MIDDLESBOROURGH GOALKEEPER FOR LUTON.
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 01 June 1904
We hear on the best authority that “Rab” Macfarlane, the Middleborough goalkeeper, will be found between the uprights for Luton Town next season, that Club having made a good offer to him. He has seen a deal of service, and many Clubs, including Greenock Morton, Lanark, Everton, Bristol St. George East Stirlingshire, Grimsby Town, Celtic, and Middlesborough. Played for Scotland against Wales in 1896, and Scottish League v. England in 1897, and has gained several valuable badges, and being a life abstainer, he has accumulated quite a respectable amount of “filthy lucre,” the love of which " is the root of all evil."

SATISFACTORY RECORD
June 8, 1904. The Liverpool Courier
The annual meeting of the Everton Football Club was held last night at the Exchange Station Hotel. Dr. Baxter (chairman of directors) presiding. The Chairman in proposing that he report and balance sheet, he adopted, said the doings of the club during the past season might be described as being very satisfactory from every point of view. To finish up the League tournament with Third place, to win the Lancashire Combination Championship, to again annex the Liverpool Cup, besides having a balance of profit of £1,800 on the season's working, might be considered no mean achievement. The only blot was their early dismissal from the English Cup Competition, which he considered was due to the phenomenally adverse weather conditions, and as some excuse one might instance that the Tottenham Hotspur inflicted defeat on the Aston Villa team at Birmingham-a testimony to the prowess of their opponents. They had been able to re-engage all the players they wished to retain for next season, with the exception of Wolstenhome, and O'Hagan. The former had gone to Blackburn Rovers, from whom they received a very substantial consideration, and the latter player had migrated to Tottenham Hotspur. They had also engaged two new forwards-Thorburn, who played centre-forward for Queen's Park last season, and Caldwell, an inside forward, who hails from Blantye-Victoria. The teams for next season were complete except for the probable additions of a class half-back. The question of allowing clubs to give a bonus for winning matches was brought up at the annual meeting of the football Association, and was defeated. The Everton directors were in favour of it, as they were convinced that many clubs had given their players inducements to win matches, and this had been a great disadvantage to those clubs who had kept the rule. He should like to call their attention to the fact that the item marked mortgage on the balance sheet was gradually disappearing. What was £7,500 now stood at £3,300, and the directors had given notice to pay of £1,600 more on the 1st January 1903- (hear, hear)-and he though he might promise them that, if they were blessed with any good fortune in the coming season, by the end of it they would have the ground free of debt. (hear. Hear). During next season four of their players (Kitchen, Abbott, Sharp, and Settle) had been granted their benefits-which benefits would take the form of two league matches- the proceeds of which would be equally divided. It was proposed that the shareholders of the club should on these occasions pay 1s as entrance fee. (hear, hear). Mr. George Mahon seconded the motion, which was adopted, and a divided at the rate of 3 per cent was declared.there was four vacancies on the directorate, the retiring members being Dr.Baxter, Dr, Whitford, Mr.B Kelly, and Mr.A.T.Coates. These gentlemen were renominated, and Mr.Alfred, R.Wade was also proposed. The voting resulted in the election of Messrs Kelly, Baxter, Wade, and Whitford, the votes recorded being-Kelly, 181, Baxter, 180, Wade 183, and Whitford, 117.
A shareholder suggested that in future home training should be resorted to in preference to special training, but by a large majority the meeting expressed the opinion that the matter should be left to the directors. Mr.W.C.Cuff (Secretary) announced that the following players had been engaged for next season:- Kitchen, Whitley and F.W.Dent, goalkeepers, W.Balmer, R.Balmer, Crelly, and Wildman, backs, Abbott Booth, R.Clayton, Chadwick, Henlin, and Makepeace, half-backs, Caldwell, Dilly, H.P.Hardman, W.R.McAdam, McDermott, Rankin, Roberts, B.Rickerby, Sharp, Settle, Sheridan, Taylor, Thornburn, and Young, forwards.

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
Liverpool Mercury - Wednesday 08 June 1904
SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL POSITION
NEW PLAYERS ENGAGED
The annual meeting of the Everton Football Club was held last evening in the Exchange Station Hotel. Dr. J.C. Baxter (chairman of directors) presided over a large gathering. The Chairman, in proposing that the report and balance-sheet be adopted, said the doings of the Everton Football Club during the past season might be described as being very satisfactory from every point of view. To finish up the League tournament with third place, to win the Lancashire Combination Championship, and to again annex the Liverpool Cup, besides having a balance of profit of £1800 on the season’s working, might be considered no means achievement. The only blot was their early dismissal from the English Cup competition, which, he considered, was due to the phenomenally adverse weather conditions, as some excuse one might instance that the Tottenham Hotspurs inflicted defeat on the Aston Villa team at Birmingham-a testimony to the prowess of their opponents. These little surprises were due to the fortunes of war, and very much increased the interest and excitement of football, for who would, he asked, care of watch a game if the result was a foregone conclusion? When the game can be reduced to a mathematical certainly it would then die of inanition. They had been able to re-engage all the players they wished to retain for next season, with the exception of Wolverhampton and O’Hagan. The former had gone to Blackburn Rovers, from whom they received a very substantial consideration; and the latter player had migrated to the Tottenham Hotspurs. They had also engaged two new forwards- Thorburn, who played centre-forward for Queen’s Park last season, and Caldwell, an inside forward, who hails from Blantyre Victoria. The teams for next year were complete except for the probable addition of a class half-back. The question of allowing clubs to give a bonus for winning matches was brought up at the annual meeting of the Football Association and defeated. The Everton directors were in favour of it, as they were convinced that many clubs had given their players inducements to win matches, and this had been a great disadvantage to those clubs who had kept the rule. He should like to call their attention to the fact that the item marked “mortgage” on the balance-sheet was gradually disappearing. What was £7500 now stood at £3500, and the directors had given notice to pay off £1500 more on January 1, 1905- (hear, hear)-and he thought he might promise them that if they were blessed with any good fortune in the coming season, by the end of it they would have the ground free of debut. (Hear, hear.” 
In concluding, he wished to inform them that during the season 1904-5 four of their players had been granted their benefits, which benefits would take the form of two League matches, the proceeds of which would be equally divided. It was proposed that the shareholders of the club should on these occasions pay 1s, as entrance fee. (Hear, hear).
Mr. George Mahon seconded the motion, and said the balance-sheet was a most satisfactory, one to the shareholders.
Mr. George Mitchell supported the motion, which was carried.
The meeting approved of the directors’ recommendation in regard to the payment of a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum on the called-up capital.
There were four vacancies on the directorate, the retiring members being Dr. Baxter, Dr. Whitford, Mr. B. Kelly, and Mr. A.T. Coates. These gentlemen were re-nominated, and Mr. Aldred R. Wade was also proposed. The voting resulted in the election of Messrs. Kelly, Baxter, Wade, and Whitford, and the votes were recorded as follow;-
Kelly, 181, Baxter, 180; Wade, 135; and Whitford, 117.
A shareholder expressed the opinion that in future home training should be resorted to instead of special training, but by a large majority the meeting resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the directors.
Mr. Cuff (secretary) announced that the following players had signed on for next season;-
Kitchen, Whitley, and F.W Dent (goal-keepers); W. Balmer, R. Balmer, Crelly, Wildman (backs); Abbott, Booth, R. Clayton, Chadwick, Hanlin, Makepeace (half-backs); Caldwell, Dilly, H.P. Hardman, W.R. McAdam, McDermott, Rankin, Roberts, B. Rickerby, Sharp, Settle, Sheridan, Taylor, Thorburn, and Young (forwards).
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors.

THE EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB
Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 08 June 1904
(same report in Liverpool Echo)
A SATISFACTORY SEASON
The annual meeting of the directors and shareholders of the Everton Football Club. Limited was held at the Exchange Station Hotel last evening, Dr. J.C. Baxter presiding over a large attendance. The Chairman, proposing that the report and balance-sheet be adopted, said the doings of the Everton Football Club during the past season might be described as being very satisfactory from every point of view. To finish up the League tournament with third place, to win the Lancashire Combination championship, and to again annex the Liverpool Cup, besides having a balance of profit of £1,800 on the season’s working, night be considered no mean achievement (hear, hear). The only blot was their early dismissal from the English Cup competition, which he considered was due to the phenomenally adverse weather conditions, and, as some excuse, one might instance that the Tottenham Hotspurs inflicted defeat on the Aston Villa team at Birmingham-a testimony to the prowess of their opponents. These little surprises were due to the fortunes of war, and very much increased the interest and excitement of football; for, who would, he asked, care to watch a game if the result was a foregone conclusion? When the game could be reduced to a mathematical certainty it would then die of inanition (hear, hear). They had been able to re-engage all the players they wished to retain for next season with the exception of Wolstenholme and O’Hagan. The former had gone to Blackburn Rovers from whom they received a very substantial consideration, and the latter player had migrated to the Tottenham Hotspurs. They had also engaged two new forwards -Thorburn, who played centre forward for Queen’s Park last season, and Caldwell an inside forward, who hailed from Blantyre Victoria. The teams for next year were complete, except for the probable addition of a class half-back. The question of allowing clubs to give a bonus for winning matches was brought up at the annual meeting of the Football Association, and was defeated. The Everton directors were in favour of it, as they were convinced that many clubs had given their players inducements to win matches, and this had been a great disadvantage to those clubs who had kept the rule. He should like to call their attention to the fact that the item marked mortgage on the balance-sheet was gradually disappearing. What was £7,500 now stood at £3,500, and the directors had given notice to pay off £1,500 more on January 1 1905 (hear, hear), and he thought he might promise them that, if they were blessed with any good fortune in the coming season, by the end of it they would have the ground free of debt (hear. Hear). In concluding, he wished to inform them that during the season 1904-5 four of their players-Kitchen, Abbott, Sharp, and Settle- had been granted their benefits-which benefits would take the form of two League matches-the proceeds of which would be equally divided. It was proposed that the shareholders of the club should on these occasions pay 1s as entrance fee (hear. Hear).
Mr. G. Mahon seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The declaration of a dividend of 5 per cent, was approved.
There were four vacancies on the board of directors the retiring members Dr. Baxter, Dr. Whitford, Mr. B. Kelly, and Mr. A.T. Coates, all offering themselves for re-election. In addition to these gentlemen, Mr. A.R. Wade was proposed, and the voting resulted in the election of Dr. Baxter and Whitford and Messrs Kelly and Wade, the voting being;- Kelly, 181; Baxter 180; Wade 135; and Whitford, 117.
During the counting of the votes some discussion took place, and a shareholder suggested that in future home training should be done when preparing for cup-ties.
It was decided, by a large majority, to leave this to the discretion of the directors.
The secretary (Mr. Cuff) announced the engagement of the following players for next season; Kitchen, Whitley, and F.W. Dent (goalkeepers); W. Balmer, R. Balmer, Crelly, and Wildman (backs); Abbott, Booth, R. Clayton, Chadwick, Hanlin, and Makepeace (half-backs); Caldwell, Dilly, H.P. Hardman, W.R. McAdam,. McDermott, Rankin, Roberts, R. Rickerby, Sharp, Settle, Sheridan, Taylor, Thorburn, and Young (forwards).

THE EVERTOX ANNUAL
Athletic News - Monday 13 June 1904
By Junius
Quite a humdrum affair was the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Everton club, for there was nothing to grumble at, and one of the puissant incentives of debate was therefore lacking. One facetious shareholder, whilst admitting his gratification at again receiving 5 per cent dividend, was anxious to know if there would also be no bonus, a remark which proves him to be like Joey Bagshaw—devilish sly. Sir. One of the retiring directors—Mr. Coates—failed to gain re-election, and his place was taken by Mr. A. R. Wade. The following players have been signed for next season —Kitchen. Whitley, and F. W. Dent, goal; R and W. Balmer, Crelly, and Wildman. full backs; Abbott, Booth, Chadwick, Hamill, Makepeace, and J. Clayton, half-backs; Caldwell, Dilly,  H- Hardman, McDermott, Rankin, Roberts, E. Rickerby, Sharp, Settle, Sheridan, Taylor, Thorburn, Young, and J F. McAdam, forwards. Benefits will be given to Settle, Sharp, Kitchen, and Abbott, and the proceeds of two League games will be divided between them.

THE EVERTON CLUB
Athletic News - Monday 13 June 1904
By Tityrus
Dr. Baxter, the chairman of the Everton club, and the new member of the Management Committee of The League, was very optimistic in his tone at the yearly gathering of the shareholders.  As he said, to finish third in the League tourney, to win the Lancashire Combination championship, and the Liverpool Cup, and to have a balance of 1,800 pounds on the year, was no mean achievement.  Then, in the face of this, one of the shareholders wanted to dictate to the directors where they should train the team.  I think the executive are capable of deciding all such questions for themselves.  He said that they has re-engaged all their players except Wolstenholme and O’Hagan.  Of course the latter has only just turned professional, and a transfer fee of 500 pounds will probably console Everton for the loss of even Wolstenholme, although a good man is required in his place.  By the way the Emergency Committee of the F.A. inquired into the removal of Wolstenholme.  Moreover, they “were satisfied with the explanations given, and ordered the registration of the player for Blackburn Rovers F.C.”  Dr. Baxter said they had engaged Thorburn, centre forward, of Queen’s Park, and Caldwell, an inside forward from Blantyre Victoria.  He regretted that the law as to bonus had not been rescinded.  There I join issue.  But with two sentiments in his speech I cordially agree.  He hoped that by the end of the next season their ground would be free from debt, and be their very own; while, of course, they hoped that the Football Association would give permission for Kitchen, Abbott, Sharp, and Settle to have benefits next season.  These four will pool, I believe the proceeds of two league matches, and it was proposed that the shareholders should on those occasions pay an admission fee of one shilling.  They reward of deserving players is a very right and proper thing to do.  These four have been faithful, they have been workers, and the only player who has not gained international honours, Kitchen, is one of the safest goalkeepers who ever punched a ball.  Incidentally one may add that they are four men whose private lives give the lie to the absurd charges which are so commonly made against footballers by people who know absolutely nothing whatever about them.  I hope they will require furniture was to remove the proceeds of their benefits. 

CHARLES CARTER HALL
Formby Times - Saturday 18 June 1904
A well-known figure in connection with all kinds of sport in Formby passed away this week after a lingering illness in the person of Mr. Charles Carter Hall, one of the oldest and ablest writers on cricket, football, and athletics generally who has been associated with the Liverpool press. For 21 years Mr. Hall was connected with the “Liverpool Courier” and Express” and apart from his ordinary work he took the liveliest interest in all kinds of outdoor sports; indeed many years have passed since he became recognised as “The Father of Sport” in this district. Mr. Hall was born at Stokesley, near Cleveland, on April 9, 1833. For ten years he was president of the Manchester Press Cricket Club. He then came to Liverpool, and by his advocacy the Liverpool and District Association was inaugurated also the West Lancashire Rugby Union. He was the initiator of several minor organisations being always a warm supporter of the younger clubs. Mr. Hall was associated with the Everton Football Club in its earlier days, and always took a warm interest in that organisation. He was the recipient of many testimonials, two in recent years being from the Liverpool Old Boys and the sportsmen of Liverpool and district, including many subscribers from Formby, in recognition of his labours on behalf of sport.

EVERTON’S NEW CHAIRMAN.
Athletic News - Monday 27 June 1904
By Junius
In their selection of chairman for the coming season it is questionable whether the directors the Everton club could have made a more popular choice than to entrust this onerous post once more to Mr. George Mahon. The new chairman may be faithfully termed the “father of the Everton club,'" for to his untiring zeal, when it was decided to leave Anfleld and seek a new home, is the existence the club due. Himself an expert in financial negotiations, he arranged all the details in connection with the acquisition of the plot of ground which, by a marvelous transformation, was changed into the commodious enclosure at Goodison Park.  As is readily admitted by those who are thoroughly conversant with what transpired during this transition period, without Mr. Mahon the club might never have been, and so keenly were his services appreciated that he made honorary president of the new organization. He was the first chairman of the club, and it is significant oi his character that has always enjoyed the full confidence of the whole body of directors and shareholders. Unfortunately his health gave way, which necessitated a voyage to the Canary Isles, but since his return he has demonstrated all his old interest in the welfare of Everton. He has occupied prominent positions in other affairs, and for many years was chairman of the Theatrical Gala Committee. On his retirement he was presented with a massive piece of silver plate in recognition of the valuable work he had done, before the incorporation of Walton with Liverpool he was chairman of the Local Board, and was frequently invited to stand as city councilor, but turned a deaf ear to all these entreates. He is also a very efficient musician, and for several years held the position as organist in one of the local churches Popular alike with players and officials, he should have a successful year of office, and it would be a  fitting climax to his term of chairmanship if the club secured either the League or the Association Cup.