SOCCER NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 April 1929, Page 10

SOCCER NOTES

(By Wee McGregor.)

To-day the Soccer code on the Coast is beset with many difficulties. The first is that we have not got a good junior competition, and I thinlc that all Soccerites are erring in not encouraging the young, as I believe that if this grade of Soccer is not encouraged on the Coast, that in a few seasons the class of Soccer will slip back. I was very interested, in reading the various reports of some clubs to learn that they had nearly two teams signed on, with the result that they have players lying idle, while they could be playing in the junior competition. My advice to all the clubs is that they should all nominate, a junior team, then we would have matches every Saturday, and the class of Soccer would increase by leaps and bounds. I think I hear some of my critics saying “it is all right to write about it, but it is not so easily done.” I leave all to judge for themselves .and I ask them

just to look around and see how many junior players are lying idle every Saturday in the various places on the Coast, and they will come to the conclusion that if all who have an interest in the game are willing to take the players in hand, a junior competition of six teams could be got easily. Then there is a possibility of a Third Grade competition being arranged. Now, I have often been asked to make a suggestion on how this grade .could be carried on. In the meantime I will not give my ‘ verdict, ’ but I would suggest that the W.F.A. call a general meeting and have this matter brought before them for discussion, and I am sure that within a short time a Third Grade competition could be set going. There is also a great need for a Referees’ Association on the Coast, and with such talent as the W.F.A. has at its disposal I think it would greatly assist the code if this Association was set up.

We have for referees on the Coast the following: — Messrs. Sharpe, Vaughan, Cowan, Brailsford, Ritchie, Mossoji, McNulty, and Crompton. Now with the above-named gentlemen all getting together I am sure a strong Asociation could be started, so that theycould control every game in the Senior, Junior, and Third Grade competitions. I had a talk with a prominent Soccerite in regard to betting on football matches. I told him that as far as the Soccer code was concerned, it seemed to

bo pretty clear’ from this evil. But for the benefit of all clubs I will quote the rule: —Every Association or club is responsible to the Council for the actions of its players, officials and spectators. An official of an Association, or club, referee, linesman or player, shall not bet on any football match, and ony of the above-mentioned proved to have taken part in betting shall be permanently suspended from taking part in football or football management. In the case of a breach of this rule, any player, official, or spectator may be removed from any ground, and such force used as may be necessary for the purpose of effecting such removal. This is the rule that the W.F.A. should bring before the notice of all clubs so that we shall have good clean, wholesome sport. I would like just to say a few words to all those who are desirous of taking

up the position of goalkeeper in a football team. It is important to note the different methods of saving and clearing the ball; also to watch the position taken up in order to deal with all kinds of shots, whether high or low. In practically every match one watches, it can be seen how keepers prefer dealing with shots of various descriptions. Many adopt a uniform means of keeping the ball from entering the net, while others have a style all their own. In some matches you will see the goalkeeper who has a habit of making an easy shot appear very difficult. What I mean is this : —ln many cases the goalie will wait until the last possible moment before making his effort to save, then by throwing himself at the ball, he succeeds (in some cases) in. touching the ball around the post to give the opposing team a cornAr kick. Under the nresent rules

this is a very dangerous thing to do. It looks to most people the saving af a certain goal, but suppose the goalie had made up his mind instantly and had acted quickly, then no doubt he could have fielded the ball, and instead of giving away a corner kick, could have kicked the ball well down the field to set his own forwards at-, tacking, thus turning defence into attack. Safety play before gallery play should be a motto for all players who shield the goal never to try to gain applause by making one of these dramatis last-minute saves, when there is a possible opportunity of catching and clearing the ball. One of the most essential things needed by “budding goal-keepers is to make up their minds instantly and act at once as soon as a shot leaves an opponent’s foot or head for goal, the cusrtodian’s mind should be at once made up as to whether he ought to field or fist the ball out of danger. The best stature for a goalkeeper is a matter of opinion. In most cases we find a man wiio is fairly tall guarding

the goal posts. As far as high shots and corner kicks are concerned he has an advantage over the smaller man. Still, we have goal-keepers who are anything but tall —which proves that height alone is not the most essentia] tiling needed by men in tliis position. Some of the things which help .a goalkeeper a great deal are quickness of, brain and limbs, eyes as sharp as a needle, a safe pair of hands, and the courage of a lion. At times it is a thankless task to be 1 the last line of defence, when things are going wrong with a team. It is enough to break the heart of a lion, leave alone a goal-keeper, when he has to keep picking up the' ball from

the back of a net during a match, i Granted that at times it is easier picking the ball out than stopping it, but no matter how good a goal is scored, there is that unpleasant feeling that he might have stopped that one. If one is conscientious over the matter of guarding the net one often has this feeling when a goal is scored. Next week I will continue this subject. In the meantime, however I would like the selectors to study our goalkeepers well. We shall have three in the running for rep. honours this season, and the selectors should study carefully the various styles shown by these three goalkeepers, namely, Timlin, Ennor and McPhee.