EVERTON PLAYER “IN THE PINK”
June 1, 1944 The Liverpool Evening Express
Billy Reed, the famous Everton Football goalkeeper, now a prisoner of War in Germany, writes to his father and mother at 17 Tarbet-Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool, that he is still playing football. Our photograph shows him (second from the left front row) in a seven a side team of Merseyside boys. I am in the Pink.” He writes.

BLUES DIRECTORS UNOPPOSED
June 1, 1944. The Evening Express
Pilot's Log
Harmony resigns among the shareholders of Everton. There will be no elections this year for seats on the directorate –a sure sign of contentment and a tribute to the faultless management of the Everton club. No nominations from shareholders were received by the stipulated date and so the three retiring directors from each board will be re-elected unopposed at the annual meetings. Everton's meeting takes place June 16 is the appointed date –and it will be announced the Mr. William C. Gibbins, the club chairman, Mr. George Evans, and Mr. W.R. Williams go back to serve for another three years. Mr. Gibbins will embark on his 25 th year as an Everton director. Mr. Gibbins has done grand work for the Blues, and became chairman in 1940, succeeding the late Mr. Andrew Coffey who resigned for health reasons after following Mr. Ernest Green in office.

Mr. George Evans was co-opted to the Everton directorate in 1938, and saw the Blues win the Cup in his first year, while Mr. W. R. Williams went into office in 1938 and straightway saw the Blues win the League championship.

EVERTON F.C. FINANCES
June 8, 1944. The Liverpool Echo
The report, balance-sheet, and accounts of the Everton Football Club, to be presented at the sixty-fifth annual meeting on Friday of next week (seven o'clock) at the Law Association Rooms, Cook Street, show that for the year ending May 13, 1944, expenditure income by £2,466. In 1943 there was a profit if £1,378. During recent months, however, the sum of £5,243 was paid out in players benefits. There was no expenditure under this head in the previous year. Gate receipts amounted to £21,845, compared with £12, 950 in the previous year, and proceeds of matches played away realised £5,088 compared with £3,304 in 1943. Players wages cost £1,045 against £805 in 1943. Travelling expenses amounted to £1,875 and £6,514 was paid as gate division to visiting clubs, and entertainment tax reached £7,951. The retiring directors are Messrs W.C. Gibbins, G. Evans, and W.R. Williams, who are eligible and offer themselves for re-election.

EVERTON'S F.C.'S LOSS OF £2,466, BUT...
June 8, 1944. The Evening Express
Pilot's Log
Everton football Club report a loss of £2,466 on last season's working. This news will come as a surprise to many who anticipated that the Blues would be well in front after another successful season. As a matter of fact plan figures do not reveal the true position, and but for the generosity of the directors the club would have made £2,777. This generosity took the form of the payment to players on benefits up to the outbreak of war. Thos benefits swallowed up £5,243, so you see, without that item the club would be well in front. As a matter of fact, the balance sheet has a really healthy appearance despite the loss after a profit the previous season of £1,378. The loss, naturally increase the overdraft to £24,678 but the asserts of land and property are up, and after allowing for depreciation they stand at only £27,600 in the balance sheet. When one comes to realise that the new Gwlady's-streets stand alone cost £40,000 to erect in 1938-39 it will be appreciated what a good financial position it is. Everton have never yet had the full benefit of the new stand either.

Biggest War Gates
The most gratifying feature is the tremendous increase in gate receipts, which were Everton's highest for any war season. Look at the comparably figures and note the steady climb emphasising that attractive football such as that served up by the Blues is just what the public desires. In 1940 the gates receipts were £9,099, but they dropped the next year to £3,677. In 1942 they rose to £11,580, and then to £12,950 in 1943. But... last season the receipts reached the splendid figure of £21,845 –an increase of £18,168 on that zero 1941 season. The very fact that the receipts last year were an advance of £8,895 on 1943 shows that the public is in need of good football as a relaxation medium. Naturally with gates up there is also a big increase in entertainment tax, which rose last year from £3,978 to 37,951. Everton paid £6,514 to visiting clubs, but received back £5,088. Gate expenses were up- another result of bigger gates –and there was a slight increase in wages. Sub-lets were down.

No Dividend
There will be no recommendation for the payment of a dividend at the annual meetings scheduled for June 16, but in my opinion the reason is not far to seek. Last year the club paid dividends for three seasons, which was the limit allowed by the F.A. Those payments covered the shareholders up to 1942. No actual dividend was paid for 1943, and it may be the idea of the directors –and this is purely assumption on my part –that they intend waiting until 1945, and then giving the shareholders another nice three-year dividend. It's an idea, anyhow. Such a procedure would save a tremendous amount of work for the officials in sending out dividend warrants. The three years dividend agreed last year only took £219 on a paid up capital of £1,657, and there is still £253 of unclaimed dividends, so I do not think anyone will grumble about no “divide.” No doubt the club would be delighted if shareholders would put in their claims for there unclaimed dividends so that they could be wiped off the books. Last season loss means that the Blues have now an adverse balance on the last four season's working of £1,772, but those faithful servants of the club have been well-rewarded. There should be few queries at next week's meeting when messrs W.C. Gibbins (chairman), G. Evans and W.R. Williams will, as I said some days ago, be re-elected unopposed to the directorate for a further period of three years.

EVERTON'S LOSS
June 8, 1943. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger's Notes
Despite Increase in gate Receipts
Stork's Notes
Although gate receipts were much higher than the previous season, the Everton balance-sheet for the year just closed shows a loss of £2,466 as compared with a profit of £1,373 in 1943. This can be explained by the fact that just before the season's close a sum of £5,243 was paid out in players benefits. There was no such expenditure in the previous year. That football is coming into its own is plainly to be seen in the attendance figures. The interest last season was something approaching normal and gate receipts amounted to £21,845 as compared with £12,950 in the previous year. Proceeds from away matches realised £5, 088, with £3,304 to 1943. Player's wages showed a slight increase, for £1,045 was paid out against £805. Visiting clubs to Goodison Park did uncommonly well for they shared in £6,514. Travelling cost the club £1,875. The entertainment tax reached £7,951. The annual general meeting will be held on Friday of next week (7 p.m) as the Law Association Rooms, Cook Street, admission on presentation of balance-sheet. The retiring directors are Messrs W.C. Gibbins, (chairman), G. Evans and W.R. Williams, who are eligible and offer themselves for re-election. No other nomination have been received.

EVERTON F.C.
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 17 June 1944
‘Not entirely pleased
 Everton’s F.C.’s annual meeting, which was held at the Law. Association rooms last night, Mr. Gibbons, the chairman, said: "We are not entirely pleased with the balance-sheet, for we lost money, but there were extenuating circumstances.  Ww could have showed Profit had we not decided to pay players their benefits. This took sum (£5,245), but I am sure will reap the benefit. The directors also decided to defer the payment a dividend until next year.   As regards the playing side of the club.”  Mr. Gibbons. ”we had misfortune in injuries to Lowe, the outside right who broke his leg when showing excellent promise.  Alex Stevenson and T.G. Jones.  Had not Jones been injured we might have gone further in the Lancashire Cup than we did."  "The calls by Service teams and international were exceptionally heavy Lawton and Mercer were called upon sixteen times and T.G. Jones three.  Futhermore we had great difficulty in getting first class guest players.  As against that we had made one or two discoveries."   The retiring directors, Messrs,  W.C. Gibbins, G. Evans, and W.R. Williams, were re-elected. 

THREE-IN-ONE DIVIDEND?
June 17, 1944. The Evening Express
Pilot's Log
One of the main reasons why Everton Football Club did not pay a dividend this year was because the cost of the vouches and sending of them would have been more than the sum total of the dividends. But ....the shareholders will lose nothing. As I forecast some weeks ago, the directors have in mind a plan, which, with the contest of the shareholders, will bring three years' dividends in one next year. This was done a year ago, but now dividends for 1943 and 1944 are in hand. Mr. W.C. Gibbons, the chairman, and Mr. W.R. Williams revealed this idea at last night's annual meeting of the club, which was one of the shortest on record. The meeting lasted only 17 minutes, and only one question was asked. This came from Mr. Alex Lomax, who wanted to know what the directors intended doing with the sum of £253 standing in the balance-sheet as “unclaimed dividends”. Mr. Lomax suggested that it might be given to charities. The unclaimed dividends actually increased by £37 in the last year, and I can assure all shareholders that they would be helping the club by putting in their claims right away. My advice is for all shareholders to pick up this idle money and make use of it.

Sound Position
That the Everton club is in a sound financial position was emphasised by Mr. Gibbons, who said that with amounts being written off each year for depreciation in a few years' time the hugh stands, buildings and property would stand at about a pound in the balance-sheet. Our last playing season was hardly as good as we would have wished,” said Mr. Gibbins, “but accidents to players and representative match calls contributed to that. “Lawton and Mercer were each taken for 16 international of Services matches, Stevenson for six, and Tommy Jones for three, while we were deprived of the services of Stevenson, Tommy Jones, Lowe, and Tatters for long periods because of broken limbs. “However, we discovered several promising young players who give us valuable service later on –players like Grant –a great player in the making –Lowe, Wainwright, Tatters and Doyle. “We could have shown a good profit, but the directors preferred to pay out the £5,243 in benefits to players, and I think it was a good policy. The Benefits were debts of honour, and they will make the younger players realise that Everton, at any rate, keeps faith with its players.” Accounts showing a loss of £2,466 were adopted the three retiring directors –Messrs W.C. Gibbons, G. Evans, and W.R. Williams –were re-elected unopposed; Messrs T. Theo Rogers, Bowler and Co were re-appointed auditors, and Mr. A. Denaro paid high tribute to the good work of the directors and Secretary Mr. Theo Kelly. Mr. Gibbins added a word for Mr. Kelly and his staff. “Mr. Kelly is back on full-time employment with the club,” said Mr. Gibbins, “and believe me he is giving his all to the club.”

The one sad note at the meeting was the chairman's reference to the sad loss the club had sustained in the deaths on active service of two young players –Billy Sumers, and Brian Atkins.

Jack Southworth
Liverpool Evening Express - Tuesday 27 June 1944
Jack Southworth, the Everton and international centre-forward, who played for England against Wales in 1889 and 1891 and against Scotland in 1902, is still going strong. Skimmy,” as he was known in his palmy Soccer days, and who was transferred from Everton to Blackburn Rovers, is still winning bowling competitions at the age of 77. Mr. Southworth won the Thingwall Bowling Club championship last week-end, playing through three rounds without a break.

LEAGUE PRESIDENT'S GOLDEN WEDDING
Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 27 June 1944
Mr. W.C Cuff and his wife celebrate their golden wedding today.  They were married 50 nyears ago at St. Domingo Church.  From the club formed at that church the Everton club developed, and Mr. Cuff joined the Everton baord a year after his marriage.  He had served tha club through all its trials and trumphs ever since, at different periods as director, secretary, and chairman, Mr. Cuff has carried all the honours of the football he has piloted the organisation through all the difficulties of the war-time seasons. 

GOLDEN “JUBILEE
June 27, 1944. The Evening Express
Pilot's Log
Congratulations to Mr. W.C. Cuff, President of the Football league, vice-president of the Football Association and director of Everton F.C. and to Mrs Cuff on the celebration of their golden wedding today. Mr. And Mrs Cuff were married on June 27, 1894, at St. Domingo's church, and it was from St. Domingo's Church team that the famous Everton club grew. The church spire is incorporated in the Everton crest. It was in 1895 that Mr. Cuff first became a director of Everton although he had been connected with the club since 1890. Later, Mr. Cuff became secretary of the club, and from 1918 to 1921 had to give up his work for the club for business reasons. However, Mr. Cuff went back to occupy the chair from 1922 to 1938. Mr. Ernest Green then went into the chair, being succeeded in turns by the late Mr. Andrew Coffey and the present chairman Mr. Will C. Gibbins. Everton being unlike they Anfield neighbours and having no election for the chairmanship. Mr. Cuff on the League Management Committee for many years doing brilliant work for soccer, and he was elected President on June 5, 1939 in succession of the late Mr. Charles Sutcliffe. Mr. Cuff is the man who has been at the helm of football during these difficult war years, and for that alone the game will ever be indebted to him. Football has never had a more energetic legislator and the game will join me in extending to Mr. And Mrs Cuff many more years of good health and happiness.

EVERTON CHAIRMAN'S FOURTH SEASON
June 29, 1944. The Evening Express
Pilot's Log
Mr. William C. Gibbins has been re-elected chairman of the Everton F.C. for the fourth successive season. This was decided at a meeting of the directorate last night, when every member of the board was present. The election of Mr. Gibbins was by a unanimous vote. Mr. Gibbins is only Everton's fourth chairman in the last 23 years, for Mr. W.C. Cuff, occupied the chair for 17 years, Mr. Ernest Green for one and half years and the late Mr. Andrew Coffey for a short period before ill-health caused his retirement and Mr. Gibbins stepped into office. Mr. Gibbons has done his work well. Without fuss or ostentation he has kept things running smoothly and efficiently and the manner in which he has steered the club through difficult war years is deserving of the highest praise. So long as Mr. Gibbons can keep the club running well he is content, for never has he sought limelight. Readers will readily join me in wishing Mr. Gibbins and his colleagues, who so strongly rally to him, a highly successful season, both from playing and financial points of view. Following custom since 1938 the directors have not appointed a vice-chairman; in fact, it is a case of “as you were” the Blues arrangements being the same as for the 1943 season, and with Secretary Mr. Theo Kelly again devoting full time duties to the Everton cause.

Club Plans.
The football clubs are looking ahead for next season and plans are being made for the encouragement of the local boys who fancy chances in the senior game. Mr. Theo Kelly, secretary of Everton, states that the club will hold private trial games throughout August, and that they are prepared to give any promising junior an opportunity.

EVERTON'S AS YOU WERE.
June 29, 1944. The Liverpool Echo
Stork's Notes
Everton F.C. directors last night, at their first meeting since the shareholders annual gathering re-elected Mr. W.C. Gibbins as chairman, this making his fifth season at the head. It was in June, 1940, that he succeeded the late Mr. Andrew Coffey. He has been a director of Everton since 1920. Mr. Gibbins has done excellent work for the club in many ways, and was mainly responsible for restoring directorial harmony after the upsets a few years ago. Here's wishing him a happy and successful year.

Chairman For Fourth Year
Liverpool Daily Post - Thursday 29 June 1944
At their first meeting since the annual gathering of shareholders the Everton Board last night re-elected Mr. W.C. Gibbins, chairman, for the fourth year in succession.  Mr. Gibbins has had a long experience of football and has been a director of Everton 24 years, during which he has rendered excellent service, not only to the club, but to the game generally.  he has had a long association with the Liverpool County F.A.