ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22833, 18 March 1936, Page 15

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT A SATISFACTORY YEAR The forty-sixth annual report of the Otago Football Association states, inter alia:— The past year, although not so successfill as could have been desired, has been a satisfactory one. Early in November the death was reported of Mr B. L. Salmon, chairman of the New Zealand Council. Mr Salmon was a very enthusiastic worker in the interests of Association football, and ms loss will be felt by all followers of the code, and particularly by the members of the New Zealand Council. t The committee has also to record with regret the death of Mr W. Lunn, who joined the executive in 1931, and who, even after his retirement from office, always retained his keen interest in the game. At the beginning of the season, Mr A. W. Sinclair, resigned from his position as secretary of the association, a position which he had filled with marked ability for a period of six years. We wish to place on record our appreciation of his services during his term of office. The retiring members of the Management Committee are Messrs A. Sharp, Ball and A. M‘Lennan, and of these three Mr Ball is the only member seeking reelection. Mr Sharp, the retiring chairman, has been a member of the Otago Football Association for six years, ana during this time he has put in a great deal of work on association matters. vve record our deep appreciation of his valuable services to the code in Otago. Mr A. M'Lennan, who has also declined to stand for re-election, has rendered dining the five years in which he has held office, much valuable .service, not only as * membet of the Management Committee, but also as secretary of the Pi unary Schools’ Committee. For his services also we wish to record our appreciation. Matches in all grades were keenly contested throughout the season, and interest was well maintained. The entries for all grades were good. Great interest was taken in the Senior Cup Competition, the final result being in favour of the Maori Hill team, after an exciting game with the Mosgiel Clubs team. ine Chinese Cup match resulted in a draw, the Maori Hill and Mosgiel Clubs in consequence holding the cup for six months each. Congratulations are extended to the members of these two teams for the excellent football displayed during the year. The following clubs finished first in their respective divisions: hnt Grade —Fletcher Cup, Maori Hill, Chinese Cup, Maori Hill and Mosgiel. Knock-out Cup. Maori Hill, Second Grade, Northern ; Third . Grade, North ern; Fourth Grade, Maori fill A, Fifth Grade, High School II; Sixth Giade, Technical High School C. _ * . Three senior and two junior representative matches were played during the season. For the first of these Otago trave led to Auckland to play for the English Trophy. Considerable interest nas at taehed to the game, and although Otago was defeated by two goals the team acquitted itself admirably. We record oui thanks to the Auckland Football Associa tion and the Dunedin Club in Auckland for the arrangements made, and tor tne entertainment of the Otago visitors, ihe Otago team also visited Christchurch to nlav for the J. E. Jones Cup. In this match it was successful, winning by three goals to two. A return match was played in Dunedin for the same cup, and this resulted in a draw-two goals each, iwo iunior representative matches weie yed against Southland, one at InvercargiU and a return match at Dunedin. Bach province won one game. Our thanks aie extended to the Southland Association for the manner in which they entertained our team, also to the manager and sclectoi for their services during season. No entries were received from Otago for the Chatham Cup competition due to the fact that in the event of a team from here reaching the semi-finals, the time lost in travelling was too great for the majority of players. The association i endeavouring to have the ooutu isiau «S played io Dunedin alternately and if sucMSstul i hope that once again entries will be sen fl The ot sec°ondary schools have again nlaved an important part in the code, and St teams from the .High Sc boo and four teams from the Technical School t part in the competitions. During the season two teams from Greymouth Tech nical High School travelled to Dunedin to play teams from the. Otago Boys High School. The local High School teams comprised a first eleven and a junior eleven of boys under 10. Bot £ resulted in a draw. In S College tournament, a team hom Christ church played tjie Dunedin lechmeal High School, the result being a drawAlthough only four teams are entered from Technical in the Saturday matches, a total of 130 boys play on ihursdav of each week, this being the schools sports primary schools in the district are now playing Association football. Two teams travelled to Chnstchuich to pla> in the schools tournament. At the end of the season Mr James F letcher presented a cup for competition among t ic primary schools. As it is from these boys we hope to get our luture players it is suggested that perhaps the clubs could appoint a coach or coaches to tram tne boys so that the interest which the game deserves will be firmly instilled in the boys, and that when, they leave school they will not be lost eight of. The Referees’ Club has given valuable service to the association during the past season, and we wish to place on record our appreciation of the time they hav given to the game. Mr W. I. Smith was chosen to referee the Chatham Cup nna. in Wellington, and we congratulate him on receiving this recognition. Thirteen clubs were affiliated to the association, and a total of 51 teams takes part in the competitions. This unfortunately is a decrease compared with last season. , ~ The financial statement for the. year shows that the expenditure has agam exceeded the income by almost £lO9. ton. nared with last year, th<* gate receipts show a marked improvement, the increase bein<* £47. The revenue from the sale of ground members’ tickets has dropped considerably this season, and it is to lie hoped that' better efforts will be made in this direction during the coming season. It will also be necessary to give attention to practical methods of raising funds to assist the association and the clubs, and in this connection the committee would welcome suggestions from and the cooperation of the various clubs.