Opposition To Soccer Plan

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32020, 21 June 1969, Page 15

Opposition To Soccer Plan

“Bitterly disappointed” was the reaction of Mr M. Pahi, secretary of the southern league, yesterday to the news that Auckland has virtually squashed plans to hold an inter-league soccer competition in September.

At its meeting this week, the Auckland Football Association control board opposed the suggested northern, central and southern leagues tournament at the end of this season.

The board will advise the New Zealand Football Association accordingly.'

The convener of the Auckland F.A. fixtures committee, Mr R. Brennan, told the meeting that such a tournament would disrupt local championship games and create difficulties in the training of the New Zealand World Cup squad.

“If it is possible for the central and southern leagues committees to complete their fixtures by the end of August, surely the northern league, with the same number of teams in its first division, can

do the same,” said Mr Pahi. “An inter-league tournament of the kind envisaged is necessary for the advancement of our soccer and would have been the ideal tournament with which to end the season. “Now, until the national league is started, we have nothing in soccer of national impact. I am bitterly disappointed, and I know that all other members of the Southern League Council will be, too.” The southern league championship is due to end on August 30, if there are no cancellations, and it will now be necessary for the Canterbury F.A. to arrange another competition to fill in the season. The inter-league competition will be discussed by the N.Z.F.A. council at its meeting in Wellington this weekend, but in the light of Auckland’s opposition, it is unlikely anything can be done about it.