Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 2 April 1930, page 8


STAGE SET.

SOCCER OPENING.

WILL THE NEW ORDER

SUCCEED?

By "NOMAD."

The stage is now set for the open-ing of the soccer season on Satur-day next, following months of bickerings and heart-burnings, dur-which period the affairs of the code have been in the melting pot.

A feeling of enthusiasm and op-timism prevails among Brisbane clubs and their supporters, but time will tell whether this leeling is justified. Never before has the soccer house been so divided in itself as at present, with Ipswich and Brisbane no nearer a com-promise than at the end of last sea-son, while Thistles have parted com-pany from the Brisbane teams, link-ing up their fortunes with the West Moreton clubs. During the past few weeks development has followed de-velopment, and out of the welter have emerged two companies-Queensland Football Association Ltd., and Football (Assn. code) Ltd. The former was pro-moted by the Q.F.A. and the latter by tho B.D.F.A , otherwise the Brisbane clubs, with the exception cf Thistles Football Ltd., is starting the season with a capital of £200, eight senioi teams having taken up 50 shares each. The teams are Latrobes (last year's premiers), Pineapple Rovers, Norman Park, Bulimba, Wynnum, Toowong, Toombul, and Y.M.C.A., each of which will have a reserve eleven, provision having been made In the articles of the company for a reserve division, which will take the place of the former Second Division. The grounds under the control of the company will be the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Memorial Park (Wynnum), Pineapple Paddock, Nundah Sports Ground, Toowong, Lang Park, and Kalinga.

NOT TOO LATE FOR COMPROMISE.

From this list it will be seen that five teams have been brought in to fill the vacancies formerly occupied by Thistle and Ipswich clubs. While the new state of affairs will provide bound-less opportunities for young players, it is extremely doubtful at present whether it will hold the public interest, on which, after all, the code depends for its success. It cannot be denied that the new teams will not be in a position to cope with such formidable sides as Latrobes and Pineapple Rovers. Personally I think it would have been far more practicable to have limited the competition to six teams. Then again the prospects do not seem too bright without the co-operation of the West Moreton clubs, which in the past have always stimu-lated keen rivalry. On the other hand, I do not hold out much hope for the success of the Ipswich competitions. Neither section at present is strong enough to embark on its own venture. Even now it is not too late for a re-conciliation. However, the Brisbane teams are enthusiastic, especially those recently promoted, and it would be unfair to condemn the company project without, at least, giving It a fair trial.

AMONG THE CLUBS.

The opening fixtures at Woolloon-gabba next Saturday will be Wynnum v. Norman Park, and Pineapple Rov-ers v. Latrobes. The other games will be Toombul v. Y.M-C.A., and Toowong v. Bulimba. The main attraction, of course, is the game between Latrobe and Pineapples. Many will remember the stirring contests of last year be- tween these rivals, and. as each camp is optimistic, a keen duel should re-

suit on Saturday. Latrobes will field practically the same eleven as last year, the only absentees being Korot-coff and Alexander. The latter is suffering from a broken arm, and his place has been taken by W. Mitchell, who has returned to the fold after a season with Pineapples. There are many changes in the Kangaroo Point side. After a spell, J. Hamilton, the former international goalkeeper, has been persuaded to don the jersey. Angus Marshall has intimated that he will again play, while new-comers will include C. Andrews, who played for Newtown last year, and M. Shenton, a brother of Clarrie, of international

fame. Eric Johnston, formerly of Too- wong, will be on the wing, vice Cav-termole, who at present has not signed on for any team. L. Lumchee, erstwhile Norman Park player, will be in the front rank with Gibb and May, signed on for any team. W. Lumchee, services will not be available every Saturday. Les. Clark has informed the club that he will turn out if his services are required. The Rovers have adopted Kangaroo Point Stars as their reserve eleven.

MANY NEW FACES.'

The Norman Park side will have many new faces. Lord, Gibson, and Peters will again do service for the club, but only Dalton remains of the halves, Zakeresvski and Smith, two promising juniors, have been signed on, while Sim, who played with Thistle last year, will be in the re-serve eleven. Herbert, who figured in the London combination last year, will turn out, and his partner will be Lee, another junior. Boyd and Casey will again don the black and white, while a clever junior winger, A. Ross, has been secured. A notable absencee From the ranks will be Tom Tray-nor, who will not play this season. Toowong made several attempts to get the former Australian captain, but without avail.

On paper Toowong will field a strong side. It has gained by the disband-ment of Newtown, four of whose play-ers-the two Mackenroths, Christie, and Doyle-have joined up. Esbensen will be the pivot. He is of the dashing type, and if he can check his impet-uousness and combine with his new colleagues Toowong should have a formidable van, backed up by a capable

defence.

Y.M.C.A. has a team of youngsters, with a couple of seasoned players. They svill be led by Barwlck, who at one time played with Bush Rats. They have one of the most promising centre forwards in the State-H. Yuill-who was in the Junior ranks last year.

Wynnum has all of last year's play-ers signed on, and in addition has secured two youngsters who were in the Ipswich junior eleven against Bris-bane last season. Among the half backs will be Barclay, a nephew of J. Peebles, the former Australian rep-resentative. Other new-comers include Cook, a half back, and M'Lennle, who will be the pivot.

Toombul has registered 30 players for

its senior and reserve elevens. The goalkeeper is M'Gregor, who did splen-didly for Redfern in the junior grades last year. The full backs will be the same pair, Sturgess and Holborn. The club has great expectations of Rice, a junior, who will be in the intermediate line. Bentley. Nunn, and Fergus are the other half backs. New men in the front ranks include Strong, Dace, and Sullivan. The latter comes from Maid-stone (England). Toombul will also control junior, minor, and juvenile

teams.

Bulimba will have the services of last year's team, which will be aided by the addition of several seasoned players, Bryce, who was with Newtown last season, has been secured, and Bulimba is hopeful of securing his team mate, Swanson. The team has adopted Balmoral as their reserve

eleven.