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.

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. 

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.