FOOTBALL AT HOME.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 54, 27 November 1907, Page 8

FOOTBALL AT HOME.

PETONE PLAYER IN YORKSHIRE.

Mr. A. E. Ramsden, a well-known""momber of the Potono Football Club, at present residing in Yorkshire, is credited with being the only New Zealander of any note in the football world to join. tho Northern Union of England. Mr. Ramsden wont Home- somo months ago, and is no.w half-back to tho team, which .is matched; to play on December 26 against tho Now Zealand team at Home. Ho has been'giving his views on the "All Blacks" professionalism, amateurism, and football generally in Now Zealand, to tho "Yorkshire ..Evening Post," which published a lengthy interview with the Petone player in a.recent issue. His work in the -field has ovidently captured tho hearts of Northern Union players as, on tho authority of the "Yorkshiro Evening Post," Hunslet "swears by him,""-.and feels that it has made due of the greatest -captures of modern times in securing his services. The "Post" goes on to say that if all the men in tho professional team are as good as Ramsden, they will bo heartily welcomed by tho Northern Union. . ;;, :

The New Zealander describes himself as the son of a Yorkshiroman; and-22 years of ago. oHβ started playing football with Petono School in 1901, had two seasons with Wollington Collcgo, and throe with the Petono Senior Club. In 1905 he played in tho Wellington Provincial team.

Ramsden was very emphatic in pronouncing New Zealand to bo amateur out and out in regard to football. He was quite positivo that whatever the members of the professional team might, do when their tour of the Northern clubs had finished, thoy would not go back to p'.ay football in New Zealand. Ho knew that a good many questions had been asked as to what becamo of tho profit tho "All Blacks" took back with them, but he assured the interviewer that every cent of it was divided amongst tho sub-r unions in New Zealand, to purchase grounds and benefit Rugby football generally. The "All Blacks" thomselves, though everybody honoured them for their great'achievements, had not received a ■ ponny piecq of their financial gains. Ho ridiculed the idea of a general professional rising in Now Zealand. Tho football public hero wore dead against professionalism, and would not patroniso.it. It was regarded as a privilege to play with a good team, and a privilege that one. had to ho prepared to pay for. It was not professionalism thnt had contributed to tno undoubted bxccllenco of New Zenlnad football. Rather was it tho seriousness with which every player regarded tho sport. ..•'."■'■

Ramsden was not charmed with his first impressions of Northorn Union football. "I can realise," ho said, "that it is a very fast game, but there are not the nicotics about it that ivo havo in our New Zealand game. It doos not mako such a demand upon , a man's capabilities as our gatrio does. In New Zealand a back requires to bo something more than a good fielder, runner, and tackier —ho must bo capable of making openings on his own initiative in whatever position ho plays,"