THE ASSOCIATION GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 17

THE ASSOCIATION GAME

EXTENDED SEASON LIKELY REDUCTION IN TEAMS NEEDED RELEGATION AND PROMOTION Once again the Auckland Football Association is faced by an extended season, unless the Control Board decides to abandon some of its unplayed fixtures. Jhe past two season have ended on the last Saturday in October and even then more than one match was loft unplaycd. If Thistle defeats North Shore in the final of the Falcon Cup competition next Saturday, the closing of the season on October 20, as tentatively suggested, will leave, five championship matches undecided. A higher standard of play, more time for iepresentaiive fixtures, and the finalising of the various club competitions at a reasonable elate sc as not to run contrary to summer sports, could be achieved by reverting to the two senior divisions with six teams in each division instead of eight. The relegation rule could be worked extending throughout the four leading grades, senior A, senior B, second and third. A remit which is to come before the association's annual meeting that clubs will have to field four teams at least next season, ii carried, should materially assist those clubs which at present are merely nurseries for senior clubs which do not cater for juniors. The one and two-team clubs have been somewhat of a source of annoyance during the past several seasons and the building up of four-team clubs as well as inculcating the club spirit, should also provide a sound foundation for the code in future years. Second Grade Final The final of the second grade championship between Abe\s and Metro-Col-lege, to deckle which team will be promoted to senior ranks next season, was played last Saturday and proved one of the hardest arid most interesting contests witnessed this season. After its heavy defeat of Metro-College in the Dacre Cup knock-out competition, Abels was expected to secure victory, but the decision went to Metro-College by the only goal scored. Onehunga is at' the bottom of the senior championship table and, according to the rule of the association, is due for relegation next season. On the other hand, if the Control Board is consistent with it? policy of last year in relegating clubs which did not cater for junior football, it will have to consider before it relegates Onehunga. Through the inauguration of a local group system, Onehunga has over 170 players, making it numerically at least the strongest club in the association. it is apparent that the association will have .to give the deepest consideration to the composition of tliii senior grade next seascn, as, in spite of confident hopes, the standard of play has not shown the improvement that was generally expected. At the present time there ere a number of junior teams producing a high standard of football who will probably receive consideration. Code at Huntly The code in the Huntly district has been given a decided impetus by visits from Auckland clLib teems. The .Hospital Club played two games at. Puke- ! jniro recently and last Saturday two I Auckland junior representative teams I played Huntly. Arrangements have been made for a. Chinese team and the Eastern Suburbs senior eleven to visit Huntly next Saturday, while Y.M.C.A. will send its senior and fourth grades teams the following week. Distinguished members of the Arsenal Football Board of Directors include Sir Samuel Hill-Wood, Lord Lonsdale, Lord Westmorland and Sir Mathew Wilson, says the London correspondent of the Herald, 'lo their number lias been add?d Sir Frederick Wall, one of the leading figures in Association football for over 40 years. "i feel highly honoured in having been asked to join so fine a body of sportsmen," said Sir Frederick ft'all. "As a director of the Arsenal Club 1 shall be associated with some of the finest sportsmen in the country. It is very pleasant for me to know that in my retirement there are so many friends who wish me to continue ni.v association with the game. It will now be one of my duties and responsibilities, as in the past, to see that our game is continued—as a sport. ' ■ Sir Frederick's football career began in 1875, when he played for a London club known as the Hangers, it is considered that the game owes more to him probably than to any other man.