Page:Association Football and How to Play It (1908) by John Cameron.djvu/62

60 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.

Refereeing is probably the point that wants more cultivating than even playing, and any amount of games have been spoiled by an official coming on to the field, not following the ball, and giving his decisions autocratically. He was generally dressed immaculately, and did not dream of following the run of play, and in many cases he has spoiled what would have been a good game. It is to be regretted that there have been some scenes on the Continent reminiscent of some of our outbreaks on home grounds. In one way this is certainly deplorable, but in another it shows that the game is