A FOOTBALL PROTEST

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 77, 27 June 1928, Page 2

A FOOTBALL PROTEST

'.. ' Xg> ; STIIATFOKD'TAKIKI HATCH. ' PLAYER TO BLAME. The following letter 'from the secretary of the Taranaki Rugby Union was read at last nights meeting of committee or the Stratford Foot ha tl Club: With reference to your Jirsf' junior match against Tariki at Stratford on June 21st, 1 have to inform you that a protest has b'etm lodged by Tariki on the following grounds, claiming tbe match: That the Stratford Club played Henry, who was not eligible to play for the reasons that his transfer from Hawera Club has not been sanctioned by the Management Committee of the Taranaki Rugby Union, and that he is a senior player, having played for Hawera senior team as late as June 16th. Please let me have your explanation so that my committee can consider the protest at its next meeting. Tlie chairman (Mr R. Masters) said Henry had not been transferred to Hawera from Stratford Club. RESIDENCE QUALIFICATION. Mr A. R. Masters said that on June 15th Mr R. F. Harkness applied to the Union for the reinstatement of Henry, receiving notice on the following Tuesday that it be granted. Mr W. G. Thurston said that in any case a fortnight had not elapsed before Henry played . Mr W..J- Aitken: That does not enter into it. Mr' Thurston: ( The ps tlie same as that of Penniall. Mr'R. Wood said the captain of the Stratford juniors had gone to Mr Johnston and asked about" the matter* and Mr Johnston advused him to play Henry by all means.. The chairman said Mr Johnston was right so far as he knew. ]Henry was the one who was to blame. The chairman thought the Union should b e informed/that Henry had been played in good faith; without any knowldege that he had played in a senior match on the Saturday. The Club should be cleared of any suggestion of "ringing-in.' ' _ ' THE CLUB'S RESPONSIBJLITiYr Mr Thurston said newspaper reports showed that Henry had played in Hawera on Saturday.' Mr Wood •; mentioned that Henry had played for Hawera; for'the Whole season.. .__ '. The chairman said the "Union did, not know if Henry had done his fourteen clays' residence. ■; That was not the business of the Union, but 'of tile Stratford Club. , Mr Thurston thought the 'best thing, was to admit the fault, and perhaps the Union ;would allow the matcli to. be re-played. Mr W. ,J: Aitken: I think this is only a protest on hehalf of another club. - Mr Wood thought it would be hard if Stratford lost the. match. Mr Thurston: It. would be hard. They could have won" without Henry. On- the motion ofi the chairman it was decided that Messrs Harkness and Johnston frame, a reply to the Union. Mr Aitken said a lot of things of the sort went on, but in most eases the clubs concerned did not see "fit to protest. .