March 1, 1892
A meeting of a section of the members of the Everton Football Cub was held on Tuesday evening at Liverpool. Mr Alex Nisbet gave an explanation as to the formation of the company to purchase Mr John Houlding’s ground, and said they had acted just in time, for the morning after the meeting Mr William Clayton was at the solicitors’ office to get the other company’s deeds drawn up.
Mr Thomas Howarth, in the course of a long speech, said the capital of the Goodison Road Company was only £500, but with the cost of stands, the payment of players through the summer, and other matters, they would have to spend at least £4,000 before a ball was kicked or a penny taken at the gates. Last year they had £1,700, but this year they would probably have a deficit.
Mr John McKenna said the Everton Club had last year a record balance.
Mr Pye: How about Bradford?
Mr McKenna: Well, that is an amateur club. (Laughter.) Continuing, he said they must inquire into the reckless expenditures of the committee. There were members taking tours in Scotland, and at whose expense? Why, at the expense of the working men who supported the club. (Applause.) Mr Pye talked about saving the £300 a year, but who was going to pay the interest of the £2,500 for the stands, drainage, and so on? Was some generous-minded person going to give them the money?
Mr Pye: Yes, that is just it. (Laughter.) The money will be put down, and not a penny interest asked.
Mr McKenna: Of course, I can understand that if it is done by anybody connected with Threlfall’s brewery.
Mr Pye: That’s quite right.
Mr McKenna: Well, all I can say is, you talk about Mr Houlding and the brewery interest, but this is out of the frying-pan into the fire. (Applause.)
Mr Howarth then read a resolution asking that a general meeting should be called.
The resolution was passed.
(Manchester Courier: March 3, 1892)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 