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Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20870, 31 July 1939, Page 11

NOT AVAILABLE

J. LEESON’S DECISION RETIRED FROM BIG FOOTBALL FINE REPRESENTATIVE RECORD Although J. Leeson, Waikato representative forward from 1929 to 1937 and All Black of 1934. is still turning out regularly for the Kereone Club at Morrinsville,' and also for the Morrinsville sub-union in home games and for the Harlequins Club, he stated that he lias lint the slightest intention of allowing himself to be considered for the Waikato team. Recently Leeson has not appreciated references to him which have appeared in a newspaper published in Wellington. The paper’s •ontrihutor has stated that there must be plenty of good forwards in Waikato if Leeson cannot, get a game for Waikato this season. Leeson announced at the end of the 1937 season that he would not he available for the Waikato team any longer, owing to the pressure of other interests. He intended to play in Morrinsville only. As Leeson had I lien played for Waikato over fifty times, louring Australia with the 1934 All Blacks and also played against the British team, the Australians and the Springboks at Hamilton, lie has had more football than falls to 'lie lot of most provincial representative players. Therefore his decision to retire from big football while still at the height of his form was one that can be appreciated. Leeson has given up a lot of his spare time for Waikato' Rugby. As a player-coach for young seniors in Morrinsville. and a star member of the Harlequins, hr is still filling his place in Waikato football. Tn the meantime lie lias voluntarily left a place In the Waikato pack for younger men to fill —a sporting decision which everyone in Waikato must regard as the right thing for a player of Leeson's calibre to do. From 192 9 to 1937 Leeson never missed a Waikato team except when not available through illness, family bereavement or through being in games under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Union. This year he has repeatedly told the Waikato selector that he could not reconsider his previous decision to retire from representative football.