EVERTON ELECTION PUT OFF FOR POLL
The Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, July 3, 1920
NOISES AND CHALLENGES
A LOUD MEETING WITHOUT A RESULT
Bee’s Notes
As a Karno revue the Everton F.C. meetings would be highly delightful, lest as a sports gathering of a club which boasts respect the meetings have become infamous. Everton used to boast that they had never been in danger of relegation-they lost their certificate last April. They further claimed that no club was better respected. They have lost that respect by the matter of their meetings to consider the club’s affairs and elections of directors. Last night’s annual meeting started quietly, but developed into personals, and finally became a riotous disorder, the chairman being called a lair, a gentleman who is putting up for election to the board advancing from the middle of “the floor” to make his pronouncement certain to carry as far as the chair. There was also a threat of violence. That men should stand the noise and perstilence of such meetings as those held during the last fortnight must lead outsiders to ask themselves. “Why do directors hold tenaciously to office?” Mr. Clayton in the chair ruled the meeting hard and fast, and the pity of it was that he should have made play of an illiterate man who had made error over the word “dictator.” Mr. Clayton’s speeches were “holeable,” if the meeting had cared to become a school test of grammar and pronunciation. Undoubtedly Mr. Clayton stung the Syndicate members when the question of election of directors was the point of discussion. There had been a mistake regarding the reading of the Companies. Act and the auditors admitted that they had taken the new ruling instead of the rule that governs Everton F.C., and trouble over 48 or 76 hours as the proxy time led to much discussion. There was as a result a chance that some proxies would become invalid. Words fell quickly; mostly hard words, and some suggesting a delayed election. The syndicate showed plainly their desire for the election to proceed by ballot at once. Mr. Gibbons moved that propositions, but Mr. Clayton inquired if there was a demand for a poll. Instantly five calls for that poll were made, and the upshot was that the ballot had fallen by the wayside, and the club had tied themselves to election as per municipal ideas. WHAT A POLL MEANT
What it meant was this; The syndicate knew they ahd won, if the election took place last night. A poll may make a difference, for shareholders living at a distance are not likely to the poll, whereas they had voted by proxy. Needless to say there was a hubbub at the surprise “twist” in events, and Mr. Cuff tried to get some proposals accepted by the chairman without any result. Mr. E. Green and others declared that they had meant ballo’ when they said “poll,” but the chairman went on with the business of the meeting and thus the meeting ended without election and with much astonishment’s. Mr. Cuff pointed out that half an hour earlier a vote had been accepted by the chairman from a shareholder who could not wait to the finish of the meeting. He asked whether the chairman, in face of that, could carry on with the pool. Mr. Clayton replied that a poll had been demanded, and that settled all. Mr. Halsall, given a fair hearing, made a sensible speech concerning his work and his difficulties and for some time Mr. Clayton had a fair hearing until he touched upon the ex-hon, secretary’s claims to become a director. The noise became tumultuous and Mr. Clayton vowed he would not be shouted down by a set of blackguardly ruffians. Right at the outset there was promise of a rift, owing to a revival of the statements and denials concerning Mr. Atkinson. Mr. Cuff and Mr. Francis had said certain things at the requisition meeting. Now Mr. Francis desired to make an apology to Mr. Cuff, and withdraw the statement he had made. Mr. Clayton endeavoured to show the phenomenal character of the season, and said if these was realisation of the assets the club would be worth £40,000. The directors, by attendance to meetings and keenness in their work had shown their earnest desire to assist the club. The players had been in numerous accidents during the season, and save for that the team would have been among the leaders of the League.
He told of the journeys after players, including Blair the Wednesday full back and Paterson, of Leicester City, and referred to the change of tactics when they sought Thompson and Harrison from Leicester, and their reception by Leicester when they went for Paterson. The club had been after ninety-seven players. Mr. Clayton appealed for the re-election of Messrs. J. Davies, sent, and Halsall, against whom “the syndicate” had set opposition. A shareholder asked whether this was a propaganda meeting. Some liveliness summed, but a shareholder formally seconded the adoption of the report, and this was carried.
URGENT NEED OF ANOTHER MEETING
“Scrip” writes;- Last night’s denouement has only served to make” confusion more confounded” in the affairs of the club and its peculiar governmental “stunts.” To expedite matters may I suggest that the shareholders invoke the aid and privileges of Company Law, and send in a requisition immediately for a general meeting? It will give them a chance of being kept conversant with “the best laid schemes of mice and men.”
PLAYERS SIGNED ON
Mr. Tom McIntosh read the following list, showing the signings for next season;-
Goal;- Fern, Mitchell.
Backs;- Downs, Thompson, McDonald (Airdrieonians), Weller, Robinson, Stroud.
Half-backs.- Brown, Peacock, Fleetwood, Grenyer, Brewster, Williams, Leivesley, Lawson, Farrer (Prescot), Garrett (Halesown).
Forwards;- Chedgzoy,. Jones, Kirsopp, Crossley (Sunderland), Parker, Clennell, Harrison, Reid (Belfast Distillery), Wall, Howarth, Spencer, Kearslake, McGrae.
Amateurs-Backs; Rooney, Morris (Clock Face), Half-backs; Smith, Guttridge (Clock Face). Forwards; John Blair, Ben Jones, Bowers.
Today I learn that Everton have signed Lightburn, Marine’s inside right.

A TRANMERE SIGNING
The Liverpool Echo, Tuesday, July 6, 1920
Bee’s Notes
J. Williamson, of the Hibernians, has returned home, and will be found playing for Tranmere Rovers next season. A little, stocky fellow, Williamson used to figure at outside right or left for Tranmere, then went to Everton. Blackpool, and finally Scotland. He had a merry innings with the Hibs, being one of the leading scorers last season at centre forward with 24 goals. He does not look built for a centre forward, but his pluck is astonishing. So versatile is he that he can play in any forward position.

NOTES & NOTIONS
The Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, July 10, 1920
THE CENTRETEMPS
Four hundreds and twenty-four proxies out of a shareholders’ list numbering. He clearly indicated the defeat of two of the retiring directors. Mr. Halsall, in his pleasingly dispassionate speech admitted the fact in a proper sporting spirit. Then why defer the voting? The merits and demerits of the retiring directors or the prospective office-bearers had nothing directly to do with the agenda, and both “the platform” and “the floor” were completely out of order in their “personalities.”
The “poll stunts” was not the last clutch of drowning men at a straw-what was it and what purpose did it serve? Anyway, the chairman’s “smart” move was “nothing new” he simply remembered the Mahon case years ago. According to my authority on Company Law, Table A, 1862 (adopted by the Everton Club Co.) is vastly different to Table A, 1906, inasmuch as it provides for the instrument of proxy being available for one year. Incidentally it provides that proxies shall be deposited not less than 72 hours before the time for holding the general meeting, whereas under Table A, 1908,
The time is 48 hours. The auditors’ mistake occasioned surprise. A starting sequel to the declaration of the poll may be expected. More anon. Not in apropos, and well worth letter-press, is the “brain-wave” of a sagacious shareholder at a recent meeting. “We shareholders are or should be, the real governors and we appoint directors for a term of three years, at the expiration of which time they retire and give an account of their stewardship. We are not bound to re-elect them, whether they have done well or otherwise, and we think it would be well of the honours went further round than has been the custom in the past. If every director stayed in office 30 years or so we should never get a chance. If successful, Messrs Gibbons and Sawyer must understand that they are being elected for three years. 

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB COMPANY NOTICE
The Liverpool Echo- Tuesday, July 13, 1920
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Mr. W.R. Clayton, Everton F.C, chairman, has issued the following circular;-
A poll having been demanded at the general meeting held on Friday last on the resolution;-
That, having regard to the regrettable mistake of the auditor, resulting in numerous shareholders being late with their proxies, the election of directors to fill the vacancies on the board be dealt with at a special meeting of the company, of which due notice shall be given to every member. I do therefore, as chairman of such meeting, appoint Wednesday, the 21st day of July instant, between the hours of 6.30 and 9.30 in the evening, at Common Hall, Hackins-boy, for the purpose of taking such poll. And I appoint Mr. Hebert Bowler, the company’s auditor, to assist as scrutineer in taking such poll. I would request every shareholder to attend personally and exercise his powers of voting on the above resolution. Should the resolution be carried, you will receive a subsequent notice of the time and place of the special meeting for the election of directors which is proposed. First of all, I would like to point out that the date of the circular says the annual meeting was in June, whereas it was held in July- the 2nd to be precise. Already there is doubt cast among some of the Everton shareholders as to the position they are now placed in. some claim that the resolution named at the head of the circular was lost at the annual meeting, and that the poll was demanded for the purpose of process of electing the directors. However, in the meantime, I am asked to state that all shareholders who have given proxies to Messrs. Wright, Gibbons, or Sawyer need not attend the meeting of July 21, as their proxies are valid right though.
Everton F.C went dates to be fixed straightaway for their “A” team. Write Mr. T. McIntosh, secretary, Goodison Park.

A FUTHER EVERTON CLUB MEETING
The Liverpool Echo-Friday, July 16, 1920
A meeting of the supporters of Messrs. Banks, Gibbons, and Sawyer will be held at St. Luke’s Schoolroom, Goodison-road, on Tuesday, at 8 p.m. Messrs Banks, Gibbins, and Sawyer urgently request those of their supporters who have not already given them proxies to attend the poll on Wednesday next to record their vote against the resolution. It will be unnecessary for shareholders who have already given their proxies to Messrs. Banks, Gibbins and Sawyer to attend the poll, as their votes will be recorded for them.

PROFESSIONALS
Crewe chronicle-Saturday 17 July 1920
Crewe have signed
J.M. Jones, late Everton, colliery engineer, Wrexham
T. singleton, inside forward, late Everton

NEW PROFESSIONALS
Staffordshire Sentinel-Saturday 17 July 1920
G.M. Jones, formerly of the Everton F.C. who played at Crewe against the Alexandra last season. The directors of the Crewe club were struck by his brilliant play, and secured his signature at the close of the season. He is a colliery engineer.
T. Singleton, formerly of Everton and Prescott, is an inside forward. Last season, singleton was top scorer for Prescot. He resides at St. Helens.

DUNN OF LUTON SIGNED ON FOR WEDNESDAY
Sheffield Independent - Monday 19 July 1920
During the week-end the Wednesday have secured a new left back in John Dunn, of Luton Town.  He captained Eccles Brough during the year they won the first division of the Lancashire Combination.  He stands 5ft 10 and half in, and draws the beam at 12st 10lb.  In the season 1913-14 he was with leeds City, after which he played war-time football with Blackpool and Everton and finally joining Luton Town. 

MACONNACHIE
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 21 July 1920
Swindon Town are still searching for a full back, and rumours has it that they would like the Everton player, J.S Macconnachie, who is coaching a football team in Swindon.

POLL OR NO POLL?
The Liverpool Echo-Thursday, July 22, 1920
Bee’s Notes
“The House of Commons’ last night, in Hackin’s-hey, sat on the Everton F.C, topic. The question was “To Poll or Not to Poll,” and things were very dull. The bother of staying there from 6.30 to 9.30 must have been troublesome, I should imagine, if only for its dreariness. The chairman of Everton, with an auditor, sat awaiting the votes “for” or “against” the resolution, and very few people took the trouble to vote, but there was the lump vote of the so-called “Syndicate,” who by proxies weighed down the scale with 400 odd votes against. I think the syndicate would do better to change their name to “Supporters’ Club.” However, that’s an aside. The point of the moment is that time is flying by, the season is nearly due, and the Everton Club has not yet elected its directors. Somehow I do not see the rough places in the team made straight, and the season doesn’t promise to show any sound rise upon the standard obtained last season. Wherefore they should bring the “hurry-up” cart into use and get busy with further signings. I take it that a further announcement to shareholders is necessary now to state the result of last night’s meeting and the next move! It’s a game! Talk about patience at draughts! By the bye, do readers form any estimate of the value of Everton shares? They have been 15s paid-up, and now touch this price; £4 8s. south Liverpool F.C have not joined in the ‘meeting-vogue,” but now they have a ground they want to get on with the work on hand. So they have called an extraordinary general meeting for Common hall, Hackin’s-hey, 7.30 to-morrow. Had it not been for the ground difficulty, there can be little doubt that South would have asked Bromilow the goalkeeper, to sign for them. As it is Oldham Athletic have taken this ex-Everton and reliant custodian to their books.

TEDDY MAGNER FOR MONK, HALL
Widnes Examiner-Saturday July 24, 1920
Teddy Magner (centre forward), late of Everton, paisley St Mirren, and Dublin Shelborne, has been signed. Whilst with St. Mirren, Teddy was top scorer for the two season he stayed there, and last season he played a big part for them in securing the Irish F.A. Cup. Teddy stands 5ft 10ins and weighs over 11 stone.

EX-MERSEY MEN SIGNED
The Liverpool Echo- Wednesday, July 28, 1920
Bee’s Notes
Another player secured for Southend is Thomas Nuttall, inside right of St. Mirren last season. He has assisted both Manchester United and Everton.

HALESOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
Dudley Chronicle, Saturday July 31, 1920
J. Garratt, the left back, had been transferred to Everton, the fee being £100. The officials acknowledge his services with a little present, and their good wishes go with him.