N.Z. SOCCER CHAIRMAN GAVE GRAND SERVICE TO GAME IN AUCKLAND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 99, 28 April 1945, Page 16

N.Z. SOCCER CHAIRMAN GAVE GRAND SERVICE TO GAME IN AUCKLAND

Soccer fans in Auckland view with much approval the election of their erstwhile chairman, Leo Munro, to the chairmanship of the New Zealand Soccer Council. A native of Wales, Leo spent many years in the North of England before coming to New Zealand in 1920, where he engaged in business in the mining district of South Auckland. Coming to Auckland some years later to establish a very successful chain of grocery stores, it was not long before his lifelong enthusiasm for Soccer manifested itself, and in 1934 he became a member of the Auckland Control Board. So impressed were his colleagues with his enthusiasm and driving force that they elected him to the chairmanship the following season. From that time dates some of the I greatest improvements and progress in the history of the game in Auckland. Infecting his" colleagues with his will to work, and with the assistance of secretary W. Harrison and parkkeeper Charlie O'Toole, he set himself the task of ridding the Association of a number of serous obligations that were hampering progress. It was during those five years that the game turned the corner, and is now in the healthiest condition for a quarter of a century. ! Retiring from business in 1939 Leo looked forward to giving more time to the furtherance of the game he loves so well, but came out of retirement to take up an important war appointment in Wellington. lhj s necessitated his relinquishing of the chairmanship of the A.F.A., but he accepted the office of delegate to the New Zealand Council, and at the annual meeting of that body held recently he was elected chairman. In all his activities he had the help and encouragement of Mrs. Munro, whose passing a few weeks ago was deeply mourned by all those who had the good fortune to know her, and she will be sadly missed. Soccer in New Zealand is fortunate in having a man of such untiring energy and foresight at the helm.