Wednesday, February 20 – 1907
A determined agitation for the modification of the wage limit in association football was inaugurated at an informal meeting of representatives of a number of leading Football League clubs held at Liverpool prior to the Irish International match.
The circular convening the meeting, signed by the chairman of the Manchester City F.C., suggested the abolition of the wage limit, but the meeting held that in view of previous votes there was no possibility of carrying such a proposal at the annual meeting of the Football Association.
It was, therefore, resolved with practical unanimity, to confine their efforts to an endeavor to secure a revision of the rule making it illegal to pay bonuses to players for winning or drawing matches. The principal argument used was that £4 per week, which was originally fixed as the limit, had now become practically the standard wage, and that the admitted deterioration in the quality of the play all over the country was largely due to the fact that the best players had no financial incentive to play better than their fellows.
Before submitting the proposal to the Football Association, a special meeting of all the clubs in the League will be asked to vote on the question.
(Derby Daily Telegram, 20-02-1907)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 