ALHAMBRA FOOTBALL CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22052, 7 September 1933, Page 12

ALHAMBRA FOOTBALL CLUB

ANNUAL SOCIAL . The Alhambra Football" Club’s annual ■moke social was' held in the club’s pavilion, Opoho, last evening, the president of the club (Mr A. Allan) occupying the chair. There was a large attendance of members of the Alhambra and other clubs, while the Otago Rugby Union was also represented. ' -Proposing the toast of “The Otago Rugby Football Union,” Mr D. Gray referred to the great assistance the parent body had given the clubs in Dunedin. A certain amount of criticism had been levelled against the Rugby Union, principally by people who i were not actively connected with the sport, that despite the sound financial position , of the parent body, it rarely gave the clubs any help. This was absolutely incorrect, as the Rugby Union would always assist a club if it thought it was' also endeavouring to help itself. Mr D. dolly, replying jto the toast, regretted that the president of the Rugby Union was unable to be present. The Rugby Union -always tried to do its bett for 'clubs, but on account of its constitution it was unable to build up funds, and every penny it made it had to spend on the clubs and for the benefit of its patrons. He came to Dunedin as a country member in-the first place, and he wished to say that he had never been associated with a finer body. The parent body was there purely to help football along, and such criticism as had been mentioned by Mr Gray was nonsense. He regretted that the touring Otago,team had not been as successful as they could have wished, but .the team had been unlucky in its game for the Ranfurly Shield and he expressed the opinion that had the shield come south football in Otago would have boomed as never before. If an Otago team did succeed in bringing the shield to Dunedin the game would advance amazingly in this centre. Mr C. Sonntag, who also replied to the toast, said he was convinced that there was no other body in the Dominion which had the interests of football more at heart than the Otago Rugby Football Uiiion. , He urged players to study the Rugby Union Annual, a publication which contained a great deal of valuable Information with reference to the activities of the union. The toast of “ The Alhambra Football Club” was proposed by Mr Jolly, who said that,-so far as the Rugby Union was concerned, they were proud of the club, for it was. probable that there were few other clubs in Dunedin -which had better records, while the manner in in which the old Alhambra members re : mained loyal, to the club was an inspiration to the younger members. The Alhambra Club was also noted for never having attempted to curry- favour with the parent body, for it at no time asked for- assistance* unless it was also prepared to help itself. However, he was pleased to say that shortly the club would have two of the best‘grounds in Dunedin, so its patience would be. fully rewarded. In reply, the chairman endorsed Mr Jolly’s remarks with reference to the lovalty of the old members of the club, and said that they had assisted the club financially with great generosity. The club might not have been successful in the* competitions, but it was a tradition with members of the club that the game was played for the game’s sake, and the fact that the club could take a beating bore, this out. He mentioned the fact that Ahe club was about to celebrate its jubilee, qnd asked all members to give their best support, to make the celebrations a success. i The toast of “ The Sister Clubs ” was proposed by Mr J. Sutherland, who expressed pleasure at* seeing so many members of other clubs with them that evening. The jubilees of the Alhambra and the Eaikorai Clubs would be held next

year, and there was some talk of holding a combined dinner. If that eventuated it would be an excellent opportunity for the fraternising of the two clubs. The toast was responded to by representatives of the various Dunedin clubs. Other toasts honoured were “ Referees,” proposed by Mr J. King, and responded to by the president\of the Referees’ Association (Mr R. Herd), and “The St. John Ambulance Brigade ” and “ The Performers,” proposed by Mr W. Renuick. At an interval in the proceedings, Mr J. King made a presentation, on behalf of the club, to Mr E. Wilson, who was recently married, Mr Wilson briefly responding. During the evening enjoyable orchestral selections were given by Begg’s Orchestra, under the baton of Mr J. Himburg, whilst items were also given by Messrs Cecil Hawes, (songs), E. Ruffell (violin solos), H. Russell (recitation), and I. Douglas (songs), all of whom wete enthusiastically received.