SOCCER SEASON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 92, 19 April 1945, Page 9

SOCCER SEASON

OPENING ON SATURDAY CONDUCT OF COMPETITION The opinion that the up grade in Soccer would begin this season was expressed by several members of the control board of the Auckland Football Association last evening, when 11 teams entered for the senior division and a similar number for the second division. Following some discussion as to the conduct of the competitions, it was arranged to play a preliminary round In each division, and at the conclusion the six leading teams will constitute the senior A division. The remaining five, with the three leading teams in the second division, will form a senior B grade and the eight other teams constitute a second grade. The board decided that any competition points compiled up to the end of the preliminary round should not be carried forward; the three championships to be decided on the actual play following the regrouping of teams. The Thompson Shield was allocated for the senior A championship, and the Skeates Cup for the preliminary round. The following entries received for the first division showed an increase of three: Thistle, Eastern Suburbs, Ponsonby, North Shore, Comrades, Naval Depot, R.N.Z.A.F. (Ardmore), Metro-College, R.N.Z.A.F. (Whenuapai), Watorsiders, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys. The second division entries were: Onehunga, Eastern Suburbs, Training College, North Shore, Comrades, Eden, R.N.Z.A.F. (Ardmore), Y.M.C.A., Third Divisional Base, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, University. Nine entries were received for the third intermediate grade. Inter-club transfers approved were: S. E. Brackenridge, from Comrades to Thistle; B. C. Cheyno. Eden to Eastern Suburbs; D. J. Olsby. Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys to Thistle; C. H. Dickey, Ponsonby to Comrades; M. Callaghan. Ponsonby to Watersiders; R. E. Hebden, Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys to Thistle; G. Pickett. Training College to Comrades; J. Orr, comrades to Thistle; R. W. Irvine. Onehunga to Eden; w. Thompson, Onehunga to Ponsonby. It was decided that inter-club transfers should cease after the conclusion of the preliminary round. The board agreed that players attending the Training College should play for that team in preference to any other club, though it was pointed out by some delegates that this would preclude a player from possibly reaching senior A status. Need of Referees Owing to the increased number of teams, Mr. F. Green, of the Referees' Association, appealed for additional referees and stressed the fact that a great deal of embarrassment would bo caused if these men were not available. It was suggested by one delegate that the players in the team having the bye should make an effort to referee lower grade games. Delegates, club omciaJs and interested players were invited to attend a lecture to be given next week by a New Zealand referee, and it was stated that the Referees , Association would be prepared to explain alterations in rules «and answer questions. The Referees' Association stated that it had been decided that no match would be started until The draw for the opening of the season next Saturday is as follows:—Naval Depot v. Watersiders. at Blandford Park, 1.30 p.m.; MetroCollege v. Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys, Blandford Park, 3 p.m.; North Shore v. Thistle, Devonport, 3 p.m.; Eastern Suburbs v. R.N.Z.A.F. < Ardmore). St. Helier's. 3 P.m.; R.N.Z.A.F. (Whenuapai). v. Comrades. Grey Lynn Park. 3 p.m.; Ponsonby. a bye. At the annual meeting of the junior management committee it was decided that entries would close next Tuesday. Officers elected were:—President. Mr. F. G. Fullbrook; chairman, Mr. C. F. Ward; honorary secretary-treasurer, Mr. L. .J. Check: delegate to Control Board. Mr. H. E. King; grounds and fixtures. Mr. C. F. Ward; registration and records. Mr. J. Frogley; postponements, Mr. J. C Slbbin; management committee, Messrs. C. F. Ward, L. J. Check, H. E. King, S. Rollins, F. Progley. M. Best. J. Cuthbert. H. G. Church.