Page:Association Football and How to Play It (1908) by John Cameron.djvu/72

70 Here is the ideal all-round sportsman. Little wonder he has succeeded so well on the cricket field. He is not content to excel in one department. Once we thought he would become a great fast bowler, then he began to progress as a batsman, and at the moment of writing has concluded a great season for his adopted county, whose fortunes have been very low. He, too, is in business, and life for him is truly strenuous, as his play is. We could do with more player-workers of this modest young man's type.

And if you come to the front line watch V. J. Woodward, our leading gentleman player. The son of an architect living in a house that overlooks the Oval, he learned his game at a school at Clacton, and then resided at Chelmsford, where one day a director of the 'Spurs, happening to know that a match was being played in the County Cup Competition, thought he would have a look, and did so. He was struck with the skill of Vivian J. Woodward as a centre forward, and as the result of a chat he was got to play for Tottenham Hotspur. This was some six years ago. He at once made his mark, and no man was ever so loved by professionals. No fairer player ever stepped on to the field. Note his clean, delightful runs, how unselfish he is; indeed, it was freely reported that he was left out of a series of Internationals because he showed so much consideration for his partners. What a glorious tribute to the sportsmanship of the man! Yes, for clean, clever, aye, cultured forward play, watch V. J. Woodward, who can only get away on