Park Board Again Says “No” To Soccer

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 13

Park Board Again Says “No” To Soccer

The permission given by the Wellington Rugby Union for the English first division soccer clubs. Blackpool and Sheffield United, to play on its ground, Athletic Park, will not be emulated in Christchurch.

The Victory Park Board has refused permission for the Canterbury Football Association to play the Christchurch match between the two clubs on Lancaster Park.

This decision, made in committee at a recent meeting, repeats the action taken in 1961 when the New Zealand Football Association sought Lancaster Park for the Canterbury match against an English F.A. side captained by Tom Finney. The request was refused, with one dissenting voice, and a member. Mr H. N. Wauchop.

was quoted as saying; “As long as I am sitting on this board, no professional will get on it (the park).” Mr Wauchop is still on the board.

Mr C. F. Collins, the chairman of the board, said yesterday that the decision was unanimous and its reply to the C.F.A. stated the reasons given in 1961. The board’s chairman in 1961, Mr H. C. Blazey, reaffirmed a statement made in May, 1959. by the then chairman. Mr J. C. Saunders. It read:— “The board would reiterate that in the winter months, the (Canterbury) Rugby Union is the tenant of the park. Other amateur sports bodies have

been allocated the park on various occasions during the winter provided circumstances warranted it. “In these cases, the sports bodies must ensure: (a) dates do not clash with Rugby Union fixtures: (b) the fixture warrants grounds of such size; and (c) players must be amateurs.” Caused Controversy The 1961 decision produced considerable controversy, extending to overseas newspapers and one of the main points of contention was that a professional soccer player, W. Watson, an England international. played on Lancaster Park for D. R. W. Silk's touring M.C.C. cricket side a fortnight before the Victory Park Board made its decision—and again six weeks later.

Yesterday, the president of the Canterbury Football Association (Mr J. Smith) said simply that the C.F.A. had applied for the ground for the Blackpool v. Sheffield United match on May 29, and that the request was turned down. Mr Smith left Christchurch yesterday for an N.Z.F.A. council meeting in Wellington but the secretary of the C.F.A. (Mr N. R. Dixon) confirmed that the association would proceed with plans to hold the match at English Park. Facilities Assured Mr Dixon also said the C.F.A. had an assurance from the Christchurch City Council that every effort would be made to have at least the dressing room facilities ready by May 29. At present, Engish Park is undergoing considerable reconstruction. Early this week, the N.Z.F.A. accepted terms laid down by the Wellington Rugby Union for the use of Athletic Park and the chairman of the Wellington union (Mr C. G. Gibbons) said:— “It is a fact that big soccer clubs in the United Kingdom have given facilities for New Zealand Rugby touring teams and, in a way. this is a form of reciprocity.” Mr Gibbons also said the W.R.U. was not concerned that there would be professional players in the two soccer teams.