ASSOCIATION CODE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 111, 10 April 1934, Page 8

ASSOCIATION CODE

A CRITICAL STAGE. SENIOR OR JUNIOR COAIPETITION ? The next nine days are to determine whether the Alanawatu district is to conduct a senior competition in the Association code, according to a decision made by the management committee of the Alanawatu Football Association at its first meeting of the season, last night, when certain correspondence placed before it launched a discussion as to the policy to be followed during the 1934 seabon. The meeting was closed after a motion had been passed that another meeting be held on Thursday week to receive evidence as to whether tho players available could field two teams, owing to the withdrawal of the St. Andrew’s Club.

Air J. C. Young presided and also present were Alessrs F. AV. Ivey, C. E. Downes, AV. Lyon. H. E. Facer, R. E. Kempson, A. H. Hesketli, T. Crowe, A. G. Baldwin, Boles, and J. B. Smillie (secretary). There was an apology for Air J. H. Dick. The 'first letter read was from the City Club, signed bv Air J. R. Blackwell, stating that it had no option but to wind up after being active since 1922, because, although it could field a strong team, the demands for travelling to' A\ 7 anganui and the payment of a £lO affiliation fee could not be met.

The chairman said that as far as he was aware there had been no City Club for the past twelve months. The association had expended a great deal of energy in working in with AVanganui to assist football in the Alanawatu; the management committee had done its best and would be preprepared to hand over to any other committee.

Mr Downes: J don’t think we should eveu receive the letter until it is couched in bettor terms.

The chairman : Aly. own opinion is that it is uncalled-for. It was decided, on the motion of Air Ivey, that as the letter was considered to be incorrect it could not be received “until it was couched in better terms.” The meeting then had presented to it a letter from the St. Andrew’s Club, stating that it had been unanimously decided to go into recess for the season owing to the shortage of players and finance. Air Lyon said the club had six players, two being doubt!ul, with none in prospect, and the club had no alternative but to take the action it had. “There is no one more sorry than we are,” Air Lyon added. Air Baldwin said that the Athletic Club appeared to be in a similar position, but Air Crowe (who arrived late) stated later that it could field eleven men and wanted a competition. Air I,yon said it was not desired that senior football go out, and it had been thought that the junior and senior teams might intermingle to tide over till next year. Air Hesketli pointed out that this might mean the loss of some of the boys and not add to the present strength of junior football. That it might be a blessing in disguise for senior football to cease for a year and allow concentration to be made on the boys was the opinion of Air Ivey. He thought the present position was a reaction from the bar on immigration. Stating that he spoke only in a general way, and impromptu, the chairman said it seemed that for senior football the association would have to go into recess for a year. The suggestion by Air Baldin that a meeting of players be called to form two teams was countered by the statement of the City Club delegates that their players did not wish to travel. Mr Downes suggested that the fourth grade clubs be consulted to ascertain their feelings in the matter, the chairman saying that it was the work of the association to conduct the competitions after teams were found, and not to find the teams.

After a good deal of discussion it was decided to take the course indicated earlier, the chairman expressing the view that the situation would take shape one way or the other by Thursday week—that there would be sufficient players available to form two teams to pay an affiliation fee of £lO each, or that the association would concentrate on junior football for the season.

Air Crowe suggested than an effort be made tc stage a AA’ertnesday competition and the proposal was well received, but it was pointed out by the chairman that it was for the clubs to consider the matter.