EVERTON’S EXCELLENT WAR RECORD
July 2, 1918. The Evening Express
By CRI
The Everton annual was a happy gathering with the three retiring directors, re-elected, a five per cent “divot” declared and a speech which struck a high not for Chairman W.R. Clayton under whose guidance the proceedings were run through with clockwork regularity. It was like preaching to the converted when Mr. Clayton defended war-time football on the score of the amount of many the game brought in for war objects –like myself he hates the word “charity” being attached to these funds –but, then, he knew he was speaking to a wider circle than the handful of shareholders present, and even yet there are people who cannot or will not appreciate the fact that men working hard all week must have some recreations. Football acts as a safety value. It takes men into the open air and gives them something to talk about. Deprive them of it, and they may be driver to less innocent amusements. The clubs khaki record will compare favourably with that of others, and although some of the players have been wounded, the chairmen was glad to say “progressing favourably” in all cases. He also emphasized the fact that the men who turned out last season were real workers, doing their best in the national service. “Work comes first,” was the motto, but the junior clubs gave a much appreciated helping hand. Naturally they were heartily thanked and their efforts duly noted, in fact “chequed” Mr. Clayton does not know if feminine footballers have come to stay, but he pointed out their drawing power, and promised them support so long as they were booting for a good cause.

AN EVERTON MEETING WITHOUT DISSENT
July 2, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
Bee’s Notes
Last night’s Everton annual attended by twenty placid souls, and it a dissentient voice was raised. Cast your mind back to the voting days –Dr. Whitford proposed, Mr. Blance second and Francis lent his support to motion that the Everton directors and plays should be thanked for their valued serve during the season. The twenty placed souls suddenly roused themselves and un was their “receipt of the proposal. Retiring directors were re-elected, auditors divided, the chairman in his speech and pointed the difficulty in the Anderson’s case of laying charge that would hold good in law and Everton were prepared to go all length to its conviction if one were possible for offence for which Anderson now at Hers and it was money well spent said the chairman.
Other points made;
They, he never asked a player to leave his work to play football. A number of their men were in the Army and many had been wounded. Collections realized £240; gave £720 to the footballers National Fund, £500 to Sportsman Ambulance Fund donated £571 and include deserving orgaisation the Union of Boys clubs in the number. In all subscribed £200 to various finds –testimony to the game and excellent defence against critic. Mr. Clayton displayed their prowness and whatever one might say they could be no denying that Aintree, Haymarket and others had raised huge sums for charity. Everton would ever be ready and rising to help them in their new found sports. It was to the credit of the players who was tempted to sell matches that not only did they refuse, but they went further –reporting the matter to the directors instantly so that they could take action. Unless its nipped in the bud, betting most ruin football. The Chairman proposed Mr. Coffey seconded the report and “sheet” and it was remarried a dividened was declared that the club had never yet missed payments of a dividend. The happy meeting ended with reference to a record number of attendants made by directors and to the rise of Mr. Ernest Green a director from private to Lieutenant.

ANOTHER BASEBALL GAME AT GOODISON
July 3, 1918. The Evening Express
By CRI
Some little time ago there was a baseball match at Goodison Park, and I expressed the opinion that owing to the fact that it was sp speedy and spectators and that it occupied only a couple of hours, the game would become popular in this country and might even become a series rival to cricket from the point of view of attracting spectators. The many Americans in this country are naturally playing the game whenever and whatever they get a chance. Across the pond baseball has a great a hold on the populace as football has here. Every American boy has his “mitt” and looks forward to the day when he will turn out with some big “nine.” The Americans who have come across have brought their enthusiasm with them, and Anglo-American Baseball League has been founded with the object of popularizing the national game. The league has the services of many famous players, both former professionals and men from the universities and they have organized games in various parts of the country. some cuttings which have been sent to me shot that the spectators have run into thousands and as all the matches are on behalf of recognized British war funds, this is all to the good. The standard of play has also been high. On Saturday three crack nines are coming north to play at Goodison Park, commencing 3.30. After the Independence Day spirit which I am sure will be displayed tomorrow the further opportunity to cement the Anglo-American friendship should mean a crowded attendance as a game which should be full of interesting play. Those who saw the match played here before will not need urging to go though they can rest assured this will be much better. Those who did not can, by taking this opportunity, also help worthy war funds.

CLEVER BASEBALL PLAY AT GOODISON
July 8, 1918. The Evening Express
By CRI
The Canada v. U.S baseball game at Goodison was far and away better than the other play served up recently, and from the reception given to the players I think that it only needs a few more first class exhibitions –but they must be first class –to ensure sufficient interest being taken in the matches to make them really paying propitiations. One thing, however will be necessary, and that is punctuality. Games timed to start at half-past three which do not commence till after four get the crowd restless, especially when there is so much “winding up” to be done before the players settle down to the real thing. Cries of Play ball,” equivalent to the more familiar “Blow the whistle” were frequently heard from some wounded Canadians when a start was made, however, it soon became obvious that there was a vastly superior type of play than we had seen before. The fielding all through was something to marvel and to make the average cricketer green with envy. The fielders could throw at a tremendous pace from any part of the ground, and it was rare that the man to who the ball was being sent had to move his feet so accurate were the deliveries. The pitching was also good, the Canadian crack laving such command of spin and speed that he dismissed the opposition six times with a blank score sheet. Beasley opened well for the U.S. but he tired, and when he had five runs scored off him in the seventh innings he was gently but firmly taken off. Canada won by twelve to seven, and it was a great game, marred by one peculiar accident.
The Rouslers
The extraordinary part of the exhibition to those who had not seen one before was the way the players yelled at their opponents, and quite as a regular thing they sent two men out on the line” when their side was batting to “get the pitcher’s goat.” They shouted all sorts of derogatory remarks as to his ability, advised him to cat more outs waited to know where he had been found and then left him for a moment to “twist” the umpire whilst the way they capered about the funny. Here again precoticeived notions were upset, for the Canadans were far the noister, just as they were the keener side in the field, and one little “hard case” payer was a whole host in himself. Baseball as it was played on Saturday would catch on, because it was always good to watch.

AS YOU WERE IN FOOTBALL WORLD
July 16, 1918 The Evening Express
By CRI
There are thousands of men in the district –aye and women too –who will heartily accord with the decision of the Football League to carry on in the fifth year of war as they did in the fourth. The greater the strain the greater the need for relaxation, and it is the worker who “gets away from himself” on a Saturday afternoon who s going to put his back into his job all the harder the following week.
Seeing the times we are having in it was a sensible move on the part of the Management Committee to leave the question of carrying on to the clubs themselves. Their answer was prompt and decisive, and the only point left for discussion was the grouping of the clubs. This was a somewhat long drawn out affair, but eventually “as you were” last season was agreed to, so we shall have the same visitors as heretofore. Some of the optimize wanted to arrange fixtures only till Christmas, as the war might be over by then and cup-ties possible. Mention of “the coop” made eyes sparkle, but Mr. C.E. Sutcliffe jumped on the proposal of half-yearly fixtures. The greatest mistake the League could possibly make, and a public intimation that they were prepared to lower the League flag,” was the way he put it, while the argument raised by Mr. Clayton, Everton’s chairman, was that if they did not continue as before one or two clubs might have to drop out. He wanted them to go on as before, and in the end this idea prevailed.
Football Betting
Naturally last year’s sensation came in for reference from president J. McKenna, who said the Management Committee had a most anxious time owing to the great conspiracy case, but thanks to the loyal cooperation’s of the players they had run the culprit to earth, although he was confident they had not been fortunate enough in getting at those outside the game, who had been distributing their vile circulars throughout the length and breadth of the country.
Mr. Clayton also referred to the matter, and declared that if it had cost his club £1,000 to carry out the prosecution in the conspiracy case they were prepared to pay it in the interest of the game.

BASEBALL TOURNAMENT AT GOODISON PARK
July 25, 1918. The Liverpool Echo
From the point of view of popular interest the baseball game that have been played in this district have been to a successful that a number of gentlemen, including Mr. F. Sugg, have started a cup competition on for American baseball teams. It is hoped by this to bring out the best possible skill and to draw forth the utmost energy on the part of the competing sides. The first round will be played at Goodison Park next Saturday between 162nd U.S.A infantry and 269 (I think, hard to read) Air Squadron. These teams will be fully equipped with regulations costume and two detachments have given even facility to the players in the way of leave, really representative sides will be put out. As the football season it approaching and Goodison Park is only available for the two next Saturdays the second round will be played in mid-week and the final on Saturday August 3.