Just a word or two to the spectators. They should not judge quickly or harshly, and should always recognise that it is one man that must decide, rightly or wrongly. They must not overlook the fact that he has got to do so on the spur of the moment, and that he has no time for reflection. Whilst dwelling on the subject of referees, it is a matter of regret that many players do not take any interest in junior circles, where their personality would command respect. The boy of to-day, knowing that a certain International is going to officiate in the game he is taking part in, will play much better than if Tom, Dick, or Harry had the control, a fact which proves for itself that personality is a great thing in the "Knight of the Whistle." John Lewis, of Blackburn, has been crowned King of Referees, and undoubtedly this was greatly due to his personality on the field. The player knew he could take no liberties whatever, and when a warning was once given it was given so that the player was sure that his next act of disobedience would ensure for him his marching order off the field, and that later he would be dealt with by the F.A. Mr. Lewis always let the player know when he had gone too far in any way, and afterwards it was for a player to see that it did not occur again. It is a pity that more first-class players, when they have finished their playing career, do not follow it up by becoming referees. Referees of the class of Major Marindin, J. C. Clegg, J. J. Bentley, and many others, are badly wanted in the football of to-day. I might appeal to the older players to take a greater interest in the beginners than they are doing at the present time. They should remember the days when they were young and the interest taken in them by their elders, who used to go out of their way to encourage them in their sport, and endeavour to do to-day what was done for them years ago. Junior referees are badly wanted, especially men of a reputation that is well respected. I, even in my little way, refereeing last year, found my name and fame as a Cup-holder and International was a great recommendation, and called for the respect that is really due to worthy officials. If this appeals to any player it is easy for him to become a referee by applying to his local association. The biggest bugbear that the referee has to contend with is the penalty and offside restrictions. To the uninitiated the offside rule appears quite simple, but to the referee it is the most difficult problem he has got to overcome during the course of the day. His eye is always on the ball, and whilst following it up quickly he is naturally inclined to miss some point which appeals to the onlookers, every one of whom considers himself a critic. The penalty kick plays an important part in the game of to-day, and this particular point requires instant decision, consequently the referee needs to be a man with good judgment, and one who is not to be deterred by criticism, whether it be by players, spectators, or directors.
CHAPTER IX.
Football as a Profession.
There are many young fellows who are inclined to take up football as a profession, and to these the writer would say, "Count well the cost before you do it." I have spoken to many players, and few would let their boys take football up as the serious business of life. It is easy to start; any club that has paid players will give you a trial, and if you are capable will sign you on at perhaps a few shillings up to a pound a week. The objections are that the career is very short, and may be interrupted or terminated by an accident at any time, and then if you are not master of a trade you are practically ruined. When boys used to come to me and tell me of their wish to join the 'Spurs I always tried to get them to learn some trade first and be master of it, so when necessary they could fall back upon it. This provision for the future is necessary, because you may begin your paid career at seventeen or eighteen, before you have learned a trade, and play on till you are twenty-eight or thirty, and then find you are too old to begin to do so. I have known a number who had made no preparation for the future, and in some cases they are starving. It is one of the painful duties of a secretary's life to have to hear of appeals for help from veterans who have neglected to acquire some trade before taking up football. No club ought to be allowed, for the credit of the game, to sign on any players until they have given evidence that they have a marketable knowledge of some trade or profession. As I have said, many think £4 a week is a nice income; so it is, but how many get it, and how many years does it last? It may be that in the near future you may get as much as you can out of a club, but even then only a very few of the thousands of paid players will get more than they do now. Many a youth, talking of the matter, has been under the impression that all professionals get the £4 per week. That is not so. Many of the smaller clubs cannot afford to pay it. There are many who never get beyond 50s. per week. No doubt the organisation of school games has had a great deal to do with turning the attention of promising lads at school to football as a career. It is true that one out of a thousand schoolboy players may get signed on, but I hardly know of half a dozen. Hundreds of young men apply to clubs for a trial, and are soon convinced that they have not skill enough, but those few who are lucky should weigh the matter seriously. I know there are many who may argue that they can, after their playing days are over, get a position as trainer or manager to some club. Such a place as I had, for instance, for many years, but, like everything else nowadays, there are only a very limited number of these positions, while there are scores of applicants for them, and for every vacancy to be filled there are generally one or two who have very strong backing, and there is little chance for the outsider. Others have often pointed out to me that after a certain number of years they will be entitled to a benefit. This is quite correct, but even if the benefit comes off how much does it bring in? I should fancy that an average benefit does not give more than £300 or £400—indeed, a footballer is considered very lucky if the match that he has chosen brings him £150. I have known a great many that have brought in less. Mr. J. J. Bentley, who is now the President of the Football League, once wrote an article on "Football Finance," in which he stated that "not more than six professional clubs were solvent," and he asked the pertinent question: "If only six of the leading clubs can make it pay on a really lucrative scale, what is to become of the game?" By the game he doubtless means the professional part of it. Fourteen years have passed away, but I very much doubt if the situation is altered now. A few clubs, a very few, make a profit on their year's working. The majority show a deficit which annually becomes larger. For a time collapse is avoided by the bazaar or by turning the club into a limited liability company, but these are only temporary reliefs, and the fact remains that in most clubs either the expenses of management or the salaries of the players are larger than the receipts permit, and sometimes the clubs go under. Another important point for the would-be "pro." is the question of temperament. You must have exceptional qualities of a personal character. If you cannot take hard knocks as well as give them, and if you cannot control your temper, you are not likely to be successful. The day of the blackguardly dirty player is over, and the man with brain as well as brawn is needed for this work. Education makes all the difference, and the incoming professionals will have to be men of considerable culture. Neither is there any chance for the fellow who cannot control his appetite in the matter of strong drink. There arise before us sad and mournful pictures of men whose names have been "familiar as a household word," but whose sun has set years before it should have done, owing to the fact that they soaked in beer. Some I have seen at the Palace in the Cup Final, the heroes of the day; apparently the world was at their feet. The next time one set eyes on them it was difficult to recognise in the battered specimen of humanity that stood before you the sprightly player of former days. The contrast is painful, but often, very often, has greeted my eyes.
"No," said a great Southern League captain to me, "my boys shall never be paid footballers, but they must learn a trade. The prospects are not pleasing enough." No, it is far better, unless you have superlative talents, to take to some other calling. It is only a small proportion who make their mark in professional football.
Some may make a better thing out of it if they are paid cricketers, for they will have wages for both games. But here again the area is limited, though the pay is good. It is not necessary to be a professional player to gain the highest honours. Take England's captain, V. J. Woodward; he is an architect, but from the first day I saw him there was great ability, and it was bound to come out. So with many other amateurs who have come to the front. They have succeeded because they had skill, but also because they kept in good condition owing to their ordinary work, which was well done. To boys I say stick to your job, and having worked well go and play your best. But leave professionalism out of the business.
CHAPTER X.
Continental Football: Its Growth and Possible Developments.
Football on the Continent is undoubtedly developing greatly, and a great deal of credit is due to the enterprise of the English and Scottish clubs. I have played in France, Germany, and Austria, and the enthusiasm displayed by the players and spectators holds forth great hopes of the game becoming as popular on the other side of the Channel as it is here. It is a few years ago since I last played there, and since then great developments have taken place, such as International matches with English and foreign sides. Practically the results have always been in our favour, but gradually the margin in the goals is becoming less. It will take many years yet before we can expect the Continentals to be able to give our English teams a real good game. However, the outlook is very rosy, as the enthusiasm is becoming greater week by week and year after year. The British elevens who used to visit the Continent were inclined to look upon it as a holiday trip. But after seeing the good done by these visits they have played more earnestly than hitherto.
While playing in Austria, I was greatly impressed with the spirit of our opponents. They were keen enough to learn, and wished to know precisely how the game was played. The captain of the native team (by the way, he could speak English) came to our captain and requested him to play the game as it should be played, and get as many goals as we could and not toy with them. We won by at least double figures, but at the finish of the match they called for three cheers for us, and of course we naturally responded. This is the spirit that prevails from my little knowledge of foreign football, and if it is continued there can be no doubt that at a future date they will be able to challenge any English or Scottish teams, and would give them a good game. It is rather awkward not knowing the language when playing on the Continent, as often times one would like to know exactly why such a decision was given. It has often had its ludicrous side, and I have often smiled at the broad Scotchman trying to explain something to a German without any success.