Clubs Reject Soccer Plan

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32031, 4 July 1969, Page 7

Clubs Reject Soccer Plan

Dunedin clubs playing in the southern league soccer competition have rejected the decision made by the Southern League Council last week-end that there be a radical alteration to the composition of the two divisions for next season.

A meeting of club delegates decided to send a letter to the council rejecting the decision until an annual general meeting is called.

The changes approved by the council, at a meeting with presidents and secretaries of associations attached to the competition, including the Otago delegates, were to play eight teams (at present 10) in the first division and 10 teams (at present eight) in the second division, in 1970. There was considerable doubt about the authority and powers held by the Southern League Council to make alterations to rules mid-season and also for the council to make such radical changes without reference to clubs.

Delegates at the meeting stated that at the last meeting of all club delegates held in Timaru, it was decided by the then chairman that no decision could be made until such time as an annual meeting was held. The clubs said that since no annual meeting has been held, no changes could be made. Consulted Associations The chairman of the South-, em League Council (Mr M. W. MacKenzie, of Christchurch) last night disagreed that the council had gone further than its powers allowed “At last week-end’s meeting we consulted the participating associations and with

their agreement, decided to take the course we did,” he said.

“I put the motion to the meeting and there was no dissent.

“The council was set up by the associations to organise and run the league, and as long as we have their approval for any changes that we make, our powers are not under question. “If the Otago F.A. has had second thoughts it will have to convene another meeting of the council and association delegates to reconsider the matter.”