Under-23 Squad THREE CITY PLAYERS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30827, 12 August 1965, Page 15

Under-23 Squad THREE CITY PLAYERS

(By Our Soccer Reporter.)

Three of the Christchurch City’ team to play the South Island Chatham Cup final against St. Kilda in Dunedin on Saturday have been selected for the New Zealand under-23 soccer squad to play three matches against provincial sides later this month.

They are the goalkeeper, 0. Nuttridge, the right-half, A. Gowans, and the centre-forward, D. Watson.

The three are the only Canterbury players in the squad named today by the convener of the national selection panel (Mr J. Shankie). The squad is:

0. Nuttridge (Canterbury). M. Burgess (Auckland), W. Hunter (Auckland), A. Gowans (Canterbury), T. Moyes (Waikato), R. Clark (Wellington), G. P. Bilby (Wellington, captain), G. Lamont (Auckland), E. Thomas (Waikato), J. Roberts (Otago), W. Price (Otago), A. Schraa (Otago), D. Watson (Canterbury), J. Legg (Auckland), A. Leutchiski (Auckland), C. Rennie (Otago). 75th Anniversary

The team will play Otago on August 29 to mark its 75th anniversary, Canterbury the following day, and Wellington on August 31.

Auckland and Hamilton both withdrew from the proposed tour. Auckland argued that the date of its match. September 5, came the day after the Chatham Cup final in which it expects to be represented by Eastern Suburbs. This club supplies a majority of the Auckland team. However, the Auckland F.A. could be crossing one bridge too soon—Eastern Suburbs must first dispose of the Wellington club, Diamond, in the North Island final on August 21 before reaching the national final. ' Surprise Omission Although Canterbury’s representation in the team is highly satisfactory, it is a surprise that the New Brigh-

ton player-coach. T. Conley, has not been selected. It is is understood that he was among those nominated for the squad by the South Island selector (Mr G. Smith). Bilby, who went on the world tour last year, although 24, has been selected to lead the squad because of his greater experience.

It is hoped by the New Zealand F.A. that the under 23 scheme will become an annual event, and that future national teams will use these young players as a nucleus. The squad will be under the guidance of the national coach, Mr L. Brocic, while it is on tour.