FIFTY YEARS’ JUBILEE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 April 1935, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS’ JUBILEE

(By "Blue and Gold.”)

The Jubilee celebrations of the Bed Star Club will commence on Saturday next with a match between the lied Star seniors and the Pirates Club, of Napier, at Memorial Park, for which

the admission charge will be fid. The Jubilee Re-union will take place in the Municipal Hall on Saturday evening, commencing at 7.45 o ’clock, when a great gathering of past and present

Well might those old Red Star players of the 1885-1888 period who are still alive recall to memory to-day the words of the immortal song of Harrow Colleger-

occupied that position, in the 1919 team which were runners-up to Gladstone). Clem was a solid full-back, who took the ball cleanly and was a splendid line kick. His judicious kicking gave the Star forwards many a welcome "breather.”

Forty years on, growing older and old

Shorter in wind, as in memory long; Feeble of foot, rheumatic of shoulder, What will it help you that once you were strong? To the old Red Star players, the most gratifying aspect of the jubilee must be the knowledge that young enthusiasts to-day are carrying the Star banner as sturdily as did the youths of 1885. SKILFULLY TRAINED TEAM. The 1925 Red Star senior team which Won the championship provided an example of what could be done by scientific training under a skilful instructor. That year the late Bro. Calixtus, of Auckland (he and Jimmy Duncan, of Dunedin, probably rank as the two best football coaches New Zealand has ever had), being on a visit to Masterton, and seeing the Star team play in one game, was greatly impressed with the material it contained. In that fine spirit for which he was noted throughout the Dominion, Bro. Calixtus, when approached, most willingly decided, at considerable personal sacrifice, to spend his leave in Masterton and coach, the Stars. He made a champion team of them. Possessing a noble character, a most jovial disposition, and ever striving to make better citizens of those he camo in contact with, Bro. Calixtus provided an example of what a Christian gentleman should be. His death a year or two ago was probably more deeply regretted among footballers generally in New Zealand than that of anyone else associated with the game. By his death the Red Star Club lost one 'of the best friends they are ever likely to have. THE 1922 CHAMPIONS. Jack Clark was captain of the 1922 team, and as his great deeds on the football field have already been recounted in this series of articles, there is no need to dilate further on them.

Though on the light side, Hoc. Carson was a brilliant three-quarter, and participated in All Black trials. A splendid kick, sure taker of the ball, fast and tricky, he played over a long period for the Wairarapa reps. Only his weight kept him from being an All Black. Seymour Willoughby, in later years the team’s captain, was a type of forward equal to anything that ever donned a jersey in the Wairarapa, and it was surely an oversight that he did not gain All Black honours, though lie represented tho North Island. It may probably have been that had New Zealand’s prospective task been a harder one against New South Wales, Seymour would have been chosen, along Avith Mick Willoughby, in the All Black combinations. Seymour was a. clean player who always gave of his best. He was a "hard” forward because ho was always fit. He took the kicks and blows of the game in good part, and was never known to "put in the dirt” or take a mean advantage of an opponent. He was the sort of player who could always be depended on to bold up a rush when things looked dangerous for his side. Fifteen-stone Bill Devine was a champion lock, and later occupied that position in the New Zealand League team which went Home a few years ago. A great stamp of a forward, representing Wairarapa and other New New Zealand Unions, New Zealand suffered a, serious loss when he went over to League as the result of a football split in Christchurch some years ago. He is an uncle of Ron Devine of the Star senior team to day. "Sonny” Wiekens was such an excellent forward that he was a Wairarapa representative long before he was twenty, and over a very extensive period ho gave great service in the Star pack and to the Wairarapa reps. When he gave up the game he left a serious gap in the Star pack.

Clem \Villianis was full-back (he also

RED STAR EOOTBALL CLUB

further Interesting History

players is expected. On the following day the jubilee picnic will be held at Mr J. H. Payton’s property, Mr Payton having kindly placed it at the disposal of the club.

Frank Southgate was one of the most solid backs that has ever worn a Star or a Wairarapa rep. jersey. A sure handler, a deadly tackier, a clever kick and a dangerous scoring man, Frank was a tower of strength both to the 1922 team and the 1925 Red Star champion team, as well as the 1919 team. In passing it may be mentioned that, associated with Frank in that 1919 team was George Wilson, nowadays a successful solicitor in Masterton, who was one of the most heady and reliable backs the Wairarapa has seen, as he was in previous seasons, when he wore a ’Varsity senior jersey in Dunedin. George, who, by tho way, was a former captain of the Stars, made a close study of the game, and always brought his keen intelligence to bear on attacking and defensive movements, which so often produced brilliant results.

Viv. Flaws (one of the ganiest players to push his head through a jersey) played in the 1919, 1922 and 1925 teams, gaining Wairarapa rep. honours on many occasions, and being one of the trickiest backs the club had had for many years. Don. Fuller was another splendid back and Wairarapa rep., who later went to Petone, and Pat McKenna (originally a Soccer player) put in much good work for the Stars in the back division, and a sensational try ho scored on one occasion on the Memorial Park is still remembered by ‘ ‘ old timers.” Bill Grantham, nowadays a \ wellknown referee, was a very consistent player, and did excellent service on the field both for the Stars and the Wairarapa senior reps. Plucky as they make .’em, Bill played an intelligent game, which accounts for the splendid referee he has made. Bill Finnerty was another smart back and Wairarapa rep., who for many years was secretary and a most loyal supporter of the club. Sid. Dixon, "Snowy” Lee, S. Sewell, F. Wilton, Johnny Pinhey, H. Butcher, E. McEwcn, G. Trevellyan, A. Thompson, C." Bishop and D. Bannister all gave excellent service to the club for many years, many of them being Waira?apa senior representatives. Eleven of the team obtained senior rep. honours in 1922.