Saturday, October 15 – 1910
“J.C.” in the “Sporting Chronicle,” writes of centre-forwards.
The centre-forward must be able to pass to the inside men as well as to the wings – but all the other forwards must remember that the centre must be played to in turn. In nine cases out of ten, if the centre keeps a good position, somewhere just behind a straight line between the two outside wing-men, he will have more goal area to shoot at than any other player.
The best game is the whole combination style – with all the forwards keeping from 12 to 15 yards apart. The good centre will advise his comrades to give him room. To see the three men in a bunch is the worst play possible.
Finally I would sum up the duties of a centre-forward in a few crisp sentences: –
(1) Persist in passing all along the line, so as to produce a fast open game.
(2) Practice the Corinthian style of keeping the ball on the ground.
(3) Study shooting with the instep of either foot from any position, no matter how the ball comes.
(4) Avoid facing your own goal, as you have to turn round, and you never know where your opponents are.
(5) Remember that there never were two games of football exactly alike, and consequently there is always something to learn.
(6) Beware of the temptation to overdo dribbling.
I have felt impelled to write these views because I have only seen two centre-forwards of any real ability during this season. If I have penned a word that will make a man think of his club, his comrades and his game I need offer no further justification, for we never had in England fewer real pivots than to-day.
(Sheffield United F.C. Match Programme, 15-10-1910)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 