SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32215, 6 February 1970, Page 15

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

More Teams Wanted A bid is being made to increase the number of teams to play in this season’s southern league regional soccer competition. II The secretary (Mr M. Pahi) said yesterday that it was hoped to retain all of last season’s 18 clubs and to find at least two additions. “Our aim is to increase the second division from eight to 10 teams, to make it the same size as the first division," he said.

“This is desirable for many j reasons, the most important being that it would give the 1 , second division clubs a longer I season and thereby solve one administration problem of what to provide for the; second division clubs when their own competition is finished and the first division still has two or more weeks to complete its programme." The league has extended the entry date from January 31 to February 14, and the next meeting of the council will be held in Dunedin on February 28. At this meeting, delegates will also discuss the formation of a regional council, similar to that set up already in the northern and central regions. This body would organise soccer’s affairs on a regional basis.

Skater Moving.— New Zealand’s double world champion speed skater, D. Hayes, of Hastings, will from next month live In Palmerston North while studying at Massey University for his diploma in wool classing. U.K. Soccer.— Rochdale beat Bradford City, 3-0, tn an English League third division soccer match on Wednesday.