Association
Football

AND HOW TO PLAY IT

BY

JOHN CAMERON

(Late Queen's Park, Everton, and Player-Manager, Tottenham Hotspur F.C.)

One Shilling Net

LONDON:
"HEALTH & STRENGTH," Ltd.
12, Burleigh Street, Strand, W.C.

CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

PREFACE

This was in the early sixties, and since then the F.A. has grown to be one of the most powerful bodies connected with sport of any shape or form. They are a most wealthy association, and their power is paramount. It must be said that they have had everything to do with making the game what it is at present. Although autocratic, they deal thoroughly and honestly with both clubs and players, and it will be a bad day for the game when any body of clubs break away. At the time of writing rumours are very rife, but it is to be sincerely hoped that once again "rumour is a lying jade." Friendly matches were the order of the day in the early stages of the game. Then came the establishment of the English Cup Competition for all clubs in the Kingdom. This was in the year 1871, and it was only after eleven years had elapsed that the Cup went to the North, when Blackburn Olympic were the winners. May we say en passant that a Scottish club, namely, the Queen's Park of Glasgow, took part in the final contest in 1884 and 1885, but were beaten by the Blackburn Rovers in both cases. After that the Cup had a long sojourn in the North, and it was not until 1901 that my old club, Tottenham Hotspur, managed to bring it back to the South. Again, since then, the North have had a monopoly of it, and Southern enthusiasts are longing for it to have its resting-place somewhere in the South.

Another epoch in the game was the starting of the League system of playing matches. The idea came from the fertile brain of Mr. W. MacGregor, who is familiarly known as the Father of the League. This system undoubtedly proved a great success, and although loyal amateurs still play in the same friendly style the public took to it immensely, as is well shown by the difference between the attendance at league and friendly matches. Senior, junior, and school-boys' are the names of the leagues now existing, not to mention tradesmen's and shopkeepers' Thursday afternoon associations. The mere fact that at Cup-ties and International matches the attendance has been over 100,000 is convincing testimony to the winter pastime's popularity. A record crowd assembled at Hampden Park, Glasgow, last April to see England v. Scotland, the attendance reaching 130,000, and the sight was a most magnificent one. Before the close of my preface I should like to express my regret at the separation of a portion of the Amateur Element from the Parent Body last year, and, personally, I could see no reason for their so doing—I can only say, "The pity of it." Again, football and charity are synonymous, and it would surprise many critics if the total amount of money collected by clubs and associations was reckoned up. The last match in aid of charity was played at Stamford Bridge, between Manchester United and Queen's Park Rangers, and realised over £1,000, and I think that speaks for itself.

Association Football

AND HOW TO PLAY IT

CHAPTER I.

Goalkeepers and Goalkeeping.

I have often been asked the question whether the goalkeeper should train as regularly as any member of the eleven, and I have replied without any hesitation "Certainly." In one way he does not require such a severe course as a half-back, who has to go through much more work than he does. He should go in for plenty of short sprinting, so that when running out of his goal to meet any forward who has broken through he will be able to meet the ball quicker than his opponent. The reason for this is obvious, as half a yard in twenty will make all the difference between a goal being scored or not. I do not believe a great deal in gymnastics for footballers in general, but this method of training does a goalkeeper a world of good.

Punch-ball exercises are some of the best he can practise, and nearly all clubs have a ball fitted up in their training room. He ought to also practise place kicking, and endeavour to do so with both feet. I have often seen a goal scored simply through a poor return by the goalkeeper. Many allow one of the backs to take the goal kicks, but this is a big mistake, as it entails extra work on him, and he probably has as much to do as he can get through. I always like to see the ball thrown or kicked to the wings instead of the centre, where the play is generally concentrated. It is a mistake to attempt to punch a ball when it is wet and greasy and there is plenty of time to give it a lusty kick. Many a match has been won and lost through the goalkeeper attempting the former. The inauguration of the penalty kick has made the position more difficult than in the olden days. Critics say that eleven goals should be scored out of twelve. This is all very well in theory, but in practice it is another matter. It is, however, from both points of view a most trying time in any game, especially when the result of the match depends upon whether a goal is scored or saved. I shall never forget last year at Chelsea, when in the closing moments of the game Notts County were allowed a penalty, from which they scored.

That goal saved them from going down to the Second Division of the English League, and also saved thousands of pounds for the County.

When I was Manager of the 'Spurs I always made a rule that a goalkeeper should have plenty of practice in this department. I found that in a big match things were certainly different, and especially if there was a large crowd present. The eye of the multitude is concentrated on the keeper and the kicker, and there is a great strain on both, although to my mind the goalkeeper has the advantage in this way. If a goal is scored no one blames him, as it is expected. If the forward fails there is usually a loud groan.

L. R. Roose, the great Welsh International, in a well-written article for a standard book, has very well defined the chief duties that fall to his lot.

1. To prevent the ball passing between the space bounded by the upright posts.

2. To kick off when the ball has been sent behind the goal-line by one of his opponents.

Another great point where the goalkeeper must use special discretion is whether to run out to meet the forward or to "stay at home," as it is called in the football world. Undoubtedly if the forward is clear of the other players he should leave his post and endeavour to meet the forward. Every yard he goes out means that he leaves less space to be guarded. It is a well-known fact that the more work the goalie has to do the better he shines, and it often happens that the side that has been resting for half an hour breaks away and a goal results. A forward or a half-back is always in the midst of it, and gets warmed whether his side are losing or winning, but the keeper has often to exercise the faculty of patience. There have been many great goalkeepers, and it is very hard to pick out even half a dozen who stand out for their fame. In Scotland, when I was a boy, Macaulay was considered to be the principal goalkeeper, and quite deservedly so, if only for the simple reason that in International matches, especially against England, he always rose to the occasion. Moon, of the Corinthians; A. Trainor, of Preston North End; Toone, of Notts County; and, later on, Sutcliffe, of Bolton, and Robinson, of Southampton, were always to the fore, and of the pair it is very difficult to say which was the better. Both have played for England on many occasions, and at no time were they ever disgraced. Their methods in many ways were different, but the one thing they had in common was that they both knew the right moment to go for the ball. Robinson was without hesitation the more fearless, but Sutcliffe made up for it in many other ways. I have played against both on several occasions, and cannot honestly say that one is greater than the other, for what one is deficient in the other makes up for in some other way or by some other method. The goalkeeper, like the policeman, has a very happy time in comparison with fifteen years ago. In the olden days one could practically do as he liked, and it was not at all uncommon to see the goalie bundled over the line ere the ball came near him. He is protected now in every way, and he cannot now be charged except when in actual contact with the ball. This is a good rule, and has done a great deal for the game.

CHAPTER II.

Full-Back Play.

He must also keep himself thoroughly fit, although in one way he has not so much to do as the men in front of him. He must be strong in defence, but again, when his side is having the most of the play he should be able to put in many a good shot. It is also requisite that he should be able to kick as well with one foot as the other, and boys especially should study this point. It is simply a case of practice. Every opportunity should be utilised in developing the left foot, which is rather weaker than the other, and every eleven out of twelve are greatly inclined to use the right foot, but if you keep on practising, it will not be long before you will be quite as proficient with your left as your right. To become a good artist you must study kicking the ball from any position or angle that it may come to you. There is what we call the drop kick, the free kick, the overhead kick, the place kick, and taking the ball on the run. The overhead kick is practically one to be avoided, except in a grave case of emergency, because you are never certain of it coming off, or of placing it to any advantage. The drop kick also takes a great deal of practice to be accomplished with anything like success, but the essential thing is to be able to keep the ball on the run and kick it where you desire. A back should be of a steady disposition and always keep cool, for if he loses his head he is of little or no use to the side. It is also necessary to know when to head or kick the ball. It is often imperative that a back, for the good of his side, should punt the ball over the touch-line, but when doing so he should not make a lusty kick and put it over the grand stand. All that is wanted is a gentle touch to the railings, which is the proper thing to do. As I have already remarked, to know how to head the ball is of the utmost importance, and it is effective in clearing the line, especially from corner kicks. Heading is quite an art of its own, and takes a long time to master. You should be able to get at the ball not only with the forehead, but with either side of the head.

There should be a general understanding between the two backs, and also between them and the goalie. Each should understand the other's play to a nicety, and cover one another's mistakes to a certain extent. They must have confidence in their goalie, and should give him plenty of room in which to operate. It is also important to know when to pass back to the goalkeeper, and to do so correctly. I have seen many goals scored from faultiness in this respect. In tackling, a back must be quick in turning, so that if the forward beats him he has a chance of overtaking his opponent. This has always been a strong point in the play of all our greatest backs, and should be cultivated by all those who wish to succeed. To the uninitiated it seems that when the ball comes to a back he should return it vigorously, and nothing more. This is far from being correct. Many of our best backs have been moderate kickers, but when they did kick they did so with discretion and judgment, placing the ball to the half-back if he was free or to the outside right or left, as the run of the play might be. Above all, a back should be a fine tactician, knowing when to go for the ball or when to put it quickly into touch, thus giving his fellow players time to get back and save the position. There have been many fine full backs during the last decade of football history, and probably the greatest were the brothers Walters, of Corinthian fame; Nick Ross, of Preston North End; and Walter Arnott, of Queen's Park. The two Walters understood each other thoroughly, and as a pair were second to none. Arnott was the prettiest back to watch that I have ever seen, and Ross was about the most effective. The latter was certainly the most fearless player that I have ever run across, and seemed at times to plough his way through the attacking forwards.

CHAPTER III.

The Middle Line.

There is no shadow of doubt but that the half-back line is the backbone of a football team, and probably the centre half catches the eye more than any other member of the eleven. He ought really to be a general, as he is in command of both the attack and the defence. For, many reasons he should be the captain of the side, for he can always encourage either the defence or the attack. He is like a wicketkeeper in cricket, who sees more of the game than any other player, and if he be not the captain, his advice should always be taken into serious consideration. I have seen so many expert half-backs that I must refrain from dwelling upon the abilities of individual players. However, taking such great examples as C. Campbell, of Queen's Park, Glasgow; Johnnie Holt, of Everton fame; J. Cowan, of Aston Villa, now manager of Queen's Park Rangers, and many others, their methods practically agree. A half-back should be able to distribute the ball when it comes his way to the best advantage, and a long swinging pass from centre or outside right or left, according to his judgment, has always proved most effective. No one understood this game more than Cowan, and I am certain others who know the player and game will testify to this. I prefer a fast man for this position, if only for the reason that from the kick-off he gets going invariably before anyone else in the field. His head work ought to be excellent, and a great deal depends upon him whether the run of play be in the opponents' hands or otherwise. As a matter of fact, the distribution of play to the best results is practically left to him. It is a debatable point regarding the halves whether they should direct their main efforts against the opposing inside or outside forward. To my mind, there ought to be an understanding between the back and the half, but in theory the half-back should tackle the inside forward and leave the outside man to the back. The best of critics disagree on this point, and I only give my own personal view from the long experience I have had in playing the game. Still touching on the wing half, a half-back should certainly cultivate speed as well as ability, for he must never know when he is beaten. If a forward outmanœuvres him, he should instantly fall back on his own goal, so that when his back tackles the opposition the half-back should be available to retrieve the position; that is to say, if the outside left, for instance, beats the right half-back, the latter should immediately get between the forward and the goal post, especially when his opponent is known to be a dangerous attacker. It is understood that a half-back has much more to do in proportion than any other player in the field, and should always be in the pink of condition. He has infinitely more running and twisting about to do, and should be most elastic. Many wing half-backs are rather prone to wander all over the field, which is a mistake (except in isolated cases). Probably E. Needham, of Sheffield United, was the most adaptable player in this respect, although H. Wilson, the Scottish International, ran him close. The mention of the latter's name brings back to my mind the period before the law as to throwing in the ball from touch was altered. Wilson was the expert, and stood alone. When playing for Sunderland it was nothing unusual for him to throw the ball from the half-way line right into the goal-mouth. Much may have been lost owing to the alteration in the law, for the player now must stand with both feet on the line instead of being able to have a good run ere he parts with the ball. The half-back should be a good shot, and should cultivate taking the ball on the run when shooting at goal. More goals would be scored if the half-backs did not hesitate but shot straight at the goal. "The man who hesitates is lost," says a well-known proverb, and its truth is shown in half-back shooting as in any other way. Why more goals do not come from the half-back line is a mystery to me, but upon reflection I think it is because they do not act on the spur of the moment. Still, this is a failing in the forward line as well as in the half-back division, and it is hardly fair to criticise them severely. In summary, my ideal half-back would be quite as proficient in defence as in attack, and to secure this result he will be wise to constantly develop the latter department, for it is especially true of football that attack is the best defence. This may seem a tall order, but a half-back should be both a forward and a half-back combined. Half-backs should certainly receive a great deal of assistance, especially from the forwards, and if this is not forthcoming it puts an extra amount of work upon their shoulders. This I shall deal with in another chapter from a forward's point of view. I cannot conclude this chapter without alluding to the late J. Crabtree, who played for many years with Aston Villa, and upheld his club so well in half-back and full-back play. I have played against him on many occasions, and he certainly was the finest man I ever came across in defence and attack. He seemed to be able to read the forwards' thoughts, and knowing what was going to be done with the ball, intercepted in a way that has rarely, if ever, been equalled. This, in one way, is a gift which is not mastered by cultivation, but still practice is a great thing, and it is only by this means that any man can hope to come to the front.

CHAPTER IV.

Forward Play.

A good forward line is perhaps a club's chief asset. If the forwards continue to attack, the defence has an easy time, and, as previously mentioned, the best defence is attack. It is not the man who scores that is necessarily the best forward, but to get goals should be the aim of a forward whether he gets the goal himself or leaves a comrade to shoot the ball into the net. From this it will be gathered that a forward should really understand something of the art of goalkeeping, so that he may know how best to defeat the goalkeeper. The object of every forward movement should be to get to the goal by the nearest way possible, eluding the goalie by placing the ball out of his reach. We have all heard of Johnnie Goodall's method in this line. It is a well-known fact that he used to put a tall hat on top of the bar and endeavour to knock it off. In this way he practically put the ball wherever he wanted to, and this was the great secret of his goal-scoring power, which, as I have already remarked, is the chief asset in a forward. While we are on the point of shooting, another thing is to be able to take the ball on the run, which is to say that a forward should shoot without having to trap the ball. By doing so he gives the goalkeeper no possible chance of knowing where it is going. If he can do this while running at top speed, he will certainly be an artist in this department, and no one was better able to do this than Stephen Bloomer, the great International. I have often been asked what was the secret of his success, and I have always put it down to this reason: running at top speed and being able to give the ball—without slackening down—the final kick into the net. In the last decade the forward line was purely individualist, and there were certainly many giants of the game. Combination was, generally speaking, unknown, and every forward was quite on his own. The forward line is now a combined one, and in one way it is more effective than the old style. It is hardly possible to get a blending of both, but it can be done, and if a team are fortunate enough to do so they would certainly come out on top at the end of the season. It is a recognised fact that the forward play of to-day is rather too mechanical, and we miss the individual efforts that we used to appreciate so very much in the days gone by. Naturally, the centre forward is the connecting link of the rank. He should be tall, a fine dribbler, and more often an individualist than any of his comrades. He should also be able to keep his wings well together, and distribute the play to the best advantage, and most of all to be a fine shot. The inside forwards should do what is called "the donkey work," to fetch and carry, and to help the half-backs when they are in a dilemma. Theirs is the most thankless job of the lot, and a great deal done by them is often unappreciated. How often I have heard the crowd cheer a centre forward for a goal while the man who did so much to lead up to it was quite overlooked! Happily he has the consolation of knowing that the men with him quite appreciate his work, as also does the educated public. I always try to impress upon the young and old that it is not the man who scores the goal that deserves the credit, but that in an ideal forward line each one should work for the benefit of the side, treating the getting of the goal as a mere item of the play. Perhaps, having played mostly on the inside, I may be inclined to be biassed. Still, I think not, and I can fortunately plead my long connection with the game, and I care not what others may say, this is the esprit de corps that must prevail in any team which intends to reach the highest pinnacle in the Association world.

One would imagine that it is the simple duty of the inside right to pass the ball to his outside man or on occasions to the centre forward, but this is far from being correct, and one of the most effective passes is from inside right to outside left or vice versa, from inside left to outside right. The reasons for this are obvious. In the first place, all the play is concentrated on the right wing, and the outside left, being correctly placed, passes it with a long swing to him, and that always means danger to the opposition. Another reason is that he retrieves the play to a certain extent by carrying the play right up the field and so giving the defence an opportunity to reveal itself. An inside forward must also come back for the throw-in when the ball goes out of touch. Coming to the outside man, he should be able to shoot accurately from any angle. Often a great failing of his is running the ball towards the corner flag instead of making a bee-line for goal. It is given to few to be able to land the ball in the mouth of the goal from the corner flag when on the run, and even if anyone is able to do so, it would certainly be more effective to make straight for the goal. I do not believe in an outside forward coming to the assistance of the defence, save under exceptional circumstances. An outside may do so and receive a cheer for it, but it is much more important that he should be in position to take up the ball next time it is sent where he should be waiting. One of the virtues that an outside man should possess is that of patience. Often on the run of the play the ball goes on quite the opposite side of the field, and he must control the impulse to go after it. It is a great mistake to leave your place, for when the ball does come along the outside man will be practically clear and have a straight run before him. I know it is a great strain on an outside man to stand still while all the others are in the thick of the play. Still, it is his place to do so, and it should be done. Centring the ball is a great feature, and the best position from which to do so is about thirty yards out, landing the ball close upon the twelve yards line. If he puts the ball further than that the goalkeeper is in a position to catch it and thus save the position. The art of being able to place corner kicks effectively is a thing of the past. Perhaps this is due to the restrictions against charging the goalkeeper unless he is in actual contact with the ball. Still, it behoves an outside man to study this point. It may seem strange, but the best way for the outside right to kick is with his left foot. The same applies to the outside left; he should kick with his right foot. The reason here is surely obvious, because kicks with your left foot from the right wing cause a slight swerve on the ball. There have been many great forwards both in the individual and combination line. Aston Villa maintain that Archie Hunter was the greatest centre forward and the best general that ever kicked a ball, and this statement is endorsed by very many competent judges. I was fortunate enough to see him play in Scotland when on tour twenty years ago, and he very greatly impressed me. As I was very young at the time, perhaps I should not make any definite statement. I have played with G. O. Smith, and he was a great forward, as also is V. J. Woodward, with whom I have played in later days. These three played the game as it should be played. With no unnecessary charging, they always got on the ball, and knew when it was best to dribble and when to shoot. William Bassett, of West Bromwich Albion fame, was a great outside right, and could centre the ball from any position. He and Johnnie Goodall, now manager of Watford, made a great wing. We all know the abilities of Bloomer, who has been the greatest goal getter of recent years. The outside left position is the most difficult one to fill in the forward line, and consequently there have not been so many giants in this position. Probably this is owing to the fact that few can kick as well with both feet, but with practice there should be no difficulty in acquiring this accomplishment.

CHAPTER V.

Training.

Not the least important thing about football is the matter of training, and nearly every professional club has a trainer, whose business it is not only to get the men fit, but also to keep them so for eight months. I have spoken to a great many whose work it is to get their men into condition and keep them so, and I find that a great many of them have different methods, but nearly all are agreed that every individual must be taken by himself. The majority of people, however, are not paid players, although, as I have already said, these are largely increasing in number, because year by year we see fresh clubs springing up, besides which every member of an ordinary club should be bound to turn out in as perfect a condition as possible. Many make a practice of walking to and from their work, and this in itself is excellent. When Montague Holbein was training for his Channel swims he used to make a practice of walking from Catford to the City, and also back, a distance of several miles, and this he found very valuable indeed. In the early days of some of the more important clubs a great many of the players who were professionals went to their ordinary occupations all the week and used to play on a Saturday. When West Bromwich Albion, captained by William Bassett, won the English Cup against Preston North End twenty years ago, the Midlanders were all local lads, whose wages totalled about ten pounds a week, while Preston's pay-list was four times as much. Indeed, men who are regularly at work, especially if it be out of doors and if it taxes one's bodily powers, need very little training. No one ought to play football unless he has a sound constitution, and every organ in the body must be sound, especially the heart and lungs; it is a game for those who are healthy and vigorous. A good plan is to pursue some exercise during the "close" season, i.e., the summer months. Professionals will tell you that August is their hardest month, a large number of them having done nothing since the end of April. Their muscles have become stiff, and they have probably too much surplus flesh. It is very different where professionals take up first class cricket, and trainers have frequently told me that those professionals and amateurs who play the summer game require little or no preparation, and there are many instances of that. Take, for instance, J. Sharp, the famous Everton forward. He must be getting on in years, and yet season after season he plays cricket up till the end of August and then turns up at Goodison Park and shows how well he can carry the ball along and whip it into goal, like "a rocket, though not so straight up," as one great judge has written of him. He has been an International this year. He has done splendid work as a cricketer, and is second on the list of Lancashire averages, and may be described as one of the greatest all-round men in England. Now, in his thirty-first year, he has given evidence that if you keep in condition there is no need to worry about special preparation or anything of the sort. Another instance is E. Needham, the captain of Sheffield United, and perhaps the greatest half-back for many years that we have had. He is now thirty-five, and it is a long time since he played his first International match, and long before he was a cricketer he had made his name as a footballer. He is a tireless worker, as anyone who has watched him with the Sheffield United club knows quite well, and long before his age many men have retired from the game. He has the respect and admiration of everyone, and this year he has come to the front as a cricketer and finished at the head of the Derbyshire averages. The result of his always keeping in condition is that he will probably go on for some years as a great cricketer, and as one career is on the wane the other seems to be beginning. He is great indeed at both games. Two other members of the Sheffield United club have also made their presence felt at the summer game. I refer to the two half-backs, the brothers Wilkinson. W. H., the half-back, has never done better as a cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman, and has made a great advance on anything he has done before, while B. Wilkinson is a player of some repute. Lewis, of Somerset; Makepeace, of Lancashire; Ducat, of Surrey; Iremonger, of Notts; and Leach and Vincett, of Sussex, are all cricketers who have done splendid work during the summer game, and have turned out footballers perfectly fit at the beginning of the season. Indeed, if you play cricket as it should be played it is magnificent training for football. It is hard work getting fit at the start of the season if you have allowed your muscles to become flabby, while there may be no regular circulation of the blood, and generally the muscles that you require are very lethargic, so the difficulty is with those who do not play tennis or cricket, or go in for rowing or swimming or some other form of active exercise during the summer, that they will have to take up some serious practice. Skipping is good, walking and running, especially short sprinting, while punch-ball exercise and dumb-bells may be used. There should be moderation in all things, and one must start carefully at first and increase the amount of training until one feels fit. During the season walking and some practice at kicking, with an occasional sprint, are quite enough to keep the player well. It is quite possible that some may suffer from the tremendous amount of energy that they put into their game. I do not think that those who work indoors, such as clerks and others who are called upon to follow indoor occupation, require more than moderate regular exercise. It is very likely that they will have to do their training after or before business hours, and in the evening brisk walking of a couple of miles, with a sprint of 100 yards four or five times, is a good way of getting rid of superfluous fat, and everyone can do this if he likes, though laziness will often lead some to shield themselves under the excuse, "They have no time." One well-known forward, thoroughly conscientious in his training, used to exercise on the Embankment, an excellent plan. Everyone who has to work sitting down should take a morning bath and a little practice with a skipping rope or dumb-bells. The question of diet is of some importance. The game is so strenuous and exhausting that a substantial meal should be taken at least two hours before a match. Many have a beef steak well cooked, with stale bread and vegetables that are well done, always excluding potatoes, and they are able to play right through the game without feeling in any way fatigued. The plainer the food the better. All players are better if they leave alone intoxicants. Needham earnestly advises young players to abstain from them. He says that his experience is that they do not sustain any long continued effort, and their stimulating effect is followed by an invariable depression. From my own observation of players who have abstained and those who have not, I am sure the former have done far better than the latter. Plenty of Internationals and men whose names are household words are total abstainers. I remember Vivian J. Woodward at a dinner in the football season would neither touch intoxicating drinks nor smoke, and England's captain knew what he was about. Kirwan, who captained Ireland; John Goodall, one of the props of the game; John Lewis, the famous penalty king; C. Williams, the Brentford and Tottenham goalkeeper; Ducat, of Woolwich Arsenal, are only a few of the total abstainers, and to them I might add R. M. Hawkes, International and the Luton captain. Indeed, if you want to be of the greatest value to your side you may take it from me that you will do better service by leaving alone all sorts of alcohol, and as to smoking, I am quite sure it is thoroughly bad. I see one picture which explains to me why a great deal of the slackness is creeping over our boys. Again and again I have watched mere lads of fourteen and fifteen, as well as young men of twenty-five, come on to the cricket and football field smoking those horrible, cheap, inferior "fags." How any captain can allow it is a great mystery to me, because if we are training for a match we always say do not smoke a day or two before, because it interferes with one's staying powers. Yet I have seen boys come down to Tottenham smoking all the way from London, all the time they are changing, and actually come from the dressing room with cigarettes, and blow and blow away right to the moment of kicking off. Not content with that, they get through some more cigarettes at the interval, and then wonder why they are tired before the match is over. I have often begged of our youths if they wish to be athletes to remember that it means a certain amount of self-denial, and if they want to do their best for their side they will take this matter seriously to heart and remember that smoking and drinking intoxicants make one unfit rather than otherwise. I do not think that the ordinary player need think about special training, but if, on the other hand, staleness comes to him a complete rest is necessary. When you are overworked at the end of a long season your feet will seem heavy and your kicking will be uncertain, while you will fall and stumble about. This is the time to retire and make room for someone else. With a little care you will gain the necessary freshness, and you will be able to tell when you have got that, because you will be anxious to play the game.