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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 693, 18 June 1903, Page 17

Football is z to be encouraged in, or, rather, introduced into, the French army, 'rhe young French soldier hitherto has been practically a stranger to outdoor sports. All he has had to do when on leave for the day has been to wander about the streets of his garrison town or sit. sipping syrups—when it is not absinthe —at a cafe. He is now being taught to appreciate football. The game has so well caught on in the few regiments which have learnt it that colonels' all over the country are thinking of providing, their men with the meann of playing it. The little soldiers, in their red trousers and grey flannel shirts, look rather funny when learning the mysteries of dribbling and the scrimmage. But if they do somewhat lack sinew and weight, they have plenty of agility, swiftness, and go. The chief difficulty experienced by colonels anxious to develop a love of the king of winter games among their men is the question of ways and means. An original scheme is now afoot for providing the necessary equipment for football to as many regiments as possible. A sort of benefit Association match is to be played between an English scratch team and a French eleven. The proceedings of the takings at the gates will be entirely devoted to buying the requisite “ leather,” goalposts, etc., for Pioupiou footballers. The. match ought to draw a considerable sum of money,as the English team will, be a strong one, including several ex-inter-nationals. .