ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21132, 15 March 1932, Page 7

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

CONTROLLING BODY'S REPORT SATISFACTORY PAST SEASON. That tho past Eeuson had been a satisfactory ono is shown in the report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Auckland Football Association on Thursday. The report states that taking into account the disadvantages by which the association was handicapped and the serious economic situation, the increase in gate takings was very gratifying, and reflected great credit on the players and officials. The revival of interest reflected in the improved support was due chietly to the keenness of the competitions, particularly the senior grade, in which an improvement in the standard of play was noticeable. Within the limited means of the association small improvements were carried out to the ground. Aiiyt.hins.jn the nature of a substantial improvement was out of the question owing to the continued lack of funds, but players, as well as supporters, would be pleased to learn that negotiations had almost been completed whereby funds would be available for the ground to be permanently improved. Although the local competitions were so satisfactory tho association suddenly experienced a lean period as far as representative matches were concerned. The first loss against tho Navy representatives was •the beginning of a series of reveries in which the English Trophy, held by Auckland since it was presented in 192G, was lost to Wellington. The second match against the Navy was also lost, and a match against South Auckland was drawn only with difficulty. The team sent to Wellington to play Wellington after Otago had lifted 'he English Trophy from there was also unsuccessful. Entries were received from Ponsonby, Tramurewa and Y.M.C.A. Clubs for tho Chatham Cup, the association being worthily represented by Tramurewa, which, after winning through the preliminary rounds, was successful in bringing back the trophy to Auckland for tho fourth occasion, this being the club's secolid victory. Although it" had been realised for some seasons past that the association could not carry on with its liability for debentures, current arrears of rent, bank overdraft and other debts, it was not until last season that the heavy task of facing the position was undertaken with the following very satisfactory results: fa) A reduction in the rent of Blandford Park; (b) a reduction in the option to purchase price of Blandford Park if exercised within- a fixed period: (c) a compromise of the arrears of rent under which a considerably reduced amount would be accepted if payment is made by June next; (d) a release of the present debenture issue to enable a loan to be raised on first debenture and the acceptance by debenture-holders of second debentures at 5s in the pound on the amount previously held with interest reduced to ; -6 per cent. In addition negotiations with unsecured creditors, whereby they would accept 5s in the pound, were proceeding, and it was hoped they would be successfully completed.

Although the association's financial position still required careful attention to enable its remaining liabilities, including th«s anticipated loan, to be met, the improvement effected was most gratifying, and enabled tho control board to look forward with optimism to the time when the association would bo financially independent.

ONEIIUNGA CLUB. A satisfactory season was shown by the report presented at the annual meeting of tho Onehunga Association Football Club last evening. Dr. Neil McDougall presided. -The report showed that while the fifth and sixth grade teams had reached the semi-final stage in the metropolitan competitions, the form shown by the other grades had not been up to the required standard. During the year the president of the club had resigned. Thanks were accorded the ladies' committee, whose good work had resulted in wiping off tho club's liabilities. The revenue for the year amounted to .£57 lfis Id and the expenditure £53 83 lOd, leaving a credit balance of £4 7s 3d. The election of officers resulted: —Patron, Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P.; president, Mr. F. Knaggs; vice-presidents, same as last year; secretary, Mr. J. C. Sibbin; treasurer, Mr. W. Zuill; committee. Messrs. G. Shand. M. E. Wolfe. G. A. Randall, W. Marshall, F. Sager, C. B. Hall: delegates to Auckland Football Association, Messrs. J. C. Sibbin, W. Zuill; delegate to senior division, Mr. J. C. Sibbin; auditor. Mr. A. Fletcher.