LETTER BOX

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28002, 23 June 1956, Page 3

LETTER BOX

SOCCER TRANSFERS “At the C.F.A. meeting last week the association decided not to sanction mid-season transfers. This seems to me a bit high-handed. One of the reasons given was that it would help clubs ‘discipline’ players who are ‘not pulling their weight.’ That is a poor reason. If a club stands a player down for this reason, and he wants to transfer, I would think the club would be pleased to let him go. “The other reason given was that ‘it might mean the end of weaker clubs.’ It would probably mean them playing in a lower grade, but that would be more the class they should play in. Better to have six good clubs of about the same ability, and providing good entertaining football than have 10 of which about three are far ahead of the others.

“Players wanting to play first divisino football only, but through no fault of their own are with a club, being relegated, have to spend the remainder of the season in a lower grade, at the same time possibly losing all chance of representative honours. In Britain at present there is quite an outcry that players are ‘slaves’ because they are tied to clubs. The decision here means the same thing. Because of the new ruling, players are now tied to clubs. The players are amateurs, signing no contract of conditions, etc. Give any player the chance to better himself, if he can.—lan Arundel.

THREE-QUARTERS’ TRIES “From a perusal of the official programme of the Canterbury Rugby Union the noteworthy fact emerges that the total tries scored by the four three-quarters who have’played for Marist seniors this year is about 31—an average of just over three a game for the 10 games played to date. This is noteworthy today, when most teams seem to have forgotten that the three-quarters are the scoring men and must remain so if attractive Rugby is to return.” —L. Clifford.

Answers To Correspondents “The Old Brigade”: The figures for the six leading teams are (1) University 39 tries for, 17 against: Christchurch, 30 for, 10 against; Marist, 34 for, 12 against; Albion, 47 for, 21 against; Old Boys. 22 for, 14 against; Sydenham. 12 for. 17 against. (2) University 12 penalty goals for. four against; Christchurch. 12 for, 11 against; Marist, eight for, 11 against; Albion, three for, six against; Old Boys, 15 for. 10 against; Sydenham, 12 for, 11 against. (3) Not available. Ex. Rep Half Back —Sorry, no apace for discussing the relative merits of players. , E. A. Innes.—We fail to see the point of your letter. Amateur.—Next week.