The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-11-29
ASSOCIATION
FOOT BALL
Gradually Forging Ahead in
This Country.
CLUBS ARE INCREASING.
In New York 10000 Persons witnessed
Game on Election Day = Con-
tons Of the
Game.
CLUBS ARE INCREASING.

New York, Nov. rs. Association foot
ball in a quiet and unobtrusive way Is
gradually forging ahead in New York,
There area number Of clubs which play
the game, in the immediate vicinity OF
the city, and their matches are always
followed by interested crowds Of spec
tators. At Prospect Park on election
day between 1900 and 10000 persons
witnessed the game played there between
the Brooklyn Football Club aud the Fra
ternal a. c., while every Saturday large
crowds watch the games Of the former
club.
It would be peculiar fact il the
game did not attract considerable atten-
ton in this country, for in England,
Scotland and Ireland, it has supplanted
all other winter sports in popularity,
its inherent merits being recognized BY
enormous crowds which witness the
matches contested every Saturday
throughout the country. As many as
100000 spectators have attended d cham
pionship match, while 10000 is eonsid.
cred an ordinary crowd at a game.
In fact, the football craze is 80 prev
lent now ia England that the large man
ufacturers are casting about for means
to check it. In the north Of England
it il not an infrequent for several fac.
tories to be closed on the day Of a big
game. The men simply viii not 70
TO work when an important match is
on, and the factory has no remedy for
it. leading magazine in England thus
describes the conditions which exist in
respect to the game
! Large employers Of labor in York
shire, in Lancashire, in Durham and in
Northumberland, as we'll as in the Mid
lands, have been obliged to yield to the
rush of the tide and are now powerless
to command the interests OF business
against those of football. Events such
as the launching Of a ship or the COM
pletion OF an important order within
contract time, have frequently been de-
layed by the coincidence Of a "cup tie.
Large establishments are frequently
closed in midweek because the whole
body Of workmen take 1t into their
heads that their pets on the football
grounds require encouragement If these
men were ordinary hewers of wood or
drawers Of water, a remedy might be
found, but they are chiefly skilled labor.
ers-earing good wages-who never need
be out of work, and who, If turned of,
would be eagerly snapped up by riy-
air.
While it is not to be desired that any
snch state Of things as this should pre-
vail in the United States, the game I'M
doubtedly deserves a greater share Of
popularity than 1t has obtained II has
much to recommend it, as might be in.
ferred from the enthusiasm exhibited
over it BY the Briton, and ii ean be
played when the hard ground makes
Rugby impossible.
Extreme physical strength is unnec-
essary, while quickness of mind and
limb are the sine qua non of success.
The continual action, the constant posi-
|bilities for brialiiant runs and the pat
|ent beauty Of simple combination are
great attractions for the spectator. The
technical rules are OF course entirely
different from the intercollegiate game,
and even the goal posts are not the same
size or height Accidents are rare. as
only charging with the body is permit
ted. By expert intercollegiate players
II has been admitted to be scientific
and exciting game, combining hard exer-
else with chance for skill and judg-
ment
In New York the popularity Of the
game has suffered from the effects Of
a boom, premature and i'll advised. The
boom consisted in the formation of a
professional league, which attempted to
force the pastime into public favor BY
presenting its worst side. Even If well
managed the attempt would have been
fruitless, and win be 80 until the rising
generation spontaneously show their ap.
probation OF the game As a result,
tie general public was disappointed and
thought, perhaps, less Of the game than
before.
The rules OF the game are framed To
prevent accidents, and it Is seldom that
a player receives a serious injury The
team comprises eleven players, arranged
as five forwards, three half backs, two
full backs and goal keeper The goal
keeper is the only man allowed to handle
the ball, and this he can only do in
defence OF the goal. He can hit, throw
it or kick it at pleasure, but is not Al.
lowed to carry it.
The full backs are selected for their
good kicking qualities and assist the