FOOTBALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16159, 8 February 1913, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE LEAGUE GAME. • -7 1 A meeting of footballers for the pur«' v ': pose of forming a league club in the Sydenham district,, was held in the . ■[■ Club Hotel, Sydenham, last.night. Mr " F. Burgoyne presided over a good:at-.'; r . tendance'. •, ■• The chairman said that he had not • taken an interest in football for.many years, but he understood . that the league, had many points in its favour. • Many obstacles would be placed in the • E'ath of Hb supporters, but these would <T ave to. be combated,, and, .if the ad-, herents of the league game acted in., a clean, sportsmanlike and straightforward manner, they would find that those who opposed.the code at present - would later support it. He was pleased ;.■ to preside at the meeting, and if the . , league game proved to be a sporting ' game he would support it to the best' of his- ability.. .. j Officials.' of the Canterbury Centre • of the League placed the merits of thegame before those present; Mr J. Hooper outlined the rules of the game. He denied the charge that:. the game was a professional one, stating that this opinion had arisen \ through tho fact that a professional ■ league game flourished in the North, ;. of England. The league authorities,": he said, challenged anyone to prove that it was their intention to, introduce professional football to New Zealand. It was decided to form a club in-' Sydenham, and the following officers were elected: Secretary, Mr L. Simp- .■' son; committee, Messrs Lyes, Aitken; Campbell M'Phail, M. Smith, Kirton, Gasson," Brunsden, Thornton, Buchan- ; ah, Ayling, Eden, Robson, Wright and' Meadows. ' -,. ... The chairman was accorded a votebf thanks. '