth), the man who bnilt tlielr team, they found the Lancashire League competition onlv a moderately interesting affair, and ca?l"v in the week they came to the conclusion that the time had arrived at which thoy were compelled to say that tlicv had had enough. Whether the lure of cup football w,ll draw them into action again remain* to be seen. The Rugby League nnthorit !<••= are etill looking hopefully at the prospect of reviving the Rugby League Cup competition. They have 'agreed on the date* I and they are, we are informed, prepared ] to come to a decision on tbe matter at ! their next meeting, which mav be held ' in Leeds on Wednesday week." Meanwhile, Mr. John Wn*«:.. the J Rugby League secretary, ha? circularised members of the council, asking them whether their chilis are interested in Rugoy League football this reason. So far, the only reply is that from Hudders field, where with trnc Claret and Gold enthusiasm, they are. as always, prepared to extend a warm welcome to Rugby League Cup football. Has Salford Set Example? ' It may be that one or two c!ul.> who. , at the moment, are wondering whether ! it would be best, for them to follow in j Salford , * footsteps will be encouraged to N carry on by the hope that the Countv and Rugby League Cup competitions will provide them with compensation f-.r jhc' disappointments the reason ha- held for '■ them. ; But ihpre is a feeling in Ru-l.y League circles that next season will mo a decline I in the numoer of clubs, even if all thofc J now playing keep going until the end of tins season.