WELL KNOWN IN THE FOOTBALL FIELD

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 29, 2 February 1917, Page 2

WELL KNOWN IN THE FOOTBALL FIELD

(ntOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, 15th December. The many friends of Mr. G. W. Smith, the' well-known three-quarter back of the All Blacks, will regret to hear that he had a rather serious accident last week. In spite of his years 5Mr. Smith still plays for Oldham when required, ■ and only the previous week played full-back against the Rochdale Hornets, but his real position in the club at present is that of trainer. While going homo recently in the darkened street he slipped on the curb and sustained a broken leg. Mr. Charles Seeling, the well-known foi-ward of the All Blacks in 1905, who has been playing for some time past for Wigan (Northern Union), has now joined the Army. Seeling, who was one of the greatest importations made by Wigan, has played brilliant football for years past, and captained his side- very capably. He was granted three months' exemption by the Wigan tribunal, but the appeal to Liverpool disallowed this. It is understood that he will ioin the N.Z.E.F.

Referring to some remarks in the Athletic News -on Lieu tenant C. M. Gilray's football, " J.F.5.," a Now Zealandei- who has been living in England for some years, writes'to say that Gilray was never given a chance in first-class Rugby in England, although in New Zealand "he had deservedly earned a reputation of being the most brilliant young 'three-quarter back of his day. By many he. was regarded as an even better three-quarter back than poor Bobby Deans." His first chance in representative football in this country was when Scotland) having been beaten ..in two matches, lost through, injury the late Manrice Walter, and it struck the Scotch Union that Gilray would be a convenient stop-gap against England. I shall remember that match,'.' says J.F.S., ".because of Gilray's steady game, for the brilliant work of K. G. Maoleod, and for the erratic playing of H. Martin. M'Leod had a fine supporter in Gilray. It was only when Oxford the following'year put him into his propef place as centre, and won by 35 points to 3, that the New Zealander got his proper opportunity. You never saw half enough of him in British, football; he was not for his own hand, but for the team in which he was playing-"