Among the various fascinations which lure one to take unto himself the responsibilities of controlling the destinies of twenty-two players, and adding to the amusement of thousands of spectators, I know of sane greater than the pleasant and varied recollections of players that are met. To me it is always refreshing and invigorating pleasure to see two elevens take the field to play a game of football. I am not one of those who would have you believe that the player cares nothing for the crowd, whether it be great or small, or whether there be no spectators at all. On the contrary, so thoroughly has the game become the people’s game, that I am confident, that next to the keen enjoyment of the actual game, there is nothing that gives greater pleasure to the players than the knowledge that they are affording genuine amusement and winning the praises of their fellows. It has been urged that as cricket is not dependent (except in county games) upon the support of spectators, and that as many thousands participate in the game simply and purely for the game’s sake, that the influence of cricket for good is greater than that of its sister game. football. But when one has the knowledge of the different conditions under which the two games are played and is conscious of the greater difficulties that thousands go through simply to get a game of football, one is inclined to the opinion that Association Football, as a help to manliness, has a greater influence than even cricket. That so many of our junior players should cheerfully band themselves together, playing anywhere and everywhere, and in any weather, is so thoroughly characteristic of the race. If it is a pleasure to think of players of this type, then it is even more so to have been identified upon the playing field with the greater or better known exponents of the game. I am afraid that we often expect too much from great players and forget that they are but human. What makes a great player? The ability to do the right thing at the right moment. How often a man who is brim full of cleverness and skill, is sadly disappointing to his side, because at the critical moment he seems unable to do anything right. What is it that has brought Calvey to the front. Dash, skill, and beautiful finishing ability. For two seasons I have looked upon J. Calvey, late of Millwall, but now of Notts Forest, as one of the very best forwards in the country. I am confident that Notts Forest never had a more likely recruit and am of opinion that it is only a matter of time and health before Calvey, one of the deadliest of shots and fairest of players, has the honour to play in international matches. I am afraid that among our great professional teams there is not enough dash. Plenty of skill, fascinating passing, but a lack of dash, or in other words ability to go through the defence. How often do the Corinthians beat a team of admittedly greater skill to play tee close passing game, by their combination of passing dash. It is, of course, not every team that possesses a G. O. Smith, who is probably still the greatest of centre forwards. To see “G. O.” off the field one wonders where it all comes from. He looks so quiet and innocent, but when upon the field, what a change . Quick, agile, full of penetration he always seems to know what bis opponent is going to do. Then, again, his passing is so beautifully accurate, not only in front of goal (where one is sometimes inclined to think that he overdoes it), but swift and accurate to his wing men. To see G. 0. Smith work his way through his opponents at close quarters reminds one of an acrobat getting out of a rope that has been tied round his body. I have always been struck with a player whose methods remind me of G. O. Smith, and that is Farrell, the centre forward, who played for Southampton for a year or two and returned to Stoke last season. Farrell, two seasons ago, did more than any other player to bring Southampton to the front, and if he retains his form, Southampton are to be congratulated in having again secured his services.
ANOTHER OF OUR GREAT FORWARDS
is Steve Bloomer, of Derby County. I never think of Bloomer without feeling sorry for him. Undoubtedly a great player, clever, dashing, and cunning, but with an unfortunate habit of not doing himself justice in his greatest game. Take the last two finals at the Crystal Palace. If there was a man who could have won the games for his side it was Bloomer, but to those who saw the games and know what Bloomer can do at his best, it must have been obvious that ever-anxiety, or too great a responsibility, spoilt his play. To Derby County I should say Bloomer necessity as G. O. Smith is to the Corinthians and England. A fine player, and it would not at all surprise me to see him at the Crystal Palace on next Final Day. If one wanted (be very type of a player who never seems to fail, who plays his greatest game when everything seems against bis side, who strikes terror into all his opponents, then I would refer to that gem of a player, Ernest Needhham, of Sheffield United. Truly an ideal player. I have often looked at Needham and wondered what there was in the way of football he could not do and have not been able to satisfy myself. Here, there, and everywhere, but always in his place, he seems to know intuitively what win; is in distress and in need of his support; and in ability for robbing the ball from the foot of his opponent, I don’t think that he has an equal. Truly s fine man to watch. Then, again, I should like to speak of his methods. I am not conscious of having seen or even heard of Needham stooping to “dirty play.” I do not believe that referees would have half the trouble with rough and dirty play if only the directors and committees would take the matter in hand and deal with their players. Personally, l am often suspicious of a team that continually indulges in rough and dirty play. If anybody can stop this, it is the management. I am sometimes inclined to ask myself why don’t they ? It is a noteworthy fact that the Smith of England has always bees rich in goalkeepers. Take Moon, Gay, and Campbell of the Corinthians, Earle of Clapton, and Waller of Richmond, all great men end worthy of the highest honours; still there has come amongst us one, I think, greater. I refer to Robinson of Southampton and International fame. “When Robinson first came South not a few were a little disappointed with him. Personally, I think he, like many other professors when they first migrate South, somewhat underrated the game, and was inclined to treat matters too lightly. When Robinson, however, woke up, Southerners soon saw him to be the man others knew him to be. Robinson In goal is a grand all-round man. He saves high and low. He clears in almost every conceivable position and is possessed of that coolness without which a good goalkeeper is often disappointing. A man of Robinson’s stamp in goal means so much to his side. He inspires confidence. How often men are taken off their play by worrying about those behind, when in reality their whole attention should be fixed in a forward direction. Robinson clean, and that is, after all, everything. He is not content with simply stopping, but he clears his opponents, and, as a rule, feeds one of his side. Always a glutton for work, and a finished workman, such men as Robinson do much to popularise the game.
Those who had the opportunity of
WATCHING C B FRY PLAY
full back, I think will agree that they had never seen this fine athlete play a better game. Fry always seems to be learning some new move. He is very fast, very powerful, and full of courage. A very good tackier. It is said that he is too reckless. If he were a slow player one could understand this, but how often do we see Fry run across to the opposite wing and successfully tackle and rob his man. What a similarity there is between Fry and Williams of West Bromwich. Both dashing, fearless players. Probably Williams is slightly the better man, because of his longer experience in League and competitive football.
Crabtree, of Aston Villa, needs quite a special notice.. First one is impressed with the beautiful build of the man and amazed at bis ability to adapt himself at any position. As half-back I think he excels, though as full back he inspires great confidence. He never seems to tire, and his tackling, as many know, is great. I consider G. O. Smith, E. Needham, and Crabtree to be the three greatest players in Association football.
Another player that is always delightful to watch is the great Bassett. I do not consider that in his position England has had a finer player. His ability to centre when at full speed, and from the very corner of play, is perhaps one of his greatest points, and I should think many and many a game has been won by the single-handed efforts of Bassett. Apart from this, Bassett is a fine fellow, and quite a model of what a sportsman should be. It is quite a sign of the times to find footballers playing cricket with great success. Take Devey and Wheldon of the Villa. Both fine footballers and cricketers. I often think that Devey, as a footballer, has been underrated. He is one of the finest workers and generals that any team ever had. He passes beautifully, and his advice upon the field of play is always marked with grand judgment. He has a very clever way of keeping a man off when making an opening and is a good shot.
Wheldon last year hardly seemed the Wheldon of old, but there can be no doubt that this fine dribbler and grand shot will soon recover all his form. Just at present England seems to be short of fast and good outside men. Spikesley and Athersmith are probably two of the best professional men with Vassal and Corbett amongst the amateurs. Everyone who saw Vassal at the trial match will agree that he gave a grand display, in fact, good enough for anything, but it should not be lost sight of that most of his openings and passes were made for him by Calvey. If only Vassal could devote more time to the game he would, I am sure, carry all before him. Two of the most likely players amongst the Corinthians are L. J. Moon and H. Vickers, who, in their respective positions of forward and half-back, give promise of great things. I feel I cannot conclude the present article without referring to that great player, W. J. Oakley. True, Oakley did not earn International honours last year, but that was owing to being a little off colour at the beginning of the season. Later on Oakley was himself again and in the opinion of many quite the best back in England. Cool, swift, and a grand man at close quarters. One meets so many genuine good all-round sportsmen in the football field that the occasional bad tempered individual is soon readily forgotten. There seems such a good understanding all round. The government of the game is more in touch with all sections. Never was the game more popular.