“HARASSING ABSTENTIONS : THE PLAY AT ROMFORD”After a week of harassing refusals, during which Mr.Secretary was bombarded with a fusilade of telegrams so that his headquarters resemble General Headquarters in the heat of battle. St Albans City arrived at Romford on Saturday with a team vastly different from that selected.
Amongst the team were several “dark horses” that were destined to add gloom to the City’s prospects in the Spartan League. Those who failed to make the journey included J.Brandham, T.Bradbury and Squires, the latter a Luton player who was to have been given a trial. The Committee had to fall back on players of unknown quality, viz., Gosling, H.Barnett, C.Marshall and J.Fraser, all of London clubs. None came up to expectations with perhaps the exception of Marshall, who played moderately well, but whose form did not justify selection again this week.
The natural sequel to the week’s chapter of incidents was a four clear goals defeat.
Reprinted from “The Herts Advertiser & St Albans Times” – 27th September 1919.
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The Committee hope their friends and supporters will deal gently with the barrier that has been erected four square on the field of play. They have done the best they can under the circumstances and as that provision has had to be of a temporary character it is not very strongly entrenched and the sporting public are asked not to put too much pressure against it. It will serve the purpose until the club get back on their old sward on the other side of the track.
I am pleased to learn that our friends the military who, by the way, thoroughly enjoyed the sport provided at Clarence Park during the few weeks of the present season, will be “off the grass” in the course of a week or so, whereupon the Corporation Parks Committee, with Alderman Slade at the head of affairs, will set to work and get the place in something like decent playing order.
A little bird whispers that the confidences of an expert on the subject are to be requisitioned upon the best way of doing it. Of course all this business will take some time, but with the energy of Alderman Slade and the patience of the players and football public shall all arrive in time. And oh, won’t it be joyful !
Reprinted from “The Herts Advertiser & St Albans Times” – 11th October 1919. |