BOB IRVIBE
Lisburn Standard - Friday 01 May 1925
Bob Irvine, the Everton and Irish International inside right has taken upon himself a wife.  I am sure Irvine and his better half will have the best wishes of all enthusiasts in Lisburn and district for a happy life in double harness.

EVERTON DIRECTORS RE-ELECTED
Athletic News - Monday 01 May 1925
As expected, there was some plain speaking at the annual meeting of the Everton Club, and in expression of the dissatisfaction at the management a resolution was moved “That it is in the interest of the Everton Club, Ltd., that the present board of directors should resign forthwith.  Mr. W.C. Cuff,. The chairman, said he was willing to let the resolution go forward, but Mr. W.R. Clayton, an ex-chairman, who strongly criticized the club’s management, pointed out a legal difficulty, mentioning at the same time that the ,matter would probably be dealt with at a specially convened meeting of shareholders.  Meanwhile the three retiring directors were re-elected, and a vote of confidence in the existing board was passed. 

THE BABES KEEP THEIR BERTH
Liverpool Echo - Friday 01 May 1925
Bee’s Notes
Most babes fall out of their cots, but the football babies, Leeds United, having gained admittance to the First Division, have not slipped.  They nearly fell out of their berth about three weeks ago, but they rallied and saved their skins and their famous “fivers.”  They are Huddersfield the second in the matter of history, and there is no doubt that when the Yorkshireman gets a new sporting fever he is never content with anything that is not best.  Leeds are sure to thrive.  Everton will find them an awkward barrier to-morrow.  I do not forget how well Leeds played against Liverpool at Anfield in the Cup-tie and later in a League game the Yorkshire side produced an inside right the like of which impressed me greatly.  Everton hope to wind-up winning, and then to resume in the right line next season.  This is their side tomorrow; Everton; Harland; O’Donnell, McDonald; Brown, McBain, Reid; Chedgzoy, Chadwick, Broad, Kennedy, Troup. 

Irvine Leaving.
Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 02 May 1925
There have been repeated rumours that Bob Irvine, the Irish international inside right of Everton, will be leaving the club this summer, despite the fact that he has been offered a retaining wage for next term. Irvine is recognised a clever raider, but one who does not get goals, nor has he fitted into the scheme of things at Goodison. London may appeal to this Irishman.

No Football Echo May 2 1925 in records

ROW IN A TRAIN
Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 04 May 1925
FOLLOWING A NORTH END-EVERTON MATCH.
A number of supporters of the Everton Football Club were returning from the match at Preston on Good Friday when a disturbance arose in the train as the result of which five men were defendants at the Wigan Police Court to-day. They were Martin Burke, Harold Meldon, William Jones, James Johnson, and Fred C. Garrett, all of Liverpool, and they were summoned for riotous and disorderly behaviour in the train and also with doing damage to windows and a lavatory to the amount of £10. Johnson did not appear. It was stated that defendants boarded the 10 48 p.m. train return to Liverpool. The men got into a compartment that was already full, and John Boyle, Everton, taking exception the conduct of the defendants, was struck by Burkt. Boyle then made use a foul expression which caused further trouble and the five defendants set upon him, knocked him about and threw him the corridor. Another man who went to see what the trouble was about, was also set upon and very badly mauled. D.S. Belderson, of the L-M.S. Railway Police, said there was a fight on the platform when the train arrived at Wigan, and he saw Meldon grappling with Boyle. Defendants all stated that the trouble was caused through Boyle’s using a very foul expression Burke. They strangled, and Burke’s friends separated them. They did not know how the damage to the carriage was done. Johnson, was stated, was attending hospital Cor injured leg. Defendants were each ordered to pay 40s, on each summons, and to pay the damage (£10) and also the costs.

EVERTON 1 LEEDS UNITED 0
May 4 1925. The Daily Courier.
EVERTON FINISH WITH A WIN.
PRETTY PLAY, BUT FEW THRILLS.
By F.McN.
Everton wound up the campaign at Goodison Park with a victory, which enabled them to finish six places from the foot of the ladder, a little higher than appeared likely a few weeks ago. The Blues have had a disappointing time, though the team has played clever football. Unsteady defence in the first half of the campaign and the lack of effectiveness in front of goal by otherwise skilful forwards were the main course of the club's lowly position. Only 26 points were gained on their own ground, the Blues winning 11 of the 21 matches set down for decision at the Park. Nottingham Forest were Everton's only away victims. With the exception of the two relegated clubs, Everton scored fewer goals than their competitors. The spectators were not overcome by excitement in the last game there being few thrills calculated to rouse the onlookers. The play was characterised by skilful exchanges more of the exhibition type, and many of the touches were pretty to watch, but there was no denying that the end of the season flavour dominated the proceedings.
THE ONLY GOAL.
The only goal of the game was obtained in the second half when broad worked his way to the right from what appeared to many to be an offside position. The centre forward with a cross shot hit the bar, and the ball rebounding to Kennedy that player promptly drove the ball into the net. There was promise of further goals, but the defenders always came out on top and the brightest looking movements fizzled out. Hart, Edwards, and Wainscott, of Leeds United, were particularly fond of using fancy touches, all of, which were beautiful to watch; but the frills are not all the spectators look for in modern football. Still, it was the last day, and there was nothing much at stake. Kennedy and Troup were the most enterprising of the Everton vanguard, though Broad was keen enough. McBain was most effective, and it is to be hoped that the club will not lose his services. He is the only one of the first team players who had not signed for another term.
REID'S ADVANCE.
Reid and Brown were sound halves. Reid has proved a great worker and an able tactician at left half, and he will prove a power next season. McDonald again played well, and O'Donnell, though he takes risks, will have benefited by the experience gained in senior football. He believe in first time clearances if at all possible. Harland had little to do, and, indeed Down was not seriously troubled for the major portion of the game. Teams: - Everton: - Harland goal McDonald, and O'Donnell, backs Brown, McBain (captain), and Reid, half-backs, Chedgzoy, Chadwick, Broad, Kennedy, and Troup forwards. Leeds United: - Down goal, Duffield, and Menzie, Edwards, and Hart, half-backs Atkinson, Armand, Whipp, Jennings, Wainscoat, and Harris, forwards.

LEEDS UNITED RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 1
May 4 1925. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury
CENTRAL LEAGUE (Game 42)
Everton showed excellent form against Leeds United at Elland-road. Though they were beaten by 2 goals to 1. Everton hardly deserved to lose, for they had a liberal share of the play, and with a little more luck in front of goal might easily have saved the game. Their forwards, ably led by Dean, were very quick and it was from a clever piece of opportunism that Wall scored. So effective also was the Everton defence that Leeds only scored twice Riley netting on both occasions. Everton: - Kendall, goal, Raitt, and Kerr, backs, Virr, Bain, and Hart, half-backs, Parry, Rand, Dean, Wall, and Weaver, forwards.

A TAME WIND-UP
Athletic News - Monday 04 May 1925
CLEVER EVERTON FORWARDS WITH AN OLD FAULKT
EVERTON 1, LEEDS UNITED 0
By Junius
THERE was little to rouse enthusiasm in the final game at Goodison Park. Nothing vital being a stake, the contest placidly ran its course, with Everton by far the superior side that merited quite a crop of goals on the general play.  Especially at half-back were the club capably served, but the lack of confidence, which has been associated with the forwards all through the season, clung to them to the last.  They were clever to a degree, but the calm forsook them at the last stage, when the Leeds defenders, by sheer persistency, repeatedly saved the position.  There were occasions when the Everton forwards simply swept the decks by their resorting to the offside offensive, compelled them to refrain from close passing and to become individualists.  The Leeds team weak both in plan and execution.  They lacked speed and failed woefully in anticipating the moves of their opponents.  They cut out all trimmings, realizing, no doubt, that in football ability they were the inferior side, and depended upon making progress by swinging the ball about with
Long drives.  Their passing, however, was inaccurate and entailed repetition.  Most of the attractive footwork came from Everton, but rarely did it look like bringing goals.  Yet KENNEDY could not fail when he happened to be standing on the correct spot to convert a drive from Broad on the ball rebounding from the crossbar.  The play merited a goal, and the spectators were grateful to display their enthusiasm.  Play became livelier as a consequence, and the United did better, but Everton continued to play well within themselves and were always the more polished side.
INDOMINABLE HART. 
The play McBain attained its usual high standard, and he was ably flanked by both Brown and Reid, but none worked more resolutely with a fair amount of success than Hart, the Leeds pivot. His work, however, met with little response, for those in front of him were spasmodic in movement, and only Harris and Whipp made much progress.  Broad was a dashing leader, but had no luck, while Troup and Kennedy kept Edwards and Duffield fully extended.  Everton’s last line defence was not seriously tested. McDonald and 0 Donnell confidently anticipated the designs of the United forwards when they reached the goal area, and Harland had few shots to deal with. But there were occasions when the Everton backs had to repeat their work as the result of too lusty clearance. Much pressure was thrown upon Duflield and Menzies, who played confidently throughout and in the main were responsible for keeping the margin down to the narrowest limit. Menzies was particularly successful in frustrating the designs of Chedgzoy and Chadwick, but the pity was that that pair should have marred otherwise sound display by resorting to the adoption offside methods.  Everton; Harland; McDonald, O’Donnell; Brown, McBain, Reid; Chedgzoy, Chadwick, Broad, Kennedy, and Troup.  Leeds United; - Down; Duffield, Menzies; Edwards, Hart, Atkinson; Armand, Whipp, Jennings, Wainscoat, and Harris.  Referee; Mr. W.P. Harper, Stourbridge. 

FIGHT ON A TRAIN
Liverpool Echo - Monday 04 May 1925
AFTER EVERTON MATCH AT PRESTON
FIVE LOCAL MEN FINED
PASSENGERS THROWN ABOUT THE CORRIDOR
At Wigan, to-day, five Liverpool men, Martin Burke, carter, of 20, Exley-street; Harold Meldon, carter, of 40, Scorton-street; William Jones, a vanman, 31, Grange-street; James Johnson, carter, 30, Morcecambe-street; and Fredrick C. Garrett, wondow cleaner, 46a, Lower Breck-road, were summoned for riotous and disorderly behavior in a train between Preston and Wigan on Good Friday, and also doing damage to windows and lavatory to the amount of £10.  Johnson did not appear.  It was stated that on Good Friday evening, after Everton had played Preston North End, at Preston, defendants boarded the return train to Liverpool.  Shortly afterwards there was a crash of glass. The men had been seen to enter a compartment already full, and another passenger, taking exception to defendants’ conduct, was struck by Burke.  The passenger, John Boyle a slater, of Everton, used a foul expression, and the five departments set upon him, knocked him about, and threw him into the corridor. 
THE MAN WHO WENT TO SEE.
Another man who went to see what the trouble was about was also set upon the very badly mauled.  James Charles Mutch, carter, of Everton, who stated he heard an uproar in the train, said he was set upon by the five defendants when attempting to investigate.  The mark near his eye was done in the assault, and he had nearly lost his sight.  Detective-sergeant Belderson, L.M, and S. Railway Police, said there was a fight on the platform when the train arrived at Wigan, and he saw Meldon grapple with Boyle.  Police-constable O’Sullivan, stationed at Lime-street, questioned the five defendants on their arrival at Liverpool.  Boyle accused Burke of assaulting him, and Johnson complained that he had been stabbed in the leg, though he would not prefer a charge against anyone.  In witness’s opinion the leg was cut through the defendant trying to get through a broken window. 
HOW THE ROW BEGAN
All the defendants contended that the trouble was caused through Boyle using a very foul expression to Burke.  They struggled, and Burke’s friends separated them.  They did not know how the damage to them carriage was done.  Johnson, it was stated, was attending the hospital for his injured leg.  Defendants were each ordered to pay 40s on each summons and pay the damage (£10) between them along with the costs of three independent witnesses. 

CURTAINS DRAWN
Liverpool Echo - Monday 04 May 1925
Bee’s Notes
All is quiet at Goodison Park.  They closed the shop on Saturday; and turned away their customers for a three months’ vacation.  I don’t know what those 25,000 loyal Evertonians do with themselves during the summer months.  Fortunately, they “have a home to go to,” and that saves them moulting till August and practice matches become due.  The crowd at Goodison to say farewell as astonishingly big and enthusiastic.  It only goes to show that these Everton fans are not fickle and not frail, and that if the side took a string of wins the crowd would be too big for the ground.  Maybe the players signed on will produce the right football next season.  At the moment I am perturbed to think that this side is starting the season for Everton in 1925-6.  Perhaps, however, the approach of the annual meeting will show “an amendment,” and will provide for the strengthening of the weak places.  I fear that Saturday concluded as August began- with a flicking, florping sort of football that had not t its base the very “meat” of the game-players covert; they don’t make ground and shoot.  That has been Everton’s failing, and it is passing strange how a boy from another club joins Everton and begins to ape those dribbling moves.  The first-time pass has no place in their being.  Why don’t they save their legs by a wise discretionary pass, I wonder? 
LEEDS MIGHT
Leeds might easily have slipped a goal before Kennedy got his present plate from James Broad.  Whipp was the one man likely to do it and the more I see of this man the more I like his style and practicability.  Yet he has taken the place of Armand, the man we liked so much at inside right at Anfield.  Perhaps Leeds would not be averse to parting with one of other to a club needing an inside right.  For my part I am convinced that Leeds have two styles of games; they are very good when they are good; and they’re like my golf when they’re bad- horrible is the word I was trying to think of!  As it was their first season in the chief tournament one could not expect too much of them, but they, like Everton must not always fondly hope and believe that two clubs of the poor strength of Preston and Forest will foot the staircase for them in case they fall downstairs!  No, club must work out their own salvation. 
McBAIN LINKS-UP
Neil McBain acting captain of Everton F.C, signed late on Saturday night. 

LIVERPOOL RESERVES 1 EVERTON RESERVES 0
May 5 1925. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury
LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP FINAL
Everton: - Kendall, goal, Raitt and Kerr backs, Virr Bain, and Hart, half-backs, Parry, Rand, Brown, Chadwick, and Weaver forwards .

ALEC TROUP RE-SIGNED BY EVERTON
Dundee Courier - Wednesday 06 May 1925
 " DENS PARK WOULD SUIT ME NICELY "
M'Bain Also Re-Engaged at Goodison Park
The destination of Alec Troup, the diminutive Everton left-winger, for next season has excited considerable interest in Scottish football circles, but at the moment there is no prospect of Troup returning to Scottish football. He has re-signed for the Goodison Park side. The wee fellow has returned to Forfar, and when the " Courier " called on him yesterday at his business premises he found the ex-Dundee player in a new role. Troup was behind the counter of his recently-acquired shop, scissors in hand, discussing business—and football—with a commercial traveller. In response to a question as to his club next season, Troup replieds—"l have fixed up again for Everton. They want me next season, and although I would have preferred to have been nearer home, I had no option but to put pen to paper." Troup stated that many Scottish clubs had been making inquiries about him, but Everton had no inclination to let him go. He has enjoyed football in England, but now that he has gone into business he feels he would like Scottish club—and the nearer Forfar the better. Dens would suit me nicely," he confided as the Courier " left him arranging neckties. M'Bain Also Stays.—Neil M'Bain, the Scottish international. centre-half, of Everton, has also re-signed for the' club. It had been stated that M'Bain intended to return to Scotland at the end of the season, and it was rumoured that might be fixed up for Tynecastle.

ALEC WALL
Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 06 May 1925
Alec Wall, the Everton inside forward, who generally figured in the Central League team, but who has made occasional appearances with the seniors, has been transferred to Swindon.  Wall is purely a Liverpool product, having captained the schoolboys’ team when he was given his “cap” against Wales.  He had as splendid war record, winning the Military Medal and Br, and being promoted sergeant on the field.  Wall went to the Goodison Park club on leaving the Army, and made a thrustful forward, but he had no luck in front of goal. 

EVERTON’S LINEOUT FOR THE BLACKPOOL GAME
Liverpool Echo- Thursday, May 7, 1925
Bee’s Notes
The morning’s weather and the dull air are eminently suited to football.  Therefore, I make no apology for introducing to your notice a football match in which Everton are helping.  The cause is charity; Blackpool are having a match for the hospital funds on Saturday, and Everton are very decently sending this team as attraction to the Bloomfield-road people.  Harland; McDonald, Kerr; Brown, McBain, Bain; Chedgzoy, Chadwick, Broad, Kennedy, and Weaver. 

EVERTON PLAYER SIGNED FOR OLD ATHLETIC
Liverpool Echo- Friday, May 8, 1925
Oldham, Athletic have to-day signed on Frank Hargreaves an inside forward from Everton.  Born in Ashton-under-Lynn, Hargreaves came to Oldham from Droylesdon in September, 1923.  After playing a season, he left for Everton at the close of the 1923-34.  He is a young player, only twenty-one years of age,  and his weight 1`1 stone, and  stands 6ft 6 ½ in.  Light weight is his only barrier. 

HARGREAVES LEAVES EVERTON.
May 9, 1925. The Daily Courier.
Hargreaves, the Everton Reserve forward, who made several appearances in the first team last season, but was placed on the transfer list, signed for Oldham Athletic yesterday.

RAND AND EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 May 1925
Everton and Rand, the Durham player, who has been on trial with Everton, has signed a professional form for that club. 

SUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 May 1925
By Louis T. Kelly

• Everton’s poor results have been perhaps the season’s greatest surprise, and it is consoling to think that they cannot very well fare so ill for the second season in succession

BLACKPOOL 2 EVERTON 1
April 11, 1925. The Daily Courier.
OFFSIDE TEST AT SEASSIDE.
EVERTON DELIGHT BUT LOSE AT BLACKPOOL.
The precise merits of the new rule effecting offside can probably only be determined in a match of greater consequence than that which by the odd goal in three, Everton lost to Blackpool at South Shore in the local Hospital Charity Cup on Saturday. But the style of game its test produced was of the kind, which all football followers will appreciate. Mr. Arthur Ward, of Kirkham who referred the match satisfactorily, had only to blow his whistle twice for offside, and the infrequency with which play was interrupted for correotious enabled some effective schemes to be developed; 5,000 spectators –there would doubtless have been more but for the wretched weather –saw more actual play, and play of a kind worth encouraging, and the elimination of what has long been regarded as "artificial" means of foiling artistic movements met with audible approval. Everton did not win the Cup. But they won applause by the facility with which they demonstrated some of the services of the new order, and the skill of their raids, some of which were so sudden as to afright the home admirers. Luckily for seaside comforts, the visitors' shooting was not what it should have been –terrific at times, admittedly, but a little too high, or too wide. Chadwick, Kennedy, and Weaver did most of it, but the first named was the only one to seriously trouble Crompton. Home goals by Butler and Bedford, in 23 minutes and 30 minutes respectively from passers by Meredith and Watson were rapidly followed by that which Chedgzoy flashed under the keeper's failing body from 20 yards out and which entered at the foot of the near post. Harland had less to do them Crompton in goal, and in defence Wood for Blackpool and Kerr for Everton were striking. NcDonald got a kick, but though he returned he dared run no risk. Blackpool's new halve. Mercer and Jarratt, look like being of good use, but Benton was the best with Meredith and Mee clever forwards. Team: - Everton: - Harland goal, McDonald, and Kerr, backs, Brown, McBain (captain), and Bain, half-backs, Chedgzoy, Chadwick, Broad, Kennedy, and Weaver, forwards.

McBAIN RE-SIGN FOR EVERTOIN
Athletic News - Monday 11 May 1925
Everton have signed all the players they wished to retain, and Neil McBain, the last to append his signature, has dispelled any doubts as to his future.  Frank Hargreaves, one of the four players on the open-to-transfer list, signed for his former club, Oldham Athletic on Friday. 

BLACKPOOL TEST
Athletic News - Monday 11 May 1925
BENEFITS OF PROPSOED OFF-SIDE CHANGE
BLACKPOOL 2, EVERTON 1
Blackpool, at home, beat Everton in a match for the Blackpool Hospital Cup, their goals being scored by BUTLER and BEDFORD against CHEDGZOY’S for Everton.  Two new men, Mercer, right half-back from Preston North End, and Jarratt, a centre half-back from a Notts District League Club, played well for Blackpool.  An experiment was made with the proposed new off-side rule- two opponents instead of three- and it resulted in a very interesting game.  There were more thrills and more scoring chances than under the present rule, and only twice was the whistle blown for off-side.  Mr. Edward Little, a director of the Blackpool club, and a well-known football legislator, remarked after the match that he believed the change in the rule would bring brighter football, with more goals, and fewer throw-ins, quite apart from the decreased number of stoppages for off-side. 

NEIL SAYS “NO”
Liverpool Echo - Monday 11 May 1925
Bee’s Notes
Although Everton lost the Blackpool Hospital Cup they treated the Blackpool spectators to some pretty football, and while they were dallying and dallying the Blackpool forwards set about goal-getting and obtained two through Butler and Redford and one only of these was robbed off when Sam Chedgzoy scored his point.  The main feature was, of course, the two defenders proposal, and, although the spectators are likely to be pleased with the number of goals that should be scored, I know that very few players are in scored with the new motion.  The referees Union is also again it!  Neil McBain’s option is that it will breed poachers –a player that simply stays well up the field, almost on top of the one remaining back and waits his time.  This is not the true interpretation of football, says Neil.  Harland, who, with other goalkepeers, is likely to suffer more than any other, told me that it will lead to a bucketful of goals;- :Take a centre-forward like Sheffield’s Johnson.  He will simply burst beyond the orphan back, who, especially if the ground is greasy, will have no chance and then you can pity us goalkeeper!” 

BACKERS DO WELL
Nottingham Journal - Tuesday 12 May 1925
WELL-BACKED WINNERS AT UTTOXTER
SMALL FIELDS
Although the weather was dull, a large crowd attended the opening of the Uttoxeter Chases and with fields of fair dimensions, and the going good, they witnessed excellent sport.  Hat Rock took the Oldfields Hurdle cleverly from the heavier-backed Knock Brack, who failed to stall off a challenge from the winner in the straight.  Sun Charmer was last to half-way, but improved his position to finish third.  The winner is the property of Fred Sharp, brother of the Lancashire cricket captain and old Everton footballer. 

S. MURRAY
Burnley News - Wednesday 13 May 1925
Alf Basanett, played in a match –Past v. Present, St. Helens players on Saturday, for the benefit of S. Murray, a former Everton and Reading player who lost a leg in a pit accident.  The Past beat the Prescot by 4-0.

SAW 53 GRAND STANDS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 13 May 1925
Bee’s Notes
We regret to learn of the death of Mr. Joseph Barton, a widely-known sports authority.  Born at Salford, he spent his youth and early manhood at Warrington, working there as a compositor, and afterwards in Whitby, Oldham and Liverpool (“Courier” and “Mercury’).  He was a proof reader at the “Mercury,” when in that capacity, he went to Birmingham and joined the “Post” in 1885.  Subsequently he became a member of the editorial staff of the “Post” and was for many years sporting editor until his retirement in 1913.  He had a phenomenal memory in the matter of racing date.  Hundreds of wagers were settled on his word and we never knew him wrong!  He had a wide and sound knowledge of all relating to the turf.  He attended fifty-three Grand Nationals.  Every year he used to trot up to Aintree like a veritable two-year-old, and many a “crack” has he offered to the turf follower, high and low.  He knew them all; they all knew him; he was a fait with the racing game and with all the “heads” of it, and was therefore a well-posted man.  His retirement meant that he got into touch with many a house party, for he was a raconteur of the first order, and yarned on for hours without ever a suggestion of boring his hearers.  Like a famous London turf writer, he could have demanded high terms for his attendance at an hotel simply for the purpose of chatting on sporting history.  He is the hero of the famous and true story that one night, when he had been to the Derby, he stayed at an hotel, and got into confabbling on Derbies he had seen.  The crowd increased, and when Mr. Barton retired for the night he found a bottle of champagne in his room.  Questioning the proprietor next day about the gift, he got this reply; “Your interesting talks last night added fifty pounds to the day’s taking, sir.” 

NEW WINGER FOR BOROUGH
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail - Saturday 13 May 1925
George Jones, the outside right of Wigan Borough, has been transferred to the Middlesbrough Football Club.  He is a Crook man, and joined Everton in the season that football was resumed after the war.  He understudied Chedgzoy at Goodison Park for three and half seasons, making about 40 appearances in the League team was transferred to Wigan in January, 1923.  Jones is a well-built young man of 5ft 7ins, and tips the scale at 11st 6lbs. 

EVERTON & CENTRAL LEAGUE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 14 May 1925
Bee’s Notes
Though the Central League may claim to be a Lancashire organiastions as it was formed in the County Paistine and by clubs from the Red Rose County, it is rather singular to note that though the tournament has been running since season 1911-12 only three clubs from the district have so far won the championship.  This honour has fallen to the lot of Manchester United (twice), Blackpool and Everton.  In the last four season the championship trophy has found a temporary home outside the county, and by securing it this season Huddersfield Town are to be congratulated on winning it for the second time since joining the competition in 1913-14.  They have thus emulated the example set by Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion, and as they were runners-up to the Albion last season they have turned out to be one of the most consistent teams in the League.  They have picked up 382 points out of a maximum total of 656 and credited with 68 during the campaign just closed, have done as well as in the previous season.  West Bromwich Albion, however, can claim the highest number of points recorded by any of the competition up to date.  They won the championship with 63 in season 1922-3 but the percentage was not quite so good as that of Lincoln City, who headed the poll with 48 points out of a possible 64 in the first year of the league.  Oldham Athletic and Burnley will have to apply for re-election at the annual meeting, having finished at the foot of the table.  Neither club has done so badly before, and Burnley, who hold the wooden spoon for the first time, have considerably deteriorated in that last two years.  Their aggregate of points is the second lowest since the competition was increased to 22 clubs.  Twelve months ago Blackburn Rovers wound up with only 21 points, and other Lancashire clubs to finish at the foot of the table in previous years are Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Bury.  The whole of the Lancashire clubs have bene members of the competition since its inception.  Everton won the championship with 49 points out of a maximum of 76 in season 1913-14 and are runners up this campaign with the record number of points viz., 60.  Their previous best was 57 two years ago.  Liverpool have improved on their previous season’s figures, but they have yet to fill one of the high positions in the table.  In season 1914-15 and 1912-13 the Anfield-road club raised totals of 43 points, but have had to be content with scant reward for their labours. 

MR. W.C. CUFF AND LEAGUE
Athletic News - Monday 15 May 1925
NEW CONTROL 
TWO changes of exceptional interest have been made in the election of Mr. W. C. Cuff, chairman of the Everton F.C., to a seat on the Management Committee of the Football League and the appointment of Mr. Herbert Chapman, the secretary of Huddersfield Town, to the position secretary-manager of the Arsenal club, where, as the directors’ representative, will have full charge. 
Mr. Cuff has enjoyed a long and importantconnection with administrative work for many years. He joined the Everton an ordinary member in 1890, when they played at Anfield. When Everton transferred to Goodison Park, he followed their fortunes with the same interest, and became a shareholder in 1891-92.  A little later came the split, when there was considerable diversity of opinion among the directors as to the policy of the club. Mr. Cuff took a prominent part in the campaign, and exercised a considerable influence in determining the ultimate issue. As a result he was, 1895, elected director. 
HIS SERVICES TO EVERTON. 
He resigned this office 1901 in order to take the position secretary, and was due large measure to his acumen that the club figured so prominently for several seasons. He resigned the secretaryship in 1918 owing to professional business, and a few years later, following upon another eruption on the board, was again elected a member in 1921. His shrewdness and knowledge of affairs led his appointment as chairman, a position which has filled for the past three seasons.  While secretary the club he represented that organization the local association, and was one the founders of the Central League in 1911. Prior to that he was active member of the Lancashire F.A.  Mr. Cuff is a well-known solicitor in Liverpool, and it is perhaps not too much to say that his legal Knowledge has helped the Everton club in many its transactions.

MORE TO FOLLOW
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 19 May 1925
Bee’s Notes
Everton, like Liverpool F.C., have just given, through the directors of the club £25 to the “Echo” Playing Fields Fund. May other clubs will follow suit with the “mites.” 

EVERTON’S F.C. BALANCE SHEET
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 20 May 1925
£44,000 GATES RECEIPTS
PROFITS OF £1,590
Everton’s balance sheet is worth pondering over.  The figures are very massive as usual, and the standing of the club is more than ever made self-evident.  Gate receipts for a team that has not done well during the season are really remarkable.  The best part of £50,000 has bene taken it is an amazing figure, and shows the hold Everton has on public affection.  It also shows a loyalty that is not common to some clubs I could name.  The balance sheet is given in another column, but meantime I had better explain that the transfer item marked 10s refers to the transference of a share, not a footballer.  I congratulate Everton upon their alacrity and upon their figures of speech.  May their results talk more loudly next season! 
EVERTON DIRECTORS
SHAREHOLDERS RESOLUTION FOR “DISSAL.”
“SACK THE LOT” CALL
FIGURES OF SPEECH OMN CLUB’S BALANCE SHEET
Everton Football Club having announced their balance-sheet have suddenly loomed into another of their now almost customary debates about management of football.  We learn that a resolution has been framed to “Sack the lot,” and it will be proposed at the annual general meeting.  The request signed by two shareholders.  We, the undersigned shareholders, respectfully give notice that the following resolution will be proposed at the annual general meeting;-
Everton F.C issued their balance-sheet last night.  The annual meeting will be held on the 28th at 7.30 at 14, Cook-street.  The directors recommend the usual payment of 7 ½ per cent, and the retiring directors are Messrs J.C. Baxter, E. Green, and A.R. Wade.  They offer themselves for re-election. The one nomination for election is Mr. James Ross Hurrell, of the Bradford Hotel, Tithebarn-street. 

McGRAE GOES TO TRANMERE.
May 21, 1925. The Liverpool Echo.
McGrae, the young Everton half-back has joined Tranmere Rovers. He was signed earlier in life than most pros, and has at the age of twenty-two seen five years service with a senior side. He is a wing half-back, but has struck a side that has rather an abundance of half-backs.

CRITICS OF THE EVERTON CLUB.
May 21 1925. The Liverpool Echo.
CRITICS OF THE WALTON CLUB.
When people read paragraph in other newspapers around the country, suggesting "Everton storm." I begin to wonder whether the public do not lose charm in the same Everton. Of course, there are two such wholesly-biiter rivals' sets of shareholders that Everton F.C. will for many a year suffer this annual haggling. This season's storm has been brewing along time and has in part been engineered with a subtly that deserves a better work on which to hang clever initiation. However, that's by the way. The resolution, which I was able to make known anyone else yesterday –as also the McDale signing by Liverpool, Caddick signing for Stockport, and a host of other live wires –to which may be added the signing in due course of Rogers the ex-Liverpool by Bradford Park Avenue Club, and McGrae of Everton, by Tranmere –all this resolution declares is that it is to be the subject of a proposition that "The board be sacked forthwith." Well Thursday night next will offer the answer. It has been answered before today, when the prospect was a free light. But when proxies come to hand, prosaic general meeting often follow as night follows day.
MEETING OF MALCONTENTS.
The Everton shareholders have been invited to a meeting at the hall under Walton Conservative Club on Tuesday night at eight o'clock. Chair to be taken by Councillor Clare. Councillor Hurrell, who in nominated for a position on the board, will be present and will address the meetings.
HIS APPEAL.
The Everton F.C. shareholders have received the following appeal from Mr. James Ross Hurrell who has been nominated for a seat on the Everton board:- at the request of many shareholders and enthusiastic supporters. I have pleasure in coming forward for election to the board, and I shall be very grateful for your kind support. Well may shareholders ask, "What is wrong with our club." We know a great deal is wrong with our club? We know a great deal is wrong with it, despite the admitted good intentions of the board. As with a business, so with a football club –problems of high policy are not solved in these ultra competitive days except by thoroughly practical and democratic minds. The board must be strengthened at once by the inclusion of one or two men possessing these qualities, if it is to be rise next season above its new lowly state to a position consistent with its great traditions and wealth. Preston experience apart, it is always sound policy to have a charge of directors periodically. In the conviction that my long and practical association with the control of all classes of sports would be of great material help to the club. I ask you to eject to the directorate. Those shareholders who know me best will give me their vote because assured by their knowledge of me, that I would work independently of all misguided sentiment and prejudices, to ensure shrewd and successful management of the team. Those to whom I am less known could not do better than follow this lead. Yours, etc James Ross Hurrell.
FIGURATIVE SPEAKING.
Here is a letter from "Grand Stand."- May I offer a few observations on the published accounts of the Everton Football Club? My chief observation on the capital account is that the directors and their immediate friends relying as they do on 30,000 or more supporters week by week, might see fit to spilt up the shares into a nominal value of 5s. Then there would be 10,000 shares available for distribution by purchase instead of 2,500 which are in the possession of a handful of people who can control the company year after year on the system of "You vote for my people this year, and we will vote for your people next year." The revenue account is a little disturbing. If you take the receipts gate and season tickets and deduct the entertainment tax and result of the give-and-take as regards visiting teams, there is (net) £37.415. Of this the operations of the club have absorbed £36,635, leaving £780; or only 5d in the £ out of the £37,415. The income from baseball matches, advertising, hoarding, programmes etc, and rents of property produce another £810; surplus £1,590 –as shown by the published accounts. But the point is; less than half of this surplus comes from the operations of the club itself, and one (extra) really bad Saturday involving the postponement of a match to mid-week would have made sufficient differences to have wiped out the whole surplus; including the money received from sources other than the club's operations. To take the position at the end of April is all very well, but there are four months' liabilities ahead before the turnstiles move again. There is £6,000 in the bank, and none of that will be visable at the end of September. In the balance-sheet there is an unusual item for a football club. "Sundry debtors as valued by directors, £3,419", Why " as valued"? Are they really larger than this? What are these debts for? Unpaid transfer fees from other clubs, or what? On this point, I note that players wages and transfer fees (in and out) are all lumped together, £22,166. Why should not these be separated, especially to show the hugh items that the directors pay out for men and the miserable sums they recover on their release so soon after it has been discovered that the original engagement was a hugh mistake?

J. THOMAS
Blyth News - Thursday 21 May 1925
J. Thomas, North Shields.  Since leaving the Spartans, he has played for Preston North End, Everton, Chesterfield, Pontypridd (Welsh League), Darlington, Bournemouth, and Boscombe, and last season for Swansea Town. 

RIDE OVER ULSTER BORDER
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Friday 22 May 1925
MACHINE SEIZED BY THE CUSTOMS OFFICIALS.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) Belfast, Thursday.
Robert Irvine, an international football player, of the Everton Club, and James Sherry, soldier, home furlough from Mesopotamia, left Lisburn for spin on a motor-cycle, totally ignorant of the Customs' regulations the border between Ulster and the Free State. They decided go to Monaghan, where Sherry has relatives. On crossing tho border they visited Sherry's friends in the Clontibret district, and when they returned to the place where they had left their bicycle, they were both detained by the Customs authorities. The Monaghan police communicated with the Lisburn police, who in turn got in touch with Irvine's relatives at Low Road, Lisburn, and verified the statement which the two men made to the authorities at Mnuagban. The charge against the men is that they unlawfully imported into the Free State, with intent evade payment of duty, an uncustomed article, namely, a motor cycle. The bicycle has been seized by the Customs authorities, and the men re released on bail to appear at the next Monaghau district court.

EVERTON.F.C DIRECTORS.
May 22, 1925. The Liverpool Echo.
"Paddock" writes: - I was interested to read in your issue that several shareholders of the Everton F.C. have given notice of motion to move a resolution at the forthcoming annual meeting, which whilst being a vote of ceasure virtually means so far as present directors are concerned "Sack the Lot." As an old supporter of the club, I am pleased that such a spirit is pervading the shareholders, and this in my opinion argues well for the future prosperity of the club. It is an open secret for some time the directors have not attempted to foster the true spirit of sportsmanship, nor have they given the players the encouragement necessary in modern conditions of professional football; if they had done I am confident the Everton Club would not be in the parlous conditions they are today in the League table, which is a disgrace to the name of Everton in the realm of football. In conclusion I hope the shareholders will clear up the mess and set their house in order.
OPPOSITION.
"Bob Speak," writes: - I have read with interest the announcement that a movement is on foot to effect a change of a drastic nature in the directorate of the Everton Club. I am pleased this move is being made because I consider during the last four or five years the club has been disgracefully handled, and the whole position has shown a lack of foresight on the part of the board. It has been asserted the club has had very good players. Well if this be true, my only conclusion is the players have been badly handled. Many alterations are long overdue, both from a trading and financial; standpoint and I hope the other shareholders will rally round those who have the plucky to bring this matter to ahead by opposing the re-election of the "old-gang."

EVERTON AFFAIRS.
May 25 1925. The Liverpool Echo.
The meetings this week in connection with the Everton Club are: -
Tomorrow night, at conservation Club, Walton, at 8'o'clock, a shareholders and supporters meeting in support of Mr. J. R. Hurrell. Thursday Night –Annual meeting of the club at Law Rooms, Cooke-street. Mr. Hurrell states, that he is unable to answer all the friends who have written him wishing success to his endeavour. He takes this opportunity of thanking them. The Everton officials state that there us no truth in the suggestion (which I have never heard mooted) that the board is not "one." As a matter of fact I have been known an Everton board to well together and a happy band.

H. FARE AND E. SALT
Athletic News - Monday 25 May 1925
H. Fare, the former Everton right full-back was signed by Bury; A signature for Wigan is that of E. Salt, the Accrington Stanley goalkeeper, once of Everton. 

AWAY WITH PROXIES?
Liverpool Echo-Monday, May 25 1925
Bee’s Notes
I have so frequently bene asked how it is that I have not been nominated for the Everton directorate that I feel I must trespass on your good nature to make your readers as wise as yourself (says Mr. Robert Nelson).  The plain fact is that, as you know, I am absolutely opposed to the proxy system, and to cadge for proxies, or encourage others to do so on my behalf, is altogether against my sense of sportsmanship. I am distinctly free of all cliques and if ever I do stand, as I shall probably do next year, I shall rely on the character I hold in the world of sport, especially football and my many years’ experience of football and sports management, and my knowledge of the management of men.  May I respectively suggest to all my fellow shareholders that in the future they refuse to be cajoled into giving proxies, and instead, attend the meeting themselves and exercise their votes for whom they consider the best man?  By that means we should have, in time, a board truly elected by the shareholders themselves. 

SURE THING !
Liverpool Echo- Tuesday, May 26 1925
Bee’s Notes
As a shareholder of the Everton Football Club (writes “One of the Old Brigade”), I am quite free to give strong criticism, and will not forget to do so on Thursday next; but I do think, if a change is to be made, we, as shareholders, require a right and proper person to present us.

EVERTON EVOLUTIONS.
May 27 1925. The Liverpool Echo.
At Everton's annual which takes place at the rooms I have mentioned above tomorrow night, we are led to expect something rather more exciting than the calm, easy affair of last year; that is, if all who fancy they have a grievance do get up on their hind legs. That was not a very big meeting at the Walton Conservative Club last night, when the candidature of Mr. James R. Hurrell for a vacancy on the board of directors was confirmed without much enthusiasm and with a few discontents. Mr. Hurrell explained his attitude in clear and moderate fashion, saying that he stood simply because he felt some new Blood on the board was necessary, in view of the poor fortune Everton had these last few seasons. He had taken an interest in Everton for a long time, and had been a shareholder for the past five years. He denied the lateration that he was a bookmaker, but said that he could claim experience in sport of all kinds, from captaining Seacime Swifts at football and Wrexham Casuals at Cricket to leading Wrexham chess team to victory against Manchester and playing in the Isle of Man bowie handicap. He had no personal grudge against any of the present directors and if he felt he would lose any of their friendship by standing he would withdraw. What could one do amongst eight? It might be asked and the suggestion followed that they would all be against him. Not necessarily, he urged. If he had something reasonable to propose he believe they would listen to him, and so he appeared for the shareholders' votes and confidence for three years. He guaranteed that at the end of that time, he would have done something to justify that confidence.
"SACK THE LOT" MOVE.
Mr. W.R. Clayton, a former chairman of the club, came armed with a requisition for a special general meeting of the shareholders for the purpose of calling upon the present board to retire. He invited signatures thereto, and his invitation was accepted by several at the end of the meeting. I am informed that the required number of signatures has just about been obtained, so that we may expect an additional meeting in the near future. Mr. Clayton criticsed the present board's ascenditure on players, and said the number of men who had been signed on and not used had been more like the pamage of men through a labour exchange than a football club. During the past four years the directors had spend more than £50,000 on players, and yet they could not make a success of it. If they paid hugh prices for such men, either their did not know what they were buying or did not know how to handle the men whom they had secured. Mr. Clayton said they would never do any good by putting Mr. Hurrell alone on the board. They wanted a wholesale clearout and reconstruction. They should ask the board to retire. Let the shareholders have a general meeting and pass a resolution calling upon the board to retire. They could then elect nine new men, and lift the club back to the success of former years.

EVERTON BOARD CRITICISED
Lancashire Evening Post - Friday 29 May 1925
FORMER CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS AT ANNUAL MEETING.
At the annual meeting, last night, of Everton F.C., Mr. W. R. Clayton, a former chairman, stated that in his opinion the Board had not managed the club, either from a playing standpoint or financially, in a way which merited the confidence of the shareholders. Even after buying players at huge prices the Board had not the ability to play the men rightly. It was his intention to put in a requisition culling a special meeting of the shareholders to call upon .the directors to resign. He did not think they had the ability to encourage the right sort of men. It was not right to pay or £3,000 for men who had to be transferred again a few months. They had spent in four years nearly £50,000 in the purchase of new players, with no success. He asked the directors to apply the same acid test to themselves as they did to them five years ago. . . , The accounts, showing a profit of £1,590, and declaring a 7 half  per cent, dividend, were adopted, and the three retiring directors, Messrs. E. Gray, J. C. Baxter, and A. R. Wade, were re-elected. At the close of the meeting a vote of confidence in the directors of the club was passed.