Too Much Boosting

NZ Truth, Issue 963, 10 May 1924, Page 9

Too Much Boosting

(By "GoaUe.")

"Albion Rover," m replying to "Old Scottish Official," further explains himself. Here' it is: ,

Re Ex-Scottish - Club Official's reply to my disclaimer which appeared m issue dated April 19. I must 'frankly admit that I am astonished at such a reply; and, coming from one who seemingly has held office m a governing body at Home, it is if anything, very stupid and, a display of ignorance as regards the Albion, Rover Football Club's history and playing abilities. Take us back ten years ago, just about the time the above-mentioned club won the qualifying cup from Dundee Hibs. at Edinburgh. Edinburgh folks favored the latter club, but after the game the general opinion. was formed that the Rovers had. served up one of the best games seen at .Tynecastle for many a long day. In those days, admission to the first league was a very remote thing and the Rovers had no influence at their back. The club hasalways had an uphill battle to fight

as regard to finance, as Coatbridge was within easy reach of Glasgow, Airdrie, Hamilton and Motherwell, and these teams being m the upper circle drained the club of a big part of their support. Then the league table began to expand .and eventually the Rovers gained admittance to the first division. This was partly due as a tribute to their president for . \ helping to keep alive during the war, football m the western part, amongst the second and third rate clubs; and also due to the fact that they were entitled to it, and that Coatbridge was amongst the first eight towns m Scotland and thereby were able to support a first league team. The first year m • the upper circles they made ' history possibly never made before across the Tweed, and that was to go right into the final of the Scottish Cup after defeating such teams' as Aberdeen and Rangers (3 games) only to bow the knee to Kilmarnock after a desperate struggle m which fate took a big part

As the team had to play In the qualifying stages their league, programme got a bit congested and they had to play Clyde a few days before the final. Clyde had a reputation of being a tousy lot and they lived up to it. Some of the Rovers' best players received injuries, amongst them being Duncan, tho centre-half, who was unable to take the field against Killie. As there were only one or two reserves and not too good at that, the whole formation of the team/ was upset and Killie got there by the odd goal m five, an offside one at that scored by J. R. Smith, who helped Bolton Wanderers to oust West Ham from the English Cup a year back. J, R. Smith was on the Rovers' list just at the outbreak of war, but they did not retain him when he was free and willing to play. The attendance at that cup final was a record for Scotland and ranked about tho third or fourth m Great Britain, being estima(ed at nearly 100,000. "

As I said before, tho club wore fightIng an uphill battle; they had to get a new ground as the other one was not suitable for first league football. They had to get the use of Broomfield Park belonging to their next-door, neighbors, Airdruionlans, and for a while their part of the drawings were nothing to write about. When things appeared to begin to look brighter, tho dark cloud of unemployment loomed overhead and burst m overwhelming fashion. This Is where I will enlighten my friend for this is the real cause of their descent into the second division. In their endeavor to keep their heads above water they had to sell their best players. Such men as J. White (Hearts), James White (Motherwell), and Binnie (Burnloy), who is ranked as tho best outside right m English football.

There would not bo a' club more welcomed back to tho first league than the same Albion Rovers and they will get back ono of these days. Willie Reid will see to that for ho Is just as good a manager as he was a leader of the "Light Blues." Ono more point; I have seen the great Rangers have tho "wind up" properly whon they took tho flold against the Rovers.

The player up before tho "bonk" a few times was nono other than James Quinn. ono of tho best Scotland produced. Who can argue otherwise, let them do so. Quinn was one of the most abused players who over kicked a ball, for m those days the game was a lot more tousy than it is to-day. His name nevertheless is still honored at Homo despite his falling. . There are quite a lot m the gamo to-day here and m other places who are Just as shady, but do it underhandedly.

I fancy that my statements nbout O. Campbell have been mlHConstrued. for I want to nay again I have nothing against, tho plnyer, but tho foolish statements of those who nro doing tho "boosting" and thut !« whero tho harm cornea In. I am qulto awaro that Soccer 1h not tho national gume hero, but there m no necessity to gala public

support for your letter by bringing m another game. Last of all I have the game as much at heart as anyone and criticism will do it good, but the game has been given a set-back by others who failed to click the Chinese and Canadian teams. They have at least made amends by securing the firstnamed after the Aussies proved it a good speculation for the advancement of the game. I have no further wish to carry on this argument through the press, but it is quite optional to me as it can be settled m private debate and with the permission of the editor, access to my name and address can be given.