AMAZING TOUR BY SOCCER PARTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 264, 6 November 1937, Page 4

AMAZING TOUR BY SOCCER PARTY

ROUND THE WORLD STRENUOUS ITINERARY IN INDIA TWF.NTY-FOuft matches in 48 DAYS The most amazing football tour ever undertaken began almost unnoticed early this month, when the Islington Corinthians, an English midweek team of amateurs, left on a £15,000 round the world trip. By way of Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Egypt, the touring party will reach India, where 24 matches have been arranged to take place in the space of 48 days—possibly more—with much travel between times. That ought to make our one or two-match-a-week professionals think some, states an English writer in commenting on the tour. It will probabiy make the Islington Corinthian players think some and all. From an Indian source I Team that the Indian Football Association of Calcutta has guaranteed about £l2OO out of the total cost of £3200 which the Indian part of the trip will cost, and that, having been somewhat disappointed at the lack of readiness on the part of certain centres to share in the guarantee, they have reserved the right to alter and amend the tourists’ matches. Shanghai figured in the original itinerary, but has now been cut out for obvious reasons, but there is a fortnight’s stay in Hong Kong, 21 days in Manila, matches in Cochin China and Java, and a fortnight in California on this altogether breathtaking programme. The party is due back on May 28 next year. All amateurs, they have permission only to receive each a letter of credit to the amount of £5O on a London store to provide themselves with kit. Their jobs? Well, they know best. There is a big schoolmaster element in the party, and they have found the necessary leave of absence fairly easy to obtain. They will play under floodlight, bad light, good light and sunlight. They will travel by ’plane, train, steamer, and maybe, bullock cart on the' tougher part of the trip. Oh! I nearly forgot. They’ll be calling at Honolulu, too. You didn’t know football was played there? You’d be surprised.