June 9, 1890
The Annual meeting of the Everton Football Club was held last evening at the Anfield Road broad school. Mr. John Houlding president of the club, in the chair, and there was a very large attendance.
Mr. Richard Molyneux (Secretary) in his statement said that the season had been a most creditable one, the club having accomplished what no other first-class club had done-they had scored 310 goals to 90 scored against them. They had played 72 matches, which was far in excess of any played in one season before. They had won 54 matches, lost 10 matches and draw 8 (applause). Thirty matches had been played away from home he had no hesitation in saying that, though they were not the holders of the English Cup no one could dispute the fact that their record was superior to that of any club in England (applause).
The report having been adopted, Mr. William Jackson, the Hon. Treasurer, submitted the annual financial statement, which showed the total receipts to be £5,957 5s 10d, of which the gate receipts was £5,188 5s 10d. The expenditure amounted to £5,478 16s 10d, of which the principal items were £2,059 1s 11d for players wages. £900 paid to visiting clubs and £702 for travelling expenses. There was a balance in the bank of £424 16s 9d and £34 18s 9d in the treasurer’s hands. The adoption of the financial statement was moved by the chairman, and seconded by Mr. William Barclay in answer to several questions, the chairman said the reason they had paid £900 away to visiting clubs, and received only £440 was that when they played away they did not received so much as they gave in shared gates to writing teams (Hear hear). They somewhat paid as much as £70 or £100, while they did not usually receive more than £40 or £50. In the case of the Celtic club, they received £102, the largest amount, they ever received from a match play away. Mr. Houlding in answer to questions about the item of £90 arrears of rent, which had been paid, said he had invested about £6,000 in the ground of the club, and at the end of last year he received £150. Thinking he should fairly have at least 4 per on his money he asked for £90, and the committee thought right to give it to him. (Applause).
A member present questioned. Mr. Houlding’s statement and said he would like to know whether there was £2,000 actual money invested. The chairman: “If you like to call at my office, I can show you the deeds to prove the accuracy of my remarks (Loud applause).” The chairman having put the motion, it was carried, but subsequently two members at the far end of the room protested that it was “preposterous to pass such a balance sheet as the chairman had tried to pass that evening,” and a scene of considerable excitement continued for some time. The chairman I have not passed it, you have passed it yourselves (Applause).
A number of alterations in the rules proposed by Mr. Houlding were than discussed in a very animated manner; but with few amendments, they were carried. The alterations included the appointment of a paid Secretary, the issue of season tickets at £1 1s, admitting to the north reserves stands; and season tickets at 12s 6d for admission to the ground. Also provisions for the increase of the subscription of new members to 15 or annum with an entrance fee of the same amount, and also for giving the committee power to close the ground to members and season tickets holders for not more than six matches for the benefit of players or charity matches.
On the motion of Mr. Alexander Wilson seconded by Mr. John Dermott, Mr. Houlding was unanimously re-elected president, in acknowledging the compliment; Mr. Houlding expressed regret that the club had not gained any of the Cups this year. He had though that like Alexander, they would have gone in until they had no other worlds to conquer. As it was, however, he was proved of the club (Applause).
Mr. William Barclay was elected chairman of committee. Mr. Robert Wilson hon. Treasurer, and Mr. William Jackson (last year’s hon treasurer) on the motion of the chairman, Mr Richard Molyneux was re-elected Secretary with a salary attached to the office.
The committee elected was as follows:- Messrs. John Williams, Richard Stockton, Dr James Baxter, John C. Brooks, Abraham Coates, Francis Currier, Thomas Howarth, George Fleming, and William Clayton. The discussion of after matches was then gone into the proceeding being at a very protracted nature.
(Liverpool Daily Post: June 10, 1890)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 