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PHIL MATSON
RETURNS TO THE WEST.
CLEARANCE FOR RICHMOND
REFUSED BY VIC LEAGUE
"HOTTEST THING EVER."
Phil Matson's services as coach were
eagerly, sought after by a number of foot-
ball clubs while he was in Victoria recent-
ly. A tempting offer was made to him ,by
tne Richmond League Club, and he was
actually appointed to take charge of that
team when the Victorian Fotoball League
intervened. That body definitely re-
fused to grand him the necessary
clearance. This unexpected development
is responsible for the return of the well-
known football identity to Western Ans-
tralia, where he has spent the greater part
of his life.
Matson was aboard the overland train
which reached Perth this morning. He was
met by the secretary of the East Perth
Club (Mr. Cyril -Norton) and a number of
prominent players and officials of that
team, which he served so ably in the few
years preceding his departure for the
Eastern States. In the course of an inter-
view Matson indulged in
Trenchant Criticism
of the action and methods of the govern-
ing body of Victoria.
"It was a bombshell to Richmond and
to others generally," said Matson in al-
luding to the decision to refuse him a
clearance. "It was admitted by many to
be
The Hottest Thing
they had known. I never had a chance,
being put out without even a charge or a
trial.'' Going further into the circum-
stances, Matson said that when he left
Western Australia for Victoria he had
been given a clearance from the controlling
body in this Staet, and, through the'Vic-
torian League, to the Castlomaine Club.
When, he was about to leave the latter dis-
triet later on unmistakeable recognition of
the
Merits of His Efforts
as coach were forthcoming. He was ten-
dered a send-off smoke social by the play-
ers, and in addition to a gold medal re-
ceived an illuminated address, which prais-
ed the work he had done. Over and above
his salary he had been presented with a
handsome cheque, while he was offered a
continuation of the appointment at an ap-
preciably increased remuneration. How-
ever, for business reasons, he had made
Melbourne his residence, and whilst there
he had been the recipient of numerous of-
fers from clubs situate in the metropolitan
area, as well as in the country.
"It was not for one moment anticipat-
ed," he continued, "that, there
Would Be Any Trouble
in admitting me to any position. I had
given satisfaction to the Castlomaine Club ;
there was nothing questionable about the
termination of my association with that
body, and the action which' afterwards de-
voloped had not been taken previously in
similar cases. It is quite true that I
gave consideration to an offer from Burnie
(North-Western Union, Tasmania), but I
did not accept it on account of the delays
that occurred in regard to the appoint-
ment. In fact, the Burnie Club subse-
quently authorised me to seleet a man
whom I would consider qualified to fill
the position of coach. Incidentally, Cas-
tlemaine Club also requested me to do the
same on their behalf, and with their pre-
sident I carried out that service."
"All the time the Richmond Club were
pressing me to join them as coach," he
continued. "They offered me a substan-
tial salary and a good job, together with
the
Promise of a Bonus
if the team qualified for the final four Un-
der these arrangements I signed up with
Richmond. From that time on I devoted
my efforts as much as possible to strength-
ening the side. Although it was not con-
templated that I should play, it was
thought advisable that I should make ap-
plication for a clearance. The Castle-
maine Club granted me a transfer on which
there was an endorsement to the effect
that I bore an excellent character. When
I appeared before the governing tribunal
they asked me questiona relating to the
team with which I had last played, and
where I had resided. Thereupon the
Press, delegates of the Richmond Club,
and myself were
Called Upon to Retire.
We heard no evidence, and when I was
called into the room again I was informed
that my application had been refused. I
asked for a reason and was told the in-
quiry was closed. This latter statement
was repeated when I asked permission to
speak. I was absolutely brought in guilty
and my application was refused
Without a Hearing,
and no one in Victoria knew the reason."
Matson recalled the fact that during the
1924 carnival games he had an argument
with a member of the Victorian League,
which extended perhaps a little further
than the merits of the Western Australian
and Victotian teams,and he had no doubt
that this had been
Used Against Him.
In proof of the latter statement he said
that the delegate had told him on one oc-
casion that he could consider himself lucky
to have had his clearance endorsed when
he applied for the transfer to Castlemaine.
A conclusion the ex-champion footballer
expressed the pleasure it afforded him to
be back in Western Australia, for there
was no doubt that
This Was His Home.
He had heard that his old club, East
Perth, which he would coach, had been
fortunate in securing a number of young
players of great promise, and he saw no
reason why the team should not again
make a strong bid for premiership honors.
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