PLAYERS AND PAYERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 144, 20 June 1913, Page 5

PLAYERS AND PAYERS.

[to the editor.]

Sir,—-Surely it must be evident to • those in charge of Rugby that the j attendance at club matches this year \ is not equal to last. From a spec-; tator's point of view the numbers. certainly look less, and the enthu-; siasm evoked is most certainly of a frail and unassuming character.; Spectators at last Saturday's match, ' which was most uninspiriting, seemed to be weighed down with the shadow of the water and drainage scheme or' some dark thoughts of past misdeeds. \ The team that opens up play and gives spectators even ten minutes of fast scientific Rugby .will earn the ■ unstinted applause of those who pay their humble sixpence. From Satur- ! day's exhibition it is quite evident; there axe young back players whom ■ it would be a pleasure to watch if ; only given opportunities. Centrals' . hard-and-fast resolution of playing a! rigidly tight game did not win either! the game or any enthusiastic ap- i plause, and if persisted in would mean • even lessened attendance. After all j the spectators contribute in some! measure towards the expense of foot- j ball, and the team which raises the < enthusiasm of the crowd to any pitch \ of excitement will earn the tinaying i eratitude of attenders and awaJien at roar of spontaneous applause that' will even deaden the happy voices of j the promoters counting the gate money. ONLOOKER.