Captaincy.
There are a good many people who think that the office of captain is not
very important, but my idea is that the judicious choice of a skipper is
very great indeed. I have heard it said that the office is an empty
honour in a professional club, but I am sure that this is a great
mistake, and in an ordinary club as much depends on the leader as all
the rest put together. The best players in the world are sacrificed if
placed under an inefficient general, but on the other hand a leader of
ability and energy has often made a strong club out of what seemed to be
very unpromising material. So the best all-round player should be
skipper. It seems to me quite necessary that whoever holds this position
must have the confidence of every member of the side, and there can only
be one leader in the field, and unless any fellow has ability and
character enough to gain the loyal support of his men, he had certainly
better never think about taking the office. So many clubs fail because
they have no confidence in their leaders. Ernest Needham, the great
leader of the Sheffield United side, has said that when a team is in a
winning mood how proud the captain may be, but what a difficult post he
has to fill when a team is on the downward grade and losing match after
match. The man you choose should have a thorough knowledge of the game,
and also enthusiasm and keenness, which should be a standing rebuke to
that subtle spirit of slackness which is so characteristic of our men
to-day. Personally, I am very sorry to see this, and if you have at the
head one who sets an example of hard work, coolness, and determination,
you may be sure that he will do his best to get all he can out of his
men. "Example is far better than precept." Now the captain should be the
oldest member of a team as a rule, and the one with most experience.
Alexander Tait and Walter Bull, when they were leaders of the 'Spurs,
were examples of ability and experience going hand in hand, and they
naturally commanded respect. As a rule the captain should decide on the
composition of the team and what they should do. If he has an idea he
can improve it by giving a few new men a trial, he should inform his
committee, who in a small club should always be men who have played and
know the game. They, too, must have perfect confidence in the man they
have chosen, and allow him a very free hand if they wish to get the best
results. One caution which has often been uttered but each season seems
to need repetition, is this that when the side is playing the captain
has absolute control of his men, and is responsible for their formation
and play. He should be above favouritism, for in junior clubs the leader
has often favourites, and no matter how very able the man may be himself
one player does not make a team, and it is necessary to be friendly
with all and not be partial to anybody. The game and the ability of each
for his particular part in it must be the chief consideration, and I
hope that this will ever be so. Without it there will be no success.
Again, it is very necessary that a captain should be in a position to be
able to point out the errors of each one, so that there may be no
resentment. On the field of play, too, he must feel that he has the
support of his men, because it is when they are playing matches that he
has great responsibility. He will carefully watch for openings on the
part of the opposing club, and if he thinks he detects a weak place,
will direct the play so as to take advantage of this and gain the upper
hand, giving his comrades hints as to how this may be done. Many
captains that I know of hardly speak a word on the field of play, but
the interval forms a very useful opportunity indeed for advice, which
must be taken in the proper spirit. He will watch the play of his
opponents, and adopt what he thinks will be the best game. Ernest
Needham remembers how in the great Cup-tie, Sheffield United against
Liverpool, his side were, ten minutes from the close of play, two goals
down, and then played eight forwards, one back, and one half-back, and
in this way managed to get a drawn game. Of course, as he explains,
goals against them mattered little, but the Liverpool forwards were soon
offside in their attempt to break away. In this case the captain was in
a weak position, and reverted to what may seem a strange formation in
order to save the day. Two great captains who have left their mark upon
the game have been Howard Spencer and V. J. Woodward. Spencer was the
leader of Aston Villa, and he gained his unique position by qualities
that may well be imitated. He was something more than an English
gentleman and sportsman. He was, perhaps, the fairest player ever known
to the game. He has never been known to lose his temper, and
self-restraint seemed to him perfectly natural. No player or referee has
ever accused him of a wilful foul, and he has nothing except honest and
straightforward play and skill. His knowledge of the game was very
great, and is shown by the fact that his club won the League
Championship four times, while three times in ten years he helped Aston
Villa to win the English Cup. I dare say, like the rest of humanity, he
had faults, but at the same time he stood out a man who was a brainy
player of great ability. The other man is V. J. Woodward, who has hardly
reached the zenith of his fame. He is very fair in his play, and is ever
heartily welcomed by those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. It
was a mere accident that brought him to the front. A Tottenham supporter
happened to see him taking part in a local game at the time when G. O.
Smith was retiring, and he was invited to show his prowess in good
company, with what result everybody knows. If he has been left out of a
side it is perhaps because he is so unselfish that he has not been
chosen on every occasion that he might have been, but nature and skill
asserted themselves, and he is the unanimous choice of the selectors
now. He would rather lose a game than win it by dirty tactics. He is
never individual, and always gives the others a chance. To my mind, he
is the ideal captain of the day, and everyone who wishes to be
successful as a leader should go and watch him. The young player must
always remember to keep perfect control over his temper, or he will do
very little. Walter Bull thinks the ideal place for a "skipper" is that
of centre half, but some others have preferred the goalkeeper's place.
In the latter you have all the play before you, but from centre half
hints can be passed unobserved to the front line. Alexander Tait, of
Leyton, was ever quiet as a captain, no shouting on the field of play,
but a friendly "tip" during the interval. What you regard as "hard
lines" will often try your temper, but if you expect your side to obey
the referee and the spectators to behave well, you must show the way.
The skipper who succeeds is the man of few words on the field, though
off it he may say a great deal. The club's affairs will go much more
smoothly if he tries to be fair. No personal feeling must interfere with
his choice of a player--the best man for the position, and the one who
plays not for himself but for his side. To-day combination is required.
I know one brilliant International who was very individual.
Remonstrances were of no use, and at last came the time when he had to
be left out of the team. He was a nice fellow, and since he left he has
been captain for his country. One man, good as he may be, cannot win a
match, and the captain, at least, should be free from reproach.
[Illustration: SHOOTING WITH THE INSTEP.]