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Otago Witness, Issue 1905, 25 May 1888, Page 27

PROFESSIONALISM IN THE ASSOCIATION GAME.

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(Pall Mall Gazette.) AN INTEETIBW WITH MR T. LINDLBY. To-day is a great one for footballers as well aB for rowing men. The final tie for the Challenge Cup, given by the Football Association, is to be decided at the Oval between the Preston North End Club and the West Bromwich Albion. Both teams have been in careful training for fioine time, and, although the North Enders are the popular favourites, it is expected that the Midlauders will run them closely. Nearly all the players are professionals, and as such, of course, receive payment for their services. A certain section of amateurs has resented the introduction of such an element into the game, and it is just now on the tapis among a number of them to start a cup of their own and boycott professionals. The controversy has engendered a great deal of bitterness, and possibly forebodes a large secession from the present method of competition for the cup. Hearing of the probable split, our correspondent interviewed Mr T. Lindley, the captain of the Cambridge Football Eleven, on the thorny points of the subject. Mr Lindley is considered by many to be the finest" forward "of the day. At school h« was a prominent player, and has been in the 'Varsity Eleren during the whole of his residence. " What sort of a match do you think it will be at the Oval, Mr Lindley ? " inquired our correspondent.—" Very close, I think. Preston North End, to my mind, have the better combination and also the better defence, while the West Bromwioh Albion are very neat in regard to passing the ball. Bayliss, too, will keep his forwards well together. A point to their credit m that they are all local man." " How do you account for such small crowds in London in proportion to those north of the Trent?"—" I think there will be an exceptionally big crowd this tim», probably 12,000, as the boat race ought to increase the number. It is °{jjy for exceptional matches that so many gather in the North, and secondary matches V»Te very little interest taken m them. Again,

' gates ' in London are Is, while in tbe North th»y are 6d and 3d." " What has contributed most to the rapid rise of the Association game ? " — " Well, I think many people joined the Association because they thought Rugby dangerous. 'Association, too, is much more pretty to look at, and the rules are simpler, so that an outsider can enter into them thoroughly. Preston North End were once a Rugby team." "Don't you think the cup • has materially assisted?" — "Yes, it has. The excitement caused by such contests has undoubtedly tended to increase the popularity of the game, both among spectators and players. It has also been the means of raising what' would have been second-rate clubs into notice, and bringing, them iuto first-class company, and consequently better fixtures. The cup, of course, has had a great deal to do with bringing professionalism to the front." " Has professionalism been a source of trouble or injury to the game ? "— " W.el), I don'b think it has done much injury in first-class matches, buib in second-rate teams it has. Many of these are too merceuary. Still, if properly managed, I don't think professionalism a trouble. You see, at cricket they don't define the distinctions so badly as at football, and the amateur and professional have each their place. Personally, though, I don't lay so much on distinctions." "What, then, are the most objectionable points in professionals ?"—" Well, their style of play. They know they have to win, and are more reckless, whereas the amateur plays for pleasure. With professionals the club must get money, and if they don't win then their • gate' falls off and they fall into debt." <r Are they paid as well as cricketers ?" — " Oh, no. You see, a cricketer receives his £5 a match, while the footballer gets about 30s per week ; but has a situation generally found for him as we'll." ■ " What are their good points ?"— " Well, they have a good combination, are very ' tricky,' and can ' dribble ' well. Still, I think a picked team of amateurs equal to them." " Do yon think amateurs will go in for a cup of their own ? "—"" — " Well, there is an agitation in favour of such, but it would not be carried out if the Football Association opposed. I think that, if an amateur team enter for an amateur' cup, they should not be disqualified for entering for the National Cup." | " You do not favour class distinctions, then ? " — " No ! certainly not. I have no opposition to social position whatever, but only to some of the outcomes of professionalism." " Will it be a southern cup or an amateur one ? "—"" — " I think it will be an amateur and not confined to the southern counties." •'Just a point or two on tbe game, Mr Lindley, if you please. What would you recommend to a team for success ? "—"" — " Well, combination in every position, and no individual play. If you have combination thoroughly carried out among 'backs' as well as 'forwards' you must sucj ceed." " What would you say are the chief duties of a "centre-forward'?" — "A great thing, of course, is to keep all the forwards together and to use more 'passing' than 'dribbling,' especially watching well, so as to pass to the outside ' wings.' When his forwards are not level with him then be should go on by himself, and when within about 15 or 20 yards he should ' shoot ' at goal at every opportunity. A «centre-for-wai'd' should be as far forward aB possible when attacking, but always ' on-side.' On defending he should fall back and assist the ' halves.' " " How about the ' wings,' then ? "—"" — " I think outside ' wings ' should not wait till they get too cloie to the goal line before ' centring,' but rather that they pass to the inside man, who would then have a better opportunity to 'shoot ' or pass to the ' centre-forward.' " Here the interview ended, owing to the en- j gagemsnts of the Light Blue captain, elsewhere, pressing him for time.