THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20859, 29 April 1931, Page 14

THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

SEASON OPENS ON SATURDAY.

CONCENTRATION ON SENIORS.

IMPROVEMENTS TO GROUND.

Although the Auckland Football Association is handicapped by numerous difHcultics, the 1931 season, which commences o;i Saturday, will be ushered in with bright prospects. A great improvement in the standard of play is 'anticipated, with a, corresponding increase in public following. A dark- outlook has faced the association for some seasons now, but the newly-elected control board is gradually, through its determined efforts, relieving weighty burdens affecting the code's progress. v

The reforms which have been effected have come none too soon. The game has been allowed to sink to such an extent that only by careful management can the code be raised to something like its former heights in Auckland, The concentration on the senior talent, gained by the wiping out of the senior grade B competition, is a step in the right direction, and should bring highly satisfactory results, especially with regard to its primary object, that of raising the standard. The additional reform that all senior clubs' 1 must carry at least two additional lower grade teams, one of which will act as a reserve eleven, has the effect of checking the growing habit of defaulting.

News that the association is making a big endeavour to improve the playing area at Blandford Talk will also be welcomed by players and public alike. The association has recognised for a long time that the standard of football witnessed at headquarters has been detrimentally affected by the poor underfoot conditions, but the controlling body has been beset by many difficulties in attempting to effect an improvement. Should a good playing area be prepared at Blandford Park this season there is very little doubt that the general standard will show a marked advance. Club Prospects.

A bright and confident note is struck by most of the clubs agd a glance at their respective prospects shows reason for their cheery outlook. As is the case every season, some clubs have profited during the off season at the expense ot others. In some cases this has caused overburdening, while other clubs arc at a loss for suitable players. These are minor troubles, however, and ones which are heard practically without fail every season. As the competitions get into proper running order there should be a good general standard among the clubs. The strength of the combined Tram-wavs-Manurewa Club, which will run under the name of Trarnurewa, can be gauged when it is known that the club will have the services of practically all last season's players of both teams. It is going to be a difficult proposition for the selectors to choose the best, side out of this wealth of talent. From the Tramways side such players as Batty, Simpson, TinUler, Stretton, iyffie, Watson, Spong, Bell, Spencer and Mills have signified their intention of playing if required, while the majority of the youthful Manurewa players have put their names on the register. Players from other clubs who are endeavouring to secure places are Balloch and McMillan, two promising Ponsonby colts of last year. New Players. The Thistle Club will introduce several new players to Aucklanders this season, prominent among them being Wiseman, of Aberdeen, McLean, from Christchurch, and White, of Glasgow. Other players who will wear the black and white jerseys are Williamson, Manurewa, and Gavan and Woods, formerly of .Celtic. The Thistle side has been .building up very promisingjy for the last couple of seasons and its form this season will be watched with interest. Last season s players who will be seen once more in the sanif colours are McLeaj', Gerrard, Wright, N. Cummings, Kennedy and Wilson. Hislop is uncertain and it is stated he will only turn out if needed. The Y.M.C.A. team shows little changes anjl stalwarts such as Mowat, Kay, McGladderv, Malcolm, Humphreys and Chapman will again take the field, while P. Kay. of Celtic, has been signed on to take Otter's place at fullback, the latter having gone to Wellington. Last year's champions have a wealth of talent among the junior grade teams also, and should find little difficulty in forming a team which will prove capable of extending to the utmost any of the.remaining teams. North Shore as Seniors. The reappearance of North Shore in the senior grade competition will be welcomed, as the .team showed great promise after its relegation to the lower grade, the club going to its junior grades in an attempt to build up a strong combination. The club will be further, strengthened by the merging of Philomel, and several positions in the North Shore team will be occupied by the Navy men. Players of the calibre of Jones, Bush, Gerrard, Luke; Miles, Renshaw and Hart will form a formidable combination, while Jay, formerly of Y.M.C.A., will* once more don the North Shore colours. A prominent North Shore forward, J. Woolley, who lias been in England for some time, has returned, and may play Ho would prove a tower of strength in the attacking quintet. Two other clubs which have merged are Corinthians and Celtic, and will form the Point Chevalier-Celtic Club in this season's senior competition. The club officials have conducted a diligent search for youthful talent and with a seasoning of the older players from the respective clubs of last year expect to turn out a team worthy of the higher grade. Onehunga Strong.

The Onehunga Club expects to field * a strong side and has plenty of good material to choose from. The senior and reserve teams are now complete and new players include Crone (West Coast aiid Nelson representative left half),, Roberts and Lamond/an ex-Canterbury representative ; Hall, Polynon, Jackson, Coyle, Marks and Stevens, of the Rangers' Club; Barnes, fro in England; Marlon (Technical Old Boys); A. Nicol (Thistle); and Cotton (Newmarket). Last season's seniors who are available are:—Zuill, Woodhall, Alexander, Davison, Dick, Whimster, Rutherford, Moon, Scandle, Litherland, Hamilton. The playing area at Onehunga is in good order and electric light has recently been installed for night training. A number of 'Ponsonby juniors will move up to the senior ranks this season as a. result of the gaps left by the departure of several prominent members from the senior team. Ponsonby seems to be very unfortunate in this respect and it must be very' mortifying to the selectors to see the stalwarts of the side .disappear just as a good combination is being obtained. However, Innes, Forrester, MoCocli, Surtees, Stewart, Morrison and Bentley have remained and will form the nucleus of a promising side. A junior who should do well in the higher grade is Colo, as ho gave inspiring displays last season foir~the senior team when called upon in an emergency. A former Y.M.C.A. player, Whaley, has also joined the club. * The remaining team, New Accord, has good prospects; and will be served by many of its players of last season. The team has room for considerable improvement and with careful coaching should prove an acquisition to the senior competition.