LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP TOURNEY
July 1, 1941. The Everton Express
Pilot’s Log
It has been decided that last season’s Liverpool Senior Cup competition, which was not completed last season, will now be scrapped altogether -providing Everton and Liverpool are agreeable. Last season only one match of the competition was played. Everton defeated Southport and were waiting to meet winners of the New Brighton-Liverpool tie. Owing to late season fixture congestion it was impossible to arrange dates, and so the competition was postponed until last season. Mr. Ike Robinson, the Liverpool County F.A., secretary, now holds the view that it would be better to cancel the 1940-41 competition and to start afresh with the 1940-41 competition next season. I think this is a wise plan, for any competition held over losses its appeal, and it is far better to begin on a “fresh page” I expect the Reds and Blues will fall into line. And I have little doubt that the County F.A. will once again forego their percentage on receipts in order to help the competing clubs.

EVERTON F.C. LOSE £1,904
July 2, 1941. The Evening Express.
Pilot’s Log
Everton Football Club balance sheet for the year ending June 7, shows a loss of £1,904 as against £9,135 the previous season. The balance carried forward is £34,337 as against £39,877 the previous year. The actual loss is reduced to £1,334 by the profit on sale of war Loan, and income from properties and investments. The directors have made provision in the accounts for depreciation in the accounts to £4,206, so that assets of land, property, etc, now ranks at £37,860. The overdraft at the bank stands at £24,090 as compared with £30,565. An anticipated, there will be no dividend declared at the annual meeting which will take place on Friday, July 11.
No Loss On Football
Everton did not make a loss by participating in the Football League Regional and cup competitions. Football about paid for itself. Gates receipts brought in £3,677, this being a drop of £5,422 from the previous season, while only £1,343 was received from matches played away against £3,508. Season tickets brought in £30 as compared with £524, and the sub-lets and programmes account brought in £671. On the expenditure side players’ wages and transfers fees took up £715 against £3,854 the previous season, and £1,454 was paid to visiting clubs. Travelling expenses amounted to £594 compared with £1,512; training expenses and wages were £265 as against £772, and ground expenses and wages were £360 against £2,286. Rent, rates, and taxes, etc, swallowed up £1,070 and subscriptions were down from £1,277 to £126. Altogether it is a good balance sheet in view of prevailing conditions, and it shows that Everton will be able to carry on at a similar rate for about 16 years. The retiring directors, Messrs W.C. Gibbins, the chairman, G. Evans, and W.R. Williams, will not be opposed at the annual meeting and so will be re-elected, as I mentioned some time ago.

DEATH OF HARRY RITCHIE
Dundee Courier - Friday 04 July 1941
Famous Right-Wing
Recalled Harry Ritchie, former noted footballer, died at Nottingham yesterday. Ritchie, who was 41 years of age, was a native of Perth, and was playing for the local Roselea when he caught the fancy of Hibs shortly after the last war. After a spell with Everton he was signed by Dundee. Later he joined St Johnstone, and finished his playing days with Brechin City. During the last war Harry served with the navy. During his term with Hibs he set up one of the most famous right-wing partnerships in Scottish football with Jimmy Dunn, who later joined him at Goodison Park. He was capped " v. Wales in 1923 and v. Ireland in 1928. Shortly before the outbreak of the present war Ritchie set up dairy produce business. After hostilities began he went to England. He had been ill-health for some time, and his death followed an operation. He leaves a wife and family.

HARRY RITCHIE’S DEATH
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Friday 04 July 1941
A WELL-KNOWN figure in football circles in Scotland and England, Harry Ritchie has died at Nottingham at the early age of 41. His death followed an operation.  During his career Harry played for Hibs, Everton, Dundee, St Johnstone, and Brechin City. He was capped against the Irish League in 1922, '23, and '24, and against the English League in 1923 and 1927. He was also outside-right in the association internationals with Wales in 1923 and Ireland in 1928.  A native of Perth, Ritchie was a product of Perth Roselea, and joined the Easter Road team shortly after the last war. His partnership with Jimmy Dunn in Hibs' ranks was one of the outstanding right wings in the country, and it was carried on Everton for some years.

DEATH OF HARRY RITCHIE
The Scotsman - Friday 04 July 1941
The death has occurred in a Nottingham hospital, at the age of 41, of a former Hibernian football player Harry Ritchie. He was a footballer of considerable note, and played for many well-known clubs, including Hibernian, Dundee, Dundee United, Everton and St Johnstone. He had been in ill-health for some time, and died following an operation. On being demobilized from the Navy after the last war he was signed for the Hibernians where his position was at outside right, at that time Dunn was playing at inside right, and that partnership proved a successful one in senior football.

DEATH OF HARRY RITCHIE
Perthshire Advertiser - Saturday 05 July 1941
 NOTED FOOTBALLER WHO HELPED ST. JOHNSTONE TO WIN PROMOTION.
The announcement that Harry Ritchie, football internationalist and former St Johnstone player, had died at Nottingham on Thursday was received with the deepest regret in Perth, where he had a host of friends. His death in hospital followed an operation. Forty-one years of age, he was a native of the city—his mother, Mrs. John Ritchie, resides at 3 Milne Street. Not until late in a brilliant football career did Harry Ritchie play for St. Johnstone, whom he helped to regain admission to the First Division nine years ago. A product of local City Boys’ football, he turned Junior with Roselea. His play attracted Edinburgh Hibs, for whom he signed, and in partnership with Dunn he formed one of the finest right wing combinations in the country. Everton took him south, and after a spell at Goodison Park he went to Dundee. Then followed his profitable association with St. Johnstone.  Before he gave up the game he had short spells with Arbroath and Brechin City. He was “capped” against Wales in 1923 and against Ireland in 1928. Ritchie, who served in the Navy in the last war, conducted a dairy produce business in Perth before going to Nottingham several years ago. He is survived by wife and family.

DEATH OF SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Saturday 05 July 1941
Harry Ritchie, former Scottish international footballer, has died at Nottingham aged forty-one. A native of Perth, he played outside-right for Everton, Hibernian, Dundee, and St Johnstone. He made his first appearance for Scotland 1923 against Wales and his last in 1928 against Ireland.

DEATH OF SCOTTISH INTERNATIONALIST
Aberdeen Journal-Saturday 5 July 1941.
Harry Ritchie, former Scottish international footballer, has died at Nottingham aged forty-one. A native of Perth, he played outside right for Everton, Hibernian, Dundee, and St. Johnstone. He made his first appearance for Scotland in 1923 against Wales and his last in 1928 against Ireland.

EVERTON F.C. MEETING
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 12 July 1941
CHAIRMAN AND SMALL CROWDS
Mr. W. C. Gibbins, chairman of Everton Football Club, referring, at the annual meeting of the club last night, to the lack of enthusiasm for football last season, attributed the fact to the limitation of crowds, in the early part of the war, to a maximum of 8.000. That, he considered. Induced many people to stay away fearing they could not get in, and the cumulative effect of a succession of small attendances was reflected in the ultimate apart of the general public.  The club had made a special effort to provide attractive matches, but the response had been disappointing.  Everton required a gate sufficient to bring them in £100 per match if they were to carry on.  Commenting on the loss of 1,904, Mr. Gibbins said this was largely accounted for by bank Interest. The finances of the club, however, were in an excellent condition. The stands, &c., which figured in the balance-sheet at 38,000, were actually valued at less than the club paid for the one new stand in Bullens Road, three years ago. The company’s assets were probably worth four or five times the amount which they appeared.  The board’s decision a few years back to run five teams had been justified by the way in which the younger members of the side, particularly Lovett, Hill, Finnis, Simmons, Lindeman, Owen, and Lyon, had risen to their opportuities.  The chairman expressed sympathy with Mr. A. Coffey, one the directors, who has had to undergo a further operation, and has lost the sight of one eye. He welcomed the return of Mr. Green to the broad, and paid an eloquent tribute to the splendid work of Mr. Theo Kelly, the secretary.

EVERTON’S GOOD POSITION
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 July 1941
CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REVIEW
The strong financial position of Everton was emphasized by Mr. W, C- Gibbins (chairman) at last night’s annual meeting of shareholders. He said the balance-sheet disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs in spite of a loss on the season of £1,904. Commenting on the fact that the whole the stands were valued at only £38,000. Mr. Gibbins said this was considerably less than the club paid for the new stand In Bullens Road three years ago. The company’s assets were probably worth four or five times the figure at which they stood. While the season’s loss was largely accounted for by bank Interest, public support had been disappointing, especially certain matches which had been arranged, considerable cost, as special attractions. In his opinion, the falling off football crowd had it origin in the limitation gates when the war first broke out. The meeting passed a vote of sympathy with Mr. Andrew Coffey one of the directors, who has had several operations latterly for eye trouble, and has now lost the sight one eye. Mr. E. Green was welcomed back, and Captain T. Percy was congratulated on his recent Army promotion. Tributes were paid by the chairman to the excellence the play of some of the younger players, and a special vote thanks was accorded Mr. Theo Kelly for his splendid work secretary.

EVERTON F.C ANNUAL MEETING
Liverpool Evening Express - Saturday 12 July 1941
By the Pilot
“We want receipts of £100 a match if we are to carry on,” said Mr. W. C Gibbins, chairman of Everton Football Club, at the 62nd annual meeting held last night, when accounts showing a loss of £1,904 were adopted. Mr. Gibbins emphasized that the club was in a strong position financially and that their standing assets had been written down to £37,860, which was not much, as they paid for the new double-decker stand. Mr. Gibbins laid that 27 out 40 professional players were in the Services, 18 were in the Army, six in the R.A.F-, and three the Royal Navy, and the club was indebted to the Commanding Officers for allowing players leave to play certain matches. “'We have discovered many good players among the juniors—boys who have proved themselves fitted for the more strenuous league football.” Mr. Gibbins stated that the limit 8,000 put on gates the start war-time football by the authorities was directly responsible for falling off in attendance.  Not a single question was asked a shareholder at a meeting which was delayed because there was not a quorum and which lasted 25 minutes. The retiring directors, Messrs W C Gibbins, G Evans and W Williams were re-elected unopposed for a period three years, and the auditors, Messrs T. Theodore Rogers, Bowler and Co., were relected.  The shareholders, through Mr. Fred Lake, paid tribute to the fine work of the directors in difficult times, and expressed their delight that Ernest Green was back again occupying his seat on the Board. They expressed sympathy with Mr. Andrew Coffey, who recently underwent a serious operation in which he lost an eye. Mr. Searle commended the directors tor their efforts to keep football alive, and urged them carry because football was necessary in times like these.  Mr. Gibbins assured the shareholders their earnestness to keep soccer alive, and paid warm tribute the club secretary, Mr. Theo Kelly, whom described as “the best secretary the world.” Mr. Gibbins said that had it not been for Mr. Kelly he did not know how he would have carried on. “I hope you all appreciate him much as we do." The re-elected directors, Green and Mr. Kelly, returned thanks.

EVERTONIANS PASS
July 16, 1941, The Evening Express.
Ritchie and Tom Costley Passed Away
I have received news of the passing of two former Everton forwards, Ritchie and Tom Costley. Ritchie was the Scottish international outside-right and a member of the famous Dunn-Ritchie wing which created such a sensation with Hibernians. Everton secured the transfer of Jimmy Dunn and later went back and signed Ritchie. This wing made its debut for Everton at Burnden Park against Bolton Wanderers in August 1928, when Everton won 3-2, thanks to a Dixie Dean “hat-trick.” Ritchie remained at Goodison Park for about two seasons and then returned to Scotland. Costly played for Everton about 50 years ago and was 76.

EX-EVERTONIAN’S DEATH
Liverpool Echo - Friday 18 July 1941
The passing of yet another old Everton player is announced in the death of Mr. Ted Griffiths, who played as a full back for the Blues away back in their Stanley Park days. Later had several seasons with Liverpool Leeks, a well-known amateur side those days. He was also a good sprinter, winning the Jersey championship and many other trophies, while in his later years he regularly lifted the veteran’s prize at Orrell sports. He was member of the Olympic Bowling Club for many years, and was well-known in the city the wholesale fruit trade. 

SHIELDS R.A.F. SERGEANT KILLED 
Shields Daily News - Thursday 24 July 1941
Sergt Air Gunner Alfred James Grenyer. 21-year-old son of Mrs Ellen Pilmer and the late Mr Alfred James Grenyer, of 57  Addison Street, North Shields, and nephew of Mr Alan Grenyer, the former Everton and international half back and North Shields trainer, has been killed on active service with the R.A.F. ........ A native of the borough, he was educated at St. Joseph's School and Tynemouth Municipal High School. Deciding to take up aviation as a career, he went into the Air Force from school at the age of 15 ½ , and has taken part in many bombing operations. His body has been brought home for burial and this will take place tomorrow afternoon at Preston Cemetery. There will be requiem mass at St. Cuthbert's Church in the meriting at 8.15 and the funeral will be from the church at 2 p.m. 

CHAIRMAN RE-ECLECTED
Liverpool Evening Express - Thursday 24 July 1941
By the Pilot
Mr. W. C. Gibbins has been reelected chairman of Everton F.C.—an honour which marks his majority as a director of the Blues. He completes 21 years’ service as a director early next month. He was appointed chairman last year, following the resignation through ill-health of Mr. Andrew Coffey, who had taken over from Mr. Ernest Green. Mr. Gibbins is well-known in bowling circles, is a member of the Liverpool County F.A., and an enthusiastic supporter of junior football, from which Everton have obtained so many players. The directors have not elected a deputy chairman. One will be appointed when necessity arises.

W.E.REED
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 24 July 1941
Mr. W. E. Reed, 17 Tarbet Street, Liverpool 8, has received news from his son, Lance - Bombardier William F. Reed, Anti-Aircraft R.A., who was reported missing in the Middle East on April 28, stating that he is a prisoner in Germany. He was the goalkeeper for the Everton B team.

TOMMY STILL PLAYING
Liverpool Evening Express - Saturday 26 July 1941
By the Pilot
Tommy Johnson, the former England, Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City inside-left, and member of Everton F.A, Cup winning team in 1933, sends his best wishes to all his Merseyside friends. I have received letter from Tommy, who is now in the Royal Artillery somewhere Scotland, and thoroughly enjoying the new life. I have lost the superfluous flesh,” writes Tommy, and, believe it or not, I am still playing football and doing my stuff. I am fitter now than I have been for some years, and It would do Harry Cooke and Charlie Wilson a world of good to see me.” I am sure all Evertonians and Liverpudlians will join in sending good wishes to this great player—possessor one of the deadliest left-foot shots football has seen in years. Johnson secured every honour possible to him in the game. He helped Everton to defeat his old club Manchester City, in the 1933 Wembley final. In 1926 Tommy had been on the beaten Manchester City side against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley.