Association Football and How to Play It/Chapter 7
CHAPTER VII.
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.