October 11, 1916
In an interview, this morning, with the English Football Association president Mr. John McKenna, “Bee” gathered the view of the ruling body in regard to the plea for payment of professional footballers.
It will be recalled that Mr. Frederick Wall did not propose to put before his council the appeal of Everton and Liverpool footballers. Now, says Mr. McKenna, Mr. F.J. Wall, as secretary of the F.A., whose council now is centred in three members, was purely acting on their behalf, and I think it was a manly action that he should take the step he did.
Mr. McKenna went on: “There are but two clubs out of fifty odd concerned asking for payment – one city out of the whole of England – and knowing the feelings of the councillors had not altered one bit, Mr. Wall was right and proper in refusing to put the matter before the council, which had decided very definitely against payments.”
Mr. McKenna said he had done all he could for the players, and he had studied their case frequently. Further, he appreciated the loyal support they had given throughout the war period, but the F.A. had set their hearts absolutely against payment, and nothing would move them from that course, he feared.
The players claim that their appeal should have gone before the council, and that their secretary overstepped his rights in not putting the appeal before them.
(Liverpool Echo: October 11, 1916)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 