Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Thursday 23 February 1899, page 6


FOOTBALL.

THE ENGLISH TEAM COMING TO AUSTRALIA.

some few days ago a cable was received stating that the Rev. R Mullineux, who had negotiated with the NSW Rugby Union with the object of bringing a football team from Engl end to tour the colonies during the coming season, had abandoned the project owing to the terms which were offered not being satisfactory, but that he could provide an equally good team to visit Australia in 1000 Further, that the players proferred making a trip to South Africa during the coming season instead of visiting Australia A good deal of correspondence had previously passed between the New South Wales Rugby Union and Mr Mullineaux As the union had met those controlling the team in England in every way, considerable surprise and disappointment were expressed that the trip was to be allowed to lapse, and the action cabled could not be understood As however, no official intimation had been received locally of that intention, Mr W. A Rand, the hon secretary of theN. S.W R.T U despatched a cable message four or five days ago asking for some definite information on the matter, and yesterday be received the welcome news that the team was coming Unfortunately, owing to a mutilation of the message, the date of departure of the team was not clear Naturally, this information has caused great satisfaction in football circles, and now the arrangement for the international matches will be pushed forward. a