SIDNEY C. DE MELKER (Kimberley, Griqualand West and South Africa) was born in Kimberley in 1884, and is one of a band of brothers whose name is a household word in Kimberley football. Young De Melker was educated in an atmosphere of football, and little wonder that, with a natural aptitude for the game, he soon overcame the disadvantage of stature, and blossomed out into a first-class player, and one worthy to represent South Africa. He is small, for he is barely 5 feet 7 inches in height, somewhere about the same size as R. E. Lockwood, and about the same weight-10 stone 10 pounds as that player was when he played for Yorkshire and England. Coached by his brother, a celebrated half, he learned not alone how to take passes, but how to give them to the best advantage. He is faster than he looks, and runs straight through, making capital openings for his co-centre or wing, whilst on the defence he is the best centre in South Africa. He is in addition a fine kick, either "drop" or "punt." He has played first-class football for many years, and as far back as 1901 he was playing centre for the Kimberley Club, in which year they won the Griqualand West Cup. Two years later he played centre three-quarter with Bishop for South Africa against England, and also represented Griqualand West twice against the same combination. In the following year he was chosen to play centre three-quarter for Griqualand West at the tournament at East London, and in the Transvaal match he distinguished himself -by the fearless manner in which he tackled McEwan. In the 'team at Home his ability to play either right or left centre was of great service to the team, and he played some magnificent games, enhancing the high reputation already made in South Africa.