Evening journal., 1922-12-06

Footbsllically. financially and
otherwise successful. meaning that
the public in general was satisfied
and that is the main provision in the
presenting Of any event, the VIII
imington Football Association actual
ly closed its first season last Sstur-
day with the playing OF the st.
lMary-Seventh Ward game. only a
few more details remain to complete
the 1929 affairs OF the Association
and they include tho mere division
Of the forfeit money posted at the
beginning OF the season by each Of
the teams Most of this will go to
/ the Defiance A. A. champions Of
! the Association, as prize money. A
meeting will be called for some
evening convenient to all managers
and officers to close out the business
OF the Association.
The success OF the venture OF
football association. such as the To-
cal organization as It was operated,
something new for Independent
football. was indicated in various
ways. It fulhlled its purpose in the
first place by doing away entirely
with the muddle OF the previous sea-
son and its subsequent wrangling
between teams and followers, dis
gusting TO the general public. Some
minor kicks directed at the oficiat-
ing which are always expected and
materialize in every branch OF
sport, and in any other lines where
there must be some one to judge
between two parties, were all that
were registered. The Association
worked smoothly throughout. oper-
ating under the arrangements and
rules made at the last meeting be-
fore tho first game. Not another
meeting OF the Association was nee
essary.
There are numerous means of de-
termining the success OF a sport or
already been mentioned. The
smoothness and sportsmanlike man
ner in which they are conducted are
foremost and they bring continued
support of the public. The crowds
the games were the larg- |
est this class OF football has seen
in Wilmington. Financially speak
ing. It was the best football season
several of the teams have ever had.
The Association produced one OF
the finest working pieces OF foot
ball machinery in it's champion, the
Defiance eleven. which can Justly
claim the independent gridiron title
Of the State. with only one possible
dispute Of that claim. Fort DUPONT,
and the Soldiers have not been heard
from publicly. !
The Bulldogs showing has been =,
In the six Association
games played not once was their
goal line crossed. Only three points
we're scored on them and they were
Via the field goal route in the final
yame on Thanksgiving Day, by
Sal McCullin's educated
oe sending the oval spinning across
he bar. In several OF the games
he Bulldogs were given stern op-
position, but their defense was
trong enough to Withstand the at
acks of their opponents while they
lad enough reserve and versatility
n their offensive 10 turn the tide in
heir favor. Their 1870 victory reg
stored over Seventh Ward, is some
What OF a local scoring record.
Several stars. who were perhaps I
tars before. were produced during &;
he season Of the Association, and
everal Of them should go higher in ]
he grid sport II they get the op- {
,ortunity to do so. But with the
Producing Of these star players, the
association also brought out several
hicials who merit more than a word
II two for the work they did at
light recompense.
A more conscientious staff OF
workers could not be desired by the
most exacting employer. They gave
heir best. although there might
ave been some lack Of apprecla
ion shown in the manner in which
me or two Of their judgments were
eceived. but as has been said many
lines before. "its always the case
or those who arbitrate."
The officials Of the Wilmington
association did much TO lift footba.
o the higher plane which It achieved
n this locality during the past sea-
ION. They worked for this and
ihould be commended. Rules in
meetings and discus
lions were held at regular intervals
~ these officials and their help was
general in the grid sport in VIII
nington. There IS no need to men
ion names. The way the games
we're conducted in the Association
md emulated by teams in other
again be represented in tho Friends
school league.
As is the custom the respective