LOST POPULARITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20820, 12 March 1931, Page 14

LOST POPULARITY.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

DECLINE IN RECENT SEASONS. SEVERAL CHANGES IN CONTROL. The loss of popularity of the Association Football code in Auckland has been causing the Control Board considerable concern for the past few seasons. With a view to securing something approaching the public following it enjoyed in its peak days, when such thrilling matches as those between Philomel and North Shore were played at Victoria Park, several changes in control have been agreed upon for the coming season. According to the report to be presented at tho annual meeting the past seas'on had not been so successful as those immediately preceding it. While there was no lack of players, particularly in tho lower grades, there was a marked falling off in attendance at Blandford Park, with a consequent loss of gate-takings, which accounted for tho association's inability to make headway against its liabilities. The loss of popularity was attributed to several causes, the chief of which were: —Lower standard of play, which, in turn, appeared to bo due to, firstly, a lack of enthusiasm among players in the higher grades; secondly, the state of Blandford Park making scientific play very difficult in wet weather.

Realising that the only way in which funds could be obtained to give the ground tho attention it required was to increase tho attendances at headquarters, the Control Board had taken steps which, it was hoped, would lead to a marked improvement in the standard of play. It was felt that the deterioration in play resultod from a too free admission to the senior grade. In other words, there appeared to be too many senior teams for the number of senior players of average standard. Fewer Clubs. As tho result of conferences, and with the recommendation of tho clubs obtained at tho end of last season, several important changes in tho system of team grading and in the control of the game had been agreed upon. As far as the former was concerned, the position this season would be that instead of there being a large number of clubs each with ono or tw*) teams as the trend had been for somo seasons past, there would be fewer clubs, but at least the same number of teams. This would bo accomplished by tho new rule, which required all clubs above fourth grade to field at least threo teams.

There had been a rapid growth of clubs formed from existing clubs with a resulting weakening in the playing strength of both and an inability, in many cases, to fulfil obligations. The change decided upon coincided with the reduction in the number of senior teams from eighteen, all told, to eight or nine, and the formation of a reserve grade, consisting of clubs having teams in the new senior grade only. It was confidently expected that the concentration of players into a much reduced senior grade would considerably improve the standard of play, thus winning back the support of the public, while tho reserve teams would ensure a club's senior team boing at full strength. s Blandford Park Ground. The chief alteration, as far as the constitution was concerned, was the increase in tho number of the elected members of the Control Board from five to nine, making a total membership of twelve inslead of the previous eleven. Tho additional four elected members would take the place of the three members previously appointed by tho senior and junior division committees. The election of nine members, independent of club interests and having only tho progress of the association at heart, would, it was hoped; help to bring about a marked improvement in the control of tho game. The position of the association's headquarters at Blandford Park was at the moment uncertain. Owing to another unsatisfactory . season, liabilities in connection with tho ground had increased and matters could not remain in their present state. It was hoped that this season would see a recovery sufficient to prevent serious developments from occurring.