ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20451, 4 July 1928, Page 11

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

THISTLE CLUB DISPUTE. THE LATEST PHASE. (Peb United Press Association.) ' AUCKLAND, July 3. Following ‘the message published today from Auckland that the Thistle-As-sociation Football Club, which recently seceded from the Auckland Football Association had decided to form a separate association to be known as the Auckland City and Suburban Football Association and to make direct application for affiliation to the Scottish Football Association, a statement was made on the subject by Mr F. Campbell, chairman of the council of the New Zealand Football Association, who controls “ soccer ” in New Zealand. “ I can tell the Thistle Club from the start,” said Mr Campbell, “that there is not a hope that the Scottish Association will accept affiliation from it any more than the New Zealand Football Association would accept affiliation from a Scottish club which had had a difference of opinion with the controlling body. It shows clearly that those who advised the Thistle Club in this matter have little knowledge of the constitution of the Association game. Even supposing they could do as they propose they would not be able to get games with any club under the associations affiliated to the New Zealand Football Association, and any clubs or players playing for or against the club which has for the present broken away from the controlling body would come under the ban of the New Zealand Council which would mean suspension. The clubs and players playing under the auspices of the proposed new associations would also put themselves outside the code.” Mr Campbell urged that the proper course for the Thistle Club was again to affiliate with the Auckland Association and appeal to the New Zealand Council against the decision of the Auckland Association, so that the whole matter could be reviewed. Direct action by any club management was not in the best interests of the sport, and was not the “ sporty ” attitude that one expected from those engaged in sport. The New Zealand Council, needless to say, would not agree to such a proposal, and players in Auckland would be well advised to consider their position before playing for or against a club or clubs which had broken away from the Auckland Association.