SPORTSMAN’S BOOKSHELF

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28008, 30 June 1956, Page 3

SPORTSMAN’S BOOKSHELF

SOCCER AT HOME AND f ABROAD

By Neil Franklin. Stanley Paul n and Company, Ltd., 164 pp. =

Neil Franklin, one of the greatest of England’s centre halves, has written the story of his footballing career, and this should prove interesting reading for all lovers of the game, especially those who have followed the fortunes of the various English clubs and players in the post-war years. Franklin starts by describing his entry into soccer as a member of the Stoke City team before the war, and his games for the R.A.F. during hostilities. In 1944 he made his first appearance for the Football Association against the Army at Bradford, and in 1945 played his first international against Scotland. Eack with Stoke City in 1946, he was a member of the team which came so near winning the championship. In September, 1946, he gained his cap for England, the first of 27. Because of criticism of his style of play, Franklin left England and accepted a contract to play for Bogata. In England, this was a sensation and thousands of words have been written about his unexpected departure. The full story is told here by Franklin, why he went, and why—just as suddenly—he returned. .Right through the book Franklin gives interesting sidelights on his matches, talks of players he has Played with and against, and finally gives his choice as England's team chosen from those players. A strong opponent of the “stopper” centre half, Franklin devotes a chapter to the duties of the centre half. With such an interesting and varied career Franklin has a wealth of material at his disposal and he has welded it together into a very readable and entertaining book.

INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUNG = SWIMMERS | By W. J. Juba. Museum Press, g[ 128 pp. =

W. J. Juba in his “Instructions to Young Swimmers” has produced the best general book on swimming which has been available in New Zealand in recent years. In a clear but not over-simplified style, the author deals with every aspect of the sport, and while the very sound chapter on fundamental learning methods will be most useful for the beginner, the average swimmer will find particular interest in the chapters on the competitive strokes, upon diving and water polo, and upon training and racing. There is also a section dealing with synchronised swimming, the new sport which has achieved great popularity in the United States, and a summary of methods of assisting those in distress. This is something which every water-wise New Zealander should read. As its title suggests, the book does not claim to be an exhaustive manual for use by the champion swimmer or the experienced coach. However, even the more advanced performer will be interested in Mr Juba's resume of “the aquatic world scene.” and both swimmer and coach of whatever ability will find the excellent action photographs of great value. These shots, especially the underwater film sequences of the turns, and stroke execution, are probably the outstanding feature of the book.

THE 808 SCOTT STORY | By R. W. H. Scott and T. P.J McLean. A. H. and A. W. Reed, =? 209 pp. B

Who was New Zealand’s greatest Rugby full-back—George Nepia or Bob Scott? This is a question perhaps more keenly debated than any other relating to the respective merits of individuals in New Zealand Rugby. Comparisons, however, do not interest Scott. As he says in this extremely well-written and interesting book, the game and nothing but the game was all that mattered.

In nearly 10 years, Bob Scott played in nearly 150 first-class matches and was a member of four touring teams, including the Kiwis/ He is a man who did not tread an easy path through life, but one who triumphed over childhood adversities and won for himself great fame in the sporting world of several countries.

His portion of the book deals mainly with his background, his career in Rugby League, his four overseas tours, overseas teams’ tours in this country, meny amusing and sometimes enlightening anecdotes of the tours and pen pictures of his team mates.

“Bob Scott, the Man,” has been thoroughly covered by Mr McLean, a man who has come to know Scott very well since the war days in Italy in 1944.