SOCCER TRIALISTS TO MISS GAMES?

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 19

SOCCER TRIALISTS TO MISS GAMES?

Although no ruling has been laid down by the New Zealand Football Association, the five Canterbury players in next Sunday’s national soccer trial at Wellington are being recommended not to play their club matches on Saturday.

The recommendation was made yesterday by the South Island selector (Mr G. Evans). "Two of Canterbury’s clubs—Christchurch city and

Tei onical— have two players each in the trial and I would suggest that the clubs seek permission to have their matches played on another day,” Mr Evans said. “I realise this might cause some upheaval at this late stage but it is in the players’ interests to be free of injury for the trial match. “This is a vital game for the players, gaining for those successful a place in the

team to play the English F.A. and a front-runners’ position in the World Cup squad. “It is unfair to throw the whole onus on to the players, who naturally have a loyalty to their clubs as well as a responsibility to themselves. Therefore, I suggest the compromise could be made on their behalf by the clubs and the southern league.” The secretary of the southern league, Mr M. Pahi, said yesterday that the league would have automatically given dispensation to any club that had three players in the trial, but this was not the case and the league was not empowered to act at this stage.

“However, if a club does approach the league we would naturally discuss the question. I cannot say what the decision would be until then,” Mr Pahi said. Technical and Christchurch each has a key southern league match at English Park on Saturday, against Shamrock and Rangers respectively. Their players affected are O. Nuttridge and A. Gowans (City), and K. France and G. Davis (Technical). Canterbury’s fifth trialist is D. Phillips (New Brighton). The Technical and City clubs will discuss the matter in committee and with the players before making any decision.