FOOTBALL.

Evening Star, Issue 14830, 21 March 1912, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

NORTHERN ASSOCIATION CLUB. The annual report of the above club contains the following clauses: - The first eleven played 14 matches,.won 7, lost 4, drew 3; goals for 38, aw*"* 4 Finished fourth. Bnt for sheer hard luck in losing some of our players at the start and at various times during the season our team would have been in a much, better position on the scale. However, it m satisfactory to not* that when the grade matches were finished our team was only two cup points behind the three leading teams. For the first lime during several years our chib lost the Chanty Banner. The second eleven were not so successful as formerly. Plaved 12. won 1, lost 8, drew 3; goais for 24. against 44. It is. regrettable to have to state that this team was short of players every Saturday ; but for this thev would have been in a much belter position on the scale. Lack of combination was also apparent. Third elevens: The A team played 14. won 4, lost 7. drew 3-, goals for 14. against 23. The B team plaved 14, won 12, drew 2; goals for 39, against 8. The third grade fivo-a-side tournament also was narowly missed being secured by this team. Fourth elevens: The C team played 12, won 2, drew 2, lost 8: goals for' 19. against 40. The D team played 9, won 0, lost 9; goals for 6, against 41. The I) team deserves great credit for their pluck in turning up with a full team every Saturday. Both fourth grade teams were at a distinct disadvantage through entering the contest at a later date than the. other teams concerned. Messrs R. B. .Shepherd and E. Taylor were chosen from Northern to represent Otago against Canterbury for the Brown Shield on July 8, but Mr Taylor was unable to make the trip. Messrs R. B. Shepherd and John Timlin were selected to play for Otago against Southland on August 16, 1911. Mr R. B. Shepherd captained both representative teams. Training was carried out very indifferently by most of the members, especially the two senior elevens, and the committee would like to point out that it is only by consistent training that the reputation and standard of play as shown in the past by the club can be", maintained. The pavilion should at least be used twice a week by the members. From a financial standpoint the club is very sound, and there is every prospect of its gaining strength in this respect. The Lest thanks of the club are due to all who assisted financially, to the 0.F.A., to the Referees’ Association, to the Press, Mr Tannock, and also to our president and all vice-presidents and supporters for the manner in which they have followed the club's . interests. The committee wish to thank the secretary for the manner in which he conducted his work throughout the season.

SOUTHERN CLUB. The twenty-ninth annua] report of the above club contains the following : Membership : This was an increase on previous years, and promises to maintain its level for the incoming one. Members should encourage iheir friends to join us, as there is accommodation for still a larger number, a?i 1 an increased membership will be beneficial Coaching: This important department was in charge of Air V. G. Co.van.agh. who devoted a lot of time and attention to his duties, and no doubt ho is satisfied with the results attained. Mr Cavanagh manifested much interest in the club, his advice and long experience being of inestimable value in the management, and we wish to record our thanks to him. His services were subsequently availed of by the O.R.F.U. to coach the Otago representative team. Financial: The balance-sheet shows r. substantial surplus, considering we carried forward from last year a net debit balance of £2 3s 9d, to which must bo added liabilities amounting to £6 16s, a total deficiency of £8 19s 9d. which has been paid off. By adding this amount to the cash in hand £l4 Is 3d), plus outstanding (£4 18a), wo have a gain on the year's working of £27 19s, which is a record for the club. Tin's reflects great credit on the secretary and assistant secretary ; but wo would like to impress upon members tho necessity of paying their subscriptions more promptly, ancl thus relievo them of a* great deal of unnecessary work. Personal: We must give expressions of regret at tho loss the club sustained by the untimely death of Mr Robert Kerr, an energetic and very popular member. Our late cJubmate took an active part in club affaire, having been a member of the senior team and also of the committee. Complimentary : Your committee desire to record their gratitude to Mr H. Alexander for the enthusiastic manner in which he looked after and coached the fifth grade boys, who were so successful in their competition, and also to Messrs J. Wootton and J. -Mahoney, who were so indefatigable in their labors for the club, both socially and financially. Tho club’s thanks are also due to the Referees’ Association, the Press, donators to the funds, tho office-bearers, and to the Fosbury Club for the use of their rooms for various meetings and social reunions. Interprovincial: The club was represented in interprovincial matches by Messrs S. Casey, A. Eckhold, W. Brown, and P. Sheehan, the latter having the honor of leading the Otago team against Southland and Wellington. Messrs J. Berwick, J. Carnegie, J. Anderson, and C. Kerr wore selected in the junior representatives. Training: Early in tho season your committee decided to discontinue practice in the Forbury Gymnasium, and to train on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Carisbvook, this, wo consider, being a step in the right direction. As usual, the president offered a medal for the best-trained man in tho club, but in view of tho fact that four members—Messrs H. Brown, L. Irvine, L. Brown, and \V. Bain—attended training ©very night, your committee have decided, with the president’s approval, to present each with a cap. Play ; Tho club entered six teams in the Flag Competitions, and the records given below must be considered very satisfactory : —First— Played 14. won 10, lost 4, points for 149, against 102; Second A—played 12, won 8, lost 4, points for 124, against 49; Second B—played 12, won 5, lost 7, drawn 2, points for 57, against 74; Third—played 11, won 4, lost 7, points for 39, against 67; Fourth —played 11, won 7, lost 3, drawn 1, points for 82, against 50 ; Fifth—played 11, won 11. points for 218, against 8. The First Fifteen, as usual, maintained the high standard of football set by our members, and the junior teams acquitted themselves creditably. ACCIDENT RESERVE FUND. In their annual report in connection with the Footballers’ Accident Reserve Fuad, the committee express the opinion that there are a large number of players who have every reason to be grateful to the assistance rendered them by this fund, and yet the fund is not receiving the same support from clubs and players that it did some seasons ago. Oneiundrod and ninetythree players insured in Class 1., 231 in Class 11., and two in Class 111., making a total of 426, as against 513 the previous year, bringing in a revenue of £B3 ss, while the sum of £7O 18s 8d was paid out in claims and £2l 4s in doctors’ expenses. The season was commenced with a debit balance of £l4 9s, and the balance-sheet now submitted shows a debit balance of £8 18s Bd. All the assistance received was a donation of £3O from the O.R.F.U. Dr Williams was again appointed doctor for the south end, and Dr Russell Ritchie for the north end, and the committee tender them and country doctors their very best thanks for the manner in which tibey have looked after the interests of the fund, while at the same time giving players every consideration. Recognition is also made of the first aid services rendered by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade to injured players.