Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 49, 8 June 1901, Page 21

Association Football.

[By Goalkeeper.]

The Postponement Committee did a very unw lse act in deferring the matches on Saturday last. Of course, it is easy foi us to criticise after the afternoon is over. StilJ, regret has been expressed by the Committee since at their now-ap-paicnt indiscieet action, and they may take refuge behind the adage "To err is human, to forgive divine." At any rate, the postponement of the matches caused considerable discontent on Satuidav, and some people went so far as to circulate the report that it was "a put up job." It is regretable that such ugly rumours should be circulated where theie ay as no absolute foundation for them. I interviewed the Postponement Committee on the subject, and they assured me it was solely on account of the state of the weather at the time their meeting was held that the matches were put off. One of the Committee remarked that "it would ram cats and dogs" before he postponed the matches again. So, from this out, players may expect a game every Saturday. The fact of the Rugby people not postponing their matches makes the position of "socker" players more ludicrous, as it lays them open to the suggestion that they are sugared articles, and, if exposed to the damp air, would surely melt. Wins by default have occurred more than once this season, and teams, to make sure of their prize of winning by default, have kicked off, and, further, scored a goal, to confirm their win against an imaginary foe. Now, just let me point out the absurdity of such a procedure. Suppose, for instance, that while a team are going up the fie'd to score that goal, one of°their players, by a mis-kick, sends the ball into touch, or that, in having a shot at goal the ball goes wide of its mark. Well, what would happen? According to the rules, the opposing side is entitled to throw in from touch, and take the goal kick. But, as there is no opposing side, there cannot be a throw in, nor a goal kick either. So, where are you ?

I have to acknowledge, with thanks, leceipt of a copy of the rules and byelaws of the Wellington Football Association. By a rule enacted this season all Associations are direct'y controlled by the W.F.A.. and provision is made in the rules for all competitions. The rule book is a handy w ork for the general information of players, and Mill deprive them of all excuse for being ignorant of the rules or Jaws of the game. I believe it is the intention of the Association to distribute a copy to each member of the Association gratis. Whenever a protest is lodged from a Fourth-class team, it is the signal for a large muster of members at the meeting of the W.F.A., at which the matter is to be decided Wednesday night was no exception and as no less than four of these clubs were concerned, the witnesses and adherents were numerous Taking advantage of the presence of so many fourth-class players, Chairman J. J. Roberts gave a few hints, and some timely advice, to the various clubs. A case in point was an unregistered player, who played in a cup match, thereby making his club answerable to the Management Committee. As this appeared to be a case of "simply overlooking" the rule, it was allowed to drop, with a warning to the club and others that the next transgression might not be so leniently dealt with. Amongst other protests that came before the Association, there \\ as one as to the age-limit. Now, some apprehension appears to exist amongst Fourthclass players as to the age-limit. Some maintain that it is seventeen and under. As a matter of fact, the age-limit, as passed by the Association, is under seventeen years of age, meaning thereby that a placer can play until he has attained the age of seventeen. The pith of another protest wat, against the alleged indiscreet action of the referee in allowing excessive and undue overtime. The referee in question, not being a recognised official, made matters worse, and it. came to light that he was a veiy ardent supporter of tho winning team Naturally, the losers felt aggrieved. Wake up, Referees' Association ' Some doubt appears to exist relative to players obtaining a transfer. A player may obtain a transfer from a.

higher to a lower grade provided it is a bona fide change. For instance, a player receiving a transfer from senior to junior obtains a status as a junior player, irrespective of his former classification, and if he plays in the senior grade again he must play the requisite number of matches (three) in the senior grade to enable him to rank as a senior player. The Management Committee of the W.F.A. nii&s the counsel and advice of nne of their worthy vice-presidents in the person of Mr. A. E. Gibbs, who is confined to his house with acute inflammation. It is hoped that a speedy recovery may be effected. Mr. J. J. Roberts, who is doing the "chair" work, rattles through business briskly, yet with caution. He has been appointed sole selector of the representative team, a departure from recent years, in which it has been customary to have three, selectors. Mr. Roberts takes a keen interest in Association football here in Wellington, and his selection should stand a good show against Auckland and Otago.