FOOTBALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15750, 27 October 1914, Page 3

FOOTBALL

THE ASSOCIATION GAME. THE END OF THE SEASON. A meeting of the Auckland Football Association was . held in the Sports. Mr. D. A. Williams, chairman, presided, and Messrs. Dance. Gilmore. Harvey. Holford. and Pliilp were also present. The cups, shields, etc., won in the various senior. second. and third grade competitions will be presented this evening at the Sports Club, to the respective clubs who have been successful in winning them for the 1911-15 season. This will be the final function in connection with the Auckland Football Association this year, as the usual smoker has been abandoned. Owing to the departure of many of the players with the expeditionary forces, and the occupation of the Sorts by others, it was not deemed advisable to hold a function that would probably have to be financed from the funds of the association.

A further contract for harrowing, discing, and rolling of the Bayswater ground was let. and it is anticipated that next season there will be five playing grounds. While regretting that funds will not permit of the presentation of caps or medals with the cup and shields won during the season, the executive were pleased to hear of the Everton Club having subscribed and presented their third division with caps. The next meeting, though not a delegate night, will be open to all. and will be the I final of the season. The executive will meet at intervals during the off-season. The art union will be drawn at the Oddfellows' Hall. Renall Street, Ponsonby. on the evening of November 9. | A successful season will be brought to a conclusion this evening by the distribution of cups and shields to the winners of the various grades. During tho season | there have been some very close contests, land it is satisfactory to the management to know that more, interest is taken in the game, by the public. The chief difficulty experienced by the association is the question |of grounds. The Bayswater ground is any- \ thing but in good playing condition, but 1 probably as the result of the art union, the association will have funds at their command to improve the ground before the I commencement of next season. Bayswater lis not central enough for the game to make I big strides at once, but when moro pitches are put down and kept in good condition, no doubt the Ferry Company will run a more frequent service. In the senior grade Thistle and Brotherhood have had a close contest from the beginning of the season, and eventually Thistle obtained premier honours by a point. In the Falcon Cup competition some interesting names eventuated, and after a replayed senior final Brotherhood met the league champions in the final. A disappointing game resulted, in which Thistle won the cup. In the second grade St. John's had a very easy win. and it is hoped this promising club will be in the senior division next season. Everton gave a consistent display in the third division, and headed the list whilst Y.M.C A.'s fourth grade team annexed the trophy for that division. North Shore and Mount Albert won the fifth A and B grades, and Grey Lynn was responsible, for the sixth. It will thus he seen Die association competition was divided into six grades, composed of 53 teams an increase of nine teams compared with the p-eviruis season The association has 800 players registered, and next season should prove even more successful than this. The junior teams are progressing well, and this feasor,, on account of several senior players joining the expeditionary lorce. it •rave junior members an opportunity to play in the senior ranks. Owing to nearly all the members of the Carlton Club being on active service, the club was forced to disband, but it is hoped will be able to again take the field next season. "' Two senior reoreser,tativ» matches were - --»d ngomst Waikntn. and Auckland won both contests. The juniors played a match with Vhangare, at Bavswater. and were successful in defeating the visitors.