SOCCER DECISION CAUSES SENSATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17882, 25 June 1926, Page 1

SOCCER DECISION CAUSES SENSATION.

AUCKLAND CENTRE MEETS; WILL GIVE PARK AT COUNCIL’S PRICE. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, June 25. The decision of the New Zealand Council to discontinue the English Football Association trophy competition on account of the ground charges asked by the major associations caused a sensation. This morning a meeting of the Auckland Executive was immediately summoned to deal with a telegram from the council. Members expressed regret at the circumstances which had brought about the decision, and decided that it was inimical to the interests of the game in the Dominion unless an amicable arrangement was

made. In order to assist in this direction the meeting resolved to forego its claim to the ground rent at Blandford Park, which costs £4O a Saturday, and to leave the matter of fixing a reasonable charge to the council, so that the competition might proceed. It was decided to send the following telegram to the council: — We exceedingly regret the decision regarding the English trophy. We are prepared, rather than see the competition drop, to give the use of Blandford Park at a charge you con- > sider reasonable. 1 A copy of the wire is being sent to the three southern associations in the J hope that they might co-operate, j The meeting also considered the offer ' of £BO expenses by the Wellington association to play a game in Auckland on July 3. Nothing definite has been decided pending the reply of the council, but the feeling is expressed that, should Wellington not see its way to j concur in the suggestion regarding ground charges, the match will probably be abandoned, though further | negotiations with Wellington may ensue.