Move To Solve Soccer Dispute

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31615, 28 February 1968, Page 16

Move To Solve Soccer Dispute

The New Brighton soccer club, which had its senior team graded in the second division of the new Southern League, has advised both the Canterbury association and the Southern League committee that it intends to withdraw from the competition in protest against an “illadvised and absurd decision.”

However, in an effort to solve the problem, the three Christchurch members on the Southern League committee (Messrs M. W. MacKenzie, S. G. Browne, and M. Pahi) have agreed to meet representatives of the New Brighton '■lub. An assurance that the meeting would take place immediately was given by Mr MacKenzie, the Southern League committee president, when the Canterbury association’s management committee met last evening. “I w>uld not like anybody to think that this is some sort of a secret society. We are most anxious to have the matter cleared up,” he said. He said that all 18 teams that entered the Southern League were first division clubs. It had been a mammoth task sorting them into first and second divisions. It was obvious that somebody would be upset when the division was made. “The committee did what it thought was fair. Whether it

was right or not, we will know at the end of the season," Mr MacKenzie said. New Brighton, with seven players in the representative side last season, could still win games, Mr R. Storer said. He quoted the team's wins and gave evidence to suggest that other senior clubs had lost as many, if not more, of their key players. It was difficult to understand why one club, which would have been relegated to the second division in the Christchurch competitions, had been placed in the first division of the Southern League, the New Brighton secretary <Mr A. R. R. Hutson) said in his letter to the association New Brighton had been runner-up in all the major competitions and yet had been placed in the second division of the Southern League. He reminded members that ail the fixtures between New Brighton and Christchurch City last season had drawn crowds a great deal larger than any other club or representative fixture at English Park. "In the light of these Indisputable facts we can only assume that the Southern League committee did not adopt a broad outlook on the future of the league but concentrated on petty assumptions based principally on reports of team changes.

"If this is so. then New Brighton, which only envisages three changes in its first team from last season, cannot support a committee which bases its findings on hearsay and surmise and obviously believes that three changes can reduce one of the premier teams in Canterbury to second division status." Mr Hutson said. "This thing has disturbed me.” said the Canterbury asi sociation president (Mr T, C. Gottermeyer). "This decision, while made in the best of faith, was made on assumption. We don’t know how strong New Brighton will be. It is not too late to rectify the situation but it is the responsibility of the Southern League committee. It will have to work It out itself. We can only recommend,” he said. It was obvious that with the formation of the Southern League there would be some heart-burns. This was one of them, Mr Gottermeyer said. "The Southern League committee has looked at this matter objectively and the best interests of football would be foremost in its mind. However. I would like It to take another look at it.” he said. "New Brighton said that it had three changes from lasi season," said Mr Pahi. "I say there are six." Mr Gottermeyer told the meeting that the Canterbury association had not received clearences for K. France or any other Diaver. There had been a lot of assumption based on newspaner articles. "I think that something should be done to ease the pain of New Brighton." he said. Cate Percentage A decision to grant the Southern League committee 40 per

cent of all paid admissions was > made after a lengthy discussion. The committee originally ■ asked for 40 per cent of all ; revenue, including any received I from television. i Mr Gottermeyer said he had misgivings. if Canterbury’s i gates were no better this season i than they were last season, the association would be in a bad way financially. That was looking on the black side, however, he said. Several members felt that it would be better, instead, to make a grant to the league committee. but after Mr MacKenzie had pointed out that the association had orginally been prepared to underwrite a third of the league’s expenses to get it “off the ground,” they agreed to part with 40 per cent of the gate. Club Returns.—Two delegates from the University club attended the meeting to seek readmission to the association’s competitions. They were told that their entry of three teams would be favourably received and that they should make their entries in the usual way. University withdrew all its teams last season after a disagreement. New Entry.—A decision to accept an entry of two teams from Ashburton, one for the third A and the other for the third B grades, was made. This will mean that each team in the two grades will have to travel once to Ashburton. The club’s colours will be olive green shirts with white shorts. Bequest.—lt was reported that a bequest of about $4500 would be made from the estate of Mr .John Entwistle to the association. It was to be used to . equip players under the age of > 16 as the association saw fit.