SOCCER PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 86, 6 January 1926, Page 5

SOCCER PROSPECTS

ASSOCIATION PARK CLUB MANAGEMENT

(By

“Goalie.”)

Notwithstanding that there are yet nearly three months to elapse before the commencement of the Association football season, there is a good deal of speculation current as to what is going to happen in Wellington .to the game, especially in regard to playing areas. One ol the finest sites in Wellington lor a sports ground is owned by a company of Soccer enthusiasts, who have willingly placed it at the entire disposal of the Wellington Management Committee, but little lias been done to make it suitable for either spectators or players, except to repair the fences and prescribe the matches to bo played on it. This is a state of things which cannot bo allowed to continue. The annual meeting of the company which owns the ground was held recently, but no steps were taken to carry out the long-needed scheme of improvements. It is understood, however, that a special meeting will shortly be held to consider the whole question, with a view' to raising a sufficient sum on mortgage to provide necessary buildings and shelter and to improve the playing conditions of the ground. But there is n great deal more than this to be done to make the game what it should be, when it is remembered that there are over fifteen hundred Soccer players in Wellington. _ Club manageinent of the best kind is more honoured in the breach than the observance by many clubs, from whom tho management committee have a right to expect whole-hearted support instead of a supineness which must react on the game itself. The financial aspect seems to be tho last consideration with some clubs, tho members of which should know' that every penny is needed to lighten the load involved in conducting tho games in tho manner best suited to make for efficiency. Where it is expected to got the money from unless froth the clubs themselves is a puzzle, but it is no wonder that good workers aro difficult to get, when, in addition to tho worry and work inseparable from tho conduct of some seventy matches weekly, the small contribution asked of each club annually is a season or so in arrears.

The chairman (Mr. AV. Dunean) of tho management committee «nd tbc secretary (Mr. A AV’illiams) have, intimated their intention of retiring from their positions at an early date, mainly because of the want of that measure of encouragement they aro entitled to in consideration of tho strenuous work they have had to face through n heavy season. Ono of the greatest difficulties ahead will bo to obtain the services of men whoso hearts arc in tho game as much as those who aro retiring from office, and who will bo prepared to carry’ on despite tho difficulties ahead. Tho annual meeting of the association will take place in March, so the time available to arrange for the organisation so ncc'cssiir.v to the game is" not very front. It. is to bo hoped that no stone will be left unturned to secure financial success for an organisation numbering such a large number of members.