PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 13

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.

POPULARITY CHALLENGED. THRILLS OF MOTOR-CYCLING. [FROM OUR ATHLETIC CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, Sept. 11. Ever since it was introduced professional football has been Britain's greatest drawing card on Saturday afternoons, but now another outdoor sport has caught on, and football club managers are becoming rather nervy as to its effect on their gates. Already one wealthy club, Manchester United, is feeling the pinch; so much so, in fact, that the directors havo had a little "squeal," The challenge conies from dirt track motor-cycle racing, which, if it grows is likely to spread all over the country, and become a distinct menace to those smaller professional clubs, which, as it is, are finding it no oas'v matter to pay their way. In mail week 1 attended one of thesa dirt track meetings, at which there wero 66.000 people, a number unheard of m anv outdoor sport with the exception of professional football. Furthermore, the White City enclosure, where the racing took place) offers covered accommodation for nearly 40.000 people, which is considerably in ore than obtaining either at Maine Ttoad or Old Trafford, the homes of the two Manchester professional clubs. While the sport is to-day very popular, there arc many people who think it will not last, among them being several professional football club managers, but in their case ii is a wish father to the thought. Undoubtedly, dirt track racing is one of the "most exciting things on earth." and it has captured public imagination. It. is clean and wholesome, and it is not dominated by betting. Furthermore, it is almost certain that with the public giving the sport its full support, promoters will be able to afford bringing over crack riders from America and Australia. Again, English riders, who have not yet been attracted by the new sport, are bound to como "in the ring," and so we will be getting meetings every week-end that flavour of the international. Whether dirt track racing will last is in tlio lap of fclio go'ds. It has, however, started well. And football managers are beginning to get nervous.