1960-03-12 — Page 19

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1960.

SATURDAY SPORTS SPOT

Big Charley's favourite 'anti' is not talking about himself

By I. M. MacTAVISH

The ball dropped just to the left of the penalty spot. As the defenders hesitated Lau Chi-lam, the Kitchee inside-right, raced in and volleyed a great shot goalwards.

It seemed that only a miracle could stop the ball from entering

the net.

but with dramatic suddenness 180 lbs. of catapulting human frame flashed into the picture from nowhere

the ball was gathered hungrily into the vice-like grip of two strong arms and, to a tremendous roar of spectator approval, was quickly cleared to safety.

A

one of the of

Inter- That was just

hosit of famous countless spectacular hieve tonalists the young goal- ments of 'Big Charley' .... or keeper began to find his feet,

The fact that in his fret oca- more correctly. Wright, the

had 28 Army

goalkeeper,

last son as a professional (21

reserven encounter games for the Range Saturday's thrilling

that the between the soldiers and Kit was a clear indicolo

he had a Boundary club was convinced chee of the popular

bright future....but in the top unquestionably class competition is intense and brightest at the end of the season Wright was transferred to Workingten, the North of England club.... where he was an immediate suc- coas

Street ground.

the

Wright

biggest and

personality to enter Hongkong

football in several years. The Chinese fans have res. taken him to their hearts the applause which greets appearance in the

an

Als

goalmouth

'Playing better'

The news that he was being posted to Hongkong in

the

they have been wonderful to me. Every player gets a thrill out of playing a good game and beir applauded by the specta- trom tors. I am no different the rest.

"Of course I enjoy it and if. In return. I have given the fan some pleasure then I am very happy."

As a parting gesture Wright had this comment to make.

"Football is a team game and no one player can do very much without the other ten so I would like to say thank you' to my mates in the Army team, to the Chinese players in Colony teams, and to the Army officials who have made it possible for me to liave such a grand season here".

the admiring crowds to be found waiting around the official exits after a game .... course of his National Service and the attitude of opponents was a big blow to Joe Harvey, lowards him are the clearest his new manager. Sometimes, Well....that's a Wright good possible indications of both his

things happen popularity and the unique place for the best, and in paying tri- he has so quickly carved for bute to his season in Hongkong, himself during his short time Wright says Workington in Colony football.

going to get back a better goal- keeper than they sent out.

Simply superb

His display against Kitchee last week was simply superb.

however, these

tho

"A player has a pretty good idea how he is doing and it is

note on which to finish.

"Good luck, big 'un....and thank YOU....for some frst rate entertainment.

WRIGHT... biggest and brightest personality enter HK football in years.

to

THREE FRIENDLY RUGBY. MATCHES SCHEDULED FOR THIS AFTERNOON

By PAK LO

Two major and one minor friendly rugby matches

are scheduled for this afternoon.

In the major games, the 32nd Medium will be hosts to the Sappers at Army's Boundary Street ground at 3.15 p.m. and Club "A" will clash with the Whitfield Wanderers at the Club ground at 4.15 p.m.

The minor game will be be tween Club "B" und RAF "D" nl 3.15 pm... at the Club ground.

Both the major matches this afternoon give promise of fast and epon play, with the en- counter between Club "A" and the Wanderers Hikely to produce

interesting game.

more

Fast heavy packs

Both sides are fielding fast heavy packs, thườgh Club on paper should have the ad- vantage in the the Uneouts.

scrums and

The Sappers could of course revert to a forward game, but this is unlikely in the Inst gume of the

truly Eason, which a played for the fun of it,

This like the other games should be wide open, and should provide a good after- noon's rugby from a spects- tor's point of view, with the Wanderers taking the otre

Wanted

hon.

-

The Wanderers are still to lookiny: far more playera cricket and an embarrassment

make up the second XV for to all who love the game".

On the other hand, Whitned their exhibition Kame Maybe your views do not have the much faster and more | Macao, and anyone interested-

those of Concur with

the dangerous

wing-forwards who whether people I asked for theirs but, could play havoc with the Club different strangely enough, I did not back line. find anyone orang those I

The Club threes pre agoin contacted who had A good slightly better than the Wan- word to say about the whole ders in the centre, though the affair. The Opilmisla' Long Wanderers are slightly stronger drawn out forlags was far on the wings. from popular.

Rugby 'bad' boys

The rugby boys were back in the centre of controversy through their failure to full fixtures as warning arranged....and

press or the public that advertised games

been had cancelled, "

the

not

With nothing to lose both gides will play an open game, on with the Club having the

stronger defence they should

win by narrow margin.

In the other game at Boundary Street the Sappers are superior forward in the lincouts though they could lose the scrunts to the 32nd Medium

32nd Behind the pactes the

the better halves have much

threes, and A9 they und should get a reasonable supply of the ball they should have little trouble in breaking through

This has become a rather un- my own opinion that I am now It was quite a change at

the beginning of the week fortunate fenture of a cur- rent season and in the best in- to find that the sporting teresis of the game one can only

shifted were

hope the Rugby Union will from soccer-which sure-take a strong line with offenders. the Sappers' detence.

playing better than I have ever done in my life., At Working- im-ton Mr Harvey, our manager,

He had the appreciative crowd

on their feet with one

possible' save after another and helped me a great deal by

narrow

in the clubhouse afterwards showing me how to move out and of to the high cross bail local experts with a touch

10 his how

the angle were comparing nostalgla

memor- against advancing forwards, performance with the able exploits of Mike Granger,

"The style and conditions the brillant. Army goalkeeper, of play in Hongkong have who was Hongitang's first Fool-

given me a wonderful baller of the Year in 1954.

Wright is a fratclass Iont- baller in its chosen' position but equally Important..... some would even say, more important...is the fact that he is a tremendous personality and a grand sportsman. Whenever he in action the crowd seems to sense that he la the minute of enjoying every *game just as much as they are. His attitude and antics in the gonmouth reflect every Buetua- when tion of the game even they are happening right at the other end of the Beld.

Sen after his appearance in our midst I predicted that like many other coleurful characters he would find his sojourn in arkong a rewarding experi- e....and with this thought very much in mind I had a chat with him the other day. I ask ed him about the 'yesterday today. And tomorrow of his football career bin I found it is nearly es dificult to get him to talk about himself as it is to get the ball past his safe hands intei the net.

op-

brickbats

ly gels more than its fair the so-called share-to more refined-games of cricket and rugby. Questioned after last week-

partunity to improve this end, Inent sportsmen could not part of my job. Football out

recall when they had previously

here has taught me a lot. I heard so much open and forth-

ar been a great experience | right criticism of cricket

and has lived up to all the klowing things little ally Robson told me about it be fore I left home."

Leaving in May

That took care of yoɛterday and today. When I asked him! about his 'tomorrow' this is what he had to say "Football is a funny game but I hope to do well when I get home again. am married and that is all the more reason why I want to be a success. I am due to leave Hongkong in May and I shall of course go back to Working- ton but, as I may be stationed a long way from there until i finish my National Service, could be the middle of next season before I get back into the full swing of things"

It is no secret that both

дз

they did after the bitterly dis- appointing Optimists-KCC game on Saturday.

Ul-conceived

Nominate YOUR

HONGKONG FOOTBALLER

OF THE YEAR

Members of the public are invited to nominate Hongkong's Footballer of the Year for the current

"What should have been the most exclling match of the season was reduced to a

dominated cheap flanco the Oplimlete" and ill-concealed plan to senson, avold defeat all costs... plan that was no less un- popular

It is a popularity poll organised by the China with unblased Mail, and nomination coupons will be accepted until neutrals than it was with the the closing date to be announced later.

members of the KCC."

That was how a well-known

cricketing personality summed it up to me. "Almost an insul: to the spirit of the gume" he added ruefully.

re:

The two qualifications for nomination

(1) Footballing prowess.

good, bad or player should gut In touch with Capt Cleary.

(Tel. 350801405).