June 19, 1918
Liverpool F.C. had a happy A.G.M. last night. Mr. John McKenna was in good form, and though the directors on entering the room lined up in a manner that made one wonder “where the body was to be viewed by the jury,” the air of solemnity soon left the small meeting, and the facts and figures were soon being toyed with in a manner that just suits Mr. McKenna.
Two bold facts stood out: First, a good investment that was a loss of £500; second, in nine years the club’s liabilities have been reduced by £16,000 (note Mr. William Robert Williams smile!). It would have been a good performance to knock off £16,000 in nine years, but when you remember that four of the years were war periods, then you sit up and think that my suggestion that Liverpool is THE city of football in England is quite fitting. Thanks were handed out pretty freely, but never without good cause.
Mr. Albert Worgan thanked the shareholders for their vote to directors and players; and South Liverpool, St. Helens Alexandra, and Comets came in for the glad hand for their help of the club; while Mr. George Patterson, a secretary who does not seek limelight, was specially named for his good service – and quite right, too.
The investment named earlier on was £500 lost on the pooling principle, which Mr. John McKenna instituted last season for the first time in football. What a saving grace it was ! Liverpool could not have played had a pooling principle been ignored. Long was the cry “pool to save the poor” – a cry in this column – and Liverpool created the pool through its football bead. Mr. McKenna pointed to the increase in repairs accounts, and mentioned that the twelve-years-old terracing was wearing out, and was being replaced by concrete.
He further pointed to the number of soldiers admitted free last season – 55,000 – and to the sum “created” by Messrs. Walter Henry Cartwright and Ramsdale by their collections for footballs for Tommies. Players of course, were specially named for thanks, Mr. McKenna declaring that if ever they were warranted in their thanks to the players for devotion to the game and the club it was last season.
Subscription to charities, etc., were finally named, and Mr. Albert Worgan was congratulated on his return to football work after a long illness. It was a P.W.E. at the Law Rooms – otherwise a Pleasant Wednesday Evening – and the directors were good enough to invite the Press to talk to them prior to the meeting. Happy thought, and one appreciated by the Press “boys.”
(Liverpool Echo: June 20, 1918)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 