1960-03-05 — Page 19

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1960.

SATURDAY SPORTS SPOT

The problem of football's dwindling crowds at Stadium games

By I. M. MacTAVISH

Is Hongkong football too expensive? Are the fans being asked to pay more than the current football fare is worth? Has the time come for some serious thinking on the subject of admission charges and selection of grounds?

During the week I heard all these questions being discussed by football officials and the general concensus of opinion seemed to be that the present standard of football in the Colony did not really justify the high price that was often being asked for it.

The people who hold that practical way possible that they

★

view point to the recent. Sparse prefer their football In the From Europe comes one of attendances at what were really mocy of the compact Boundary this season's Street Kround....In preference ryen to the equally compact Club Stodlum,

vital games League Championship race.

"Fans will not pay out first class prices unless they get first class soccer and the sooner our club officials realise that the better for themselves" said

There is no doubt that the magnificent Hongkong Stadium has an important role to play in the furtherance of our foot

at our matches are to be begence and that only genuine big Jieved there is not the slightest games should be taken there. doubt that he ins just about

the best football stories I

have read in a long long time.

It seems that during a recent

game the

started

'breaks' went rather

Players

SPORTING SAM

HERE ARE THE CUP TIE

RESULTS!

by Reg. Wootton

"London Express Service.

Two attractive rugby matches at Boundary

Street this afternoon

By PAK LO

Three rugby games are definitely scheduled for this afternoon and

another in a state of flux at time of going to press.

Two of the games are on Army's Boundary Street ground, and these two are

most likely to draw the crowd.

The

regularly again one of the teams. They rno into all sorts e keen Chinese follower 01 bat interes's but it is also be-

The first of these is between | are, on paper therefore much as things gut The gune... and If the coming clear that it must be of trouble and

40 Fold Whitfeld Wanderers and Club stronger than worse the Agures used with restraint and Intelli- steadily evidence of attendanco

A1 4.30 pm. | Jatter have 'B' at 3.15 p.m.

a good pack, but to demonstrate against

are by no means as strong in the referee. They seemed to 32nd Medium, the runners-up in

the Army Cup competition, halves and threes an 32 feel that he was the main cause

take on 40th Field Regiment. Meritum, and the 32nd Medium Beneficial idea of their misfortune and their

should win this all-Gunners Football in a big half-empty, manager shared the same point stadium is as lifeless as a play of view. in a partly filed theatre or a concer! concert in a deserted hall, it would be

beneficial idea to encourage clubs to play their 1xtures: on genuine

hit the nail bang on the head.

Last Sunday the situation was heavily underlined when fewer than 10,000 spectators turned up to see title-chasing Klichen tackling Tung

Wah

In what was probably their most important game of the

асакоп

Rebelling

were

in

14

'home' ground basis for, after

the

When the final whistle blew the manager intercepted the referee on h way to the dressing room and in suitable fruity language accused him of all

of Boris injustices.

MADS

Wils

secccr

D

The Police are away to- day, playing the Northumber. land Fusiliers at San Wai at 4.00 p.m.. and in the gar which may or may not played, Club "A" were originally scheduled to play the RAF "A". xido at Kal Tak. The provisional venue is now Bookumpoo, and the time 4.30 p.m.

As the Airmen are short of men, they were going to com- bine with the Navy from Tamar, but latest reports are that Club this week are having trouble finding enough men for two teams, and they have now

their match be suggested that called of.

Strengthened

match

In the game at Nam Wal, Police are turning out their usual mixed "friendly" team. which can vary considerably.

Macao tour

not

But whatever the lineup the Police have

pack a strong which should prove too power- ful for the Fusillers. Though the Police backs play to their Peolangular stun. dard, they should be sußelently good to win, after what may be a hard battle.

may

On the other hand although the Fusiliers have not played a lot, they have a good strong team which could upset the Police.

First Round: RASC v. 1 R. Tanks "B": BMH V. BE "A"! Sth Field v. 32 Medium "B": 40 Field v. 32 Medium "C"; REME "B" v. 252 Sigs/Sqn.

Second Round Byes: RAPC 7. winner 5 Field/32 Med "B": Gurkha Rifles v. REME "A"; 1 Lancs "B" v 20 Ind Recce: 1st Tanks "A" v. 1 RNF; RE " Wanderers: 32nd Medium "A" v. 1st Lanes "A".

The draw for the Blarney Stone Severis will be published in the near future,

V.

Sports Diary

TO-DAY Racing

Ninth Annual Race Meeting (Third) Day at Happy Valley, noun.

Criches

First Division: Odtimists v KCC: Brigado y Scorpions: Police v Re- relo: MC v GET:: CCC V RAY. Fortbil

Div. Happy Valiry v Sing Tan (Club) 4.30pm. Kitchee v Anny

Res Div: Kitchee v Army (99) 3 p.m

Div. 2:

v Taikoo (Club) 3 Telephone Caroline P.AS! (C) 4.30 pm. Cymnastic v Koon

(US) 4.30 p.m. The Macao tour, sponsored However, both sides may by the Whitdeld Wanderers mange to feld a full team, approaches again, and as Wirts nad in this Case Club "A" proved so popular last year, A should, of course, win.

large crowd is expected to join. Arrangements are being mate to put up those geing. The game will take place on Sunday April 3.

all. good healthy partisan sup- According to the manager

Lifeblood port

of the referee If the football crowds

the world's going to turn up to anything football.. and atmosphere worst and that it had been his then surely they should have and environment can stimulate complete inefficiency and his

that extra turned up for this game. Both players

effor lack of understanding of the good game lows of the game that had caus- sides were loaded with what is which can turn

ed the manager's team to lose. Runerally referred to as 'crowd-into a thriller. pulling stars' but, as the final Yes. It is indeed a time

Blushes returns showed, on

this oc-

for serious thinking. We have

stage when the Contrary

the accepted cinden even they pulled in very reached the

support the game 'silence policy of referees the people who Jittle.

with accused whistler apparently One must ask why.

apparently do not agree

the bitternes There 1111 many

football the people who promote it as to exasperated by folks who would shy that the the value of the sporting com-uf the attack by the manager is often being of the defeated side suddenly the modity that vnet spaces around

but turned on him and told him in ground were due mainly to the offered at the gate

no neretain fashion that one fuct that for some reason Kit- they will still pay willingly for of the biggest troubles with the cher have lost favour with the big attractions.

that the players fans.

or maybe it is that

simply did not know the rules

In the Club "" match, the the fans have lust fith in

The refcros then challenged Club side is strengthened this Kichee

... but, from com- Tomorrow the Third Annual of the game.

that the Sports Festival will be the manager to put his players week, so

Wanderers have heard, would

test. Not will have to fight for their vic- more likely

held at the Hongkong mowledge to the that the.

It will be remembered that the manager →→ lory. Both care have good followers of the game

Stadium and enthusiasts unexperiedly will have an excellent burning with indignatlon re-packs, but the Wanderers are last year, this tour attracted

fused the challenge

but a much stronger behind the large crowd of spectators opportunity to see many few days later he received a senam and, with a fair share of Macao, and an even larger and different activities during very dignified letter from the the ball, should have no trouble Just es enthusiastle Last Sunday when there

#1 programme that is referce. Enclosed was a set of in disposing of Club "B". Both expected this year. The Wan were less than 10,900 specia-

the rules of the tors, ie priers were as high packed tight with Brat questions on

will play in open game and derers will take two teams over us $3.50 arid one cannot help

game with the suggestions that this could be quite an exciting to play in an exhibition game, class sporting entertain-the manager might like to try match

and anyone Interested, who has wondering whether there

ment.

then out on his playerS,

In the other game, 32nd not received a form should con- would have been the AUENE

Many of the organisations He did and could hardly Medium after shoicing the 1st net his rugby Secretary, If the meagre crowd

than

somewhat, Captain Cleary of the Whitleid sland had been priced at $2.49 kated to the Amateur Sports hide his blushes when only to Lones no

Wanderers. Olymple Com-|of the players who had been before the Lanes

finally won and-if the remainder of the mittee of Hongkong will be in the team when it was beaten the Army Cup and the right to open ferming

the 2nd Now Zealand avalable to the fans at $1.20. Participating and they will be scored better than 75 per cent. trying very hard to let the four more got better than 50

Regiment later in the month, and the Inl public sec just how valuable is per Blinded Many times in the past I ex-the contribution they are mak- failed!!!

that then to the sporting welfare of glittering potentia of the long- the community.

raenis 1

reem

Chineso

re finally rebelling against the

high prices being charged for very ordinary foolball.

prud the opinion

main

been

kong Stadium was Sinding

many of us to its own dangers.

Federation DEKİ

rest

Special effort

+Lale- Anally ., and wagger... our football ad-

often

come in This year the organisers have ministrators

Committee.

moct

Veteran ready to carry on

|

Wun (CH) 3 pm: REME V RAF Kal Tak (tavy) 1 mm; Ron Ying v NAF Sai Wan (Navy) 4:30 pmi AFSL (V) 139 pm.

Div 3: C & W Sik Ying (HV) 3pm. Merchantile v RK Gās (IV) persian St Joseph's

a) (iv) das pan; Kowloon Godown v in B&S (RV) 4.30 p.m.; Univerzity v

Hockey 517 (Pokhim) 130 p.m. crowd is Annual ladles match, HK v Kow-

Joon at Happy Valley 3 p.m.

Army tournament

The

or

the Army draw for Inter-Unit Sevens has Just been made, and this year the Tournament takes place en the Army ground at Boun- dary Street on March EG the from

until 10.30 a.m. finish.

NOTICE

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

Page 15.

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Obtainable in all leading Companies and Deals 5

Sole Agent: CHEONG HING STORE Import & Export Dept.,

53, Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hongkong.

Tel. Nos. 63732 & 60244.

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

9TH JANNUAL) RACE MEETING Saturday 27th February.. Wednesday nd and Saturday 5th March, 1960.

(To be held under the Rules of the Hong Kong Jockey Club) THE PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF 30 RACES,

(There will be 10 races each day)

and Programmes

Entry Forms for the 10th Race Meeting 1959/G0, to be held on Saturday, 10th and Satur- day, 26th March, 1960. (weather permitting) may be

a.m. each day. obtained at the Secretary's Office, Alexandra House; the

Entries close at 12 o'clock NOON on Tuesday, 8th March, 1960,

Its lowering rows of stats made z very special effort to for a lot of criticism and it à seemed like $1 short cut to attract a worthy crowd to the therefore all the more pleasant One of the greatest of Welsh There are 21 Unit sides en-Club House, Happy Valley; soccer wealth....and with the stadium and, quite apart from to record the following cam-Rugby footballers and all-round tered This year and oddly right standard of entertainmenthe increased number of school | pliment paid to Mr Lee Man-erickcelery, forty-seven

Jars Chough two of the teams which and the Stables, Shan Kwong will be present, kit for his work in connection old Wilfred Woolley has in-have byes into the second round Road. that night have been achieved children whe ....but too often it was dif- there will also be A large with the proposed Blackpool timated that he is willing to are the Cup teams, 32nd Me- cult to resist its obvious attrac-gathering

Two of under-privileged tour.

fellow-councillor carry on as captain of Glamordium and ist Lancs. bolh of tion with the result that games, hildren

who have been said "his handling of the com- gan cricket for another season, whom have been drawn to which aimply did not merit the specially Invited to see theplicated international Begotia "If I do not make the first-gether. grandeur of the Stadium, were Fesitval by the Olympictions was excellent and his class grade," suld Wooller, It is impossible to even guess ploved there.

final presentatien of the facts "you have a ready made captain the eventual winners at This Slowly but steadily the fans If you enjoy a full afternoon to the Football Association was in Allan Watkins to take my stage, though rumour has it. It began to show their reluctance of first class sporting entertain-superb. It was no fault of his { place." " Former county crie- may well be one of the darker to pay Stadion prices for Valley- ment take my tip and make a that the four fell through, Hekeler John Clay is the new horses which takes the honours, standbed games and in the lust special trip to the Stadium to- did a Arst-class

Indeed Glamorgan Job**

President. Banews The draw for the Unit Sevens fow wieka they have demon-morrow.

la talls up tale-wagger.

Service.

15:--- strated in the clearest parsible way that they are no longer going to dig deep in their pockels merely for the privilege of sit- ting in the Colony's biggest sindlum.

Food

If the football is not enough the fans have sourled a sthy waring that they will away... and who is to blame Uiem?

The writing is on the wall and I would be rather Interesting to know the ro- actions of some"el qur' olube.

- particularly those which have been involved In games at the Stadium and found the vacant spaces' oud- numbered the spectatorn,

Changing pattern. Due to the Festival of Sport tomorrow the drine between KMB and Tung Wah, which was originally scheduled for the SIR- dium, has been postponed und li will now take place as Boundary Street next Thursday...and in fact there will be first division games at the Potize ground to- day, tomorrow. Monday and cn Thursday...and of course there won 'idto one there yesterday.

The pattern of spectator ins terest is changing. The fans will not passively Accept anything that is dished up to them. They wani fair value for the money they pay at the turnatlies. They are betyrojna – choubey, Land they have shown 'In the most

E YOUR NIKITH HORSE WIN TODAY THEN EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON GRENSTONE – EVEN YOUR LIFE,

CAN'T QUITE belitve T

→

BELIEVE IN MY `` LUCK AND THE LUCKY HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL.

LAADE THE BET WITH.,

WELL, THEY'RE GOING DOWN:

AFTER YESTERDAY I DON'T BELIEVE SILVER WEL, LEDE

YOUWIN TODAY,

HE'LL CONCENTILATE

...AND HERE'S A SENSATION! WITH CHLY YARDS TO GO, THE FAVOURITE 15 DOWN. AND CONDIVE IS FIRST SO YOU

PAST THE POST.

ON GRENSTONE NOW. LET'S

OAT THAT RADIO ON,

THE BOYS AND I HAVE BEEN ALL

TIVOUDÍL THE CROWD, MK3 JANI, NO SIGN OF MAR, SILVER, OR ANY OF THE AMERICANS IN THE COU

TOT

WIN AND

YOUR LUCK

HOLDS

A

DCARED

GRENSTORE IŠ PROFINID BACK, JANI, ISN'T GONE TOWE PLACED. EVEN MY LUCK

A WINNER HÁT HOUSE.

I KNOW. THE IMMOBBIN

- HAPPER" BUT

•BOLSH'T HAR AND THE WITH SLAMUS

MAJOR GUARDING

GRENSTONE THERE'S

NOTHING MOUL WE CAN DO

THIS MEANS THAT

YOUR DENT.

I'VE LIVED BY THE LAWS DEA

UT) HAPUENT WORLD

„JANĚ. CAN'T KICK,

AT THE PIALTIES.

FROM YOURS,

By Order of the Stewards,

A. E. ARNOLD,

Secretary.

OLD PENSIONER

London Dry

GIN

LD PENSIONER

GIN

GANDI PALACE 2 COLUM

The First Bell will be rung et 11.30 am, and the First Race Fun at 12.00 Nooo, euch day. The tin interval is after the fourth rave (1.30 pm.) each day.

The Secretary's Office at Alexandra House will close at 10.00

MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE

No person without an admission badge, which must be pro- minently displayed throughout the meeting, will be admisted

Admission Badges at $10.00 ach per day are obtainable during office hours from the Club's Cash Sweep Offices, at Queen'a Building, Chater Road, 5, D'Agullar Street, King's Hond, North Point, and 382 Nathan Road, only on the written introduction of a Member. THESE BADGES WILL NOT BE ON SALE AT THE SECRETARY'S OFFICES.

ADMISSION BADGES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE RACE COURSE ON RACE DAYS.

Timing will be obtainable at the Club House if ordered in advance from the No. 1 Boy (Tel. 72811).

NO CHILDREN under the age of sevente n years, Western Standard will be admitted to the Club's premises during the Meeting.

PUBLIC ENCLOSURE

The price of admission will be $3.00 each per day payablo at the Gate.

Any person leaving the Enclosure will be required to pay the requisito feo ́of $3.00' în 'order to ghin re-admission.

MEALS and REFRESHMENTS will be available in the RESTAURANT.

CASH SWEEPS

Through Cock Sweep Tickets al $20.00 each per day and 160.00 easil for the three days may be obtained from the Cash Sweep Offices of Queen's Building (Chater Road), 5; D'Aguilar Sirect and 382 Nathan Road, Kowloon, during office hours,

Tickets reserved and available but not paid for by 10,00⋅ a.m. on Friday, 26th February, 1000, will be sold and the reservation cancelled for future 'Meetings.

Tickets for the Cash Sweep on the last race of the Meeling

at $2.00 each may be obtained from the Club's Cash Sweep Offens The office hours of the Club's Cash Sweep. Offices are s follows:-

Queen's Building, (Chater Road) and 4. D'águilar. Street, Hong Kong ong

Da.m. to 5 p.m.

Weok-days, Mondays to Fridays .......

Saturday 27th February, Wednesday 2nd

and Baturday 8th March

a.m. to 10 am.

King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong and 102 Nathan Road, Kowloon of

Week-days, Mondays to Fridays ....... 10 am to 4 pm. Saturday 27th February, Wednesday 2nd

and Saturday, 5th March

Hong Kong, Bath February, 1000.

CLOSED.

By Order of the Stewards,

“A, B, ARNOLD,

Secretary.