FOOTBALL CLUBS

Evening Star, Issue 19816, 15 March 1928, Page 2

FOOTBALL CLUBS

THE ANNUAL MEETINGS ALHAMBRA Mr J. Walker presided at the annual meeting of the Alhambra Rugby I'ootball Club, and .in moving the adoption of the annual report referred to the deaths ot tour members of the club—Messrs W. Harridge, J. Reid, W. Gibb, and P. Harridge. Mr W.. Harridge was one ot the best workers the club had had. Messrs Reid and Gibb were enthusiastic and very old supporters., They had been connected with the club almost since its inception, and had followed the team even to Mosgiel, sometimes in very unpleasant weather. Mr P. Harridge was also a good worker. The Chairman thanked members who had helped in the work of improving the club’s pavilion, especially the juniors. Ho was proud of being president ot a club whose juniors. were so keen. He congratulated the fourth grade A team on winning all its matches. Its members trained well, and were a very happy family. Mr J. King, in seconding the motion, said that the club had come through one of the most successful seasons in its history, both from the social and playing points of view. The first grade team had had a particularly interesting season. At one period' it appeared that it might win the championship, but it afterwards dropped further down the list. “I think the weather beat them in the end,” he added. The fact that the members had trained early in the season had helped them a great deal. One team which the club should be proud of was its sixth grade team, which had suffered crushing defeats during the greater part of the season. However, it had always come up looking for more. While, there were men like that in the club there need be no fear for its future. The Merivale team would visit Dunedin to play Alhambra at Easter. This was piohably the oldest fixture in New Ze i land. The motion was carried.

The Treasurer (Mr G. A. Nelson) presented the annual balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £2 14s lid. It was pointed out that this was a creditable state of affairs, as a large amount of money had been spenton improvements to the pavilion. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr I. Grant; vice-presidents—Messrs R.. Bennett, J. J. Clark, D. Gray, J. Higginsou, C. Johnston, G. Marston, A. MacDougall, G. M'Kcnzio, J. Mitchell, A. Morgan, G. Newton, J. Sinton, J. Sutherland, G. Thompson, H. Whyte, H. Manley, J. Breen, W. Rennick, A. Wilson, and K. Frame; committee—Messrs M. Williams, W. Coombs, H. Gillick, and J. Campbell; treasurer, Mr G. A. Nels,m; Scot (iary, Mr W. Hay; Selection Committee—Messrs A. MncDougail, V, Coombs, and G. M'Kenzie; delegate to the Sports Protection Association, Mr W. Hay; delegate to the accident fund, Mr J. King; club captain, Mr J. Walker; delegates to O/R.F.U.— Messrs, J. Sutherland, J. King, and J. Mitchell. Eleven new members w r ere elected. March 24 was fixed as the opering day. UNION The fifty-seventh annual meeting of the Union Football Club was held in the club’s pavilion on the Nqrr.li Ground last night, when about fifty members were present. Mr H. Harris occupied the chair. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman said that the total receipts in the ordinary account were £SG 15s 4d, £1 19s Id less than expenditure. The dance accounts showed a debit balance of £2 4s 3d, He thought that the Union Clnb was the only football club that had conducted a ball last year, and was of the opinion that the new committee should consider the advisability of discontinuing the function. The smoke concert had been one of the most successful in the history of ’ the club. The assets in the accumulated fund exceeded the liabilities by about £2G. Mr Harris congratulated the club on its success during the past year, stating that for the first time over some years the club had entered a team in each grade. Although it did not win any flags last year, improvement was noticeable everywhere. Probably another smoke concert would bo hold next year, and he thought it a good function to continue, at least until the club’s diamond jubilee was celebrated. Mr J. Hope seconded the motion. He predicted that when many of the club members were two years older they would see the premiership flag waving over their pavilion again, inci he urged the members to keep* the standard of play good. The club had nothing to fear, he said. He conveyed best wishes from an old member in the person of Mr Hugh Douglas, of W'ellicgton, who had been a good forwaru for the Union Club in the past. Mr O’Shea, on behalf of the dub, congratulated one of its members (M. J. Mitchell)_ on being selected for the interprovincial eight to be rowed at Wellington. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year Patron, Mr J. Hope; president, Mr H. Hams; vice-presidents—Messrs W. Divers, D. Simpson, G. Smith, B. H. Pinfold, D. Munro, H. Russell, W. Jenkins, L. T. Perry; club captain, Mr T. O’Shea; secretary, Mr P. Vallis; assistant secretary'and treasurer, Mr W. Glengarry; General Committee —Messrs R. Knox, V. Macdonald, E. Perry, W. Lucy, J. Allen, L. More; hon. auditors, Messrs J. B. Macpherson and H. Stevens. It was resolved that the captains of all teams lower than second grade should be appointed by the General Committee. Also, that after the third club match of the season no player should be played in the first fifteen unless he had played at least one game in a junior grade, except with the consent ot the General Committee.

A gold medal that had been presented by Mr C. Wray for the best allround player in the sixth grade last year, and was won by W_. Gamble, was handed over by the president, and the recipient suitably responded. Tne Taieri Rovers Football Club wrote asking for the support of a remit to go before the 0.R.F.U., that players be covered by the accident fund for all practices, including night practices.— Referred to the General Committee.

On behalf of the Referees Association, Mr H. C. Williamson appealed to past players to join the association and strengthen the ranks of the referees. > Several new members were proposed for election.

The official opening day was fixed for April 14.

SOCCER MAORI HILL The twenty-third annual meeting ol the Maori Hill Association Football Club was held in the Coronation Hall, Maori Hill, last evening, Mr J. Simpson ( president) presided, and in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, remarked that, though none of the three teams playing in tlie competition had'succeded in winning a cup, all had done very well throughout the season. As for the balance-sheet, it was the best that had ever been submitted since the inception of The club. The motion was carried. One new member was elected.

The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows —Patron. Mr J. Horn, M.P.; president, Mr J. Simpson; vice-presidents—Messrs S. N. Brown, A. G. Rigby, W. J. Graeie, H. Dodds, C Beeby, J. Glover, 0. Balk, J. Graham, and J. Sparrow; secretary, Mr A. A. M'Lennan assistant secretary. Mr K. M‘Lennan; treasurer, Mr H. D. Colgrave; committee— Messrs fl. Balk,,P. Romeril, H. Newall, W. Dalziel, A. Oliver, W. Croft, H. Dods, R. Bachop; club captain, Mr H. Balk; delegates to Otago Football Association, Messrs H. Balk and A, A. M'Lennan; match reporter, Mr R. Bachop; selectors for' first grade team, Messrs H. Dods and H. Newall. The opening date for the season was fixed for Saturday, March 24, provided that Prospect Park (the club’s ground) should be available. <,

The Chairman, at the conclusion of the meeting, made an appeal for younger boys to join up and form a new fourth grade. This grade had lapsed last year owing to a lack of players, and it was hoped that this would not happen this season. MORNINGTON The annual meeting of the Mornington Association Football Club was held last evening, Mr C. Hall presiding. Li moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet; ho stated that the club’s financial position was far from from satisfactory. Out of a total of nearly fifty players only twenty-one had paid their subscriptions, which was decidedly unfair to those who were endeavoring to keep the club in a' good position. Mr L. Johnson, in seconding the motion, said that something should bo done to prevent the .unfinancial members from playing. It was unfair that those who had the club’s interests at heart should have to boar the extra burden imposed by the defalcation of these players. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing season resulted as follows: Patron, Sir Charles Statham; president, Mr C. Hall; vice-presidents— Messrs J. Hope, W. Cocking, C. Payne, J. Patou, and the Rev. Mr Cooper; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Braithwaite; auditor, Mr L. Duncan; club captain, Mr A. Johnson; delegates to the Otago Football Association, Messrs J. Leitch and R. Braithwaitc; selectors—Messrs C. Hall, R. Braithwaite, and A. Johnson; General Commitec— Messrs A. Munro, L. Johnson, J. Young, and A. Rankin. The opening day was fixed for Saturday, April 14,