THE CHINA MAIL, OCTO
PLEA FOR FAIR
PLAY FOR BRITISH
SOCCER REFEREES, got find
ENCOURAGEMENT SADLY
LACKING
HIGHER FEES MUST COME
London, September 11. IN a broadcast talk last week, that eminent En- glish football legislator, C. E. Sutcliffe, paid a very striking tribute to British referees when he described them as "the best in the world." Coming from one so well-fitted to know the position and bearing in mind the fact that for many years now our "whistlers" have been made the butt, more or less, for much of Soccer's failings, that was indeed a glowing testimony to the men who control our great winter game on the field of play.
IT CERTAINLY GIVES US GOOD REASON TO REVIEW THE POSITION FOR THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT OUR REFEREES HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN GIVEN A FAIR CRACK OF THE WHIP EITHER FROM THE POWERS THAT BE OR FROM THE CROWD, AND WHEN SUCH A PERSON AS C. E. SUTCLIFFE IS SUFFICIENTLY SATISFIED WITH THEIR WORK AS TO EULOGISE THEM IN THE MANNER HE HAS DONE, THE VERDICT IS WORTHY OF RESPECT.
An old referee himself he should know what he is talking about, and while his opinion may not be wholly shared by all of us, it should certainly provide us with a new angle from which to examine the subject.
It is only right to assume, of course, that C E Sutcliffe was generalising in talking as he did and probably meant to convey the impression that compared with Continental standards Bri- tish refereeing was on a higher plane; he is too wise a man. feel sure, to think that it is now the acme of perfection and that there is no need for improvement. There is no doubt, however, that
· he meant his remarks to be an encouragement to the younger type of referees to help them make a success of their onerous task and at the same time to serve as a reminder to the aver- age spectator that when it is borne in mind what happens furth of these shores, we have much to be thankful for that our men are as good as they are.
That is a fact that should be ap- preciated more fully than it is and what is more to the point we should not be afraid to let our referees know that it is.
SIE
SHANGHAI LADIES HOCKEY APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
Will any Shanghai evacuees who are desirous of playing hockey and have not sent in their names, do so immediately. to Miss E. A. Bloomfield, care of
the China Light and Power Co., Tai Wan Road. Miss Bloomfield has taken over the duties of Mrs. F. T. Mc- Keown (Vice-President of the Shanghai Ladies Hockey As- sociation) since the latter's departure for Shanghai
A friendly game is being ar-
Satur ranged for the comin day and due notice of the game
the will be given in columns. An appeal for the loan of sticks and a pair of goal- keeper's pads is being made. Will anyone willing to help in this direction kindly communi- cate with Miss Bloomfield?
TOO LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT They get far too little encourage ment and rather too much condem-23?K£XRTEX/X6|£#62945142637_628344224##362246X0862X} - - nation. Everyone else on the field
An important point Soccer crowds
can make a mistake and later wipe are apt to forget very often is that
the
by his errors and his handling
ind
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the tinue to be jus our legisla
possibla
it
that
out its memory by a sterling piece the referee is generally in a better the referee as they are to
players. position than the average spectator of play, but not so
The man in charge would ask no their earks charge. He is mostly reme
to judge of what happens on the field, and bases his decisions ac more, and it would undoubtedly re- It is not cordingly. He should be given credit sult in more efficient handling of the our That kind of thing is wrong and for that, because his honesty of game. After all referees put in their pre not in accordance with our reputed purpose cannot be doubted. It is an any amount of preparation to keep co high sense of sportsmanship.
the game is judged accordingl
essential part in his make-up, and
themselves
Allowance should be made for the any departure from it would bring tally alert human element and instead of bait-speedy dismissal from the list-
eferee when he makes what We have only to
The ang TOL Judgment, names of many of
tors should, by
standing
help him
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auch they
ically fit and ent
en- new
of all
their felt that the
aferee
uld
of the
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let them
After
an the
be
me to be healthy in their outlook, referee
got to be paid for spe
should there
where
made
e concerned?
that should not prevent them It is a point worth looking into, and to
at least as fair tolif
being
ore fully
being
to
tribute paid in the