THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1959.
Page-17
SATURDAY SPORTS SPOT THIS is the Gin
Some Revolutionary Ideas A Stimulating Thought
For Hongkong Football
It is obvious that some thinking folks are searching for ways and means of rastöring Colony football to its previous high standard.
Readers of the China Mail appear to be giving the matter special attention and if örs long- very long Tottor i täceived is a reliable indication of their deliborations than it is clear they are convinced that sweeping reforms are necessary.
A
Let me quote part of the letter but, if you are one who be- lieves in maintaining a 'way-of-things', let me warn you that you will find it contains some rather revolutionary ideas.
After the usual conventional ralutations a gentleman who desires to hide his identity be hind the interesting nom-de- plume of Resume writer In par
"Anyone who is a regular follower of Hongkong foolball inust be aware that the present 10palded kempetition simply buy regardezt
connat
encouragement
ment.
+
13
By
1. M. MACTAVISH
wage their own struggle with the gold purpose of escaping
[OT Improve-relogailon:
sweeping
"It owns to me that if foot Wb have two or three ball is to improve and if we are powerful sides, a couple or so to climb further up the inter- fot-so-bad ones, and a long national ladder we shall have tall of weak-as-wäter learns.
to swalce Jiko The big-timers
South changes. China, and maybe even de- ceivers like KMB, really play only half a dozen hard games and they coast fa a season
through the remainder of their engagements with their tongues in their chocks.
"Such a situation can never mako for healthy rivalry, Neither can it ever provide re- gular worthwhile entertainment for the fans who support the game so loyally when there is anything really worth seeing.
"Every game, every week. should be a fost of power for every club.
Teams grouped together in the same competi- lon should surely be exported to stand a chance against oach other but hero in that is not mo.
Hongkong
'Sweeping Changes'
"The fact of the matter is that South China and a couplò of the other more prominent clubs stage one thee for the Championship while the minions
Answers To Sports Quiz
1. Miss Lollic Dod. She won the ladies' singles title in 1887-at the age of 15.
2, 120,
3. Her sister, also Miss Wat-
вол.
4. The Duke of York King George VI).
(later
5. William Tilden and Willin
Johnston.
G. Jacques Brugnon. The other Frenchmen wan the Wim- bledon men's singles title, 7. Doris Hart against Shirley
Fry in 1901.
(a)
8. (a) Gertrudo. Moran, (b)
Maureen Connolly, Henry Wilfred Austin, (d) Jean-Borotra.
"If prize-winning was the sole object of a soccer competition one could derive a fot or satisfaction from steing South China go on year after year showing astonkhing ability to sweep the board of every sve!)- áble trophy. It is undoubtedly
magniflerni schlèvèinent änd one which must bring a great deal of satisfaction to Caroline Hill, but how much more vafis able that honour would be 15 we could honestly say that South Chins had won their successes against opposition of their own class.
piers who lack guidance, and a few make-weights to complete the cup. The third point is equally as important: some clubs būve their own grounds for training and practice while others have to go, cap in hand and make the best of whatever facilities they can obtain from someone else.
"Hofe is how I think things can be improved for the many at the expense of the currently powerful few.
Star System.....
"The HKFA should set up an impartial committee to assess the plaging value of all serilor players. Under a star system
men like Yiu Cheuk-yin, Ho Cheung-yau, Lo Kwok-lal, Lats Tim, Szoto Yiu and others of similar calibre would be put in the Five Star clues; And so on down the scale to the has-been "You know, and I know, that that is Hot so and and promising youngster who mertt only nominat they showed In the Stanley would
As 1 see the plan, all Saleld the Champions could grading.
Denior players would turn out their reserve alde
bu re- against bany of the present hasessed annually. first division tabs and still amble to di ́casy Viatory. "Thut is bad for the game.
Proposals
*
To See Us Through
The Close
Close Season
Clutch the crystal ball firmly in your hand....multer the magic words "Abacıtdabra, Filek, Sierve, Drib ble" and tell me what you see. Do you see a strangely familiar Agure hunched over, a football, leaving a long eltain of battled opponents in his wake? Does he look rather le the elusive winger who not so long ago reduced two of Hongkong's best. full-backs to utter despair?....And does he bring back memories of the greatest individual display of classic football ever seen in bur soccer" minded Colony ?
Strong Possibility
Be assured the crystal le not playitig tricks with you,...and it is not of necessity looking at the past. In fact there is a very strong possibility that it is giving you a prep into the future..and the not too distant The dancing figure future at that. with the twinkling toes is of course Stanley Matthews and in the crystal he is working his magic way' along the touchlines of the fine. Hongkong Stadium:
.
At this stage I am able exélusively to let you into one of the best kept secrets of the day. There is a dis. tinct possibility that the wonder winger will come to the Far East on 4 personal appearance tour at the Invitation of collective football t- terests in this part of the world. While visiting each location it is intended that Stanley should play 'side by side with local players exdet- ly as he did with such success in Africa a few years ago.
Stanley will also hold coaching sessions and soccer clinics wherever he goes and even at this early stage of the Idea it is easy to see the enthusiasm which a visit from the great man would arouse:
"Once players have bech classled, rationing system would be instituted and no club would be allowed to sign more theme
thah
а
players of cách Brade,
know it is easy to be an would spread the amateur critic and to sit back
and tell other people that what sides. Per
that serious thought certain fixed number of should be given to some scheme This which would distribute. Hong- talentkong's rather thin layer of top- Lhe local class tolat wider than to the The only ones to suffer tanks of two or three privileged they are doing is wrong. I do would be Police and Army whà (clubs. лог wish to be put in that would
course have to rely on classification if only becouse their own players although 1 is representative of negative realise there might be compilca- thinking. Su I would like to tions
it either of these two
offer some rather revolutionary cams suddenly proposals to the HKFA. Frankly
I don't think they have the courage to tackle the situation with the resolution a plan like mine would require but that does not stop me telling you- und them about 11.
"To enablo you To appreciate dy teasoning it is neotasary that I remind you от one bé two important polata. The flisi ëf these may bo obvious; It La thai st the
moment Hongkong Jast canno Produce enough text class players to provide a reasonable element of equality In our senior football com peillion,
crackerjack eldes.
Coaching Scheme
they can do something produced along these lines they will do a great service to the game both now and in the future....and The ratloning of talent is they must also give considers kot a new ided. It has been tian to a scheme
which
will exploited in other sports in provide
equal training and offer countries. Here we are couching facilities for all senior In an unusual position and I clubs. Unless they do teams bellove that unicus the HKFA ikke Kitched, Eastern, CAA and does Bothething positive to Kwong Wah will continue strès the present declion, retard the natural progress of - the game will gradually load the
game
If only yte popularity in everything cause they
lack. the except maybe in the rambling fucillifes to
their develop Idellities whitth it provides: talent and
their : fucas"
1
"What I have outlined is a I have taken those points practical plan. I would need from a letter, stretched aver real courage, to Inaugurate it five pagès. Maybe you don't and I'm sure it will pass like a agree with the ideas it contains | pleasant dreams in the night. If I can see several toop-holes more myself-but I pubilah it because my suggestion does no
"The second ant is alinost 19 obvious; the two or three top
than stimulate other thoughts It It shows in stork relief, the cluby corner the cream of the talent-in and out of
their will have served its purpose short-comings of the present Arst team-and
little and 1 hope that the new counell, set-up. the Lawn fellowB have to £1 by on will, among its other delibera- east-offs, Inexperienced young- tions, Bird time to consider the Tennis and Croquet Club.
0. Angela Morimer in 1938.
All-England
10. The
ТАЕ
WEEKEND
ANTING VOL
DEAR?
GAMBOLS
YES, YOU COULD FINISH CLEAIZING
UP THE YARD
|
There is no name in football that car, tles the magic of Matthews. He is kribwh att admired in every corner tif the soccer world. By his dedleir- tion to the game he has set a stan- dard that few will ever attain and bý his personal integrity and achļeye. ments he has already qualified for sporting immortality.
The Wizard of dribble is now approach- ing the end of a mightffcent catert. It may be that how he can make a greater contribution to football gen- erally by personal appearance' tours Father than by continued, participa- tion in the Hurly-burly of the English League.
The plan to invite kim to the Far East is being formulated now and if Black- pool Football Club are willing, to re- lease him for a few months there is a distinct possibility that he will comic this way in October and November.
Wonderful Chaned Several countries are interested in the
project which must of necessity be ail expensive one. Provided the progressive football bodies in this part of the world net in concert there seems no doubt that they have a wonderful chance of seeing Stanley Matthews in action once again. They will also benefit from the vast store of soccer knowledgo which he has, acquired in his fabulous carcer and which he can impart so brilllantly to those who wish to learn. What an investment this could be for
football in the Far East!! Stanley Matthews in Hongkong!!!
indeed a stimulating thought to tide us over the drab frustrations of the hat summer months....for where in the length and breadth of soccer Is there a name to compare with "The Magic of Matthews'?
iq no matter where and in what walk of life It is ifled, Hationing is challenge to those who would seek to cirs cumbent it porpors and I thlak i would be fately city to 'nualë” g' bil ́KEF®, and there "If it was tried ́ ́as suggested
by my correspondent.
We should not forget too that talent breeds talent and while for example some of the South China, players would be stars onywhere there are others in the side who would be very ordinary performers, in another line-up which lacked the guiding genius of Yiu Cheuk-ym and to Cheung-you or the robust
Sports Diary
TODAY
Howis
1st Division: KBỚC ✔ "A" V KDC, CCC Y TRC
Recreto "B"
and Divizion: HKPSA {KFC v CCC, TC V PRC "D".
MKCC.
3rd Divisjoni_KBGC v_CCC, VHKCC HKFC ✔ IRC; TC✔ Landiles. Ist Dylston: CCC Pie, kiác v USHC; RDC • "D
My biggest suspicion is that raitoning is a dangerouS STE-
2nd Division Trelo v Tc, xcr ▼ PRC, USRC V HKFC,
By Barry And Rely
"TIEZES THE BAĞIZ DOOKI
TO BE PRINTED
ANYTHING Eise
ITS DARNED DÜNNY THAT EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THAT DRILL SHE HAGNT ONZE WANTED, ANY HOLEG MADE
GENEVA
strength of Lau Vee. In South China's star studded ranks they look good although several of them find it very dimeúlt to keep their place In some of the lowly placed Chinese alder.
It is good to know that fol- lowers of the game value 11 enough to give such serious thought to its future and I hope the proposal of one reader will encourage others to write and give their views of what could and should be done for the welfare of Hongkong football.
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