EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Mercury -Wednesday 3 June 1896
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Among the governing body of the Everton Football Club Company, Limited, there are many gentlemen who hold strong individual opinions, and the frank expression of these on debatable subjects has rendered the majority of the company’s annual meeting both lively and protracted. Last evening, when numerous shareholders assembled at the Picton Lecture Hall, under the presidency of Dr. Baxter, to transact the general business of the year, the proceedings were unusual unanimity. So quiet were they that a tiny mouse regarded the transaction of business in fearless prominence, till its discovery aroused the sporting instincts of the gathering, and deliberations were suspended in order that “a kill” might be effected. The Chairman in moving the adoption of the report and accounts (previously published), remarked that the past year had not been a very brilliant one from a playing standpoint, but from a financial point of view it had been very successful. The gates taking amounted to £8093, as compared with £8266 the previous or a decrease of £173. In accounting for this, it must be remembered that the Liverpool match occurred during the previous season, this in itself realising over £1000, or about the average of three good League matches, so that he thought they might congratulate themselves upon the receipts (Hear, hear). The season had been eventful one, inasmuch as the directors had been able to acquire the freehold of the club ground at an expenditure of £8-80-£5,000 of which amount remained at mortgage at 3 ½ per cent-or practically £165 per annum while the remaining £3090 had been paid out of the revenue of the club. (Hear, hear, and applause). The first League matches had been 61 in number, of which 32 had been won, 11 drawn, and 18 lost. The club had taken third position in the League-which was very creditable-and had got as far as the third round of the English Cup tie having as in the previous season, been robbed of victory at Sheffield. The theatrical gala had been discontinued that year for various reasons, and a football match by Wells’ light and a firework display had been substituted. Unfortunately, they have suffered very bad weather, and the event was the means of realising but little money for the medical charities of the city. They hoped, however, to supplement the proceeds by sports, which would be held on the 22nd August (Applause). The directors had under consideration the erection of a new grand stand in place of the present one. (Hear, hear.)  No decision had yet been arrived at, but it was hoped by erecting a new stand to provide accommodation for about 6,000 spectators, as compared with the present accommodation for 3500. It was not so much the accommodation as the view from the present stand which the directors thought required alteration. It was felt, also, that the present would be a good time to cover over the stands at the Goodison-road side of the ground-(hear, hear)-thus providing shelter for 20,000 and rendering the club practically independent of the weather. The directors had taken the rights of the shareholders into consideration, and hoped to be able to give them a central position on the stand. (Hear, hear). In conclusion, Dr. Baxter expressed the hope that the coming season would be as successful financially as last one, and that the efforts of the club to acquire honours in the football world might be attended by better results. (Applause).
The motion was duly seconded, and the Chairman, in reply to a shareholder, said the directors had decided not to send the team on tour until after the more important fixtures had been played.(Hear, hear, and applauses). His question as to whether any other remark were to be based on the report, met with a cheerful “No,” and the motion was unanimously adopted, the meeting also accepting readily the chairman’s proposition that a 5 per cent, dividend should be paid on the capital. Amid loud acclamation the proposal of Mr. Smith, Mr. Platt that the retiring directors- Messrs Bainbridge, Cuff, and Davies should be re-elected en bloc was unanimously accepted. The secretary (Mr. R. Molyneux) proceeded to name at the request of shareholders, the players who had been “signed on” for the coming season. The goalkeepers, he said were Briggs and Menham, the latter hitherto custodian for the Grenadier Guards being 6ft 1in, in height, and scaling 13 ½’ the backs Sergeant Barker, a clever player for the same regiment, 24 years of age, 5ft 9 ½ in height and 12 ½ in weight, a native of Wolverhampton; Arridge, McDonald, Storrier, Balmer, and Molyneux; the half-backs, Boyle, Holt, Stewart, Goldie, Nash, Meiklejohn, Robertson, and Hughes; and the forwards, Taylor, Bell, E. Chadwick, Hartley, Milward, Williams, Balmer (Aintree Church), Cameron, J. Chadwick, Campbell, McDonald, Elliott and Schofield-in all 29 players.
Discussion subsequently centre upon the proposed erection of a new grand stand.- This was opposed by Mr. Robert Wilson and by Mr. Mahon, who said he considered the time inopportune for such a step. He should prefer to see the mortgage considerably reduced before so expenditure of probably £2000 was incurred. Having ascertained from the chairman that the directors were agreed as to the advisability of constructing a new stand, but that similar unanimity did not prevail as regarded the time at which operations should be commenced, he moved- “That in the event of the directors deciding it advisable to build a new stand they should previously submit the matter to a meeting of the shareholders.”
Mr. Clayton considered that a wealthy body like the Everton Football club should not be behind its rivals in the provision of adequate accommodation for spectators. (Hear,. Hear). The Liverpool club possessed better accommodation than they did, and he though that Everton, as the premier club, should supply the best accommodation in the country. (Applause).
Mr. Keats concurred, and proposed as an amendment- ”That the  directors be requested to proceed at once to secure plans and invite tenders for the erection of a new stand worthy of the ground.”
The original motion and the amendment were seconded, and, at the request of several shareholders, the Chairman and Mr. Kelly explained the nature of the stand which it was intended to erect. The proposal was to build a substantial stand, with a brick back, at a cost of from £2000 to £2500 using a quantity of the old material for this purpose. Mr. Kelly did not agree with one speaker who suggested that the work was too great to be accomplished within the ensuing thirteen weeks, but his opinion coincided with that of Mr. Mahon as to the advisability of deferring operations.
Mr. Mahon’s proposition was ultimately adopted by an overwhelming majority and the meeting concluded with a graceful tribute from himself and Mr. Coates to the service of the chairman and directors.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool daily Post- Wednesday 3 June 1896
A PROSPERROUS COMPANY
The annual meeting of the Everton Football Club Company, limited, was held last evening, in the Picton Lecture Hall, under the presidency of Dr. Baxter. There was a large attendance of shareholders. All the directors were present. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet (which have already been published in extenso) said the past season had not been brilliant from a playing standpoint, but financially had been very successful. The gate taking amounted to £8,093 as compared with £8,255 the previous year, showing a decrease of £173. The decrease was accounted for by the fact that the match with Liverpool occurred in last year’s proceeds. That match realised £1,000, which was about the average of three good League matches. He thought, therefore, that they might compliment themselves on the receipts on the receipts of the past season. The season had been beneficial in as much as they had been able to acquire the freehold of their ground (applause). That had been done at an expenditure of £8,000. Of this sum £5,000 remained at mortgage at 3 ½ per cent, which was equal to a sum of £615 per annum. The remainder of the purchase money-namely, £3,090 had been paid out of the revenue of the club (hear, hear). The first team had 61  matches, of which they won 32, drew 11, and lost 18-a very fair record. They took third position in the League, which was also very creditable, and got as far as the third round in the English Cup competition, their chances of getting further being spoilt by Sheffield-repeating their experience of last year. The theatrical gala has been discontinued, and in its place was held a football match by Well’s light, and a firework display given. The weather was, however, very unfavourable, and very little money was taken for the medical charities of Liverpool, but the directors hoped to supplement the amount raised by adding the proceeds of sports proposed to be held on August 22 (applause). The directors had under consideration the erection of a new grand stand in the place of the present one (hear, heart). They hoped it they did erect a new stand to accommodate about 6,000 people. The present stand accommodated about 3,500 but it was not so much the accommodation as the view from it which operated with the directors (hear, hear). The pitch of the present stand was bad, and consequently the people sitting at the back got a very poor view of the game. It was also though that the present would be a good time to cover in the stand on the Goodison-road side (hear, hear). They would then be in a position to accommodate 20,000 people under cover, and could feel themselves more or less independent of the weather. The directors had taken the right and privileges of the shareholders into consideration, and it was proposed that they should occupy the centre of the suggested new stand (loud applause). He hoped the coming year would be as financially successful as the past season, and that their efforts to secure the honours of the football world would be attended with better success (applause).
The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Smith suggested that the players should not be sent on tour next season. On their visit to Scotland several of the players invariably got injured, and their reverses in the League fixtures commenced upon their return. The Chairman said the directors had already had that matter under consideration, and had decided that the players should not go on tour until after the more important matches had been played (applause). A dividend of 5 per cent, was then declared. Messrs. Theodore Rogers and Co, were reappointed auditors, and the retiring directors Messrs Bainbridge, Cuff and Davies, were re-elected unanimously.
Mr. R. Molyneux (Secretary) announced that the following players had signed on for next season;- Goalkeepers, Briggs and Menham; Backs, Arridge, McDonald, Storrier, Balmer, and Molyneux (Kirkdale); half-backs, Boyle, Holt, Stewart, Goldie, Nash, Meiklejohn, Robertson, and Hughes; Forwards, Taylor, Bell, E. Chadwick, Hartley, Milward, Williams, Balmer (Aintree Church), Cameron, James Chadwick, Campbell, McDonald, Elliott and Schofield- twenty-nine players in all. Menham was out of the Grenadier Guards, and was 6ft 1in, and 13 stones 8lbs. Balmer, the back was also out the Grenadier Guards, was twenty-four years of age, 5ft 9 ½ in in height, and 12 stone 8lbs in weight. Both men had been sought after by other clubs, but Everton had secured them. Hillman had not signed on for next season with Everton. The local player Mainman had refused the terms offered by the directors. A lengthy discussion took place as to the erection of new stand, or rather the enlargement and improvement of the old stand, at an estimated cost of £2,000. Several directors and shareholders though the present time inopportune for so large expenditure of money and suggested that before embarking upon it the mortgage on the ground should be considerably reduced. Ultimately a motion by Mr. Mahon that the directors should not build the stand before submitting the matter to the shareholders was carried by a large majority, over an amendment by Mr. Keats that the work of construction be proceeded with at once if it was found the stand could be erected during the close season, Mr. Keats and also Mr. Clayton’s argument was that the present stand was obsolete, and should be brought up to date.
A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and directors for the arduous labours, moved by Mr. Mahon and seconded nu Mr. Coates, concluded the meeting.

DUNDEE FOOTBALL CLUB- IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT
June 5, 1896. The Dundee Courier & Argue
In connection with the coming season of the Dundee Football Club the committee have just engaged the much-covered services of Mr. J. Hillman, who has acted as goalkeeper for Everton. As a custodian Hillman has a world-wide reputation, and the Dundee committee are to be congratulated in securing his services, as nearly the whole of the leading clubs both of England and Scotland have been negotiating for this class player. Hillman is the first English-man who has come to Scotland to play as a professional, so that Dundee has the honours of being the first to turn the tables upon England as regards professionalism. Mr. R. Kelso, another Everton player, who is to captain the Dundee team next season, has been largely instrumental in getting Hillman to come to Dundee. The news of the capture will doubtless afford great satisfaction to the supporters of football in Dundee and Scotland generally.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB COMPANY LIMITED
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday 5 June 1896
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY POST
Sir- Referring to the annual meeting of the above company held last night, it was very gratifying to shareholders present and absent that the proceedings passed off so harmoniously and expeditiously -in fact, I believe I am right in asserting that it was the smoothest meeting we have ever had, and speaks volumes to the credit of the present directorate. The only black spot on the meetings was in my mind, that the shareholders had not sufficient confidence in their directors to use their discretion as to proceeding with the new grand stand at once or not. Surely they are gentlemen who we can trusty to do everything for the benefit of the club. It is high time that something should be done with the present stand, as it is the most inconvenient one, from a spectator’s point of view, that I know of; and if I mistake not the majority of the shareholders who voted for Mr. Mahon will heartily regret doing so before the end of next season. Why the directors, especially Dr. Baxter and Mr. Kelly, should allow a vote to be taken on the matter was a mystery to me, especially so when I remember that we members were not consulted about erecting any of the present stands and Messrs, Mahon, Wilson and Coates themselves would have thought it highly impertinent if I had proposed a similar motion to what they did last night. I was surprised to hear these gentlemen speak about the club being in debt, when Mr. Mahon well known that a company with a credit balance of profit and loss of £5,000, and with property worth £10,000, owing only £5,000, is considered to be in a very good financial condition. Would any same man say Liverpool was in debt with all her loans? Well, the same principle applies to the Everton Club-Yours, &c., AN OLD MEMBER AND SHAREHOLDER., Liverpool, June 3, 1896.

IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT AT DUNDEE FOOTBALL CLUB
Dundee Advertiser-Friday 5, 1896
The committee of the Dundee Football Club have just arranged terms with Hillman the celebrated Everton goalkeeper, for the ensuing season. Hillman has the reputation of being one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, and has been eagerly sought after by many of the leading Clubs in the country. This the first occasion on which the Committee of a Scotch Club have been able to carry war into the English camp and reverse the usual procedure of bringing English players to Scotland. Mr. R. Kelso, the other Everton player who has been engaged, has had much influence in inducing Hillman to accept the Dundee engagement.

HILLMAN AND KELSO
The Scottish Referee -Monday, May 8, 1896
What we have for long predicted has at last become an accomplished fact, and the isolated instance, at present the only one announced, will only be memorable as being really the first bona-fide case of a leading English born and bred player being enticed across the border to Scotland. The Dundee club, which gave the lead in Scotland to professional clubs in regard to a paid secretary, has also taken the lead in this matter, and must be heartily congratulated on making such a 2big” catch as Hillman, the Everton goalkeeper. A good deal of the credit of the capture is due to Bob Kelso, the old Rentonian and Evertonian, who is to play full back for Dundee next season, and who has succeeded in taking his burly clubmate along with him.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday, May 9, 1896
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY POST
Sir- The more one thinks over Tuesday evening’s meeting, the more it is to be regretted that the shareholders did not insist upon the directors proceeding with the erection of the proposed new stand. Mr. Mahon led the members astray, and his proposal does not give one a big idea of his capacity either in business progression of finance. In the first place, members are asking why he should propose that the shareholders should be consulted again about the stand when at the time he was chairman of the directors similar work was carried on without going near the shareholders. What is the club going to do with its money when it has wiped off the mortgage? Why not, now that the club is in a flourishing condition, with plenty of money, improve the stand accommodation and make the ground perfect?- yours, &c., A SHAREHOLDER. June 5, 1896.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Echo-Saturday June 13, 1896
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL ECHO
Sir-Hitherto of the directors have had a free land in expenditure, including stands, &. The surprise proposal carried at the annual meeting trying the hands of the directorate and preventing their building a new stand (which all speakers agreed was badly wanted) until the tedious formality of a special meeting has been gone through, forms a novel restraint, the object and utility of which is not clear. It, however, conveys a sort of vote of want of confidence. On reflection shareholders will probably regret handcuffing their officials, and retarding an inevitable improvement. The arguments used to not look very strong when tested. They were in financial position, lack of time, and non-unanimity among directors. As I declared when proposing the amendment giving directors a free hand the policy of the proposal is timid and non-progressive. Compare our financial position with that of the “Liverpool” exchequer when their executive with up-to-date enterprise built their new stands. Their courage and action under extraordinary disadvantage should put us to the blush. We deserve to fall behind in the race. The time argument is the excuse of apathy and the voice of the sluggard. No first-rate contractor would hesitate to undertake to erect the stand in three months. How long did it take to construct the Liverpool stand? The reserved side is the worst for seeing a match at Goodison Park, and the difference at Liverpool will have a season’s rubbing in. as to non-unanimity among the directors, great Scot! I didn’t know unanimity was an essential or desirable condition in the executives of well-managed institutions. Difference of opinion and discussion are the guarantees of good management. The necessity of the new stand was agreed upon, the details were a matter for the executive and not a general meeting. If our directors had been properly alive to their chance and the new stand erected by September 1 it would have been a feather in their caps, and brought them reputation. The chance is denied them, and the club’s enterprise and smartness has received a shock -Yours, &c., T. KEATES. 58 Rockfield-road, Anfield.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday June 16, 1896
Much to the regret of the directors, the weather on the occasion of the match played last season in aid of the charities was such as to prevent the gate being as satisfactory as could be wished, and to supplement the amount then raised the directors have arranged for monster athletic  sports to be held on the 22nd August next, at the athletic Ground, Stanley, when it is to be hoped their efforts to benefit the local charities will be crowned with success. The prizes to be offered will be such as to attract the best athletic in the county, and already a number of prominent men have intimated their desire of compete. Something novel and exciting will be introduced into the programme in the tug of war and the barriers team race. The directors have formed a large committee to complete the arrangements and have invited several well-known gentlemen to assist. A preliminary meeting was held last evening, at the Bee Hotel, St. John’s lane, when Dr. Baxter was elected chairman, Mr. Clayton vice-chairman, and Mr. Molyneux hon secretary. Various sub-committees were also closen, and the meeting was adjourned.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB ATHLETIC SPORTS
The Liverpool Echo –Tuesday, May 16, 1896
The directors of the Everton Football Club, with a kindliness that is to be commended have in consternation the holding of a grand athletic festival which, it is expected, will take place on August 22, at the Liverpool Athletic Grounds, the object being to add to the funds of the local medical charities. To formulate the scheme a representative meeting of the committee of the club and friends was held last evening in the bee Hotel, St. John’s lane, Dr. Baxter presiding.- The Chairman explained that those present had been invited to attend by the committee of the club for the purpose of making arrangements for the forthcoming gala, which they were of opinion would prove a huge success (Hear, hear). Several novel events would take place on the occasion, such as an important tug-of-war and a harriers’ team successful, as  very high prizes were being offered, which would induce many of the “crack” bicycle raiders, runners, and jumpers to participate in the contests. The proceedings of last evening were limited to the appointing of the committee authorised to carry out the engagements, the following being elected;- Chairman, Dr. Baxter; vice-chairman, Mr. Bytom; treasurers, Messrs Prescot and Crawshaw; honorary secretary Mr. Molyneux; general and patron committee, Messrs F.T. ? T. Keates, Clayton, Dr. Baxter, and Woodcuffe, advertising committee Messrs W. Gregson, J. Brown, T. Wales, Cox, and Lythgoe; committee, Mr. Prescott; prize committee, Messrs Crawshaw, T. Bush, Jackson, Cuff, Davies, Leyland, Bainbridge, Lythgoe, Clayton,. And Brooks; refreshment committee Messrs Bush, Nelson and Bainbridge. The proceedings were then adjourned until the instant.