FOOTBALL IN SOUTH MELBOURNE

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12748, 21 March 1910, Page 1

FOOTBALL IN SOUTH MELBOURNE

Theoretically, of course, footbali in Melbourne is an amateur game, and managers of "clubs aro quite annoyed it it is suggested that there is the slightest affinity between it and professional running and cycling. This .amateurism, however, is an expensive thing. For twenty years, according to the "Argus," South Melbourne struggled for the supremacy without success. The country was scoured for players, and from all parts of the State good. pla3-ers were brought to boutli Melbourne at "enormous expense." This did not have the desired effect, but we mention it to show how entirely amateur is the South Melbourne Club. Last year the club decided to encourage juniors with the result that it won the championship. Possession of the pennant cost it just £2432 16s sd. The com-mittee-handled £2437 9 S 7d and spent it all except £4 13s 2d. One may well ask how on earth they managed it. Trainers, "doormen and -propertymen ' (whoever they may be), absorbed £210; refreshments and teas, £204 uniforms and boots, £86; insurances and allowances to injured men, £95---players x travelling expenses and compensation for loss of time, £363. "Laundry.boot studs, and attendance £34 6s lOd," is an item on which a little light might well be shed. The travelling expenses mentioned above were quite distinct from the expenses of a holiday tour to Sydney and other places. This cost £679, or about £33 per man. In evening entertainments of various kinds £90 was spent l'ortunate members of a fortunate club! Medical fes, bandages, etc., absorbed £72 ,which may or may not have some connection with complaints about rough play in Melbourne. However as a gentleman of distinction in public life said at the club's annual meeting "if you want ■to win the premiership you must get good players, and to get good players you must treat them well."