May 1896

THE EXHIBITION MATCH
Ulster Football and Cycling News- Friday, May 1, 1896
EVERTON v.  SUNDERLAND
The much talked of match between Everton and Sunderland came off at east End Oval on Tuesday night before a respectable gate for a mid-week game. Still the enterprising Glentoran must not feel enamoured with the manner in which the match was supported, and if expenses are cleared on the transaction, I should imagine it is about all. The teams were;- Everton- Goal, Briggs, backs, Storrier and Arridge; halves, Kelso, Meiklejohn, and Stewart; forwards, Williams, Murray, Goldie, Chadwick, and Milward. Sunderland;- Goal, Doig; backs, Gow and McNeill; halves, Johnston, Gibson, and Wilson; forwards, Gillespie, Hartley, Campbell, Miller, and Hannah. I think Monday night’s burst in the Imperial Hotel affected Sunderland a great deal, as their form was far from being anything like what they are famed for. Early on they gave evidence of this, and were not helped by the fact of Everton being a goal to the good, scored by Milward after a few minutes’ play, the Sunderland defence missing a centre from Williams, and allowing the crack left-winger an open goal. The play of the latter, with Chadwick, was the feature of a game which was certainly not very educatory for the purpose intended. Time after time these pair showed wing football as it should be played, and quite delighted the spectators. Some of Milward’s shot and centres from the most difficult positions were really fine. Doig kept goal well, and Gow, with McNeill and Hugh Wilson, shared the honours of beautiful defence work. The second goal was shot by Murray, as the Sunderland backs stopped to claim for a foul, confidently expecting the claim to be given. The referee did not see it, and Sunderland were worth, more so than they were a decision which lost them a certain goal in the first half. However, the decision ended matters. After Everton had, according to the most of the crowd present, quite overplayed the “team of all the talents,” the latter, giving a touch of true from, carried the game into the territory of the “the team of all the money” (vide Tom Watson) by a number of swift marceuvres; the ball came to Campbell (who had gone centre-half so as to allow Gibson a chance of showing his heavy paces as a forward), and the latter put in a beautiful screw and baffled Briggs, who, though he made a gallant effort to save, was clean beaten. The crowd though a draw would have at least now occurred, but the referee’s foghorn ended hostilities with Everton winners by 2 goals to 1. Though not a great game at times, there was pure football shown on both sides. Sunderland did not show any of their Distillery form, while Everton, if anything, were even better than against Glentoran. Next season such a game, arranged for a Saturday, would certainly raise a record gate. Surely it can be arranged ? 

THE LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT NOTES
Athletic News- Monday May 4, 1896
By the Loiterer
The Everton Club have put a fair number of men on the market, and they will be disposed of as a going concern or individually. Such prominent names as Hillman, Kelso, Adams and McInnes appear, but I have not heard the reserve prices. Up to a few weeks ago Hillman was highly thought of by directors and spectators, and I cannot understand how it is that he is pleased on the transfer list. He was disappointed in not being invited to accompany the team ibn the recent tour, and makes no secret of it, and in not over complimentary language. Kelso’s position is far different, for he has had to put up with indignities which to a player so wisely known must have been unbearable. He is sub-captain, yet he has only played some half a dozen times with the League team, and, as if this were not enough, some of the club supporters have vilified his character as a player on several occasions, so I should think it will be a happy release for him. I believe it is a question of terms with Adams. At the time of his engagement by the Everton club his figure was spoken of as high, but outside the directors the natural price is conjecture. Still, whatever the price was the directors desire to modify it somewhat, and point out that he is not getting younger. But the player does not see it in this light, and is under the impression he can do better elsewhere. McInnes is considered too light for the team, and, of course, the directors are justified in the course they are taking if they are satisfied on the point, which, I may say, a number of their supporters are not. He is not the strongest of men, but is a rare good player, and in the present state of the market his place will not be easily filled. These are the only well-known players for disposal but several of the reserves are included in the list. Cameron is going away to America on private business, but he is expected back by the beginning of October.

THE TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
Luton Reporter-Friday 8 May 1896
Already preparations are being made for strengthening the Town Club’s team for next season. It is understood that during the present week McInnes, the well known Everton forward, has been secured, and this without any possibility of friction between the clubs.

ARMY RECRUITS FOR EVERTON
May 9 1896. The Liverpool Mercury
The sportsmen learns upon the highest authority the private Menham (Goalkeeper) and Seargeant Barker (full back) of the third Grenadar guards have signed on for the Everton club for the season 1896-97.

ARMY RESRUITS
May 9, 1896. The Yorkshire Herald
We learn upon the highest authority that private Menham (the goalkeeper) and Sergeant Barker (the full back) of the 3 rd Grenadier Guards have signed on for Everton Football Club for the season 1896-97

ADAMS
MAY 11, 1896. The Dundee Courier & Argus
We understand that Adams, the old Hearts of Midlothian back, who has been playing for Everton during the past three seasons, has signed on for the Hearts for Next Season.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
May 11, 1896. Liverpool Mercury
It is stated that Cameron and Robertson, Greennock Morton, have signed on for Everton football club. They should be a decided acquisition to the Liverpool club, being two young and promising players. It is reported also that Adams, late of Everton has signed on for his old club, Hearts of Midlothian's.

CAMERON AND ROBERTSON FROM GREENOCK MORTON SIGN ON, ADAMS SIGNS FOR HEARTS
May 11 1896. The Liverpool Mercury
It is stated that Cameron and Robertson from Greennock Morton have signed on for Everton, they should be a decided acquisition to the Liverpool club, being two young and promising players. Adams late of Everton has signed on for his old club Hearts of Midlothians.

ADAMS
May 11, 1896. The Dundee Courier & Argue
The present football season ends on Friday first. We understand that Adams, the old Heart of Midlothian back, who has been playing for Everton during the last three seasons, has signed on for Hearts for next season.

TRANSFER OF AN EVERTON PLAYER
The Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, May 11, 1896
James Adams, the Everton full back, had been secured by the holders of the Scottish Cup (Heart of Midlothian). The capture has caused some surprise, and the terms paid are said to be heavy.
ARMY RECRUITS FOR THE EVERTON CLUB
The Sportsman learns upon the highest authority that Private Menham, the goalkeeper, and Sergeant Barker, the full back of the 3rd Grenadier Guards, have signed on for the Everton Football Club for the season 1896-7.

MORTON PLAYERS FOR EVERTON
Scottish Referee- Monday, May 11, 1896
The Morton F.C., have lost a couple of excellent men in Robertson and Cameron, both of whom signed for Everton last week. As a left half Robertson did yeoman service for the Morton during the season now almost closed, his tackling and punting being exceedingly clever. Cameron is a judicious centre, and of late had has shown a fine turn of speed as well as ability to shoot at the right moment. The terms did not transpire, but they are said to be on a generous scale.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
May 13, 1896. The Liverpool Mercury
We have been informed on very good authority that the following players have signed for next season for Everton;- Goals; Briggs, Menham; Backs; Barker, Storrier, McDonald (W.), Arridge, Balmer (W.), and Molyneux, half-backs; Boyle, Holt, Stewart, Nash, Goldie, Hughes, Meilkejohn, Robertson, forwards; Bell, Taylor, Cameron, Hartley, Chadwick (E.), Milward, Williams, Balmer (J.), Campbell, Chadwick (J.), Elliott, and Schofield, forwards.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Daily Post – Wednesday, May 13, 1896
PLAYERS FOR NEXT SEASON
We have been informed on very good authority that the following players have signed for Everton for next season;- F. Briggs and Menham, goalkeepers; Barker, Storrier, McDonald, W. Arridge, W. Balmer, and Molyneux, backs; Boyle, Holt, Stewart, Nash, Goldie, Hughes, Meiklejohn, and Robertson, half-backs; Bell, Taylor, Cameron, Hartley, E. Chadwick, Milward, Williams, J. Balmer, Campbell, Campbell, J. Chadwick, Elliott and Schofield, forwards.

THE EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool daily Post-Friday, May 22, 1896
BALANCE SHEET
The directors of the Everton Football Club Company have announced that the annual meeting of the shareholders will be held on Tuesday, the 2nd June, at eight o’clock, in the Picton lecture Hall. The directors recommend the payment of a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. The retiring directors are Messrs, Bainbridge, Cuff, and Davies. The following is a detailed list of the income and expenditure for the year ending April 30, 1896;-
RECEIPTS
April 30, 1896.
To gate receipts £8093 16s 0d
Proceeds of matches played away 31237 3s 5d
Total £9330 19s 5d
Season tickets £437 7s 0d
Profit on special excursion tickets £25 15s 7d
Advertising contractor- for programmes, hoardings, and refreshments £150
Transfer fees £4 12s 6d
Players insurance recovered for injuries £99 7s 3d
Total £10099 1s 9d
EXPENDITURE
April 30, 1896
By players’ wages and bonuses £4257 19s 5d
Amount paid visiting clubs £799 15s 4d
Travelling expenses £957
Advertising, billposting, printing and stationary £342 0s 10d
Gate expenses and checkers £261 2s 4d
Training expenses and trainers wages £269 14s 1d
Ground expense and groundman’s wages £276 5s 0d
Rates, taxes, gas, water, telephone, and insurance £132 15s 11d
Income tax £72 10s 11d
Total £206 6s 10d
Interest, &c., on mortgage £127 3s 7d
Less property tax £3 13s 11d
Total £123 9s 8d
Office expenses, postage, secretary’s salary, &c., £246 14s 7d
Clothing material and stores £145 16s 0d
Medical fees and players insurance £101 1s 1d
League, &c., subscriptions and donations, £9 19s 0d
Entertaining visiting clubs £25 8s 8d
Sundry expenses £67 9s 6d
Law costs and auditor’s fees £52 6s 4d
Balance carried to profit and loss account £1957 13s 1d
Total £10099 1s 9d
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
For year ending 30April 1896
To dividend declared at 5 per cent, free of Income-tax £97 7s 6d
1896 April 30
To amounts now written off, viz;-
Depreciation off ground and Stands, &c, £487 1s 2d
Depreciation off Office fixtures, cart, &c, £12
Preliminary Expenses £50
Law Costs, &c, in connection with purchase, conveyance and mortgage of land £125 15s 11d
Reserved against debts unpaid, £2 16s 1d
Total £757 13s 2d
To Balance carried forward £5,140 10s 9d
Total £5, 995 11s 5d
1895, April 30
By surplus at this date, as per Certified
Accounts £4,037 13s 4d
1896 April 30
By amount of Income in excess of Expenditure for year ending this date, as per Income and Expenditure Account £1,957 13s 1d
1896 April 30
By Balance £5, 140 10s 9d
THE EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB CO, LIMITED
Balance-sheet as at April 30, 1896
Capital and Liabilities
Nominal capital -£2,500 in 2,500
Shares of £1 each; 15s per share called up.
2210 shares issued and allotted at 15s per share paid up…1657 10s
290 bonus shares-to old members £290
Total £1947 10s
2500
Sundry creditors £136 17s 6d
Balance to the credit of profit and loss account £5140 10s 9d
Total £7224 18s 3d
Property and assets
Ground, stands, boardings and erections at Goodison Park, as at April 30, 1896, £2972 14s 11d
Amount expended during year £201 12s 4d
Total £3174 7s 3d
Less written off- 10 per cent, on total cost £487 1s 2d
Total 32787 6s 1d
Freehold land £8080 12s 6d
Total £10777 18s 7d
Less Mortgage £5000
Total £5777 18s 7d
Office fixtures, horse, gears and implement, as at April 30, 1895, £100
Less proceeds of sale of horse and cart £12
Total £82
Less now written off £12
Total £70
Sundry debtors £236 4s 1d
Less amount carried to suspense account £82 16s 1d
Total £153 8s 0d
Clothing, material, and stores on hand £40
Preliminary expenses balance at April 30, 1896, £50
Less written off £50
Total nil
Sundry deposits £19
Bonuses paid clubs and players in advance £67 11s 0d
Cash at bankers £1039 8s 6d
In hand £57 12s 2d
Total £1097 0s 8d
Total £7224 18s 3d
We have examined the books and accounts of the above company and have to report that in our opinion the above balance sheet is a full and fair one, and properly drawn up so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the state of the company’s affairs as shown by their books.
T. THEODORE ROGERS and co.,
30 North John street, Chartered Accountants, Liverpool, May 19, 1896.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
The Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday 28 May 1896
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY POST
Sir- Can you inform me what is to be gained by the directors of the Everton Football Club company deducting annually a sum equal to 10 per cent, from the total cost of their property? It does not appear to be for depreciation; a percentage equal to 5 per cent, would more than cover any such loss. Besides no “depreciation fund” is shown in their account. What will be their position with reference to any of the existing fixtures which may be standing at the termination of the ten years? How could they be shown in the account as at present formulated? Will they then be required to alter the present form to suit the exigencies of the altered circumstances? Yours, 7c., JACK, Bootle, May 27, 1896

READING SIGN EVERTON PLAYERS
Reading Observer-Saturday 30 May 1896
Reading have secured new players in hill the reserve outside right of Everton and Handford, the reserve outside left of Everton.

WHAT THE WORLD SAYS.
May 30, 1896. Chester Observer
I see that according to the annual balance-sheet of the Everton Football Club, players' wages, and bounties amounted to £4,257. That sum, divided among 11 players would represent £387 piece. Even if the number of players retained by the club is reckoned at 20, which would allow for nine reserves, their annual remuneration would exceed £200, or fully twice the income of an average curate. In these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that many clubs are unable to make both ends meet. A “gate” of 40,000, sixpence does not represent a quarter of the amount paid in salaries alone by a first rate club.