In defence of the profesional footballer
Sir,- I feel sure that most of those correspondents who have expressed views against the paid footballers have been actuated by a sincere desire to stimulate recruiting, and I am entirely in sympathy with them in trying to achieve such a laudable object. Nevertheless, I feel that the paid footballer have been subjected to some very unfair criticism, possibly by some who have always been antagonistic to the sport, but probably by more who, though quite sincere, are not sufficiently conversant with all the circumstances in arriving at their conclusion.
For instance, it may be news to the general public to know that at Fitzroy the current rate of payment is 25/ per man for matches in which they actually participate. Surely this is not professionalism in the true sense of the term! All the players are men who work at regular occupations, and no one should begrudge them the solatium they receive for the hard training they undergo and the many little sacrifices they endure in order to keep themselves fit, and to give the public the amusement derived from the best exposition of football.
It is generally admitted that the call to arms has not been answered by many men who are physically fit and have no ties to keep them from enlisting; but are paid footballers any more laggard than amateur footballers, or baseballers, or cricketers, or race-goers, or any other sports; or in fact, the public in general? I think not. In making comparisons it should be borne in mind that a large percentage of paid footballers are married, whereas most amateur footballers are single. The reason is that the average amateur footballer invariably retires from the game on entering into wedlock. On the other hand, when a League or Association player (amateur or otherwise) gets married, his club is usually persistent in trying to induce him to continue with them and generally the player succumbs to their persuasions. Of the eighteen players representing Fitzroy in the last three matches nine are married, and of the other nine some at least have family ties almost as binding.
If the defence department is really keen on inducing athletes to enlist, might I suggest that a recruiting campaign be started in real earnest, something like what is being done in England. Correspondents might devote their energies in this direction with far more prospects of success than by abusing football in the papers. Would any of your correspondents be patriotic enough to supply each football club with a set of recruiting posters, to be placed in the training-rooms, and so bring home frequently to every footballer the reality of war and the call for volunteers? Perhaps even it could be arranged for a recruiting officer to visit the training-rooms, and I am sure the club executives would provide every facility for him. If sport is interfering seriously with recruiting I agree that it should cease. But what is the good of stopping football unless other sports are stopped?
I have not previously played football for monetary gain, but this season I have decided to accept the 25/ per match I am entitled to as a player, and do devote same to the relief of our gallant little allies—the Serbs.
I have now pleasure in enclosing you cheque value for £2/10/ for that object, representing the proceeds of the first two matches, and I will make further remittances to you periodically of 25/ for each match as the money is made available to me by the Fitzroy Football Club. Yours, &c.,
Harold (LAL) McLennan.
Northcote South, May 9, 1915.
'Old Boy' of the Argus responds
The latter of Lal McLennan, the popular Fitzroy player, published in The Argus on Monday, has been much discussed by footballers. The calm way in which the position of the footballer was stated, and the patriotic offer with which the letter concluded, have been highly commended.
There is no doubt, as McLennan writes, that there are number of players who are, by force of circumstances prevented from enlisting. In anything that I have written on this subject I have been careful to make this point clear. I know of numbers of men playing senior football to whom the extra money means much, and who are notable by reason of their responsibilities to enlist. It is not to these men that reference has been made, but to the others, and each football committee knows who they are.
The Sportsmen's Patriotic Fund, suggested by Mr. W. Fawcett, the hon. secretary of the Victorian Junior Football Association, should receive the cordial support of the various controlling bodies. The Metropolitan Amateur Football Association recently decided that the amount of £15 15/, the value of their premiership prize, should be given to the Belgian Relief Fund. Mr. Fawcett's suggestion is practical and can easily be adopted. The League will meet this evening, and it is hoped that something will be done.
The whole point is that the controlling bodies have not realised that some sacrifice has to be made now. The large sum of money raised by charging an extra fee at the semi-finals and final last year was a handsome donation, but it did not come out of the coffers of the clubs—it did not reduce the payment to players. That is where we join issue. Those who point to professional football want to see the clubs take up the matter. They want to see club officials who know the positions of their men acting as recruiting agents, pointing out the way to those who can and should go.
The South Melbourne club has the bye tomorrow, and the executive and members are working hard to make a huge carnival on the South Melbourne ground a success. The object is the Belgian Relief fund, and it is hoped that the weather will enable the attractive programme that has been arranged to be carried out in full.
Footnotes
Title: FOOTBALL AND WAR. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.
Author: Harold ‘Lal’ McLennon
Publisher: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic: 1848 - 1956)
Date: Monday, 10 May 1915, p.10 Article
Web: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1515529
Author: Old Boy
Date: Friday, 14 May 1915, p 10 Article
Comments
This article does not contain any comments.
Login to leave a comment.