TO PLAY LEAGUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 264, 7 November 1936, Page 4

TO PLAY LEAGUE

HAMILTON FOOTBALLER i 'ENGLISH OFFER ACCEPTED REC ORD WITH .MARIST CLUB An offer to play for the Swinton Rugby League Club has been accepted by Jim Dempsey, Hamilton Marist, and Hamilton and Waikato Rugby footballer. Arrangements have , not yet been finalised and he is awaiting final details of sailing and ether information from the English club. i Dempsey received his early football training at fh? Hamilton Marist Brothers’ School under the late Brother Calixtus, who was one of the best coaches to train a team in lhe Auckland Province. After leaving school he played for lower grades in the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys Club and in 1931 ho played regularly for the senior team as a first five-eighth. Showing promise from the start Dempsey soon established himself as a first-class player. He has always been a tricky player with a neat sidestep and the facility fo” cutting out a man and selling the “dummy.” He was conspicuous in the Marist backline for his sound defence and has always been outstanding for his uncanny anticipation. He could always pick up a ball no matter where it might be thrown. A Representative Player He developed into representative standard under the guidance of B. Mills, the Marist half-back, for it was in the company of Mills that he most distingv shed himself. Together they were responsible for getting Marist cut of difficulties on many occasions last season by the introduction ot clever tactical play. Like Mills, Dempsey has worn the Hamilton representative jersey frequently and last season he was a member of the Waikato team which toured the southern portion of the North Island. Dempsey has also distinguished himself as a cricketer. He is a member of the Frankton United Club and has been an outstanding member of the senior B team, for several seasons. He should do well if he decides to play cricket in England. He has a keen eye, possesses the ability to select the right ball and also knows how to hit. He is a particularly hard hitter and has been responsible for many hurricane scores. He has few equals in the grade as a bowler and as a fielder is far above the average. There is little doubt that Dempsey will improve both as a footballer and . a cricketer in England as he will ' have more facilities for keeping fit and will have to undertake an intensive training programme. He will be a serious loss to his club and to football in Hamilton, as apart from his ability as a footballer he has always been popular as a sportsman. A former Hamilton footballer, F. Buckingham, of the City club, also played for several seasons with the Swinton club and he now resides in England.