RETIRING FROM PLAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19130, 26 September 1936, Page 15

RETIRING FROM PLAY

ALIx BLACK QAFTAIN

BECJSLO.N OF MANCHESTER

SENIOR FOR NINE YEARS

(Per Press Association.) CHMSTCIIUBCH, this day

J. E. Manchester, the captain of the 1935 All Blacks,, quits Rugby to-mOTr row. The match against Wellington will be his last;

"I feel I have had a lot of football," said Manchester this morning in announcing his decision, "and I am retiring for business, reasons. However, I hope to cany on : my interest in the game, even though \ am no longer a player and- to put something back into the game by helping with coaching, or in some other way" that I can, assist." Manchester is now 27 years of age. He learned his football at. the Timaru Boys' High School and won his place in the Ghristchurch. Club'si senior team at the cwb of■ 1927, his first season, vyith the club. At the. end of 1928, he, represented Canterbury for the, first time- and immediately impressed as a fast, and vigorous forward. Since then he has been first choice, for the provincial pack whenever he has been available. By. 1932* then over 14st. in. weight, lie caught the eye of the. New. Zealand selectors as a man who was always fifc and. a grafter all. the. time and sharp and clever at providing opportunities for the backs. He was chosen for the All Black team to tour Australia that year, and again in 1934. So good were his performances that his selection for the British trip of 1935 was virtually assured from the outset and his appointment as the captain was warmly acclaimed.

With to-morrow's game against Wellington, Manchester wrll have played 58 times for his province, which equals the great record set. up by 0. D. Gray from 1900 to 1914.