Wednesday, May 22 – 1918
Football clubs suffered heavily in the season 1914-15. Afterwards they cut the expenditure down to the merest limits, and it was well they did, because, although payments to pros. was stopped, and expenses were the only allowance, gates fell appreciably save in the cities like Merseyside, where, by the natural order of things, workers remained, and were able to enjoy their Saturday afternoon holiday at football grounds. Many quizzical folk have wanted to know what the football clubs did with their profits. If that question had been plied to Mr. Bob Middleton, the Rovers’ secretary, he would have replied, “First get your profit.” Undoubtedly the last season was a most trying one for all but about four clubs, and, although they carried on through the season, their path was only made smooth by the pooling principle which Mr. John McKenna made possible, a scheme that has been laid, tested, and found valuable – a scheme which may carry its weight into the days of après la guerre.
It was always hard to convince the quizzer into football accounts, but this month will bring to public light some nasty looking balance sheets that show a loss on the season. Everton and Liverpool and Stoke are certain to have paid their way, but they are the exceptions, and we can look for the book of lamentations being published by all other clubs. Manchester was a city looked upon as most likely to equal Liverpool in regard to happy finance, but we find Manchester City (the more popular club) has to report a loss of £348. The annual meeting of the club will be held on May 31, when the report and balance-sheet for the past season will be presented. The receipts amounted to £5,178 and the expenditure £5,627. The gross home gates amounted to £5,134, and the outstanding item on the expenditure side is £1,127 paid away in amusement tax. Rents, gates, and taxes took £1,039, and to various charitable appeals the club subscribed £548. After deducting £500 for depreciation, the club carry forward, on the profit and loss account, a balance of £4,035. Lieutenant Dobson and Messrs. Alexander and Moon are the retiring directors, and offer themselves for re-election.
(Liverpool Echo, 22-05-1918)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 