SOCCER CHALLENGES FOR F.A. TROPHY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28249, 10 April 1957, Page 14

SOCCER CHALLENGES FOR F.A. TROPHY

Matches May Be Declined

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. April 8. The Auckland Football Association may have to decline all English Football Association Trophy challenge matches this season because of the shortage of Saturdays on which to play its own matches.

Two overseas tours, by China and Austria, and the possibility of a third by Hungary, have left Auckland with only about 23 Saturdays to play its senior championship and knock-out and the North Island and provincial finals of the Chatham Cup.

It is almost certain that several Auckland players will be chosen for national trials. “Uness we can field a full strength team, there is not much point in playing a trophy match,” said the secretary of the Auckland association (Mr Murray Wilson).

COMPETITION FOR SCHOOLS

Thirty-One Entries

Probable

The first Soccer competition among Christchurch secondary schools will open on May 1. Announcing this at last evening’s meeting of the management committee of the Canterbury Football Association, the president, Mr M. Gordon, said that at a meeting of headmasters and sports masters it had been decided to hold the competition in three grades, under 14 years, under 15 years, and open. Schools taking part would be Christchurch West High School, Papanui High School, Christchurch Technical College, Linwood High School, Christchurch Boys' High School, and Cashmere High School. Shirley Boys’ High School and possibly two other schools would be entering next season. Entries from 19 teams were certain, and this number would probably be increased to 21. Mr Gordon said that several referees were available, but there was still a need for more referees and coaches. North v. South Match In reply to a request by the Canterbury association for the North v. South match to be played at Christchurch this season, the New Zealand association advised that no de j cision had been reached regarding the playing of this match. Permission was granted for members of the Canterbury Referees’ Association to travel to Wellington for the annual fixtures witn Wellington Referees’ Association at Easter. The New Zealand Association advised that it was proposed that a coaching school be held at Massey College from May 13 to 18 and the Canterbury association decided that would forward three nominations. Mr Gordon Smith was nominated for the position of South Island selector. A report from the Junior Management Committee stated that competitions would commence on Saturday,

April 27. A Wellington boys’ team, under 13 years, will meet a Canterbury team on May 23, and it was decided that the game should be played at English Park, starting at 12 o’clock. As complaints about children proving a nuisance in the stand at English Park on Saturdays had been received, it was decided that only children accompanied by adults would be allowed in the stand in future.

CERTIFICATES OF CLEARANCE

Auckland Criticism Denied

Exception to a report appearing in an Auckland newspaper stating that there had been unnecessary delay in the receipt of clearances for players transferring from Canterbury, was expressed by the secretary of the Canterbury Football Association. Mr T. M. McGuigan, last evening. Mr McGuigan said that at the time the criticism had been made, except in one case, telegrams requesting clearances had not been dispatched. One telegram had gone astray, but this had been answered as soon as the necessary information had been obtained from the club concerned.

The meeting of the Canterbury association last evening instructed the secretary to write to the Auckland association setting out the true position. DRAW FOR SATURDAY First Division.—Rangers v. Neerlandia, English Park, i p.m.; Chch. City v. Technical Old Boys. English Park, 2.45 p.m.; Shamrock v. University, St. Albans Park, 2.45 p.m.; Western v. Atlantis, Elmwood Park, 2.45 p.m.; Thistle v. Nomads, Barrington Park, 2.45 p.m. Friendly Games.—Second and third division juniors: Shamrock v. City, Hagley, 1,2, 3, 1.30 p.m.; Atlantis v. Suffolk (ship), Beckenham, -1.30 p.m. —Advt.

Ilam Road School. P.T.A.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Ham Road School ParentTeachers’ Association: President, Mr R. H. Anderson; vice-presi-dents, Mrs A. S. Trevella and Mr D. Drewson; secretary, Mrs D. J. Williams; treasurer, Mrs E. Kemp; committee.<Mesdames E. Cocks, J. E. Roberts, P. E. Hudson, H. J. Service, Messrs H. S. Whiteside, 'D. Vesty, and D. J. Lee.