FOOTBALL TRANSFERS.

Evening Star, Issue 14038, 20 April 1909, Page 8

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS.

ALLEGED TOUTING OF PLAYERS. A large number of applications for transfers from the Dunedin Club to other clubs, all objected to, came before the O.R.F.U. Committee last night. Ivimey’s application for a transfer from Dunedin to Union was taken first. Mr Sincock said that, though a member of the Committee of the Dunedin Club—tlie club affected—his personal opinion was that when a player wanted a transfer the best thing would be to let him go; but he objected on principle, and took strong objection to players of one club trying-to influence those of another club. He °had previously heard of clubs touting for members, and when he happened to stop at Jacobs’s Corner on Saturday night about ten or half-past one of the Dunedin men came up and said that Moody (Dunedin Second) was looking for a transfer. He (the speaker) happened to have a suspicion, and waited, some witnesses with him, on the chance of meeting Moody, who came along and said point-blank that Don and MTvenzie had promised him a place in the Union if he could get his transfer. To his mind it was an iniquitous practice, and such tactics deserved thorough investigation by the Committee. He moved “That Messrs (Moody, Don, (MTvenzie, Johnston, and Lean be asked to attend the next meeting of the Committee at 8.45 p.m.” ° Mr Duncan seconded the motion. Re thought that Mr Shu-ock had got a case In at they should fight out. Referring to the application of Ivimey, Mr Harris asked Mr Sincock if it was a fact that Ivimey wrote tendering his resignation, and that his club accepted it. Mr Sincock; 1 think that was so. We cannot accuse Union of taking Ivimey away, but he wafe seen very much in the company of Mr Don prior to his resignation

The Chairman said that after a chib accepted a man’s resignation he should think they had no case. Mr Sincock said that the club were objecting on general principles to men running from one club lo another. Mr Low: Ivirney said that he had been accused of not doing the fair thing, and lie said he would not stay with a club like that. He was taking a stand on principle, and said that he would join the club lowest on the list. He told me that he had gone to some of the officers and told them what lie had heard, but thev would not say anything right out—yes or no. Mr Cavaiiagh moved that the applicants be heard singly. Later, he said that he had heard that Ivimey had entered Southern’s dressing room and congratulated them on their win, and that this was the basis oi the allegations against him. Both motions were carried, and the players were heard singly. The reason given for desiring the transfer in most cases was that the Dunedin Club had npt given the applicants a fair chance of promotion. All having been disposed of, Mr Dunne said that most of the cases, in his opinion, were only a conspiracy. As a member of the Dunedin Club Committee he had never heard a grievance from any member. It had to be remembered that all the Dunedin teams were strong, and, considering their success last season, the men chosen had evidently filled the hill. The men complaining were evidently not good enough to be promoted. Mr Duncan : It seems very funny that two teams are running off in the one year. Mr Sincock said that the men associated with the club had always been fair-minded. He contended that if a man was going to leave a club he should have to submit to a penalty. Mr Duncan : I think Mr Sincock is absolutely wrong. The regulations were to prevent men from leaving a weak team and going to a strong one. If they go to a weak team there must be something radically wrong. ° The Chairman said that he approved of the Committee granting the first transfer. As for the other transfers, he must confess that he _ thought there was something wrong with the Dunedin Club, but Mr Dunne had brought an aspect of the question under his notice of which he had not thought. _ It was quite natural, all the teams being so strong, that players being kept in the fourth grade should think that they w r ere entitled to a higher grade; but he thought that the Committee should set their face against this going of players from ohe club to another, and accept "the dictum of the club that they were doing their best in the interests of football. Moody. was informed that he would be required to appear before next week’s meeting, when his application would be considered. In the meantime, he will not be able to play for Union, and if he plays for Dunedin next Saturday his application will be refused.

The following were the transfers dealt with:—Scaife, from Dunedin to Pirates: Granted, player to stand down for four Saturdays. Colston, from Dunedin to Alhambra ; Granted, to stand down for four weeks. B. Ross, from Dunedin to Zingan: Granted, to stand down for four weeks. R. Paterson, from Dunedin to Kaikorai; Granted. D. Watson, from Dunedin to Zingari-Richmond: Granted, to stand down for four weeks. G. Stewart; from Dunedin to Zingari - Richmond ■ Granted, to stand down for four weeks. D. Stewart, from Dunedin to ZingariRichmond ; Granted, to stand down for four weeks. J. W. Falconer, from Dunedin to Union: Granted, to stand down for four weeks. Donald Robertson, from Dunedin to Zingari; Granted, to stand down for four weeks. T. Watts, from Dunedin to Zingari; R. Duncan, from Dunedin to Zingari ; F. G. Hansen, from Dunedin to Zingari, were taken together, each application being granted, the applicant to stand down for four weeks. Ivimey’s application was granted, an amendment that he stand down for four weeks being defeated. b