1937-10-20 — Page 21

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

gen

refereed

auch they

ically fit and ent

en- new

of all

their felt that the

aferee

uld

of the

pies

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