SOCCER PLAN BACKED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31153, 1 September 1966, Page 17

SOCCER PLAN BACKED

One of New Zealand’s leading soccer clubs, Eastern Union (Gisborne), has promised full backing to the five Christchurch clubs seeking the formation of a national soccer league. The five Christchurch clubs —City, Rangers, Shamrock, Technical and Western —have agreed to form a united team to enter into a national league and to get the support of clubs throughout New Zealand to establish a national competition.

The secretary of Eastern Union, Mr R. Johnstone, has told the joint committee of the five Christchurch clubs that his club will actively support the move being made in Christchurch. “For some years we have supported the formation of a national league as the logical next step in the progress of New Zealand soccer,” said Mr Johnstone. “My committee welcomes the progressive action being taken by the Christchurch

clubs and fervently hope that it will be successful. We are prepared to attend any meeting that will be held in the future to discuss the league’s formation.”

The Eastern Union club, founded in 1939, has been responsible for bringing to New Zealand the former England international, K. Armstrong, the former Scottish international, J. Aird, and K. Hough, who has played for both New Zealand and Australia, as well as several other prominent players.