A SOCCER LESSON

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 110, 5 November 1925, Page 21

A SOCCER LESSON

WONDERFUL ENGLISH PLAYERS

FINANCIAL SUCCESS OF THE TOUR

The mission of the British Soccer, team in Australia is to demonstrate the art of the. round-ball game, and to import to the local player a more intimate knowledge of the game. That the English team has accomplished its objective ■is generally conceded, foe"never 'before has-'suchl'jrerj-feet team -\york been seen'here, writes " Sirocco " in the Sydney ." Sun." In all their games the team spirit has been featured, but the delightful unison of effort brought to light in the fourth Test match will live long in the memory of all" who witnessed it. The; manner in which the English eleven co-operated from back to half-back and thence to forward proved what a united force the Englishmen really are.. The English half-backs, notably Graham, who played in the last international match for England against Scotland, plied .their forwards with discretion, whilst at the same time. they foiled every attempt of the Australian front line, 'led by Masters, to settle down to concerted attacking movements. It- would not be easy to name the successes of the English side, for the simplo reason that every unit of the team played his allotted part to perfection. In-every game played in Sydney, against the Britishers, there were many weaknesses, obvious to the veriest tyro, in the New South Wales and Australian sides. The tourists are better balanced, more reli : able, and more formidable in defence, more self-possessed, and greater masters of the ball in attack. Looking through the visitors' team with critical eye, it is not possible to point out a" marked weakness. There is none. The most important point, however, is that the Engiishmen were able to prevent their antagonistis from scoring more than 10 goals whilst they were able to crown their efforts with 121 goals—truly a wonderful record!

John Elkes, the Tottenham Hotspur forward, more than 6ft in stature, is the great man of the team. His foes, the opposing half-backs, cannot overawe him. He has given a wonderful exhibition of forward play, featuring all tho tricks I used in outmanoeuvring alert spoilers, that the spectators have cheered him constantly. He has a wealth of technique and the use of two feet; which gives him' a masterly grip of the ball. Never has a player with a more dominating style been seen in Sydney, and had he been in a serious scoring mood he could easily have crowned his efforts with goals, for he is' a wonderful target artist. Elkes. was chosen as a reserve for Englandagainst Scotland before he left for Australia. ' •. • .

The Englishmen have exhibited to Australian players the correct methods which make the game spectacular enough to enthral tens of thousands in the Homeland at each week-end. It is now.up to club managers to see that the tactics of the tourists are _ reproduced in club games, and thus bring to light r« higher standard of play which is long overdue. ■ The tour has proved an unqualified financial success, and as the receipts to date total approximately £19,000, and the estimated expenditure - touches'' £18,000, a profit of probably £1500 seems possible. The biggest gates, were, secured in Sydney, the best being £3692 at the opening game against Now South Wales.