PITY THE UMPIRE!

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 20 August 1920, Page 7

PITY THE UMPIRE!

-ii 1 - FOOTBALL IS VJC'HHUA

So frequent and serious have become assaults on umpires at the football matches of the Victoria League that the umpires have formed their own association, and have demanded police protection. The umoires. threatened to strike if

their demands were not granted, and in every case their threat brought compliance. But not all the men who form the grtftitul management committees have taken .the umpires’ demand in good spirit, in, some cases, notably ai| Collingwood, ■ there, ■•have, been attempts to hold the -.umpires,tip to.; derision, and in this the crowds have, heartily joined. The vision of one 'little white-clad, figure being escorted on to the .playing area by half a dozen mounted potiep, backed up _by twice as many constables in their .shining helmets, and with a rearguard of plain-clothes police, was witnessed on a recent, Saturday, despite the protests from the umpire and the devision of the crowd. The umpires had asked tor protection, and, as the Ground Management Committee had to pay for police, they determined to do the .thing- in a manner which to Them seemed proper. It has been suggested that this committee will shortly' use a whippet tank to bring tnc umpire salely elf the field. Hugh James, a well-known Richmond follower, now suggests that instead of police protection the home team should-form themselves into_ a guard for the umpire, and escort him off the ground at the end of the match. In addition he suggests the erection of a wire fence, about I) feet above the present pickets. This, lie says, would not only keep the separators' oil’ the field, hut would prevent the hall going but, which, _ he suggests, is the cause of Hup impatient jostling that leads to trouble.