September 4, 1911
The Football Association Consultative Committee meet today in London, when No. 8 in an agenda of not over serious moment is sure to create some speculation. It is “re Manchester United F.C.” At the West Kirby Council meeting the Commission dealing with the position of this club gave an extension of time for the issue of a prospectus and for re-construction. How far the club has been able to effect this will no doubt be reported, as we understand the Commission held a meeting to further consider the matter last week.
Should the club not have secured a satisfactory issue of shares the old difficulty remains that technically its constitution does not conform to the requirements of the Association. It can hardly be assumed that any extreme course would be pursued, and the problem of the council is not easy. But we have no doubt that a way will be found to solve all difficulties. Manchester United is surely not the only company club in which the majority, or a very large proportion, of the capital has been subscribed by one individual.
The “one man” club.
Naturally the Association is a little nervous about any extension of the principle of “one man” club, or of syndicating clubs. It is not good for the game, at least it is not in accordance with the avowed lines on which it is governed, that capital should exploit football. So far it has not been the case, and there is no suggestion that in existing conditions money has been put in for mere monetary profit. But the Association is wise in seeking to spread club control over many shareholders and in keeping strict oversight.
Recent developments in regard to Woolwich Arsenal indicate that it is possible for some degree of control to be obtained over a club by the directorate of another organisation. In this case a sheer feeling of good sport prompted the movement, but it shows how it is possible for syndicate interest to bring about a crisis.
One can hardly contemplate the extension of the idea so that in effect a half-dozen League clubs should be actually under one control without doubt as to the ultimate effects on the game. The development of company football has not yet ceased, and will not do so until the game begins to totter, and in watching these processes carefully the Association is doing a great service.
Manchester United’s appeal.
Manchester possess a distinguished club in the United, and a football arena that has no equal in England. That is so, even though the whole scheme has not yet been completed. The Manchester United club owes its existence today to Mr. J.H. Davies, who has had a stormy experience, and he and his fellow directors are now asking the public of Manchester to join in the running of a great club.
For some years Manchester has had the best of football at Clayton and Old Trafford on the sixpenny basis. If Manchester need the United, then let the great city show its fervour for sport not in sixpence – but in pounds sterling. We are quite aware that the United club has a great estate and a fine body of players, and that the assets are £52,777 10s. 5d. – without considering transfer fees – to place against £59,625 2s. 9d. in the form of liabilities.
The bulk of the 15,000 shares are now on the market, and to apply the words of Dean Swift we may say: “If you like the security down with the dust.” Over 402,000 people resorted to Old Trafford last season, an increase of 33 per cent. compared with Clayton – and no wonder, for there is no comparison between the grounds. To sportsmen we commend the prospectus most heartily.
(Source: Athletic News: September 4, 1911)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 