A TRIUMPHANT FOOTBALL CLUB.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 39, 26 September 1891, Page 408

A TRIUMPHANT FOOTBALL CLUB.

—HE Alhambra Club (Dunedin) by their victory jUJ II over the Athletic Club (the champion club of Wellington for the year) brought to a successful close what has been a brilliantly successful TOW’IWw/ season. The first fifteen played 12 matches, MA- all of which they won, scoring 25 goals and 27 tries, while the score against them only amounted to 4 goals and 8 tries. Reckoned by the system that is at present in vogue, the Alhambra scored 87 points while 17 were obtained against them. It may be of interest to know the scores of individual players in the team, and by virtue of his place kicking G. Restieaux heads the list. This crack-place kick was responsible for 25 goals kicked from tries, a really splendid record, in addition to which he has placed two tries to his credit. W. H. Noel has been the heaviest scorer of tries, having the substantial number of ten to his name ; A. Downes secured three ties and potted two goals ; T. Cunningham obtained two tries, and O. Crawford four. Of the forwards G. M’Laren has scored most, four tries being down to his account, but J. Baker and D. M’Laren follow him closely with three each ; W. Johnston obtained two tries; and A. Esquilant and J. M’Court one apiece. The following list shows how the club’s record for the season is made up :—

March 28—v. Star (Invercargill): Won, 2 tries to nil. May 9— v. Kaikorai : Won, 4 goals 1 try to 1 goal. May 23—v. Merivale (Christchurch): Won, 2 goals 1 try to 1 goal. May 30—v. Taieri: Won, 1 goal 2 tries to 1 try. June 6—v. Pirates : Won, 1 goal 2 tries to 1 try. June 13—v. Union: Won, Itry to nil. June 20—v. Zingari-Richmond: Won, 2 goals 1 try to nil. June 27—v. Dunedin : Won, 4 goals to nil. July 11—v. Kaikorai: Won, 2 goals 1 try to 1 try. July 25—v. Union : Won, 2 goals 1 trv to 1 goal 1 try August I—V. Dunedin: Won, 7 goals 2 tries to 1 try. August 27—v. Athletic (Wellington): Won, 1 goal 1 try to 1 goal (penalty) 1 try. s The Alhambra Club first came into existence in 1884, when, at the request of about a dozen young fellows, Mr W* J. MacLaughlin, then a prominent member of the Zingari Football Club, convened a meeting, which resulted inthe formation of the present club. In his position as President

Mr MacLaughlin found the first difficulty which presented itself was the want of a suitable ground. He then applied to the City Council for a piece of bush land, which was granted. The bush was so thick that he and the city surveyor, on visiting the spot, had to cut a track before they could go over the site. Despite the manner in which the proposition of forming a football ground in such a place was ridiculed, he and a few other enthusiasts set to work, and subscriptions having been raised, a small contract was let for the clearing of the bush. The members of the Club, with laudable zeal, assisted at these operations in the evenings and early mornings with such good effect that in the following season the ground was used constantly for playing on. Varying success followed until a few years after when, having beaten all the junior teams, they considered themselves sufficiently strong to cope with senior teams. An attempt to amalgamate this and the Zingari Club having fallen through the latter then joined the Richmond, and formed what has since been known as the Zingari-Richmond Club. Owing to this amalgamation Mr MacLaughlin severed his connection with the Zingaris, and devoted all his energies to forwarding the Alhambra’s interests, and was elected captain. The first day’s play under his captaincyafter their advent asasenior clubresulted in their first second and third fifteens winning their respective matches. The second and third fifteens won the premier positions for that year, the first only losing the same honour by a narrow majority. About this time, too, a number of the Chib’s supporters presented them with a banner. The Club has successfully continued its career until it now heads the list for the South Island, having this season, under the captaincy of Mr McCleary, not only beaten all the Dunedin Clubs, but also the premier teams of Wellington, Canterbury, and Southland. The last two, indeed, met a similar fate last year, when the Alhambras beat them at Christchurch and Invercargill, respectively. Although the Club has paid all travelling expenses incurred by the teams representing it, the Club is in a good financial position, having a credit

balance at the present time of something like £SO. Last year’s first twenty were the recipients of very handsome caps, which were presented by lady supporters of the Club. During each season the members meet twice a week in their own hall for social recreation and practice. Three fifteens are played each Saturday throughout the season, and two others could be kept going if necessary. The following are the office bearers of the Club at the present time :—President, Mr James Allen, B. A. ; Vice-presidents, Messis L. Dy mock, M. Fagan, J. M. Jamieson, A. A. D. MacLaughlin, E. J. Roberts, and R. G. Stone ; Captain, James McCleary; Deputy-captain, A. Downs; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, D. Paterson ; Committee of Management, Messrs W. J. MacLaughlin, W. Skitch, G. Weitzel, and O. Briggs; Delegates toO.R.F. U’., Messrs W. J. MacLaughlin, Stone, and McCleary. Messrs Pateison and VV. J. MacLaughlin have been the leading lights in managing and financing the Club since its infancy, and deserve great credit for the way the Club has been conducted.

The photo was taken by the Exchange Court Studio, Princes-street, Dunedin.