SOCCER NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11251, 1 July 1922, Page 13

SOCCER NOTES

TOUR OF ENGLISH TEAM AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL. A PLAIN TALK. People generally were rather disappointed with the exhibition of "soccer” they saw at Athletic Park on Saturday, and while fully in agreement on this point, the views expressed by "Rugby Sassenach” on Tuesday were of a somewhat mischievous nature and calculated to injure the game. Surely he is not a true lover of sport who could give vent to his feelings in such a manner, and one can only imagine that be seriously fears soccer as a rival to Rugby. While in such a critical mood lie might certainly have given his impressions of the Rugby match which preceded the Test game. The attendance was something under 11,000. and the gate about -£BSO, but there is a little more money to come in yet from tickets. AVhen all expenses are paid, and the Rugby “Union have received their not unsubstantial share of the cate, the N.Z.F.A. should net quite USCO. In a.ny event, the financial success of the tour ivas assured by the great crowd last Saturday, and the Auckland and other games should provide a substantial amount for helping to still further popularise the game in the Dominion. Auckland enthusiasts, members of the Auckland Association, were rather pleased that a draw was the outcome of the game, as it leaves a decided interest in the remaining Test, which comes off at Carlow Parle, Auckland, on Saturday. July Bth. These same enthusiasts were serious in anticipating as big an attendance as last Saturday if the weather is at all favourable.

Players are real enthusiasts when, after receiving injuries, they return to the field and ask for more as they did last Saturday. And one or two of them had a real shake np, too. Now, for a subject which has been contemplated since th# Kangaroos reached the shores of the Dominion. The assist-ant-manager of the Australian team, Mr Storey, who is also secretaryto the Commonwealth F.A., told the "Times” soccei man then how he hoped, with the assist, ance of the N.Z.F.A., to bring out an English team to tour Australasia. He went further, however, and said be hoped to be able to persuade the English F.A. to send a professional team. There is an idea, prevailing l that the subject may he discussed with the N.Z.F.A. and a decision come to. before the end of tlio tour, in which ease there is no other course but to speak frankly and plainly. To bring a professional team to tour Australasia would not do anything to add to the popularity of the game, as the contest would be too unequal. Hitherto the writer lias never compared New Zealand soccer with the Home game, or even reported matches in the light of the standard of play in the Old Country. The game is yet young in the Dominion, and manv of the players have a lot to learn, therefore the comparison would not be fair. Yet when the suggestion is made that an English professional team should be invited out here, it should bo said that the time has not yet arrived when Australia and New Zealand together can put up a team which could even hold an English professional team. On this point it is best to leave it at that.

But what about an amateur English team? This is a proposition really worth while, and one in which both the N.Z.F.A. and provincial F.A.’s are more likely to concur. Speaking with an intimate knowledge of the Elnglish amateur game, there is a considerable number of purely amateur teams, any of which would nrovide a' game that would ■be both spectacular and delightful to "soccer” lovers in the Dominion. Grand as the old game is as played by tho professional clubs, yet the best amateur teams give a display that is sparkling and attractive, scientific, and forceful too for that matter, but without that exact precision which just divides the professional from the amateur. The professional plays well, because he is paid to nlay well, and knows that diregtly he begins to deteriorate he will be put on the transfer list, and will bo stood down. He keeps fit for the same reason. His living depends on it. The amateur playß for the love of tho game. He keeps fit so that ho shall ba able to give of his best when he doffs the collar and tie for the jersey and knickers, and he plays to win from sheer exuberance and devotion to his captain and his team, for their is no pecuniary reward. And mil this enters into his game, for ho does not play to order. A selection from the University teams might be able to manage the tour when vacation time arrives, and here. In our opinion, is a proposition which, if it could he carried out, would he tile greatest attraction of all. Even so, to mention. only a few teams, theT© are tho New Crusaders, Crystal Palace, Oxford City, Dulwich, Norwood, Ilford, Metrogas. all of which would more than extend either the New Zealand or Australian team. And it is the amateur game that the colonies want, and any of these teams, or a selection from them, will provide spectators here with games that they will delight to see. Having dealt with a matter that was boutld to come to the front very soon another suggestion might be considered by the N.Z. and Commonwealth F.A.s. Is it possible, when an English team does come to Australasia, to make a threecornered contest of it? By this is meant that England, Australia and New Zealand should each play a series of Test matches in New Zealand, and another series in Australia, or divide a complete set of Test matches between the two countries. When two of the teams were playing a test match, tho third team pould he engaged in a provincial representative match in another part of the country. The idea has been carefully thought over, and it appears to come within the region of nractioal politics, otherwise the suggestion would never have been made. What does the N.Z. F.A. think of it?