Stronger Teams To Play Association Code

Southland Times, Issue 23796, 19 April 1939, Page 11

Stronger Teams To Play Association Code

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The 1939 Association football season, which opens on Saturday, holds promise of keen competition and more interesting games than there were last season. Some games last season lacked interest because there were two weak teams in the senior competition. This season the Corinthian Club will not be fielding a team and most of its players will be turning out for Central, the two clubs having combined. Central and Corinthians were the weak teams in the senior competition last season, but each team contained players of more than average ability and now that they have joined forces the combination should be a particularly strong one. It is understood that M. O’Rorke, who did not play last season, giving his services to the game in an administrative capacity, is to turn out for Central. One of the most experienced players in Southland, O’Rorke still has plenty of dash and will be a decided acquisition to Central. Four teams will be competing for the championship honours this season, compared with five last year. The Boys’ Brigade Old Boys team, which graduated from the junior to the senior ranks at the end of last season, will be a force with which to be reckoned in the senior competition this season. Its members play enterprising football and spare no effort in training, something which cannot be said for some members of other senior teams.

The outstanding teams in the senior competition last year, Thistle and Mataura should again again have some stern tussles this season. The Association code is securing steadily increased popularity in Mataura and the club there should be able to field an even stronger team than that which was so successful last season. Mataura players also train consistently and it would occasion no surprise to see the country team well up in the competition points list again this season. The Thistle forward line will be strengthened this season by the reappearance in its ranks of G. Sutherland, who has returned to Invercargill after a year’s absence in Scotland. One of the most brilliant forwards in Southland, Sutherland should make his presence felt both in club and interpro vinciah matches this season. With Sutherland playing again, Thistle will have the same team which won all the cups during its first season in the competition. L. O’Rorke, who it was thought would retire, intends to play again and will be a valuable man for his club. It is doubtful whether J. McMurdo will take the field for Thistle this season as an old knee injury is troubling him. Thistle will miss his services if he does retire, for he has been one of its best players, as well as Southland’s representative centre half for a number of, years.

Gorrie, McConey, McDonald, H. Pay and W. Adamson are well-known players who this year will be seen in the Central team’s ranks. M. O’Rorke, apart from his value as a player, will give excellent service to Central as coach.

Apart from the four senior teams, five junior teams and seven Boys’ Brigade teams are affiliated to the Southland Football Association, which is under the control of practically the same executive. Mr T. McMurdo is the new secretary.

The Mataura junior team is reported to be very strong this season and will be hard to beat.